Hakko FX951-66, T15-D16 Soldering Station with T15-D16, 1.6 mm Chisel Tip, Blue

After searching for several hours through multiple different models, I came across the Hakko line of products which are absolutely great. It is not always true that you get what you pay for but in this case you do.1. Cosmetics\Quality - great looking unit, ergonomics are well thought out, each piece is well crafted. The unit is compact, but has a good bit of weight to it. Display is easy to read and accurate.2. Use - the iron is very comfortable in hand and easy to place into thoughtfully designed holder. Seamless integration of all the different parts of the unit. Item heats up very quickly to a broad temperature range and is rock stable. Adjusting the setting including temperatures requires a moment of reading and learning the system, but becomes second nature.3. Value - this item is expensive and the irons are not cheap either, but for me it is very well worth the price to not have the hassle of a faulty or cheaply made unit.4. Overall, very pleased. I have used it on several pieces of lab equipment and small engine electrical parts with no issues.

I am very happy that I chose to spend a little more on a better soldering machine. This thing heats up super fast and when not in use, it cools down to save the tip from corroding. Also, the tips are easy to swap out and it come with an organizer to hold the different tips. The only thing that I don't like, is the key that keeps someone from changing the temp on the machine. If I ever need to move the unit, the key falls out and there have been a few times where it was a pain trying to find it. I have since taken a little hot glue and put a small dab on the key and the unit to keep the key from falling or being yanked out. It is a nice piece of mind and the hot glue is easy to remove, if I ever need too.This tip that came with my machine, is a very small chisel tip, which I find the to be the best for my needs. The tip holds it's temp, when soldering larger wires and is delicate enough to solder 22 gage onto extremely small pads. I really don't change out my tip. So far, it has done everything I need it too.

If like me you upgrade to this station from a cheap unregulated soldering pencil of 15W-25W power, you will end up feeling like a fool for having waited far too long to do so.This station is a compelling value, probably the best bargain of all solder stations because it delivers the superior performance of a high end MetCal or JBC or Ersa station at a price about half of those stations (in the USA).Why is this such an excellent value?1) Thermal performance. The reserve power of the station allows for the use of much lower temperatures. Lower tip temperatures means long tip life and better soldering (less flux burn-off). The sleep mode allows for higher temperatures if needed without unnecessary tip oxidation on standby. Again, the tips will last a very long time. For what I do (mostly point to point, turret board and such), an induction heated unit would offer almost no advantage.2) Excellent ergonomics. The handpiece feels almost weightless in use, and the short reach from grip to tip makes handling effortless. Also, the handpiece allows easily for rotating the tip if there is a particular orientation you prefer relative to the grip.3) Excellent quality tips. They are very well made, yet very affordable at about $10 from many sources. And with about a month of near daily use, I see no perceivable degradation of my main tip. The tinnable plated area is shiny and new.4) Large assortment of tips. Over 30 designs mean you're sure to find the perfect choice.Now, it's not all perfection. The user interface is a little clunky. It's needlessly complex to change temperature, for example. And having presets might be useful for some, but adds no value to me. What you get for that clunky interface, however, is simplicity and robustness. I highly doubt you will ever have a failure of the station itself.I choose this station over the FX-888D because of the following features:-- integrated heating element and temp sensor instead of just a ceramic element-- Cradle that goes to sleep mode when set above 300C (570F).-- Lighter, shorter handpiece-- Better tip selectionA soldering station isn't the kind of tool that goes obsolete or needs firmware updates and such. So, while the FX-951 is nearly twice the price of the FX-888D, it is only $100 more and over the course of decades of use and ownership, $100 is nothing. You will get that money back in tip life alone. And compared to the cost of solder, wick, flux, and related accessories, the station itself being $100 more to buy initially is ultimately not money worth saving.I don't have a lot of money to spend on my hobbies, but I do not regret for an instant the premium of this station compared to lower cost stations in the $100 to $120 range. It is a FANTASTIC VALUE.If you absolutely need to save money, get the FX-888d. But if you want to get the most for your money, the FX-951 is absolutely worth the upgrade.

I was almost born with a soldering iron in my hand decades ago. In college, my part time job was wiring and soldering VHF aircraft ground radios. I decided to splurge on this Hakko to replace a cheap (~$50) Chinese soldering station. Wow and wow. The cord is a nice long length, the iron holder is the perfect size. I love the sleep mode, no more burned out tips. The chisel tip this kit comes with is a great all around tip for most applications. It's worth the money. Yes, really.*Update Nov 11, 2018:* I have a few more hours using this Hakko and I am even more pleased with my purchase. The iron holder has worked great for my medium size hands. I can't believe I've waited to long to finally buy a good iron.By the way, I would stay away, far far away from the many 951 Chinese Hakko clones on the market. I've watched several teardowns videos of the clones and they are basically garbage. Save your money. I've also bought genuine Hakko tips, I don't trust Chinese knockoff products.