Goot RX-802AS soldering station
I've got a new soldering station - Goot RX-802AS. It might not have the best thermal recovery, especially compared to much more expensive temperature-controlled stations, but it's one of the leaders in its price class, and has its own perks.
I won't compare its thermal performance to JBC. That won't be fair because RX-802AS costs eight times less. Yet, despite its price, it's capable of unsoldering an inductor from the large polygon when used with a "chubby" cartridge like RX-80HRT-5.5K (5 mm-wide chisel). Why do I love that station? I used it some time ago and found it very convenient and reliable, much like a tractor. Thermal recovery might be the best in its price class, except for the JBC clones, which I find attractive but unpredictable in terms of consistency and compliance with standards. I was actually thinking of buying a JBC clone, but then I discovered reports of voltage leaking from the tip, which is a big scary NO for me. Destroying an ADC chip that costs as much as a soldering station is something I'd like to avoid. That's why I reconsidered and bought a good old (or Goot old) RX-802AS instead. RX-802AS is totally isolated from the mains with a nice-looking, heavy transformer that occupies most of the box volume. The leak voltage is less than 2 mV, and the tip to ground resistance is only 2 Ohm. It's safe to use! That was a primary reason behind my choice. But that's not all. RX-802AS is incredibly convenient. The handpiece is very light, and the distance to the tip is very short. The cable on the soldering iron is soft and thin, and the cartridge change is super easy. The soldering iron has a sliding switch on its side that pushes the cartridge out. No ugly thermal mats anymore. I wish Metcal would buy the patent for this sliding switch because of its elegance and comfort. That's wishful thinking from someone who has burned his finger a couple of times. I don't change tips often, but when I do, RX-802 is my absolute favorite. Another perk is a thick coating on the cartridge tips, which makes them almost indestructible. Seriously, you can use them for continuous serial production, and they will withstand that kind of use. One minor downside of these tips is wetability. In my opinion, Hakko tips are much more wettable than Goot's, but that doesn't bother me. Overall, this is a great miniature soldering station. The design of it hasn't changed over the decade. You get a quality Japanese station for an affordable price. It's safe, performant, and predictable. That's what I love about it.
This post isn't a paid advertisement. I just like the tool that much.
Tags: tools, soldering-equipment