Eye On Hakko | How To Change vs Adjust the FX-888D Soldering Temperature

On this episode Kenta demonstrates the difference between "changing" the soldering temperature and "adjusting" the soldering temperature on the FX-888D soldering station. He also showcases a brief overview of the optional accessories available for the station.
This episode was broadcast and recorded LIVE on February 26, 2021.
For complete information please visit: hakkousa.com/
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[@Dec_K]

Great video. Found 10 unboxing videos that told me nothing before I found this one that covered everything I needed to know

[@timmygilbert1371]

I agree !

[@drewbell5260]

appreciate the honesty about the interface issue. alot of companies just stick their head in the sand on something like this. Love this soldering iron. I'm coming from the old radio shack 40 watt. This thing is really awesome.

[@ka24det]

I have been plagued with this issue and just got it straightened out. CAL for calibrate would make a lot more sense.

[@danielturnage]

So I finally bit the bullet and upgraded my station for my modding business and my god I finally understand the hype with this station. Kenta legit called me out to t as to what I did wrong and I couldn't help but laugh lol. seriously a awesome little unit and worth every penny!

[@HakkoUSA]

We're glad you think so ☺ we think so too

[@garyloveless3562]

Thank you for the explanation of setting the temperature verses adjusting the temp. Yep, I did exactly what you were saying, setting the adjustment 3 times! Now I know I need to go back and do the factory reset. A better way of saying "adjusting the temp" might be "calibrate the iron". I think that would be a lot less confusing. Thank you though for getting me back on track! This is a really nice soldering iron.

[@SteveMorgan67]

The luck find of an as-new FG-100 on eBay and this video has resolved a problem I've been having for months. Of course, I must have used adjustment mode and messed up the calibration. Now, I'm back to within 1.5% of indicated temperature and I'm in love with my FX-888D again! Turns out I could have just done a factory reset, but hey, I'm still happy (and I have an FG-100).

[@digitald5851]

I can't imagine how much phone time this video is saving your techs. It was spot on. Thanks!

[@HakkoUSA]

We’re glad it was helpful and plan to make more content more helpful in the future

[@NickelCityPixels]

Think of how much time engineering an intuitive UI would save EVERYONE.

[@wyntje83]

So this video describes EXACTLY what steps I went through, being confused by the adjustment settings... The fact that there is a 18 min vid that covers this exact situation from 7:06 to 15:20, tells me that I'm not the only one. If you know your customers might fall for this trap, why not move the adjustment functionality deeper down into device settings menu so that the odd customer won't accidently stumble upon this setting. Anyways, I'm glad this video exists and I guess I'm off to factory reset my new FX888D because apparently the alternative is purchasing an additional temperature sensor (FG100B) that costs 3 times what I paid for the FX888D...

[@coffeeisthepathtovictory1290]

I bought the fx 888d back in 2016, i’m glad that it’s still going strong with new accessories that I have not heard about until now that I surly will acquire 8805 (T 19 series tips) will be a game changer.

[@rayman1989]

Thanks guys I bought a FX 888D and I figured out how to resolder a switch on my car remote. Saved me $100 dollars. Now I'm onto soldering custom mechanical keyboards. Having lots of fun. Create! Unite! Inspire!

[@HakkoUSA]

That's AMAZING! I'm glad we could help and we're happy to know you're having fun with it. Keep up the great work, Create, Unite, Inspire!

[@flibblesan]

Brilliant! I made the mistake of going into the adustment setting without knowing what I did wrong and I've been really unhappy with the performance of the soldering iron here in the UK. After watching this video, I did a factory reset selecting A for "Asia" to give me centigrade and the iron is performing brilliantly!

[@HakkoUSA]

Amazing to hear and we're glad this video could clear things up for you.

[@Zoidberg227]

Factory reset saves the day on my misguided use of the adjustment mode. Thanks!

[@drdubs6762]

Very useful video, thank you. I was confused by the adjustment mode until I found this.

[@HakkoUSA]

Happy to help Daniel

[@nhand42]

Thank you. The factory reset instructions were exactly what I needed.

