Ersa I-CON Nano or Pace ADS200? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: phil303
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2019, 03:49:36 am
content: My workplace offers a pretty generous benefit for purchases related to personal education and I find myself with a couple grand of basically free money that can go to something I'm learning. Since I've been learning electronics for the past year or so and discovered I really love it, it's time to upgrade the workbench! Right now, I'm focusing on a new soldering iron.I find myself debating between the Ersa I-CON Nano or Pace ADS200, which are in the same price range. I haven't seen a comparison video of the two yet, perhaps because the Pace is a relative newcomer as I understand it, but would love to get your opinions. For the time being, I'll be using this for mostly through-hole but I'm learning how to make PCBs right now, and eventually I'd like to use it for SMD work as well.

author: phil303
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 09:52:21 pm
content: Just going to give this one more shot in case it was missed by someone in the know.What would you buy if you had to choose between the two?

author: CrazyTiger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 11:39:55 pm
content: Both the station are good, they have some sort of quick change of tips, but the Pace ADS-200 does not require you to screw and unscrew the collar like the Ersa.Also have a look at the tip price and availability, i know Pace is widely available, not sure about Ersa in the US.My Suggesting if you have the budget,why not get an used Pace MBT350 soldering station, it has 3 channels and the tips are cartridge type like the Ersa and ADS-200. The cartridge is relatively cheap. Best part you will get a Soldering Iron, Desoldering Hand Piece and a Soldering Tweezer, this should last you for ages.If you are really lucky, sometimes the MBT350 turns up at Ebay from about 400-500 USD, though now the price is about 1khttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Pace-Soldering-Station-MBT350-WITH-2-HANDLES-AND-TIPS-PLUS-TESTED/303042771252?epid=1003989546&hash=item468ec1b934:g:zs0AAOSwKV9cTgmahttps://www.ebay.com/itm/Pace-8007-0454-MBT350-Multi-Channel-Solder-TD100-SX-100-MT-100/152240675205?hash=item2372405985:g:OIIAAOSwzoRZfChQI have been using MBT-350 at work and the older MBT-250 at home, the only issue I ever found with the MBT350 is the desoldering hand piece gets clogged faster than the older MBT250s but all desoldering iron does that.

author: phil303
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 07:19:53 pm
content: Thanks for your response! I should have clarified, I'm not looking to use the whole budget on just the soldering iron. I'll likely be updating my power supply next and I'd also like to buy a rework station and waveform generator. So trying to strike a balance with all the various pieces I need on the bench. The MBT350 looks pretty nice but I think out of my price range.I'm leaning toward the pace right now for no other reason than it fits my aesthetic a bit more. Not the greatest reason but they'll probably both do the job for a newbie like myself for years to come.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 09:53:02 pm
content: I have the Ersa icon nano and I'm very happy with it but as it is my only soldering iron I can't really give you a comparison.I went for it because it was ESD safe and a reasonable price and the other people recommended Ersa as a good make. I bought mine in March 2013 (six years ago) and have had no problems or reason to regret my purchase. I was comparing it against a cheaper Hakko at the time of my purchase - I didn't consider more expensive irons like JVC ones as these were beyond my budget.Here is the post I made when I decided on it back in 2013:Quote from: jpb on March 12, 2013, 01:15:39 pm

author: Gary.M
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 10:06:45 pm
content: I switched to an I-Con Nano about six months ago. It is great. Plenty of power, the tips are easy to change. Also I'm finding the tip life to be superb.Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 10:18:29 pm
content: QuotePace has been around for while now.Pehaps the only reason they are not being discussed as much is ....price.Quote^^^ What he saidSo if you have "free money", spend it on PACE !

author: phil303
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 11:22:16 pm
content: Quote from: DimitriP on March 17, 2019, 10:18:29 pmOh, for clarity, I just meant that particular model but understood on the rest of your post.