Hi Greg:
Yes, I also noticed the difference in the connector which a attaches the
cord for the soldering iron to the base unit.
And you could be VERY correct that these stations are being
second-sourced... certainly not the first time 'clones' of a device have
appeared stateside. The cord connector and the 40W (vs. 50W) heater might
be good indicators of this as well.
Hopefully, we'll find someone who actually HAS one and who can tell us a
bit more about theirs. Hopefully, Gary will be able to actually lay an eye
on these products within the next week or so... if they look good, they
might be some really nice Xmas presents for some lucky builder(s).
Thanks for your additional comments. And I'd love to hear (off-reflector)
the comments you referred to in point #1 of your comments.
73,
Tom N0SS
At 06:13 AM 11/22/04, you wrote:
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
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