< $40 Temp. Controlled Soldering Station Shootout

[D Wagner]

Hey Pedalfiends,

I just picked up a $34.95 CSI soldering station CSI-Station1 http://www.web-tronics.com/cispdeesdsas.html to compliment my old standby $39.00 Xytronic AUTO-TEMP 379 stationhttp://www.web-tronics.com/aueltecosost.html, and as requested, here are my findings based on use:

The overall feel of the CSI station is that the iron is not as robust as the Xytronic iron.  The included tip on the CSI station is much finer than on the Xytronic model, though.  This may be useful for tight layouts.

The Xytronic station comes with a dry tip cleaner http://www.web-tronics.com/tipclwst.html that is far superior to any sponge that I have used.  After using the Xytronic tip cleaner there is no going back.  I ordered one along with the CSI station, and feel it was money well spent.

The Xytronic station also comes with a heavy duty aluminum soldering iron holder that is much sturdier than the CSI holder. http://www.web-tronics.com/alsoirhoc.html  It holds the iron snugly, but not tight.  The iron moves around too much in the CSI holder, and if you are not careful, the iron has a tendency to tilt back, causing the tip to contact the holder.  I should have ordered the Xytronic heavy duty aluminum soldering iron holder while I was at it.   

The CSI station takes over a minute to heat up, while the Xytronic station is ready to go in about 30 seconds.  This is based on a temp of about 310 C.

The CSI station has a detachable power cord, and the iron connects to the base with a modular connector.  The Xytronic model has the plug and iron hardwired to the base.  Changing the iron on the CSI station would be really easy, and the CSI station has optional SMD tweezers available, for surface mount work.  These features are why I chose to try the CSI station.

So, to sum up my findings, I would recommend the Xytronic AUTO-TEMP 379 to anyone who is planning to pick up a quality soldering station.  However, If you are looking for a good soldering station for surface mount work, the CSI-Station1 is probably the best bang for the buck.  That being said, Circuit Specialists is having a sale this month that knocks at least $10 off of their higher end temperature controlled soldering stations.

Derek

FWIW, I actually prefer the analog version over the digital readout, but others have expressed a preference for the digital display.  For $10 more, this is an option to consider.

[Peter Snowberg]

Thanks for the review.

I'm really glad to hear that the $40 station holds up to the challenge.

For a production quality station with SMD capability, I still think the $80 Xytronic 137ESD is tops. http://www.web-tronics.com/eltemconesds1.html

[Hal]

I've worked in labs with hundreds of dollars of soldering equiptment, and I'm still happy using my xytronics station...Not that I wouldn't prefer something better, but I have no real complaints.  My dad's old weller that I used to use, on the other hand....

[jonathan perez]

im good with my radio shack iron. 













juussssst kidddding.

[newbie builder]

Those radioshack ones are awful. Years ago i made the mistake of buying one...damn that thing was horrible. I use a 25w pencil tip for pedals. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done nicely.

[jonathan perez]

i had two FOREEEEEVER...it was all i had, and i knew nothing of "weller" or of the like...live and learn. 

[D Wagner]

Thanks for the review.

I'm really glad to hear that the $40 station holds up to the challenge.

For a production quality station with SMD capability, I still think the $80 Xytronic 137ESD is tops. http://www.web-tronics.com/eltemconesds1.html

Peter,

Thanks for that recommendation.  The Xytronic 137ESD looks like it will be worth checking out.  I bought the other station to keep at work, since I like to work on projects during my lunch hour.  It is a great way to get my mind off of things, and relax before heading back to work.

If I start doing more SMD work, I will definitely pick up the  137ESD.  I love my cheapie Xytronic station, so I am sure that it would be a step up.  And it will come with the good tip cleaner and iron holder!

Derek

[sfr]

I have the Xytronics Auto-temp 379 (bought quite some time ago after a recommendation here) and I absolutely love the thing.  The copper scouring-pad type tip cleaner is the best, I agree, it's so much nicer than a sponge.

I still have my junky radio-shack soldering station, occasionally use it for wiring guitars when I need to heat up the back of the pot and get all my ground wires attached.  (So I don't have to bother putting a fat tip on my Xytronics.)  But I don't even pull it out for that very often anymore.  It pretty much only gets used for heating up frets to aid in removing them from the fretboard.  (which would be less if I got better at fretting!)