Bundle Includes Soldering Station and CHP170 Cutter

This is a good iron for the cost. The thermal mass is sometimes a bit low for doing boards with large ground planes and chips with a large metal tab (voltage regulators, etc..). The default mode for changing temperature is annoying. You can enable the stored temperature mode which lets you switch between temperatures easily. The flush cutters were nice.

Coming from a simple plug it the wall and wait five minutes single- temp Radio Shack Soldering iron, this is light years ahead. First off, This thing heats up in literally seconds, drastically more convenient than other stations, even faster than the analog Weller WLC-100 I use at work. The lead coming from the base is very flexible and relaxed in no time after unboxing, so you never feel like youre fighting the cord to hold the iron how you want. The iron holder is very sturdy despite being quite light, and is very easy to take apart and clean. Tip change is tool-less and easy, and the pre-installed chisel tip it comes with has held up very well so far, but I follow Louis Rossmans guide to tip maintenance: wet the tip with fresh solder after almost every joint, and only use the brass wool, never the sponge to clean the iron. You wouldnt put cold water on a 700 degree frying pan would you? No, cause it will warp or crack, just like your soldering iron tip. Anyway, my only complaint, as someone who does a lot of de- soldering, scrapping, through- hole and SMD re- flowing is that on this digital unit, its a little cumbersome to change the temperature. Not complicated by any means, but it takes more time than say, a knob would. As an aside, the bundled clippers are great too. Very prcise, sharp, and comfortable to hold and use.

OK, lets get this out of the way: This is not a professional iron. I am fortunate enough to be able to use 2 Metcal soldering stations at work... now THOSE are professional soldering irons. However, for home use, for the price (approximatley 1/8 the cost of a Metcal station), this is an unbelievable buy. Ive only had mine several weeks but have been extremely impressed so far. If the long term performance holds up, then I will be an exceptionally satisfied customer. It heats up very quickly, the tip temperature is accurate and easily controlled. The tips appear to be of high quality (the included tip, while sufficient for everyday soldering, isnt big enough for big jobs, and it way too big for SMD work; I purchased a T18S3P for bigger jobs). The included dikes are also very nice.

The Ferrari of solders Great for home use

I liked the machine. Much better than the cheap all-in-one irons I used to buy. Really helped with the quality of my solders as well. Used it to create my own xlr cables. Much cheaper to do and I got a free soldering iron I can used for other projects. DIY it!

Control ergonomics are not ideal (lowering the temp is confusing) but a high quality instrument nonetheless.

Great soldering iron for the price. Ive been using this a ton since I got it and love it. The instructions for setting defaults and learning how the dial/temp/settings work can be a bit confusing, but after a few times youll understand. Yes Weller makes a better iron but youll pay twice as much for slightly easier to understand operating procedures. This is a better value in my opinion

Absolutely awesome.

Not very consistent heat. Sometimes I think Im crazy when Im trying to use this as one second it is great, and the next it wont melt at all! Regardless, Ive completed a few dozen projects with it and am not replacing it any time soon since I dont use it too much.

Excellent quality.