[@herbcanter2114]

I just bought the FX 888D and it's the most amazing soldering station I've ever used by far . I can't believe how amazing this thing is because it totally changed the entire game for me literally overnight . I could never solder worth a damn before I got this and now I never have issues the FX888D makes things effortless. Thanks for making such an amazing soldering station. NEWSFLASH: You NEVER need to adjust anything on this soldering station , I don't . Just turn it on and it goes right to 750 degrees which is plenty for anything you want to do , when you're done unplug .

[@HakkoUSA]

We're going to quote you on that!

[@leonarnold]

This is exactly what happened to me. Was very frustrating. Watched this and performed reset. Soldering station is great again. I felt a bit silly but it's an easy mistake to make. Thanks much!

[@torquemutant9612]

Simple easy to understand instructions. Thank you .. just what I needed to know.

[@napoleonwilson3912]

Nicely produced and helpful video. Thank you Kenta and Hakko.

[@KazuyaDarklight]

Thank you for this. I messed mine up, realized after waaay too long what I'd done and was trying to figure out a way to cheaply recalibrate, since I really couldn't stomach buying a tip temp sensor. Factory Reset, which I guess I just missed in the manual, was a life saver.

[@franklima1269]

Thank you for the video. I accidentally adjusted the temperate and this video helped to reset to factory default.

[@HakkoUSA]

We're glad the video could help, enjoy your FX-888D station.

[@StevenParente]

Excellent video!

[@tonyd1149]

Excellent video. Thank you for making & posting it. This unit's well designed/thought out, with excellent care of tolerances (particularly the iron/tip(s)/heater/handle itself). It even looks attractive. (My compliments to you, and the design team). My input is this: if you do re-design this system, please consider having the upgrade backward compatible, (so that owners of current design can replace the front panel [upgrade kit], and have the new design interface). Users need to take the time to learn it's interface/functions/features.

[@HakkoUSA]

Thank you for enjoying our product and we appreciate that input, it's always a pleasure

[@tonyd1149]

@@HakkoUSA Thank you for the kindness of a reply. (I don't currently own one yet, but hope to [am saving for one]).

[@Comm0ut]

Lack of views compared to sales tells me more users need to watch the video! While the tool is delightfully affordable the user interface fails to be intuitive, but an intuitive interface would require greater complexity and increase cost in an industry where margins are thin. A version with a simple rotary temp control (small and recessed, not large and wear-prone) would likely sell well. I'm a former avionics tech who would have loved to have one of these in the 1980s. Customers should remember that "choices" require understanding and this tool is not some plumbers soldering copper heated by blowtorch! The video makes understanding the equipment a breeze. I'll be adding more Hakko products as I outfit my electronics bench.

[@UCm0i6w5lBlRthCtZEoj99tg]

Thanks! I set mine years ago and it works fine for soldering but today I used it to set brass inserts into 3D printed parts and I needed a much lower temperature. I actually goof'd and changed the ADJ instead of the Temperature :)

[@reneholbrugge7920]

Very helpfull! Thank you.

[@dan71559]

Excellent video and no BS. Now that I own a Hakko 888D I know why I struggled with those cheap irons. I love this thing. Don't waste your time and money on a cheap irons like I did. Buy this first then learn how to solder. It's that good and worth way more than you paid by NOT frying and lifting solder pads due to uneven and erratic heat.

[@irvintib]

Being a Weller user for decades, I decided to give Hakko a try after my trusty iron died. After using the FX-888D for a short time, I kick myself for not trying it sooner. I am not saying that Weller isn't any good, I am just saying that soldering with the Hakko is head and shoulders above anything that I have experienced with Weller. I am still a Weller fan, but now I am a Hakko user. Thank you Hakko for this little gem.

[@HakkoUSA]

No thank you Irvin, for these kind words...we really needed this today 🥲

[@shaem482]

This was a great video

[@ELECTROxigeno76.]

Exelent Products the hakko Fx888d, tks. 🎩

[@TheViken1]

Spot on. Thanks

[@samnissan2003]

Thank you for the video! I did just what you described and messed up my actual temp! I think if you say "calibration" instead of "adjustment" it would describe the function better and its less confusing.

[@shutthegate8232]

calibrated or "offset" as the standard for the variation temp maybe?

