Is this real (ATTEN 858D)

[Greyersting]

Is this real?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATTEN-AT-858D-SMD-Hot-Air-Rework-Station-Solder-220V-/310539474247
It looks exactly like the one Dave uses (which I couldn't find anywhere else except here) but it is really cheap.  Is it fake?

[casper.bang]

Yes they are that cheap. You can also get a combined rework + soldering station for about the double. Been thinking of getting such once, since unfortunately I can't get a Hakko 888D with 230V at a reasonable price here in Europe.

[jshonw]

Make sure you get one that operates on the correct mains voltage for your country.

[Thor-Arne]

I got min from AliExpress. I checked the insides, no problems at all. Price was $31.99 at the time.
But shipping was slow as ****

[nctnico]

I have one and it works great for reworking SMT and shrinking 'Schrumpfschlauch'. I wouldn't bother with a cheap soldering iron though. I've got an Ayoue station (SMT pliers) but the tips are beyond useless. Get something decent like a (second hand) Ersa or JBC.

[echen1024]

A second hand Ersa: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-ERSA-HOTFLOW-5-COMPACT-REFLOW-OVEN-FOR-SOLDERING-LEAD-FREE-CAPABLE-/310407213476?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4845b631a4 

[TheBorg]

I have heard good things about Weller, Hakko, Pace, Metcal, and some JBC stations. Haven't owned any personally though. But compared to an Atten that second hand ersa is an absolute steal!
/s

[John Coloccia]

re: "Is this real?"

If you ever run across a cheap knock off of an Atten, you'd better run the other way as fast as you can. 

[Shock]

Yihua do a Hakko 936 soldering station clone for $15.
Hobbyking have US, AU and EU stock at the correct voltages and they are good to deal with.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/RC_PRODUCT_SEARCH.asp?strSearch=soldering

The price on the rework stations are coming down slowly.

[saturation]

Yes, its been that cheap, but IIRC from others who bought it, there are 4 gotchas.

The 110V version tends to cost more.  They make more 220V for local consumption, so its cheaper.
The shipping, if its not EMS,  often takes > 1 mo, and there is a small chance it will get lost.
The item can be received damaged during shipping, if its not EMS, less so if EMS.
Products made for local consumption have iffiest quality control, so the parts and workmanship tend to be very low.

If you're in the USA, I suggest you check this vendor who sells the 110V version and a few of them ship from the USA, you have Amazon as extra protection and vendor rating has been good enough.

http://www.amazon.com/WEP-858D-Soldering-Station-Suitable/dp/B0055B6NGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382118365&sr=8-1&keywords=858d

[Greyersting]

Yes, its been that cheap, but IIRC from others who bought it, there are 4 gotchas.

The 110V version tends to cost more.  They make more 220V for local consumption, so its cheaper.
The shipping, if its not EMS,  often takes > 1 mo, and there is a small chance it will get lost.
The item can be received damaged during shipping, if its not EMS, less so if EMS.
Products made for local consumption have iffiest quality control, so the parts and workmanship tend to be very low.

If you're in the USA, I suggest you check this vendor who sells the 110V version and a few of them ship from the USA, you have Amazon as extra protection and vendor rating has been good enough.

http://www.amazon.com/WEP-858D-Soldering-Station-Suitable/dp/B0055B6NGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382118365&sr=8-1&keywords=858d

Why would the 220v be cheaper?  Also thanks for the link.

[nctnico]

Maybe its because most parts in the world use 220V to 240V.

[dr_p]

Is this real?
It looks exactly like the one Dave uses (which I couldn't find anywhere else except here) but it is really cheap.  Is it fake?

Price was $31.99 at the time.

They are all around 55-65$, free shipping. Because China. Since buyers not accustomed to China merchandise (from eBay, AliExpress, DealExtreme) expect to pay a decent amount for shipping (15-20$), China considered splitting the total cost in a "reallistic" shipping cost. Some sellers go for 40$+20$ shipping, others for 30$ price + 30$ shipping, whatever works and thus makes the product look cheaper (e.g. 30$ instead of 60$). Bear in mind though, even if shipping cost is 30$, it's not DHL Express, it's China Post, it WILL take weeks and it DOES cost 2-5$ for them to ship it.
So when you actually buy a "30$" hot air station (and pay 30$ for S&H), don't be amazed if 2 weeks later it hasn't arrived, there's no tracking number and the seller responds in Chinglish. What you actually bought is a 55$ hot air station and paid 2$ for S&H. So expect 2$ worth of customer service. Now don't get me wrong, I love China and the cheap stuff, but be sure you know what you're paying for, be it product or shipping.

[Robgo]

ATTEN products can be that cheap because they have cheap labors in China making these tools.

[NYG]

Is there any significant difference, quality or performance wise between these cheap units with the small fan in the handle, or the units with a diaphragm pump in the base?

[markce]

Got mine from Sureelectronics (china). Did not arrive. Kept me on the wire untill the ebay/paypal period expired. Had to pay extra to get it finally delivered. The way they send it also implied customs and extra handling charges. Not exactly cheap...