X-Tronic 3020-PRO • 75W Soldering Iron Station • C/F, Calibration, Sleep Features • 2 Helping Hands • Silicone Tool Mat • 5 Extra Tips • Roll of Solder • Tweezers • Solder Sucker • Brass Sponge/Flux!

It’s good quality

I have been using this solder station for about a year, for various hobby uses (video game console repair/modification, guitars/fx pedals, automotive repair). It works great for that purpose. I mostly use the finest tip included in this set, but have used the “horseshoe” type tip as well. The included solder sucker is nice, although if you use it a lot you may consider upgrading to one with a flexible tip. For me it has done just fine so far. My only gripe is that the can of tip cleaner essentially disintegrated after a while of using, and broke down into a fine dust. I’d recommend getting your own tip cleaner.

I'd never soldered before getting this machine, and it's been a great introductory tool. Heating to a precise temperature is as simple as pushing a button, and the machine lets you know as soon as it's ready to go. I've only used it for electronics projects, and the fine tip works great to solder on PCBs and bare wire alike. In addition to its simplicity and ease of use, it's got many "bonus" features that make it attractive to more experienced users. The clips to hold small items in hand are helpful, if not always able to grab onto things like RCA plugs. The brass tip cleaner makes getting excess flux off the tip very convenient. I made the mistake of taking it over to my dad's house to work on a project with him, and he has requisitioned it for his own use! The only critique I would have is that the solder roll holder sent with mine did not fit. I don't know if a part from a different model was accidentally included or what, but I don't see a need for that anyway.

I got this as my first introduction to soldering. It seemed to come with just about everything I needed. I appreciate the temp control, including flux, sponge, wire sponge, tips, helping hands, etc. The solder holder is cool as I carry this kit around a lot, but I don't think it's necessary and I wouldn't mind not having it. The helping hands aren't super precise. Making extremely small adjustments while soldering some headphone drivers was a bit annoying as they need to be moved *past* where you want them. I wish the solder came lead-free. The industry is trying to move away from lead as it's a bit more expensive and not safe. I immediately bought some lead-free solder after receiving this, and I recommend you do the same. The iron does need to be a bit hotter - I found about 200C for the leaded and about 260 for the lead-free, but this iron can handle that with no problem. I turned the sleep mode down to 1 minute - it's awesome that you can adjust it or even turn it off - and tested how it works. It does cool down (I didn't test how hot it remains) and when you pick up the iron it automatically shoots back up to the temp you had set. I'm not sure why there is a "Low" and "High" power mode. I understand it is to achieve higher temps, but I am not sure why that switch is needed and why it doesn't just go that high and low in one mode. Even the sleep timer only cools to 200C in "High" mode while it gets down to 90C in "Low". I can only assume it's for a different power supply switch, but the unit is so small I can't imagine there are two. Oh well. I love the idea of replacing my iron's heat element when it dies. However, you need a soldering iron to do so.... This makes sense, technically, however, could it be a plug instead? For a lot of people, this is going to be their only soldering iron. Meaning when the element dies (only a matter of time) I'll need to either know someone with an iron (I don't currently) or buy a new one while attempting to replace my element. Doesn't that sound a bit goofy? I guess it's like the American way of using war to fight war and make peace. You need the exact thing you are fixing to fix the thing you are fixing. I also don't like that the iron is permanently attached to the unit - I wish it was a socketed plug - even if it was proprietary. Assuming I'll need to solder the wire back if this ever gets damaged (again, needing a soldering iron) I could just redo the end using the provided one. The only issue is if the end itself is damaged. I'm not sure if there is a more standard plug available for something like that with high power throughout, and obviously, it would need to be recessed for safety. One of the reasons people even purchase soldering irons is to *fix things*. The "Right to Repair". Making this iron extremely easy to repair would make it one of the best options out there. "It has some flaws, but it is easily the best option for longevity and repair." It would just make storage so much easier. I have nowhere to put this unit. It doesn't fit back in its box when assembled. That leads me to my next point. The solder holder is great - but not necessary. I know you could just not use it, and it's not necessary to the unit's function. However, the way it attaches is *terrible*. It screws into two plastic holes with no threads. Meaning, it's effectively a one-time-attach. If you remove it, it may not go back on right, or at least not several times before the plastic "threads" you have just created with the provided screws are worn out. Two tiny metal threads would be excellent and I could attach/detach the holder. The "helping hands" mounting threads are metal, just two more are needed. Better yet, make the screws a form of T-pin instead and have it kind of "slide" on and off for easy removal. The same goes for the flux cup. I cannot get it out of my unit. I'm not sure if it's just an extremely tight fit or if it's glued in. I feel it should be able to come out without potentially damaging the unit by prying or pulling with pliers. If this is your first soldering experience, I would recommend this iron - however - there are some things the company should fix in either future production of this model or at least a V2. Include non-leaded solder, make the screw threads for the solder holder metal instead of plastic, maybe improve the helping hands flexibility, look into pluggable options for the iron cable and maybe the element (if it's possible).

Setup out of the box was quick and it gets to temperature in seconds. I was amazed at how quickly it heated and just having everything available on it made it so easy to just get the job done. I had a fine wire to solder on a running vest and it really couldn't have been easier. I use a butane soldering iron as well and while it works, it was so much easier with this. I really shopped around for a while because reviews across so many products say temperature control is an issue but I have not had an issue so far with this one. It shows that it has a sleep mode but I am usually done before it gets to kick in.