[@TheDorothyLewter]

This saved my live. I was wondering why my iron seemed so much colder when I was trying to make it hotter lol

[@tonysandvig1478]

Thank you. this was helpful

[@HakkoUSA]

Glad it could help

[@vextechnet5865]

I like this iron because it just works , and well built

[@HakkoUSA]

Thank you so much, we appreciate the compliment

[@batman8589]

Thanks for the info. I did read the manual but it was a quick read & it was a couple days before using the unit. Did the adjustment mode twice & realized I’d screwed up. Should get a FG100B or similar. EDIT WOW! The FG-100B is around $240 so won’t be getting that unit. I’ll just have to trust the default setting unless I find a more reasonable alternative.

[@HDDforme]

Boeing 800 came to mind, kidding! this helped me figure out my used FX-888D i bought without manual. Adjustment was off 200 degree's, thanks again.

[@locktadano6286]

As he said in this video, " Offset" is the right word instead of "Adjust". "Calibration" means changing the offset and the magnitude, so it is not so appropiate.

[@michaelkeithduncan]

I have this iron and love it but this interface was unnecessary, i would happily trade this for the older 888 with the analog knob

[@gazmaszk]

Great video! Could you pls describe what is/are the difference(s) between A, U, A2 and U2 presets when performing factory reset? Mine is a 888D-16BY (from around 2013) which displays these four options in factory reset and I cannot find those in the instruction manual. Other: can the firmware version be determined and/or the fw be upgraded?

[@RicktheRecorder]

This is an excellent and honest advice video. But it raises an important point about what is otherwise a top-rate station. Any piece of equipment should really be largely intuitive in operation, and not rely, at least for basic, everyday work, on a study of the manual, which is always missing or lost, or the device is not being used by the purchasing owner. Frankly, the controls are mickey mouse. It is not helped by incorrect or unhelpful use of language. What you are doing is not 'adjusting' the temperature. You are calibrating it. If the display read 'Cal' as most other equipment does, the confusion would disappear. Incredibly, the instruction manual enclosed with the station omits sections which are available in the on-line version, the section numbers being differently numbered. And my iron came with a set of tips. Nowhere in the manual supplied, or on-line, can I find any reference to how you change tips or what precautions you need to take, and there are several. Of course, Google is your friend, or you work it out, but not having the information right there in the box is, honestly, bizarre. Surely the marketing people had a say at some point, to explain to the boffins that what is obvious to those who have designed the thing may not be so obvious to the first time purchaser. And as the presenter acknowledged, while you are hamfistedly mucking about you can mis-set or damage the device, or your workpiece, so it is not without consequence. (And, amusingly, the calibrator has a calibration certificate on the side, so described. That might give a clue to the correct vocabulary)

[@robmckennie4203]

Honestly what worries me is that apparently the factory calibration is so poor that one of the two buttons on the front is a calibration button. 20 degrees out in this video, why is that okay?

[@roderickroderick7216]

They should change it from "Adj" to "Cal" Having it stand for Calibrate is much less likely to cause confusion.

[@campos3452]

That was easy. Thank You.

[@HakkoUSA]

No, Thank you for watching! We hope you join us for future webinars.

[@billyocean9236]

Wow I was the idiot that did this, but I adjusted it 50F lower for two to three times (couldn’t remember exactly how many times) until I looked at my blackened brand new soldering iron tip lol. I looked up the factory reset and did that, then ordered 3 backup tips for this idiot. I will still recommend Hakko. It was operator error. I was lazy and didn’t want to hunt down the manual because it was only a two button interface.

[@ponowai1]

Hakko could have avoided confusion if adjustment was called calibrate.

[@xavieraxiak6866]

I will be receiving an extra FX888D soon. I hope that it has all 5 presets enabled.

[@HakkoUSA]

We're sure it will and we hope you enjoy it!

[@emmettturner9452]

The confusion only gets worse when you act like setting and adjusting are distinctly different words and don’t clarify until demonstrating. It isn’t that one sets temperature and the other adjusts temperature, it’s that one sets the desired temperature and the other sets the measured temperature offset. Adjusting the temperature offset is not “adjusting the temperature” as the video mistakenly says multiple times since a temperature offset is not the same thing as a temperature. I do hope you finally wise up and make a V2 or successor that resolves these UI and terminology issues.

[@rwbishop]

Also, using the terms 'adjust' & 'calibrate' might be more descriptive... but even so it's UI is for the birds.

