ERSA Nano vs OKI PS-900? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TechItApart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 12:59:34 pm
content: Investing a new soldering station and would like your opinions, I want something that will last for a long time. I'm a hobbyist and am getting into SMD work so I want something suitable for all purposes.I can get the ERSA Nano for about £175 or the OKI (Metcal) PS-900 for £189 in the UK.I've used a similar Metcal before at work and I really liked it but I have to real preference. The Metcal I used didn't have a temperature display but it really didn't bother me at all - in fact I've never used an iron with one, how much do you guys find yourselves adjusting the temperature?Hakko is really hard to get hold of in the UK, although I could get an FX-888 for about £130 from the only distributor. Is there anything else you guys would suggest?Cheers

author: TechItApart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 01:18:12 pm
content: In fact looking into it more I'm seeing that replacement tips for the OKI/Metcal are pretty hard to find and there aren't that many in stock on the big sites and eBay.There are lots available for the ERSA Nano but is it worth the £50 price difference from the FX-888D?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 01:25:45 pm
content: Quote from: TechItApart on January 12, 2016, 01:18:12 pmIt's worth and the difference is less. 888D is overpriced in the EU. BTW you can get nano for EUR 190 = £143 delivered.http://www.ersa-shop.com/ersa-icon-nano-elektronisch-geregelte-l%C3%B6tstation-standby-antistatisch-p-364.html

author: TechItApart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 01:29:55 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on January 12, 2016, 01:25:45 pmWow thanks for showing me this, this could be the one! For £10 more the ERSA Nano is obviously the better choice. Thanks.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 05:55:17 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on January 12, 2016, 01:25:45 pmAnd it's even cheaper on amazon.de, since UK doesn't charge EU VAT (right?). About €170 delivered.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 11:07:40 pm
content: Another recommendation for the Ersa I-Con Nano.It's a top notch station (excellent performer + nice feature set), and the tips are both long lasting and inexpensive with basic care (keep it tinned).

author: hibone
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 11:18:58 pm
content: I don't know if it may be of interest.If you are looking at the hakko fx888d, here it costs about 98€ or 73£ + vat.http://www.batterfly.com/shop/hakko_fx-888dBut, if you think you need hot air as well, you may give a try to aoyue 3+1 stations. At dangerous prototype they use it quite a lot and seem to be very happy with it.Either case, it could be useful to check for the price of spare parts. Hakko and clones seems to be out there from quite the time and are quite cheap. Open Source (home made) compatible drivers are available as well.http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/01/10/soldering-iron-driver-hakko-and-gordak-test/Just my 2 cents here.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 11:24:58 pm
content: Quote from: hibone on January 12, 2016, 11:18:58 pmAoyue is a complete crap without any presence of quality. Opinion from the proud owner of this junk.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 12:32:36 am
content: Quote from: tooki on January 12, 2016, 05:55:17 pmWhat, why they wouldn't charge VAT? On amazon.de it costs EUR 205. IIRC recently is was about the same as at ersa-shop, shold have increased the price in the meanwhile. And actually for the UK price will be a little bit higher because Amazon will charge UK VAT rate which is higher than German.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 12:55:21 am
content: Oh wow, that's a much higher price than the last time I looked! Then yeah, Bräunlich (ersa-shop.com) is the way to go!I wasn't sure if the UK was party to the EU VAT system, since they don't use the euro. </not a tax expert>

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 01:23:00 am
content: Quote from: tooki on January 13, 2016, 12:55:21 amEUR/ non EUR currency is not relevant in this case. Anyway, if this would be the case, then VAT would be charged when importing the parcel. As of Switzerland, IIRC you have quiet a low tax free threshold on import by post, therefore will be charged when importing any goods with significant value by post (unless seller lied when declaring the value). But you can just drive by car to any nearby country, pick it there and don't pay any tax when driving back because of the Schengen Area, though there is CHF 300 limit per person but it's very unlikely you will be checked even if carrying more than that.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 07:06:08 am
content: That's why amazon is so nice: they handle customs clearance, but they only collect the Swiss VAT, not 15-35 in additional fees like swiss post charges otherwise.

author: TechItApart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 12:40:13 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on January 12, 2016, 01:25:45 pmThank you wraper I have just ordered the ERSA Nano from the ERSA shop in Germany. So much cheaper than the UK, I can't wait to use it. Do you have any favorite ERSA soldering tips? I can buy these easily in the UK. Cheers

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 02:04:44 pm
content: Quote from: TechItApart on January 13, 2016, 12:40:13 pmI have different tips for different jobs. You will get 1.6mm chisel tip with your station, it is quiet useful. Maybe also get some bigger chisels if doing stuff with higher thermal sinking.I find the blade tip very handy 0102BDLF20, can solder from tiny to huge things and thermal transfer is very good.Solder well tips like 0102WDLF23 are handy too sometimes, the smallest of them 0102WDLF16 don't work well for me though. But they are on expensive side.If working with very tiny stuff, you could get some small cone tips too, or 0.4mm chised (didn't try myself). Though you will need a preheater if working on multiplayer boards with them, as they won't be able to transfer a lot of heat.If you are soldering something huge, you could also get some of their bigger tips, like 0102CDLF100 (I have 0102CDLF100C which is more expensive but easier to get into some tight places). You literally could solder metal buckets with them without an issue. Also, I suggest to get a tip holder for each tip if are going to change them often as it tenfold simplify the task. BTW, getting some tip tinner/reactivator is highly suggested too. If you happen burn out the tip, you can make it almost like new again instead of throwing it into the trash.

author: TechItApart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 08:55:09 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on January 13, 2016, 02:04:44 pmThanks for the info (and the picture - appreciate that very much), I have ordered some tips and will update this thread with a pic of all my new gear when it arrives. Wouldn't have got this station without you Wraper so cheers for that.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2016, 02:50:01 pm
content: I also have the i-CON nano. In addition to the 1.6 mm chisel tip that was included, I also got 2.4 and 3.2 mm chisel tips, the 2.3 mm drag soldering tip, and the 0.4 mm chisel tip. (And indeed, the 0.4 mm really cannot transfer meaningful amounts of heat to the tip. Haven't really found much use for it in the end.)I absolutely love the drag soldering tip. It works great for all kinds of reflow soldering tasks, not just surface mount ICs, but also lap joints and the like.I also highly recommend getting additional tip holders — then you can easily change tips even while the iron is hot. I have the tip reactivator but haven't really needed it so far.I'll also probably get some even bigger tips if I ever have to solder objects with larger thermal mass.

author: TechItApart
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2016, 10:44:28 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on January 13, 2016, 02:04:44 pmHad to follow up on this Wraper, had my ERSA Nano for a while now and I absolutely love it - what an incredible iron. I have 1.6, 2.4 and 3.2mm chisel tips, the 0.7mm pencil and the PLCC blade you mentioned - love them all. Maybe I'll splash out on the £20 solder well tip soon! The iron heats up so fast compared to my crappy £15 analogue iron, it's insane. Thanks for the good suggestion, very happy with my purchase. Would recommend this iron to anyone.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 12:25:55 pm
content: Glad to hear you're happy with it, as we are!I can't recommend the 2.3mm solder well tip enough! It's great! (I've heard the smaller solder well tips aren't as useful.)