by kaptain_zero » Tue Aug 14, 2012 5:36 am
It's hard to go wrong with a Hakko FX-888. I have the FX-888 and also the older Hakko 936, for those jobs where 2 irons come in handy, but admittedly, that's not typical hobby use.
If you happen to live in NA, the FX-888 can be had on sale for around $85 which is cheap for what you get. There are lots of clones out there, but the ones I've looked at are not that great... Short stiff hand piece cable, cheap tip, poor heat insulation (thin rubber instead of foam) and sometimes questionable internal construction. Also, if buying a clone, watch the wattage... Not all of them are what they claim to be.
Do you need something good?!?!? In hobby use, a Hakko would be a one time purchase for the life of the owner.
Regards
Christian
"I'd like to live as a poor man with lots of money."
-- Pablo Picasso