[@emmettturner9452]

@@rwbishop Yep. More descriptive... and simultaneously the opposite of their original intended meaning for "adjust." ;)

[@anonymousnoname]

How much extra would it have cost to add up and down buttons, like Weller, and to hire a translator who knows the definition of calibrate! Formally, calibration is the documented comparison of the measurement device to be calibrated against a traceable reference device. The reference standard may be also referred as a “calibrator.” Logically, the reference is more accurate than the device to be calibrated.

[@ericandersen5194]

will (A)sia mode when factory resetting change the temperature value from Fahrenheit to Celsius?

[@HakkoUSA]

Yes it will

[@kbn1603]

I have tried and succeeded

[@HakkoUSA]

That’s what we like to hear!

[@kylehardin6523]

Nice! Love my 888D

[@HakkoUSA]

Thank you so much Kyle and we love having you as a fan!

[@MindRiderFPV]

Any way to switch to centigrade?

[@G5Hohn]

Why is the word “calibration” not allowed? What they are calling “adjusting “ is calibration. Trying to pretend that adjustment and changing are different things only compounds the confusion.

[@emmettturner9452]

Exactly.

[@anonymousnoname]

Formally, calibration is the documented comparison of the measurement device to be calibrated against a traceable reference device. The reference standard may be also referred as a “calibrator.” Logically, the reference is more accurate than the device to be calibrated. Maybe its lost in the translation from Japanese to English?

[@ShallRemainUnknown]

Not to mention that the letters "CAL" can easily be displayed by a 7-segment type display like the FX888D has...

[@levigoldson4242]

Because their marketing department sent over a memo that says it would be disgraceful to admit they are sending out uncalibrated units.

[@Tonyplat98]

Interface sucks but it's such a good solder station at such good price I'm willing to overlook this.

[@lahirusenanayake7979]

can it be changed to celsius? also, why not add a down arrow for an easier interface?

[@HakkoUSA]

Yes it can be put into Celsius, start by powering off the unit. Then press and hold the “up” button while turning on the station. 01 will be displayed on the screen, click enter, here it’ll display C or F, use the “up” button to switch between selection, once you’ve done so hold and press the “enter” button to lock in the change. Y or N will be displayed, select Y for Yes you want to make this change.

[@bobcarpenter3413]

How to change temperate at ~00:05:55. Enjoy.

[@CanaleYouTubeGeneralista]

Hi, is it possible to automatically set a default temperature ? When I turn on the soldering iron I want the temperature to automatically set to 350 degrees, is this possible ? Or is it possible to set preferred temperatures, for example set three preferred temperatures, 300 degrees, 350 degrees, 450 degrees, is it possible to quickly switch between these three preferred temperatures ?

[@CanaleYouTubeGeneralista]

OK I found the solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iauzipxmatOqbpI

[@HakkoUSA]

Hi @appennini1 thank you for the question. Yes it is possible, if you want the station to be at 350 every time you turn on the station simply set it to the desired temperature and then leave it alone and it'll always remain at that temperature. To set multiple temperatures you'll need to enter the parameters settings by holding the UP key and turning on the POWER simultaneously. Use the UP key to go to parameter (11), the initial value will be set as (0) but press the UP key to switch the value to (1). Press enter, then you can set the number of presets from (2) presets to (5), select the number of presents you would like followed by ENTER. This will exit you out of the presets parameter, it'll take you back to the display that reads (11). Press and hold enter, then select (Y) for YES to save your changes. From here you can begin setting the preset temperatures the normal way you would set the temperature. By pressing UP you can cycle between presets. We hope you found this helpful.

[@CanaleYouTubeGeneralista]

@@HakkoUSA Perfect, thank you very much, yes the explanation was very useful. Thanks again. Greetings.

[@copernicofelinis]

What is the difference between A (Asia) and U (US) settings? Is there a E(urope) setting? (I mean if if sets the supply voltage, getting it wrong could be... Interesting).

[@HakkoUSA]

The difference is not the voltage, rather its the use of either Celsius or Fahrenheit, the Asian market uses C while the US market uses F

[@copernicofelinis]

@@HakkoUSA thank you for answering. So, "A" stands for "All countries" and "U" stands for "the Unique country that still uses Fahrenheit". 😁

[@HakkoUSA]

@@copernicofelinis lol yes, Hakko Corporate went with "Asia" and "US" as Hakko Japan distributes to mostly Japan and China while we as the American counterpart distribute exclusively to North America.

