Ersa i-Con 'Nano' and 'Nano' Mk2 differences?

[marck120]

The i-Con Nano is out of production but the new PICO MK2 costs about € 210:
At this price it is better than all the Chinese clones since it is produced in Germany.

Correction: the old Pico and Nano are discontinued. You can buy Pico MK2 and Nano MK2 now.
Also: Nano is Made in Germany, not Pico.

Sorry I didn't realize, in fact one is called I-CON PICO MK2, and the other I-CON NANO MK2, in fact the nano is more expensive:

https://www.reichelt.com/it/it/shop/prodotto/stazione_di_saldatura_ersa_i-con_pico_mk2_68_w_1_canale-357477#closemodal

https://www.reichelt.com/it/it/shop/prodotto/stazione_di_saldatura_ersa_i-con_nano_mk2_68_w_1_canale-358235#closemodal

Both have 68w, on the outside they look the same, I don't know if the build quality changes between the two models.

[tooki]

Sorry I didn't realize, in fact one is called I-CON PICO MK2, and the other I-CON NANO MK2, in fact the nano is more expensive:

https://www.reichelt.com/it/it/shop/prodotto/stazione_di_saldatura_ersa_i-con_pico_mk2_68_w_1_canale-357477#closemodal

https://www.reichelt.com/it/it/shop/prodotto/stazione_di_saldatura_ersa_i-con_nano_mk2_68_w_1_canale-358235#closemodal

Both have 68w, on the outside they look the same, I don't know if the build quality changes between the two models.

The Pico and Nano are extremely close cousins, but I would not consider the Nano Pico for electronics because the tip is not grounded. Someone who has used both says the Pico has stiffer cable on the iron, too.

And as already stated, the Nano is made in Germany, the Pico is made in China.

Hi, sorry just one question, can you tell me if the Ersa i-Con Nano and Nano Mk2 are powered by a linear transformer or a switching power supply ?

Hi. I haven't opened mine, but I bet it has a transformer (considering how unusually heavy the power supply section is)
The device weighs in about 1Kg, although it's mostly plastic (and the control board doesn't have anything heavy on it), so the weight should come from the transformer.
I also was hearing humming noises from pico (presumably coming from the transformer) but my nano is more quiet.

Weird. My Nano makes no sound at all.

Hi, sorry just one question, can you tell me if the Ersa i-Con Nano and Nano Mk2 are powered by a linear transformer or a switching power supply ? It does not use a cartridge system but from what I have read the performance is similar, even the tips I have seen that they are not expensive.

I have opened mine before, it's a transformer.

@Tooki

Do you also have an Ersa i-Con Nano soldering station ?

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/ersa-i-con-nano-and-nano-mk2-differences/msg5655303/#msg5655303

I wrote in my very first reply in this thread (reply #3):

...
Anyway, as someone who has a Mk1 i-Con nano at home, used Mk1 i-Con 1 and 2 at my previous workplace, and chose a Mk2 i-Con 2V for my current workplace: they’re all good.
...

That handpiece cable connection is just strange. Most soldering stations have a normal round connector.

That's because on the Nano and Pico, the handpiece is not intended to be disconnected, since there are no other handpieces for it. The connector is a card edge connector onto PCB fingers.

Did you get some additional tips?

Yes. It came with a Chisel 1.6mm tip as standard. I also ordered a Chisel 1mm, a Hoof 1.6mm and a pencil 0.5mm.

I suspect you'll find the 0.5mm pencil to get exactly zero use. Not only are tips that thin only useful in extremely limited situations, pencil tips just suck.

The 0.8mm asymmetrical chisel ('CDLF08A) is stubbier and works better for getting heat in.

What I recommend unconditionally is the PLCC blade ('BDLF20), the 2.4mm asymmetrical chisel ('CDLF24A), and a big chisel (like the 4.6 mm asymmetrical chisel ['CDLF46A] or regular 5mm chisel ['CDLF50]) for heavy components like the mounting pins of rotary encoders, for big connectors like BNC, and for using with solder wick. The asymmetrical ones are fabulous for solder wick.

Learning wielding 2 soldering irons in both hands (with regular chisel tips) replaces many of JBC spacialty tips not available from Ersa and/or soldering tweezers. Also I find many JBC specialty tips more like wankery often designed as workaround for lack of soldering skill, lack of proper design for production, or chosing wrong tool for the job (soldering iron) to begin with.

