Best of both worlds: MiniWare TS101 soldering iron review

[@robertgosz4281]

You can now power it from a PD 3.1 charger and a compliant cable at 28V. It heats up very fast. Faster than on a fully charged 6s pack.

[@notenoughtech]

Thanks for the update

[@nilomyki]

I quite like the shorter TS80P Tip-to-Grip and Tip ejection mechanism.

[@notenoughtech]

I liked the tips... But i do like the price difference between the tips too. TS80 tips are so expensive 🫰the ring that comes with ts101 can be used to eject the hot tips too

[@PeakyBlinder]

Watched your vid and as a novice I just ordered the 101 . Thanks. Subbed and liked. 👍

[@notenoughtech]

You will love the iron. Make sure to add custom logo haha

[@PeakyBlinder]

@@notenoughtech will do thank you.

[@franknielsen6620]

Am not tempted as of now. Got a TS100 and used it on off for som months then one day i wanted to use it the screen was so dim that i could barely read it. A quick search showed i wasn't alone with that experience. So if ever i will wait and see if this has similar issue.

[@notenoughtech]

Too early to tell much on the build quality but both ts80 are still in excellent condition despite the hours in service. I do appreciate the feedback. Worth reaching out to miniware

[@yxcvmk]

Hmm. Am thinking about the 101 or the Pinecil V2, as outlined in another comment. With that I even more lean to the Pinecil V2. Any thoughts?

[@NoClipMode]

@@yxcvmk The screen fading problem was very common with the TS100. But the 101 uses a different screen that is larger and higher resolution. I couldn't find anyone talking about problems with these newer screens. In the end i got the TS101 over the Pinecil V2 because it seems to perform slightly better, and if you're not in the US it's much easier to buy it at a far better price.

[@mindshelfpro]

Have you done a review of the Pinecil Soldering Iron?

[@notenoughtech]

Sadly, no but I have heard good things. Its great for tinkerer, cheaper but it's not as powerful

[@mindshelfpro]

@NotEnoughTECH Do a review comparison and supply it with 21V DC via the barrel jack vs PD for power. I hope to get a Pinecil soon.

[@mindshelfpro]

Also please test with the shorter 6.2 ohm tips to get more power, thanks in advance!

[@yxcvmk]

@@mindshelfpro Did you find a good comparison between the TS101 and the Pinecil V2? To me - with maybe limited perspective - it seems the Pinecil V2 would be the better buy. The 101 feels good in hands, don't know about the PinecilV2...

[@nilomyki]

Is it possible you can do a MiniWare styled Van-based Microsoldering / Electronics Repair Technician setup video.

[@notenoughtech]

I'm not sure if I'm best qualified for this. I like soldering but I'm usually using my skills for simple work with microcontrollers etc

[@nilomyki]

​@@notenoughtech Ok understood; just thought you'd be in a decent enough position to do such since you have a good number of their tools.

[@notenoughtech]

I love having tools to troubleshoot things but I don't think I'm a a good enough authority to give suggestions on beyond of what works for me :)

[@nilomyki]

@@notenoughtech 👍

[@3nertia]

@@notenoughtech Some of us wouldn't mind your thoughts on the topic nevertheless :)

[@bobmcbob4399]

Bought my TS101 very recently. Still no open source MiniWare code published like exists for the older TS100. No complete support yet for IronOS either at this stage. If MiniWare released their own OS source code like they did for TS100, that would help Ralim with his IronOS support for this device.

[@yxcvmk]

Yeah, with that I wonder if it would be smarter to buy the Penecil V2. Generally I wonder if the Penecil V2 has any drawbacks to the TS101. Guess the 101 feels good in the hand, could held it recently. Never had the Pinecil V2 in hand. The Pinecil V2 can deliver higher Watts to the tip (with their shorter tips), and the temperature can be set to 450°C for these rare occasions where this might be useful. Overall I tend to the Pinecil V2. For the Pinecil the schematics and everything is available, so if repairs are necessary, the can be done. From my research it seems like the TS101 will not get the Opensource Ralim/IronOS. With all this being said, it's hard to make the TS101 the winner if both are compared. If I did miss something, I'd be glad to learn.

