it was definitely off i touched the tip with my hand when the station said 550Celsius and over that value, it was cold, that was the point when i went back with the whole kit to the distributor and get it checked, after that 2 months i got a Hakko 191 to check it, at a set point on its calibration which is 100Celsius, it was 150Celsius off in the positive range so it was around 250Celsius and melted the solder too i could make it +-1,2 Celsius accurate to the checker with multiple -40Celsius steps and save cycle, i don't know how i could get a thermocouple which i could wrap around the iron and log the temp with the fluke meter, and with the Weller software via USB link, intresting thing is the USB link provides real time data from it, and the unit's screen looks like avg or few sample/s
Definitely sounds like a bad unit. Hopefully, they'll get it sorted for you, and it will be a one-time deal (rather than repetitive issue with any replacement or repaired unit).
Unfortunately, I can't find a lot of reviews of recent Weller stations and irons to know what Weller has actually come to these days (as mentioned, I see cost-cutting in mine, but it does appear to be working properly). But posts such as yours and DaveS's make me nervous (as does the WMP iron review I found on Amazon) in regard to long-term reliability.
Not sure what's up with the USB port, as I didn't bother with the WD1M (not using it for production, so seemed unnecessary to me).
BTW, Weller does make a few thermocouples. The CP-01 for example (
http://www.all-spec.com/products/CP01.html), doesn't need to be wrapped/affixed to the tip, just contact (would work with different tips on different irons). They also make thermocouples, such as the K-181, which is attached to an LTB tip & holder (not sure if it's for the WSP80 or WP80 as I can't find a pic or detailed enough description).
Am I the only one who has got no problem with his Weller station(s)? Not a single one? It's expensive yes, but works (for me at least).
Thus far, mine seems to be working fine.
I haven't actually gotten a suitable thermocouple though to take tip readings yet, but if it's off, it's not by much.
My main issues are that the costs are when compared to past Weller products, the quality has diminished to some extent, but the prices are still high (reduced value for money). Specifically, the irons aren't as rugged, and the internal circuits appear to be made elsewhere (no Weller label or P/N; can't find a website for the board maker <printed silkscreen>).