I absolutely do use two irons sometimes (that's why I ordered the i-Con 2V at work instead of the 1V).

But as for the rest of your reply, I wholeheartedtly disagree, whether with the statement as such, or with how judgmental the entire reply is.

It's not "wankery" to use tools that reduce the required operator skill, it's a sound decision for production. A "proper design for production" may not be possible for a prototype or short-run products. But even if a manufacturer or engineer does fuck up and make a bad design: what's wrong with creating workarounds to help a customer with a weird problem they have? How does it reflect poorly on JBC that they help their customers solve problems?!?

Some of the special tips are extremely specialized, like the ones for melting down heat stakes. You don't want to ruin your soldering tips doing that, and they plate those differently.


In a nutshell: just because those tips aren't useful to you doesn't mean they aren't useful to someone else.


The one JBC tip I wish Ersa would copy: the other PLCC blades (which JBC calls "knives", since they yse the word "blades" for something else). In particular, the miniature C245789 is extemely useful for reworking QFN devices.

[mehdi]

The Pico and Nano are extremely close cousins, but I would not consider the Nano for electronics because the tip is not grounded. Someone who has used both says the Pico has stiffer cable on the iron, too.

Correction: it's the Pico where the tip is not grounded. In Nano, tip is grounded.

And yes, I've used both, and the cable in Nano is softer.

[thm_w]

C245789 looks interesting, all of the clone knife tips have wide taper which makes them less useful for fine work, but bit more useful for thermally demanding work.

and no, I'm not replacing tweezers with two irons in the workplace..

[marck120]

The Pico and Nano are extremely close cousins, but I would not consider the Nano for electronics because the tip is not grounded. Someone who has used both says the Pico has stiffer cable on the iron, too.

Thanks for the info, so is it better to buy the i-CON PICO MK2 ?

I wrote in my very first reply in this thread (reply #3):

From what I understand at home you use the old model i-Con nano, instead at work you have a Mk2 i-Con 2V.

EDIT :

Correction: it's the Pico where the tip is not grounded. In Nano, tip is grounded.

Then it is better to buy the I-CON NANO MK2, only that it costs 285€, at the price of 298€ there is the JBC BT-2BQA but the tips are more expensive.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/ersa-i-con-nano-vs-jbc-bt-2bwa-what-to-buy-for-a-beginner/

[tooki]

The Pico and Nano are extremely close cousins, but I would not consider the Nano for electronics because the tip is not grounded. Someone who has used both says the Pico has stiffer cable on the iron, too.

Correction: it's the Pico where the tip is not grounded. In Nano, tip is grounded.

Oops, yes, that was a typo, thanks for catching it! Fixed.

[tooki]

The Pico and Nano are extremely close cousins, but I would not consider the Nano for electronics because the tip is not grounded. Someone who has used both says the Pico has stiffer cable on the iron, too.

Thanks for the info, so is it better to buy the i-CON PICO MK2 ?

I wrote in my very first reply in this thread (reply #3):

From what I understand at home you use the old model i-Con nano, instead at work you have a Mk2 i-Con 2V.

EDIT :

Correction: it's the Pico where the tip is not grounded. In Nano, tip is grounded.

Then it is better to buy the I-CON NANO MK2, only that it costs 285€, at the price of 298€ there is the JBC BT-2BQA but the tips are more expensive.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/ersa-i-con-nano-vs-jbc-bt-2bwa-what-to-buy-for-a-beginner/

Sorry about the typo, what I meant is “avoid the pico for electronics”.

The JBC tips are more expensive for sure. The under 300 euro JBC station is a fantastic deal, and with that you’re getting a 130W (peak) iron that can handle nearly any job you throw at it. So basically a soldering station for life. But with the caveat that tips cost more, and are a bit less durable than Ersa tips. (But if you treat them well, both JBC and Ersa tips will last practically forever for hobby use.) The Nano is an 80W (peak) station, so certain very large joints (like heavy coaxial connectors on multilayer PCBs) might be hard on the Nano but easier on the JBC. However, in such situations using board preheating is usually advisable anyway.

I suppose that if I had the option of a 300 euro Nano and 300 euro JBC, I’d choose the JBC. (When I got my nano about 10 years ago, it was under 200 euros on Amazon! And JBC was around 400, I think.)

