Hakko FX-888: Real or Fake?

[RF-Engineer]

I recently received two new Hakko FX-888 soldering stations from an eBay vendor in Malaysia.  I wanted the older analog model where I can quickly adjust tip temperature in small increments by just reaching for a knob without any eye contact on the station.  Presets don't work for me.

Anyway, the base shows that it's made in Malaysia and has the Kita signature stamp on the bottom plate.  If this is a real Hakko device, I am not at all impressed with the quality over my Weller WES51.   Plastic edges are not de-burred, the knob is from a poor mold injection and the pencil looks like the awful Circuit Specialists type that I once had and vowed to never own again.

Also unimpressive is the use of a DIN pencil connector over Weller's use of a reasonably high-quality screw-on disconnect and a cord of significantly higher flex and immunity to burns.

I'm amazed at the love affair with this unit and the companion "D" model if this is the real deal. 

Is there a conclusive way to tell if these units are real or fake?

[nanofrog]

Are you willing to open it?

IIRC, the genuine Hakko units PCB contain a custom IC, while the knock-offs don't (jellybean parts).

[PedroDaGr8]

Just looking at it makes me think it's fake. Albeit I have the digital version, yours has none of the fit and finish of my genuine Hakko.

For example, compare the bottom sides.

Yours:


Mine:


It might the lighting but there is a different feel between the two bases. As if yours is much more cheaply made.

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[RF-Engineer]

Are you willing to open it?

IIRC, the genuine Hakko units PCB contain a custom IC, while the knock-offs don't (jellybean parts).

Here you go.   Image of the PCB attached.

[nanofrog]

Are you willing to open it?

IIRC, the genuine Hakko units PCB contain a custom IC, while the knock-offs don't (jellybean parts).

Here you go.   Image of the PCB attached.

Thanks.

Between the lack of custom Hakko chip on the PCB (recall pics in here somewhere), previous photos you posted, and comparison photo from PedroDagr8, I'm going to have to agree it's a fake.

[rdl]

I have an old FX-888 that's still new in the box, but I don't have time to take it apart right now. Since you have yours open watch Dave's video where he hacked the LED on his FX-888 and compare to what you have in front of you. I think you have a "Chinese" version. I don't see any serif font used on the silkscreen in Dave's FX-888.

[PedroDaGr8]

Are you willing to open it?

IIRC, the genuine Hakko units PCB contain a custom IC, while the knock-offs don't (jellybean parts).

Here you go.   Image of the PCB attached.

Thanks.

Between the lack of custom Hakko chip on the PCB (recall pics in here somewhere), previous photos you posted, and comparison photo from PedroDagr8, I'm going to have to agree it's a fake.

I have to agree with nanofrog. It looks like it's a knockoff. The plastic doesn't seem quite right, the board clearly isn't and even the hakko sticker isn't right. I just noticed I'd you look at your sticker it just had the CE logo, mine has that plus MET (no clue what that is) as well as what appears to be a UL e-number. Yours also oddly enough has the crossed-out trashcan  usually indicating leaded solder. I think the fx888 line was always ROHS. So the evidence is adding up.

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[RF-Engineer]

Thanks Guys.  I'll just use them for general soldering work in the garage until they die a premature death -- and they will.   

I now have to place soldering materials in the same category as semiconductors.  The only semi's I purchase come from the OEM or through trusted distributors like Newark, Digi-Key, Mouser, Avnet Express, etc.  Don't think it's just the expensive semis being counterfeited.  For example, look at JFETs in TO-92 cases like the J201.  As through-hole JFETs mostly became obsolete two years ago, an Asian fraud market was instantly created for these devices.  Another example is the low-noise Toshiba BC series of NPN/PNP transistors.  I have a drawer full of relabeled 2N3904/3906 devices.   

The problem is that one can no longer completely trust the chain of custody between the time of manufacture and the point where the purchased materials are in the hands of the buyer.

[PedroDaGr8]

Found this teardown
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/hakko-fx-888-teardown-review/



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[nanofrog]

The problem is that one can no longer completely trust the chain of custody between the time of manufacture and the point where the purchased materials are in the hands of the buyer.

Unfortunately, this truly has become the case for so many things, even consumables. Goot wick gets faked, flux, tips, .... Where does it end?     

Only thing I can think of at this point, is to buy from authorized distributors. Even then, that's not a guarantee of 100% genuine either, as they can get scammed too. May come down to having to buy directly from the manufacturer in the near future.

[IanB]

Another test, perhaps. I just picked mine up and it feels heavy. Also the blue case feels cold, almost metallic, even though it is not actually made of metal.

[RF-Engineer]

Another test, perhaps. I just picked mine up and it feels heavy. Also the blue case feels cold, almost metallic, even though it is not actually made of metal.

The fake FX-888 in question logs in at 1442 g. on my postage scale after calibration compared to the 1350 g shown.  Same test with the line cord wrapped on top.   

[Sjokolade]

A few pictures of mine - a 230V 888D @ 1311 grams.

[PedroDaGr8]

By the way, don't be surprised the knock off last a long time. I had a quakko 936 that I got for $60 8 years ago that worked the whole time. I just sold it recently for $40 on Craigslist after I upgraded to an FX888D.

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[amyk]

The bad news is that it's fake. The good news is that it's a pretty good fake; and if you don't want a digital control but still want something Hakko-looking, then a clone is probably the best you can get --- they discontinued the original FX-888, just like the 936.

The fake FX-888 in question logs in at 1442 g. on my postage scale after calibration compared to the 1350 g shown.  Same test with the line cord wrapped on top.   

Most of the weight (and cost) is the transformer, so unless the fake added extra weights it seems like you didn't get an undersized transformer.

By the way, don't be surprised the knock off last a long time. I had a quakko 936 that I got for $60 8 years ago that worked the whole time. I just sold it recently for $40 on Craigslist after I upgraded to an FX888D.

Same for all the other 936 (and now 888) clones in general. Most of them (like this one) are based on the same pure analogue controller, all jellybean parts, not much to go wrong, easily fixed if it does break. The real one has an MCU of some sort.

Also unimpressive is the use of a DIN pencil connector over Weller's use of a reasonably high-quality screw-on disconnect and a cord of significantly higher flex and immunity to burns.

That's the same as a real one. Many of the 936 clones do use a metal screw connector, however.

[RF-Engineer]

The bad news is that it's fake. The good news is that it's a pretty good fake; and if you don't want a digital control but still want something Hakko-looking, then a clone is probably the best you can get --- they discontinued the original FX-888, just like the 936.

Been using the fake FX-888 for the last few days.  I have to say that despite the minor cosmetic flaws it does work as well as my WES51.  It heats up fast and holds temperature constant.   If it can just hold up longer than the Circuit Specialist units, I'll be satisfied.