New Aixun T320 - Any opinions on it? (with inside pics)

[coppice]

Spare handles:

I see handles that are advertised as for "T3A" or "T3B and T420D" - but I don't see handles for T320. I remember, that Aixum uses different plugs. Which one is the right for T320?

And: the plug of my T320 is made of plastic. I see handles, where the inner part of the plug  is made of plastic but with a bold nut for locking. Does those plugs also fit into the station? I guess not, because the plastic plug has a different locking mechanism.

Some of the AliEexpress pages claiming the displayed handles are for the T3A and T3B show a mix of handles with a ring lock plug, and handles with the button release plug the T320 uses.

[bastler59]

Some of the AliEexpress pages claiming the displayed handles are for the T3A and T3B show a mix of handles with a ring lock plug, and handles with the button release plug the T320 uses.

Right, that's the problem. A lot of dealers copy together pictures and descriptions without knowing what they are selling. I looked at eBay and found the right handles.

[paulhdietz]

Just adding my experience. Bought one of these T320 units with the T245 handle and 3 tips. It was quite the joy to use. But it went totally dead after ~2 weeks. Power supply was dead. No obvious component failures. The design is very serviceable, so I contacted the seller (Bresunfix) to get a new power supply board and they asked me to take a video of it not working (here: ) and make it public so you all can enjoy it. They said they would elevate the issue and contact me within 3 days. When I heard nothing, I again contacted them. They were very apologetic and said again that they would get back to me in 3 days. Again nothing. Did it one last time, and again nothing. I then tried contacting Aixun directly to get a new power supply board. ZERO response. Finally, because it was a "Choice" purchase, I was able to return it through AliExpress at their expense. They have received it, but said they need to process it before they can refund my money. So that's where things stand.

While it was working, I ordered some chisel tips which I vastly prefer. Now I have tips, but no iron. Given the generally positive reviews, I think I will order another (with "Choice") and hope for a better result.

[JNorton]

Here's hoping you have better luck.  It's been my experience that electronics usually suffer infant mortality if they fail.  I really like mine.

[paulhdietz]

Here's hoping you have better luck.  It's been my experience that electronics usually suffer infant mortality if they fail.  I really like mine.

Looking inside, I thought the build quality was actually really good. Even though the post-sales support was super polite but ultimately terrible, the Choice service came through with an immediate return authorization. So I'm trying again. Placed the new order today, this time with both handles and 6 tips. Keeping my fingers crossed.

UPDATE: My order was automagically cancelled! It said there was a delivery exception, which made no sense since it canceled shortly after I placed the order. I wonder if I got blacklisted by the seller for returning an item?

[legodude]

I've had my T320 for several months now and I have to say that I am very pleased with it. I'd assess my skill level as "advanced beginner." I had a Hakko FX-888D previously and wasn't a fan of the ergonomics, time to heat up, difficulty changing tips when warm, and lack of auto power-off feature if I forgot to turn it off. I have both the T245 and T210 handles but my use has been almost entirely the T245. I love the ergonomics and ease of switching tips. I've used it for a variety of through hole and SMD soldering and have been impressed with the performance including on large features that need a lot of heat. I'm still running an older version of the firmware as I see no compelling reason to upgrade yet and there are comments here about regressions with new version.

My main complaint is the location of the power switch. The 3d printed shield I posted earlier in this thread helps prevent burns, but a rear-mounted switch is annoying. I also had a spontaneous settings loss once, but I I have not customized beyond selecting the language and turning off beeps.

mike

[bastler59]

UPDATE: My order was automagically cancelled! It said there was a delivery exception, which made no sense since it canceled shortly after I placed the order. I wonder if I got blacklisted by the seller for returning an item?

May be.
Some dealers don't understand, that they have to deliver goods, that work longer than 2 weeks.
But there isn't only one dealer selling the Aixun T320 ... try another one.

[bastler59]

My main complaint is the location of the power switch. The 3d printed shield I posted earlier in this thread helps prevent burns, but a rear-mounted switch is annoying. I also had a spontaneous settings loss once, but I I have not customized beyond selecting the language and turning off beeps. 

I move my right hand on the side to the power switch and use middle finger to power on/off.  So never had contact to the hot tip.

I'm using firmware 1.09 and I think there is a kind of standby?

[JNorton]

There is plenty of room to install a rocker switch on the top of the enclosure.

[bastler59]

There is plenty of room to install a rocker switch on the top of the enclosure.

Nope!



 

[AmeliaBuns]

All the issues with the sudden temp rise are worrying me, and I AM broke, but gosh I'm so tempted to grab this and upgrade from my pinecil v2 as it struggles with lead-free and big ground planes even with the boost function, although I am using a 100w PSU not a 140w.

[Hazer]

I just purchased the T320 and so far so good.  However, I went to upgrade the firmware and cannot find software to work with my Mac Book Pro.  Does anyone know how I can update my firmware with a MBP?