[maralb]

Personally, when doing a lot of (fine) SMD work I would prefer the Ersa Nano above the 130W C245 series JBC stations. I think JBC C210 series solderstations/tips are more suitable for that.

At work I use JBC stations. At home an Ersa Nano Mk1 with several tips for SMD work - I did choose that one for the obvious reason of the tips being less expensive. I can do a decent job with both Ersa and JBC..... They are both quality equipment and the final result also greatly depends on your skills.

Just my 2 cents.....

[marck120]

@Tooki, @Maralb

Thank you for the advice, very kind.

Is the JBC BT-2BQA compatible with the C210 handles ?

https://www.jbctools.com/pdf/BT_MANUAL.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooLc8FTw1SWqyhD4bq556ex0NXnkO0KJb9j4PySahnLGdHekWej

On welectron it costs 299€ and included is a C245-907 2.2x1.0 mm tip. Even if the chisel tip is not suitable for precision work, I know the shop because I had purchased my multimeter.

https://www.welectron.com/JBC-BT-2BWA-Soldering-Station

The tips are about 30€: https://www.welectron.com/JBC-C245-930-Soldering-Tip-R05-mm-Conical-Straight, they are always expensive but is it possible to use clone tips ? Doesn't it damage the station ?

[maralb]

Regarding eleshop.nl in Holland, the JBC BT-2BQA station is compatible with C210 handles.

https://eleshop.eu/jbc-bt-2bqa-soldering-station.html

At work, we exchanged the C210 and C245 handles between the more expensive CD-2BQF stations with the displays without problems.

[marck120]

Regarding eleshop.nl in Holland, the JBC BT-2BQA station is compatible with C210 handles.

https://eleshop.eu/jbc-bt-2bqa-soldering-station.html

At work, we exchanged the C210 and C245 handles between the more expensive CD-2BQF stations with the displays without problems.

Thank you, I think the JBC BT-2BQA soldering station is always the same, I don't think there are different versions, consequently the JBC BT-2BQA should all be compatible with the C210 handles.

[analogix]

I'm just about to order the Ersa iCon Nano Mk2 (had to wait several weeks because they were out of stock)....
and had a closer look at the available tips (series 142), so I can order some extra tips at the same time (yes, I've read the previous comments on this).

The iCon Nano Mk2 comes with a 142CDLF16, which is a 1.6mm wide chisel tip which I understand is suitable for most general usage.

Since I'm used to simple soldering irons with a pointed tip used for everything, I want one of those as well, to make the transition easier.
There are two such tips in stock to choose from:
0142PDLF03L (0.3mm pencil tip, extended)
and
0142PDLF03 (0.3mm pencil tip, recessed)
So what does "recessed" and "extended" mean, and in which situations are they best used?
Thiking about it, 0.3mm is quite narrow and pointy -probably more pointed than what I'm used to, so.... I'm wondering if the 0.6mm chisel tip listed below might be a better choice for soldering like with a pointed tip? Especially point soldering of SMD IC legs and so on.

I would also like something quite wide, but they currently only have the following chisels in stock at the moment:
0142CDLF24A (2.4mm chisel tip, assymetric)
0142CDLF32 (3.2mm chisel tip)
0142CDLF06 (0.6mm chisel tip)
What does "assymetric" mean? Is it when the side is angled?
I'm thinking a wide chisel would be useful for a lot of tasks. Tooki recommended several tips including the 2.4mm assymetric chisel in the above listing. Would this be suitable for "drag soldering" multiple pins of an SMD IC, or would the 3.2mm chisel be better suited for this along with other things, being more versatile?
I've never used an angled tip before, but once gotten used to -what are they better at compared to "regular" chisel tips?

There are a bunch of others as well, but I'll have to wait 7 weeks for them to get delivered, or I have to order them from another supplier which is a lot more expensive.

[wraper]

including the 2.4mm assymetric chisel in the above listing. Would this be suitable for "drag soldering" multiple pins of an SMD IC, or would the 3.2mm chisel be better suited for this along with other things, being more versatile?

You sorta can, but it will be suboptimal, I suggest getting 0142WDLF23, don't buy smaller one, it'll be a waste of money.