[@demetriedwards1402]

What is that red flexible cable? Looks nice and flexible

[@notenoughtech]

It's a braided USBC with magnetic end and swivel. AliExpress special

[@Andi-Maringer]

Thanks for the interresting video! Will buy a portabel soldering iron for hamradio stuff und other things. What type is the ted cable you use here?

[@notenoughtech]

It's usb-c included in the box. Nice silicone drag free with heat resistant properties

[@Andi-Maringer]

@@notenoughtech Thank you!!!

[@HuntingHeresy]

So when will this be available to purchase? I'm on the miniware website and all I see is a Know Details button...

[@notenoughtech]

I have included some links on AliExpress - this is where these appear first

[@emmettturner9452]

What FW did you put on it? I don’t recognize the name you said.

[@notenoughtech]

I didn't. There is ironOS but I'm just using standard with my logo flashed :)

[@fakerealgamer9368]

Can you show me how to flash the logo I have no idea how do it and Ive tried everything right now@@notenoughtech

[@PeakyBlinder]

Will this work from an 18v drill battery,

[@notenoughtech]

Let me see. Give me few moments while I hook up the power supply

[@notenoughtech]

Just tested with 12V as it was the only compatible jack I had. Worked fine, although your warm up time will suffer. So you will be even better with 18V

[@PeakyBlinder]

@@notenoughtech I bought the M18 adapter as I have a fee 5ah batteries, . Thank you.

[@TechdoLiberal]

I speak Portuguese, and I have no clue what that Sam Raoul buddy over there is talking about. Seems to be speaking bot to me. Anyway, thank you for introducing me to my future soldering iron!

[@flashgordon6238]

Captions / Subtitles option?

[@littlebuch]

Isn't USBC 90 watts? Not 45

[@notenoughtech]

Spec goes up to 240 now it doesn't mean the device is capable of drawing that power

[@littlebuch]

@@notenoughtech No it doesn't. That's spec for PD 3.1 . Not the soldering iron. Spec for TS101 goes up to 90 watts using PD 3.1 with a firmware update.

[@notenoughtech]

@littlebuch unless designed for 90W draw, the firmware doesn't change anything.Note the date of the article - as I was working with the data provided by the manufacturer. Power drawn by the device depends on the components used in the device. It's a little bit like saying that your house can consume 100megawatts cause you are connected to a power plant. If firmware unlocked higher standard in power delivery (note that USB -C can deliver up to 100W with latest standard being able to do 240W) then measuring the actual power draw would be the only way to see what current the device can actually absorb and use.

[@xoniq-vr]

Tip! Flash it with iron OS. It supports the TS irons, and adds and changes so many features in so many ways.

[@notenoughtech]

If you scroll to about 4th min I'm addressing the iron os compatibility

[@nibblerdoo]

damn exposed you didn't even watch the vid :)

[@yxcvmk]

No, it does not. This is one of the reasons I wonder if a Pinecil V2 would be the better purchase if one is in the market for the TS101.

[@ddistrbd1]

@@yxcvmk I came to that conclusion a few weeks ago and bought a Pinecil , I still would like to own a TS101 as well but not if I have to download the firmware and deal with glitches. my Pinecil came with the latest version of Iron Os and it was plug & play when I got it.

[@taxcasela1691]

Or just get a Pinecil v2

[@georgepapa2950]

350 degrees on a professional station for soldering

[@notenoughtech]

It depends really on what stuff you solder and medium used. I found 300 to be a bit easier to work with LEDs as they don't overheat as much and die 🫣

[@xmenken1]

That thing is as small as your index finger. Don’t bother! 😤

[@notenoughtech]

Size is the precise reason why I use this daily over a big soldering station

[@Mr.Thermistor7228]

Stubborn

[@robertgosz4281]

It's not about the size bro. Or, it is, but just in a different way ;-)