Advice on hot-air station (Ordered)

[gtsili]

I am thinking on buying a hot-air station next and I know that most EEVblogers go for Atten 858D. However, I find Aoyue more readily available and more models to choose from in Europe. I am probably going to buy it from Wiltec (http://www.aoyue.de/index.php/cat/c251_Hot-Air-Reworking.html) but I could not find that much discussion about the different models, quality of build, pros and cons either on the internet or on the EEVblog forum.

The primary use I want the hot-air station for, is to salvage components out of discarded consumer appliances but I do not expect to use it for hours in a row so probably light to medium use. Of course, I am going to use it for everything it can be used for, from heat shrinking to re-flowing boards.   

I would like some opinions (especially from people that have an Aoyue hot-air station, or even better both an Atten and an Aoyue) if I should go for Aoyue and which one.

I would prefer to spend less than 100 euros but if going higher than 100 euros buys me a better station or gives me more options I would probably go for a more expensive one.

Thanks in advance,
George.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Searching again on the internet I found the Atten 858D in Greece at a very good price .... and I ordered it. I am sure that last time I checked it was not there ... so it must be my lucky day. Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

If anyone from Greece is interested I got it from those guys:
http://www.ebw.gr/el-GR/Product/6193/ATTEN-858D-858D-SMD-Hot-Rework-Station-AT-Air-Solder-Blower

[Psi]

I have an Aoyue 968, it does hot air rework perfectly fine.
The soldering iron part of it is a bit odd though, shape is a bit weird due to the smoke extractor tube.

When i first got it the pump was a little noisy, but it quietened down once it had been run for a while.

Sometimes when there is a spike on the mains i think the microcontroller resets, because it turns the pump on for 1/4 of a second and the lcd scrolls the logo again.

Does its job perfectly fine though.

[markus_b]

I've bought my Atten 858D from dealexcel.com for $64.99, including shipping. Has been working fine in the 6 months I have it. I like it to be a separate unit from my soldering iron. I find a combination less useful then two distinct devices.

Like you I use it to salvage parts from exiting circuits. It is very useful to heat-form plastic stuff, shrink heat-shrink tubes, etc.

[gtsili]

OOOps ... I forgot to mention that I don't want to buy from outside Europe. Import taxes in Greece are very unpredictable and some times exceptionally high. 

Also, I already have a soldering iron (Hakko fx888) so I don't require a combo station (even though having a second soldering iron has some advantages).

I would like to thank you both for your input.
 

I've bought my Atten 858D from dealexcel.com for $64.99, including shipping. Has been working fine in the 6 months I have it. I like it to be a separate unit from my soldering iron. I find a combination less useful then two distinct devices.

Like you I use it to salvage parts from exiting circuits. It is very useful to heat-form plastic stuff, shrink heat-shrink tubes, etc.

[markus_b]

OOOps ... I forgot to mention that I don't want to buy from outside Europe. Import taxes in Greece are very unpredictable and some times exceptionally high. 

I understand, in Switzerland it depends. Cheap stuff (up to around 50 Eur) is excempt. Bejond that you pay a processing fee (Eur 15) and about 10% of the value (including shipment fees). There is no difference on the originating country, China is the same as France. So sometimes we get something sent to a friend in France and and the bring it over the border.

[T4P]

I have an Aoyue 968, it does hot air rework perfectly fine.
The soldering iron part of it is a bit odd though, shape is a bit weird due to the smoke extractor tube.

When i first got it the pump was a little noisy, but it quietened down once it had been run for a while.

Sometimes when there is a spike on the mains i think the microcontroller resets, because it turns the pump on for 1/4 of a second and the lcd scrolls the logo again.

Does its job perfectly fine though.

Forget about the 968, it's too big. And analog loop.
the 858D has a digital feedback loop (It actually attempts to correct temperature changes 2 times a sec) and is pretty compact plus POWERFUL

[gtsili]

Searching again on the internet I found the Atten 858D in Greece at a very good price .... and I ordered it. I am sure that last time I checked it was not there ... so it must be my lucky day. Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

If anyone from Greece is interested I got it from those guys:
http://www.ebw.gr/el-GR/Product/6193/ATTEN-858D-858D-SMD-Hot-Rework-Station-AT-Air-Solder-Blower