0142CDLF24A (2.4mm chisel tip, assymetric)
0142CDLF32 (3.2mm chisel tip)

Both are good to have.

0142CDLF06 (0.6mm chisel tip)

Might be useful for some small stuff where you cannot get with larger tip and thermal performance is not an issue but I rarely use anything smaller than 1.2 mm chisel even for 0402 parts.

0142PDLF03L (0.3mm pencil tip, extended)

Thermal performance will suck.

0142PDLF03

Might be useful for some small stuff with heavy power planes.

[thm_w]

So what does "recessed" and "extended" mean, and in which situations are they best used?

Recessed is a shorter tip with good thermal performance. If they have a bent version its my favorite tip style atm.
Extended would be needed if you have nearby components in the way and you need to reach past them, the thermal performance will be much worse.

edit: seems they just have the bent in extended? https://ts.kurtzersa.com/electronics-production-equipment/soldering-tools-accessories/soldering-desoldering-tips/soldering-tip-series-142/produkt-details/0142sdlf04l.html

[analogix]

including the 2.4mm assymetric chisel in the above listing. Would this be suitable for "drag soldering" multiple pins of an SMD IC, or would the 3.2mm chisel be better suited for this along with other things, being more versatile?

You sorta can, but it will be suboptimal, I suggest getting 0142WDLF23, don't buy smaller one, it'll be a waste of money.

OK, found the 0142WDLF23 which is noted as "PowerWell with concave portion".
What does that mean and how does it differ in use to 0142CDLF24A "chisel-shaped, asymmetric" which you suggested above I don't get (but it's actually 1mm bigger than the first one, not smaller).

0142CDLF24A (2.4mm chisel tip, assymetric)
0142CDLF32 (3.2mm chisel tip)

Both are good to have.

Which uses do they have, and how do they differ in use?

0142CDLF06 (0.6mm chisel tip)

Might be useful for some small stuff where you cannot get with larger tip and thermal performance is not an issue but I rarely use anything smaller than 1.2 mm chisel even for 0402 parts.

I've never used a chisel tip, but for narrow areas or small components -is it just a matter of turning the tip sideways?
If that's the case, perhaps a sharp "pencil tip" is not needed for anything, given that the thermal performance will be very bad as well?

[wraper]

including the 2.4mm assymetric chisel in the above listing. Would this be suitable for "drag soldering" multiple pins of an SMD IC, or would the 3.2mm chisel be better suited for this along with other things, being more versatile?

You sorta can, but it will be suboptimal, I suggest getting 0142WDLF23, don't buy smaller one, it'll be a waste of money.

OK, found the 0142WDLF23 which is noted as "PowerWell with concave portion".
What does that mean and how does it differ in use to 0142CDLF24A "chisel-shaped, asymmetric" which you suggested above I don't get (but it's actually 1mm bigger than the first one, not smaller).

I actually said it's good to have. But it's not meant for drag soldering. It's a high performance substitute for regular chisel, although somewhat less versatile. It will be better than usual chisel for drag soldering (in other words better than nothing) but not nearly as good as proper tip meant for this job.

but it's actually 1mm bigger than the first one, not smaller

By smaller I meant smaller 0142WDLF16 solder well tip, it holds too little solder. I have MK1 version of that 0102WDLF16 and barely ever used it despite going over multiple 2.3mm ones due to wear (I estimate they lasted ~30-40k solder joints but I guess it would be more with regular SMD IC pins instead of connectors I mostly soldered).

[thm_w]

I've never used a chisel tip, but for narrow areas or small components -is it just a matter of turning the tip sideways?
If that's the case, perhaps a sharp "pencil tip" is not needed for anything, given that the thermal performance will be very bad as well?

Yeah, very small chisels is not really any different than a conical (pencil tip), which are not optimal for general soldering.
You can turn a chisel tip at an angle as you say.

What the bent conicals are useful are modding tasks and cleanup. QFN pads that were dry, running 30+ AWG wire to pins, etc.

[analogix]

Thanks for your suggestions, guys!
A lot of this is new to me, so as tempting as it may be to just order "one of each" I won't do that

I suppose each person's need is different (what types of components you solder the most, how often, how specialized you want to get etc.) so I think I'll just start off with a few of the ones suggested here in addition to the supplied tip and take it from there, seeing what I miss as I actually start using it.