[@fatkorn]

Set temp is not calibration... my mind is mushy, thanks hakko :)

[@richardtrevino8216]

Adj Mode should have been label as Cal mode.

[@robmckennie4203]

So the adjustment is really more of a calibration? It worries me that the iron in the video was apparently 30 degrees out of calibration, and the fact that one of the two main settings is a calibration makes me concerned that my iron isn't going to be accurate from the factory

[@2tallB]

Summary to change temp: @ 5:20

[@2tallB]

Press and hold ENTER button (First digit flashes) Push UP button to scroll to desired number Press ENTER to move to next digit Again, Push UP button to scroll to desired number Press ENTER to move to next digit Scroll with UP button (If no change to digit needed, press ENTER again) …. now it’s temporarily set to new temp

[@Mr450pro]

Good video Couple of things I don’t understand.. Why isn’t it calibrated from the factory, so buyers don’t need to buy something extra to calibrate it? Next. Why didn’t you just put a dial on it? People wouldn’t get confused plus it would be much faster to regulate the temperature

[@robertohernandez1642]

13:51 is when he shows how to reset to factory.

[@AZ-px6lw]

mine not working the same, I can't adjust it

[@sideburn]

I just did that exact same thing 🤦‍♂️

[@kefeng6805]

Call it "calibrate" instead of "adjust" please. It is also easy to display "CAL" on the seven-segment display.

[@treysomerandomnumber]

Great video, but an 18 minute on changing the temperature, hmm... 5:40-7:02 is what you want. Everything else is extra!

[@ShawneeUnion]

Gracias man, looking for a time stamp when I saw it was nearly 20min video.

[@anullhandle]

Is this a language barrier issue? If you called it set temp and calibrate temp there wouldn't be confusion. The 2 button interface is what happens when you use a design house instead of letting engineers design a rational user interface but otherwise it's a really nice iron.

[@levigoldson4242]

I'm honestly shocked that you have to calibrate this thing using a tool more expensive than the station every time you change the tip. And they can't utter the word "calibrate" because it plainly makes it apparent how this station wasn't thought out well. The digital display would be better represented as some kind of percentage power output since the temperature is not measured nor accurate.

[@dustoff499]

Whoa! That FG-100B has a price - ouch.

[@anonymousnoname]

Formally, calibration is the documented comparison of the measurement device to be calibrated against a traceable reference device. The reference standard may be also referred as a “calibrator.” Logically, the reference is more accurate than the device to be calibrated.

[@Gamer__007]

Adjustment mode should be hidden somewhere in sub menus. Its not very user friendly.

[@wheatonna]

Some of this could have been avoided if they'd called it "offset" or "calibrate" instead of "adjust".

[@rwbishop]

The 888D is exceptionally infuriating... every use involves considerable time lost researching it's poorly designed non intuitive interface.

[@HakkoUSA]

We apologize for the frustration, we're listening to the concerns and we appreciate the feedback, thank you for helping us get better we hope to impress you in the future.

[@anonymousnoname]

@@HakkoUSA Buy a Weller and copy it

[@robmckennie4203]

At 7:30 or so the guy is just "you can set your temperature, or you can adjust it. What does that mean? With setting your temperature, you're setting the temperature, and with adjusting, you're adjusting the temperature " like for real is this scripted? Who wrote this? I was apprehensive about the very simple interface, the manual having sections on both setting and adjusting was confusing, and this is the pedigree of video that's supposed to solve that confusion. Really makes me dread trying to use my new fx888

[@G5Hohn]

If you have to make a video explaining how to adjust the most basic of all soldering station functions, the user interface is a design disaster. It should be so obvious and intuitive that no explanation is ever necessary.

[@BlueRidgeMarine]

I agree, i have this unit and its terrible to adjust, i set it on high 2 years ago and it sits on the bench and used rarely. Poor design interface, I'd rather have a potentiometer and a big knob. I give this Iron 1 star and would never recommend it to anyone.

