pretty much all the new hakkos look like that. They wanted to look different, I suppose.
If you want a decent name brand system I’d suggest either hakko or weller.
If you’re looking to do a lot of important soldering… You can get a used oki/metcal system for under $200 if you keep watching ebay. I’ve got a MFR2200 system myself.
ohaya. Hers how I looked at it. This is a big investment that you will have for years. When I had to decide between the older analog, or the new upgraded digital model, is the difference in money that much for something that I will be using for years. I know that months later, I would have been kicking myself for not getting the newer upgrade. Sometimes it is more frugal to pay a bit extra for a long term investment.
I believe there have been other upgrades as well. I think the heating is much faster…0 to 700° in thirty seconds. I know I researched all over the place about the same things before I bought, but I can’t remember much anymore. Being in Canada I paid a lot more than what you can get it for, and I got a great price. I have no regrets.
Edit: It’s also really helpful when soldering something that initially absorbs a lot of heat. You can observe the tip temperature dropping and rising on the display.
Thanks. BTW, the pic for both have one where the pencil tip is pointed at the front panel. Is that for the “wireless” thing, i.e., it senses the actual temperature from the pencil, but you have to bring the pencil up to the front panel?
Also, forgot to mention: Looking at the blown pencil, there’s a black hole on the cord near where it goes into the pencil handle. I’m thinking either a short or maybe a thermofuse that blew :(.
I’ve been using a real Hakko 936 for the last few years, but picked up a couple of these for spares/gifts after they got good reviews over on RCGroups.