Do you have a link to the patent info?
Of course!
https://patents.google.com/patent/US6329641B1 Unless it's portable for field use, there's no reason to use DC. So this ^ doesn't make any sense to me.
Not DC of course!, rectified AC that it's a complete different beast in noise generation when is switched to control the heater. The fourier transform of a DC PWM it's awful in armonics and generate a lot of noise.
It's not a problem. JBC uses the same technique (heater coil is the thermocouple; it's cut and the two pieces are bonded together with a dissimilar metal to create the TC), and they're using AC as well.
I agree, I think that it's no problem with full AC, but Shock see the waveform of his PACE and see rectified AC....Why? In the patent I see rectified AC, that bother me... WHY?
? Before reading the patent I would have bet that they used AC!
I suspect it checks the TC at the zero crossing point, then applies power if needed. JBC does it this way, and it's an elegant solution IMHO.
Yes they see the TC at zero point crossing, it's a fact.
How expensive is the new Pace ADS200 to your door?
Local Pace dealer not have ADS200, but if I buy in USA and import to my country it's approx the same price that Hakko.
It's much less expensive than their other stations, their tips are excellent, and priced similarly to the T12/T15 series from Hakko.
In fact, almost the same to me
The iron is comfortable to use per owners, nor does it get hot despite being made from aluminum.
In photographs I like the iron handle, seems nice and slender and I like the anodized aluminium more than plastics, but never did use it. Nevertheless I believe that it's good. JBC 245 handle (I believe was it that I try in a expo) it's very comfortable (superb) and I tried fm-2028 (in same expo) and it's very comfortable too. FM-2032 it's ideal but not offer some point shapes that I need, but it's a point favor to Hakko that the same station it's compatible with two different systems. I don't know it's something similar happens with Pace or JBC but I think that they resolved it too.
Performance wise, it will beat the FX-951 as it has a higher output (120W instead of just 70W for the FX-951). There's tips that can use that power as well that just aren't available for the Hakko. At least in the US, it's very similarly priced to the FX-951 so is a better choice at this point in time.
Yes, I suppose that PACE or JBC it's a better election because they have more power. I think the defects that Dave set in his video were corrected because it seemed like a software problem and not quality problem. Actually I not need more power than delivered from my 888 but it's interesting knows that it exist if would be necessary.
This is the only point that make me doubtet to continues with hakko, but, as I wrote in the first post, in favor to Hakko exist zillions of clons/counterfeits/compatible handles for nothing more than few dollars that permit me to use one of them with original cartridges and in the future buy the real 951 when economy will goes better. Even crappy T12 clones would be usefull to test a DIY driver (avoiding burn an original tip) and leave them aside until they are needed to melt plastic or engrave wood for a kid's school craft where one does never use an original tip :-).
With Pace or JBC I need to buy the original one or make one DIY and I think that clone tips are inexistents.
To sum up:
Points in favor to Hakko: I trust in the brand and they products, have a ton of different points and has two different handles for same standard and exist a lot of counterfeits parts to faciliate the construction and adjust of my DIY driver, use it with original tips meanwhile and in a while buy the original one.
Points in favor to JBC and Pace a lot more power.
Point in favor to Pace, cost less than JBC.
So I'd recommend shifting your sights to the Pace instead (seem to recall someone else made this recommendation as well).
I evaluating this at this moment, I'm not a blind fan of Hakko, but for something it's the brand more cloned, maybe because it is the most sought after brand and not the better? Sure, seems that JBC it's better (but pricey) and Pace it's comparable in price and seems better. I don't believe that would be a marketing issue, here in Argentina Pace was since the beginning the most promoted brand and Hakko never promote his product but few people has Pace and a lot original Hakko.
I don't know really.