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iFixit FixHub: 100W USB-C soldering irons, power bank, web console control

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nidlaX:

https://www.ifixit.com/products/fixhub-power-series-portable-soldering-station

Now I have to debate between this and a T420D. Using USB-C to communicate between the power bank and iron is a pretty nice touch!

thm_w:
Do you *need* a portable station? If no, then don't buy this. Tip selection is limited and performance is completely unknown.

The ergonomics of the handle look terrible, appears to be solid aluminum.


--- Quote ---The Smart Soldering Iron uses our exclusive FixHub Power Series tips. It ships with the Bevel 1.5 tip, but you can also choose from six other options: Cone, Wedge 1.5, Point, Bevel 2.6, Knife 2.5, and Knife 1.4. These tips are sold separately, and we plan to add more options based on user demand to suit different types of soldering projects.
--- End quote ---

If you are in the market for a T420D, this is a completely different use case.
For $25 you can get decent portable T210 irons and add your own 18V tool battery to power them.

nidlaX:

--- Quote from: thm_w on September 12, 2024, 10:11:52 pm ---Do you *need* a portable station? If no, then don't buy this. Tip selection is limited and performance is completely unknown.

The ergonomics of the handle look terrible, appears to be solid aluminum.


--- Quote ---The Smart Soldering Iron uses our exclusive FixHub Power Series tips. It ships with the Bevel 1.5 tip, but you can also choose from six other options: Cone, Wedge 1.5, Point, Bevel 2.6, Knife 2.5, and Knife 1.4. These tips are sold separately, and we plan to add more options based on user demand to suit different types of soldering projects.
--- End quote ---

If you are in the market for a T420D, this is a completely different use case.
For $25 you can get decent portable T210 irons and add your own 18V tool battery to power them.

--- End quote ---
Agreed, I came to the same conclusion after I read the specs more carefully. The proprietary tips are a big no-no in an era where you can get tons of JBC compatible irons for cheap. The iron itself also doesn't seem to offer any controls, only if you use it together with the power bank.

bitwelder:
Just saw a review of it on Hackaday: https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be-the-last-soldering-iron-you-ever-buy/

janoc:

--- Quote from: bitwelder on September 13, 2024, 07:55:17 am ---Just saw a review of it on Hackaday: https://hackaday.com/2024/09/12/review-ifixits-fixhub-may-be-the-last-soldering-iron-you-ever-buy/

--- End quote ---

They mention all sorts of things in the review - yet completely neglect to show how that thing actually solders.

That's more a regurgitated press release (and there are tons of these the last few days, iFixit's marketing really did a good job to raise the buzz about the product) than anything actually relevant. The gizmo is packed with features like the browser interface (because, obviously, that is how you want to set the temperature of your iron, right?) but for the price and the proprietary tips that will be gone the moment iFixit discontinues this product you could buy a much better iron, IMO.

They clearly market it at people who solder once in a blue moon and who buy these USB irons, not knowing any better.

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