Ersa i-con NANO vs Weller WS81

• Ersa i-con NANO vs Weller WS81
  Posted by Charybdis on 06 Jun, 2017 09:43
• Hi there i would like to know which one in your opinion is better.
  Each one is ESD ok, but i don't mind a lot that.
  Each one costs similar 240€.
  Weller is analogic, while ersa is digital (i think analogic stations are more durable isn'it?)
  Ersa has a shorter distance tip-finger
  
  what do you think ?
  
• #1 Reply
  Posted by HSPalm on 06 Jun, 2017 10:35
• I have the i-con pico. About digital vs. analog, are you afraid the electronics will break? I wouldn't be. Besides, without it you wouldn't have standby and auto-off modes. I also like that the nano/pico shows both set-temp and actual temp, because you can see how much heat escapes on joints of various sizes, which is... interesting.
  
  Besides that I think the cable could be thinner or more flexible. I'd prefer tip-changing to be as smooth as the "hot plug" kinds that newer weller and metcal has, but they have to reserve some features for the higher end models, I guess. Main reason I bought the pico was the fast heat-up time, small light-weight pencil.
  
  
• #2 Reply
  Posted by jpb on 09 Jun, 2017 22:16
• I have the Ersa i-con NANO and am very happy with it but I can't compare it with the Weller because I've never used it.
• #3 Reply
  Posted by nanofrog on 10 Jun, 2017 02:03
• Between the two brands you've listed, I'd recommend going with the Ersa.
  
  That said, you'd be better off with an iCon 1V if you can manage the additional funds (backlit screen; the Nano doesn't have this, and only work with the iron that's included).
  
  Also, if you go to Batterfly (located in Italy), they sell Hakko gear. The FX-950 or FX-951. Better value IMHO, and are closer to your stated budget (the FX-950 is actually under). Also, the tips are both high quality and are reasonably priced (especially as they're cartridge types). Between these two models, you get more features in the FX-951; particularly regarding set-back features.
• #4 Reply
  Posted by P90 on 10 Jun, 2017 04:57
• Ersa icon nano, don't waste time with the Weller.
• #5 Reply
  Posted by ebastler on 10 Jun, 2017 07:07
• Another vote for the ERSA. The compact iTool handpiece, with the very short distance from the grip to the tip, is very nice to work with!
  
  Actually the iCon Nano can be bought for much less; 170 Euros here:
  https://www.ersa-shop.de/index.php?cat=c703_02-i-CON-NANO-02-i-con-nano.html
  
  If you can pitch in a bit more money, the iCon 1 may be worthwhile at 290 Euros:
  https://www.ersa-shop.de/index.php?cat=c864_03-i-CON-1-A-03-i-con-1-a.html
  I have one of these, and love the user interface (large display and rotary encoder). In my view, it gives you the best of analog & digital interfaces: Simply adjust the current temperature by turning the knob; but the display gives you status information and enables advanced menu settings.
• #6 Reply
  Posted by TJ232 on 10 Jun, 2017 21:05
• +1 for ERSA, I was a happy user of different old models before (anybody remembering MS8000? ) and now a very happy user of a I-Con 2V: https://www.ersa-shop.de/index.php?cat=c873_04-i-CON-2-V-04-i-con-2-v.html
  
  Regarding I-CON 2V is not something to consider exactly annoying but the rotary encoder "push" buttton action feel is quite strange. Might be only my personal feeling about if anybody has one around and can share his/her personal feeling about will be great.
• #7 Reply
  Posted by ebastler on 11 Jun, 2017 05:42
• Quote from: TJ232 on 10 Jun, 2017 21:05

  Regarding I-CON 2V is not something to consider exactly annoying but the rotary encoder "push" buttton action feel is quite strange. Might be only my personal feeling about if anybody has one around and can share his/her personal feeling about will be great.
  

  
  Hmm, the push button on my iCon 1 encoder feels fine to me. It has a pronounced resistance initially (which is helpful, so you don't inadvertently push it while spinning the encoder knob). Then it gives in with a "clack" sound, and can be pushed in by about half a mm. It feels very similar to the encoder buttons on my Rigol DS1054Z, and to the low-cost ALPS encoders I have used in various projects.
• #8 Reply
  Posted by eKretz on 12 Jun, 2017 00:14
• Same goes for my iCon 1, just about perfect.  The 2 may be different or it may just be that particular encoder with a not great feel. Anybody else with a 2?
• #9 Reply
  Posted by hamdi.tn on 12 Jun, 2017 00:53
• +1 for Ersa