Is a SodrTek by Pace (ST25) station any good?

[TheBorg]

Been looking to upgrade my current soldering iron to something more versatile with more tips. Right now I'm using a generic one from Make:, and it's been good, but I wonder sometimes about the quality of it. I'd really like to find something under $50 USD, which is hard to get a decent station. I've been looking around eBay a bit hoping for a good deal and saw a SodrTek by Pace station, model ST25. I know Pace is a good brand, but do you think it would be a worthwhile upgrade from my generic station? They are both analog temperature controlled, so I'm not getting a whole lot more in terms of functionality, but I'm getting a lot bigger userbase and compatible accessories... Thoughts?

[nanofrog]

Should be a fine station, so long as it has all the parts you need (base + iron at a minimum), and works of course. 

Also note, that Pace sells tips in 5 packs, and sell for ~$40 - 50 range per pack (based on a PS-90 iron). Not sure about eBay sources for tips (if anyone breaks them up to sell singles for example).

[nanofrog]

Update on tips: Plato (Techspray), offer equivalent tips for the PS90 and others (pdf datasheet for PS-90 tips). Reasonably priced, based on what I saw on MCM Electronics (~$5-6 per).

[TheBorg]

Update on tips: Plato (Techspray), offer equivalent tips for the PS90 and others (pdf datasheet for PS-90 tips). Reasonably priced, based on what I saw on MCM Electronics (~$5-6 per).

Awesome, thanks! That's better than I expected, I was seeing some higher costs for individual tips elsewhere. Strangely enough though they were only $25 for 5 on eBay. Not bad at all!

[notsob]

mouser also handle plato tips

[willb]

I have an ST25 with a PS90 iron, and I love it. It's rock solid. It's going to be quote the upgrade from a generic iron. You won't regret.