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Ersa i-Con 'Nano' and 'Nano' Mk2 differences?
analogix:
I'm wondering if I should pull the trigger and get a proper soldering station to replace my soldering iron, and an ESD-safe one at that.
I suppose it should allow me to solder even SMD components (which I've never done before).
i'm a hobbyist, so I neither need (or want to spend on) professional equipment.
Previous discussions here suggest the Ersa i-con Nano over other brands and models. On Ersa's website there's an i-Con Nano Mk2 which I assume is a replacement for the (non Mk2 version).
(image source for 'Nano Mk2': Tequipment)
(image source for original Nano: Amazon.com)
I have no experience with either, and according to the specs they're pretty much the same (correct me if I'm wrong) except for perhaps a new 'tip & turn' tip changing feature. If I can choose between the two (old model and the new 'Mk2'), are there any downsides or improvements I should consider? Do they both accept the same tips?
From the two photos above it seems the older model has a backlit LCD display which the Mk2 doesn't. Is that correct?
thm_w:
There does not seem to be much info about them other than the tip has the quick connect, which you mentioned.
But you haven't described anything, what is your budget? Intended soldering applications?
icon nano = https://www.tequipment.net/Ersa/i-CON-NANO/Soldering-Stations/
- 80W
- series 102 tips
icon nano mk2 = https://www.tequipment.net/Ersa/i-CON-NANO-MK2/Soldering-Stations/
- 68W
- series 142 tips
Kind of odd they are saying the mk2 has 20% more power but it has less power rating?
analogix:
--- Quote from: thm_w on September 12, 2024, 09:59:54 pm ---There does not seem to be much info about them other than the tip has the quick connect, which you mentioned.
But you haven't described anything, what is your budget? Intended soldering applications?
--- End quote ---
Sometimes "innovations" and "improvements" often turn out to be "sales gimmicks" and in the end takes away something that worked better in a previous version. Maybe someone who's used both versions can chime in?
I don't have any specific budget, and am at the moment just looking into what's out there and am considering cost thereafter. I understand you get what you pay for, but I don't want to overpay.
Also, I don't see any reason to buy gear meant for professional, heavy, everyday use with features I'd never use. This is just a hobby, but I want something well built, reliable and enjoyable to use.
Initially the Ersa RDS-80 looked to be a good buy, but looking back to previous discussions and not having ESD-protection I think it's not a contender. The Ersa i-Con Pico also looked good at first, until I read about the missing ESD-protection also there and "cheap" build according to forum discussions.
Then there are offering from Hakko for instance which have been discussed before, such as the FX-888D, and various Weller units. But from what I've read in these discussions it seems the Ersa i-Con Nano usually comes out as a better buy overall.
At the same time I'm having trouble finding out where to buy Ersa products here in Norway. I've only found one dealer (and expensive at that) selling locally. I could order online from Germany etc. but usually that would incur (often unpredictable) import duties/taxes, and if damaged I'd probably have to pay for expensive return shipping and possibly repay import taxes on the replacement item.
Weller is a brand sold many places on the other hand, but the reviews/comments here haven't impressed me.
But I digress... I really just wanted to know if the "Nano Mk2" was worthwhile and comparable to all the (mostly very favourable) reviews and comments for the previous model.
--- Quote ---Kind of odd they are saying the mk2 has 20% more power but it has less power rating?
--- End quote ---
Yes, but it reminds me of a recent vacuum cleaner purchase where I noticed all the current models (even high-end brands) had rather impressive W-ratings. I was told that due to EU environment-regulations the manufacturers are forced to bring those down, and that high W-ratings in the past was often a sales-gimmick, giving the impression that more Watts would mean better performance while in reality they weren't as affective. While many current models do away with less Watts but more efficiency due to better design. There may be some truth to that, and also to this particular soldering station, but again it would be nice to hear from someone who's used them both.
Then again it's highly confusing with these specs, because even on the Ersa web page for the i-Con Nano Mk2 it says 80W in the title while in the "Technical data" further down the page it says 68W. And to confuse things even more, if you click on the "Download" tab further down the page and click on Datasheet i-Con Nano Mk2 it there says 80W in the "technical data" section. What gives?
tooki:
Don’t read anything into that contradiction; it’s just Ersa’s long-term inability to decide how they want to market the wattage.
I’ve complained about Ersa’s inconsistent power ratings for the better part of a decade now, e.g. https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/ersa-i-con2v-hands-on-teardown-and-mini-review/msg1178220/#msg1178220
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.
There is no hardware difference between Mk1 and Mk2 stations other than the color of the front panel. (The station firmware doesn’t even say Mk2 on the display.) They are completely forwards and backwards compatible with the handpieces. (Ersa says this, but I have tested it: the regular (not nano) iTool Mk1 and Mk2 handpieces both work perfectly on both Mk1 and Mk2 stations. They show up on the screen as simply iTool.) I assume this is the case with the nano, too, but I have no way to test it.
I would definitely go for the Mk2 because the bayonet-lock tips (series 142) are much easier to switch than the screw-lock series 102, and additionally, they are actually cheaper! With the 102, you really have to spend another 6 euro to buy a collar for each tip, so the price of a tip is really its retail price plus 6 euro. The 142 tips have the locking collar permanently attached, but perversely, often cost a bit less than the 102 tip (without the collar!!).
You cannot mix tip generations; a Mk2 handpiece must use 142 tips, a Mk1 handpiece must use 102 tips.
Ersa claims the Mk2 have 20% better performance than Mk1 due to improved heater and tip design; that may be so, but in normal everyday use I can’t tell the difference — both perform well.
The i-Con nano does not have a backlight, which actually annoys me enough at home that I added my own backlight to it. This, and the rear-mounted power switch, annoy me just enough that in retrospect, I wish I’d just bought an i-Con 1 instead. (I also prefer the rotary encoder for setting temperature rather than buttons, but that’s a matter of taste.)
I know that Elfa-Distrelec fundamentally sells Ersa, and may be able to order a station for you. They have 142 series tips in stock at reasonable prices.
wraper:
--- Quote ---Don’t read anything into that contradiction; it’s just Ersa’s long-term inability to decide how they want to market the wattage.
--- End quote ---
Yes, the only power difference is between full spec stations (running heater at 24V) and lower end nano/pico (16.5v). Full spec stations can push about 150W for a short time.
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