I have a couple of additional comments on the Circuit Specialists Haako-clone offering.
1. This offering has been noticed by US authorized Haako dealers. I can't repeat what they side here. This dealer believes that the Far East mfg. is second sourcing this product to CSI. 2. The iron connector to the base apparently is a bit different. I would be interested in hearing from Bill Tippett, Tom Hammond or an Elecraft list member. 3. Dollar versus foreign currencies. I have noticed over the last 6 weeks price changes for the Haako. At Fry's / Outpost.com -- the Haako 936-9 (non-ESD/white unit) and 936-12 (ESD/black unit) use to be the "best buy" -- but I have noticed price changes -- up and down. The Haako desoldering gun is $ 159 (price decrease), but the replacement Haako 907 irons OR replacement heaters are now both $ 45 (this is a price increase). Shop carefully as it appears the US Dollar's fall is causing changes in foreign mfg. (US import) pricing. Of course "end-of-year holidays" is usually the best time to pick-up 4. As Tom, N0SS has mentioned before -- soldering iron tip availability and prices can be difficult at times. I have noticed this problem with all mfg. over past 5 months. Make a list of the tips that you will need for you kit building -- their are sales on tips that occur (such as Wassco's half-price tip sale -- 11 months ago). Have fun kit building during holidays and winter months ! Greg w9gb > Hi Folks: > > Bill Tippett, W4ZV writes regarding the Circuit Specialists soldering > station I recently wrote about: > > >Hi Tom, > > > >N0SS wrote: > >>T/C soldering station (analog)... > > ><http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307>http://www.circui > tspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307 > > > > at $34.95, this looks virtually identical to the Hakko 936-12 T/C > > soldering station. The one thing I have noted is that this device > > draws only 40W of power, implying that it probably offers a 40W > > heater, rather than the 60W heater available on the Hakko 936-x > > <http://www.kiesub.com/hakko936.htm>http://www.kiesub.com/hakko936.htm > for >$82. > >I bought this unit in February this year to build my K2 and a >roofing filter kit (using SMD caps) for my Orion. > >The invoice I got from Circuit Specialists describes this unit as: > >CSI-STATION1 $34.95 >CSI936 SOLDER STATION/CERAMIC >HEAT ELEMENT & STAND > >Looks like you nailed the source of this product since "936" >appears in its description. I've been very pleased with this unit >in building my K2, filter kit and KD1JV's AT Sprint 2 (mostly SMD). >A spare heating element was also included with it. If of any >identification help, all tips' model #'s are all preceded by the >word "AOYUE". > >73, Bill W4ZV _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