[@G5Hohn]

@@BlueRidgeMarine I look at it as the annoying “quirks” of Hakko. It’s a great station for what it is at its price point. But it could be even better and still inexpensive if the fixed the interface. And my fx-951 has an interface that is almost as awful. But I put up with it because it gives nearly the performance of a jbc for a lot less.

[@anonymousnoname]

Its the reason why I bought another Weller. Up and down buttons. Up to increase temp, down to lower temp. Simple as a pimple. I miss the analog dial. So simple, a caveman could change temperature. Adjust does not mean calibrate.

[@asterisk606]

If someone doesn't have the brain capacity to understand they only need to hold the enter button to set the temperature, and completely ignore the up arrow holding function, then they shouldn't be handling a soldering iron for their own safety. Either that or they've been breathing in way too much solder smoke!

[@RicktheRecorder]

@@asterisk606 I assume this is ironic? Why on earth would you press 'Enter' to change the temperature when you have an 'Up' button? It's all save the cost of another button.

[@G5Hohn]

Dear Hakko, here’s how to fix your user interfaces: - eliminate the calibration function. Most users don’t need to have the temperature be a precise value, we just need to be able to quickly dial it up and down and tune the temperature by “feel” to a given tip. Anybody who actually needs calibration and precise process control should be buying a more expensive station intended for that. - temperature set point should be a knob. You should consider having a knob only labeled “max” and “min” with no temperatures at all! Users will have better success learning to adjust the heat to the work, rather than falling in love with some nominal temperature. - - please eliminate all “lock” features and such for a hobbyist iron. Again, we’re not doing production soldering with this inexpensive station. User convenience is paramount, not manager control!

[@HakkoUSA]

We hear you loud and clear, we're taking steps in helping to make future products more user friendly. We've listened and you've been heard and we appreciate the input, thank you for watching and for voicing your concerns.

[@beaker2000]

Meh, why change everything. The only thing I would change is change "ADJ" to "CAL" everything else is fine.

[@Shrekcraft]

This feedback is generally bad. I don’t think you should recommend taking away features from a soldering iron. Lock may be useful if you don’t want children to try to turn it on. Temperature may be useful if you have a specific temperature that you know you need to have for different solder. Calibration is needed in case the temperature becomes inaccurate for product longevity. The real issue is how to access basic functionality. This soldering station has way too few buttons and way too simple of a display for the amount of features it has. The advanced features should not be in the way of the most important. I should be able to control what temperature I want just by pressing or holding one button. Trying to go through each digit is tiring.

[@G5Hohn]

@@Shrekcraft Ever heard of hyperbole? The point here is one you are agreeing with: a basic station needs to be incredibly user friendly and intuitive. Which the 888 is not. It's pseudo-simplicity-- few buttons making it way harder to use than it needs to be.

[@anonymousnoname]

@@HakkoUSA Formally, calibration is the documented comparison of the measurement device to be calibrated against a traceable reference device. The reference standard may be also referred as a “calibrator.” Logically, the reference is more accurate than the device to be calibrated.

[@emmettturner9452]

LOL! Even the thumbnail says “How to Change vs. Adjust the Temperature” Again, you are adjusting the offset, not the temperature, when you use adjust mode. “How to Change vs. CORRECT the Temperature” would have worked, but not what you have.

[@HakkoUSA]

We're sorry for the confusion and we'll work on getting better in the future, thanks for watching the video and for voicing your concern, we really do appreciate it!

[@OvertheHills]

What a crap interface! It doesn't even end with the temperature adjustment vs. offset confusion. There are three alphanumeric display places but factory reset displays U rather than USA. Does this mean that A (Asia) displays temperature in Celsius? I assume the password protection comes in handy to prevent anyone who doesn't have a masters degree in hello kitty programming from making inadvertent changes to the operating temperature. Sheesh!

[@NickelCityPixels]

If ALL OF YOUR CUSTOMERS operate the soldering iron in the most reasonable way and get incomprehensible results, maybe your UI semiotics SUCK.

[@Crazy--Clown]

Once your Hakko is out of warranty and it shits itself forget about getting a circuit diagram for it... Hakko will NOT supply it because its confidential.... Lol really Hakko, its a frigging soldering iron and not a rocket you muppets. People don't waste your money on this overpriced junk. Hakko was great in the 90's but got money hungry