Review - The TS80 Soldering Iron! Does it live up to the Hype?

[@Schematix]

So the question some people are asking. Did the TS80 only win because of the chisel tip? I went out and bought a chisel tip so we could do a rematch. Watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXu9i2yPid19jac

[@JamesDutka]

Schematix I may have misworded, but the the surface contact you make with the iron is conjunctive with how fast you melt the medium. Another great reason for the use of hot air guns. I always switch over to a bigger tip in order to solder thicker gauge wires. More thermal mass and more surface area for a big ol' blob of solder!

[@Schematix]

@@JamesDutka For sure it does. I guess the real question people are asking is "Did the TS80 only win because of the chisel tip?" It's a fair question so that's why I made a follow-up rematch. (Spoiler alert it didn't change the outcome. TS80 won easily)

[@50Hz]

I liked the video, because of the effort gone into the caveman. Love it

[@Schematix]

Thanks! I really found my 'inner child' filming it! ;)

[@andreiciora2765]

@@Schematix try the pace ads 200 or hakko fx 951

[@AlphaMachina]

That chisel tip makes a pretty big difference in how fast you can lay the heat down. It's not only a thermal mass issue, but a surface contact one as well.

[@Schematix]

I've ordered a conical tip for the TS80 and it's currently taking a dip in the Pacific between China and NZ. Once postman pat has delivered it I'll repeat the ring test and post an unlisted video link for everyone to see the results. I still think the TS80 will win easily but, we'll have to wait and see :)

[@AlphaMachina]

​@@Schematix I think you're right. I know the difference in how digital and analog apply heat to a mass can make a big difference. The digital way is just way more efficient.

[@ShubhamBhushanCC]

Bought a TS80 last year, never regret the decision for a moment

[@portraitonetelo1897]

Thanks for the concise review. Made my decision making process even easier.

[@andredejager3637]

Sadly no affiliate product link, great review I would like to support you if possible.

[@yimincao6210]

Thank you very much for the firmware, which solved the problem of incompatible identification of my TS-80 in some QC3.0 mobile power banks！

[@akiftezel3067]

thnx for details. I just sold my ersa icon NANO, ( not professional use anymore) and I was looking small size, good performance and qc 3.0 powerbank support! yes. probably I will buy ts80, just looking for iron holder ( it will smaller and safer too)

[@nonculus]

I love the Ts80. I personally use it to build my costum keyboards

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

I would love to see the customized ts80 with the station and portability and power

[@angelo_79]

You have to use the same tips in the comparison because the wider the tip, the faster the heat transmits, the advantage is the ts80 because it has a wider tip.

[@MiggyManMike]

Being qc3 on it's own isn't enough for a powerful bank, it needs to support the pd (power delivery) spec to use the ts80, but when you do have a suitable power bank it works well.

[@Schematix]

Tell me about it. The organizations who come up with these standards for data or power transfer are making our lives more difficult than need be. Take for example how they've recently decided to rebrand the standards for USB 3.0 3.1.etc It's flat out confusing! Same with these newer power standards. I could have spent 2 or 3 mins in this video just explaining the power input. I'd be putting my awesome subscribers to sleep, they'd be so bored! haha :)

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

That ts80 is amazing

[@Schematix]

Yes, it is. Very impressive for its size & price point

[@ChazzDerby]

Really looking forward to your follow up on this video. Good work.

[@Schematix]

Thanks, I've built a couple versions of my soldering station. The final version I'm happy with. Video coming soon :)

[@squalazzo]

for firmware update, take note: if you're using something that replaces the stock windows copy feature, like "teracopy", that will not work... you have to right drag the hex file into the solder internal memory and select the standard windows copy mechanism, NOT teracopy... had similar issues with my ts100...

[@arie3983]

Yes, please customize the Ts80

[@tdanel]

It came down to different tip on ts-80 with larger surface area thus quicker heat transfer jeeezzzz

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Love the firmware capabilities

[@cameradoctor205]

I bought the TS100 after rave reviews all over the www .. I find it unwieldy to use as the heavy power cable ( 19v power pack ) makes it unbalanced in use ... I put it away and went back to my trusty Hakko FX-888D :) I guess this TS80 with the lighter silicon cable does not suffer from that issue ?

[@Schematix]

I haven't held the TS100 so I can't comment on it. However, I can say with certainty the TS80 is a pleasure to hold and use. The soft silicone cable is very light and not noticeable at all. I'd describe it as feeling almost 'cordless' ;)

[@p_mouse8676]

I have the TS80 as well, pretty happy with it. I think they "stole" the idea of Weller, the Weller RT tips are also with a jack connector.

[@natalielee35]

Where's the portable soldering station video?

[@Schematix]

Hasn't happened yet. Miniware are working on a new version of the TS80 with higher power output. Figured I might as well wait for that to be released

[@jeetudas1351]

I hope ts80 soldering iron is more suited to lead free boards

[@jettigger77]

Do you happen to have the firmware for the ts80p? I'd like to remove the limiter so I can still use it with my current anker powerbank

[@JamesDutka]

The tip on the TS80 has more thermal mass in the chisel type tip

[@Schematix]

I think you're confusing thermal mass with surface area. The soldering stations tip mass is many times that of the ts80. Since I've had a few comments regarding this. I've bought a new chisel tip for the station and done a rematch video to see if the outcome is any different. (It's pinned in the comment section)

[@oliversmall]

great review. Shame it only accepts QC3.0 and not USB PD as PD is more open, and most of my chargers are PD. I've instead opted for ordering a TS100 and modding that, adding a PD trigger to accept PD. Hopefully it works out :))

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Thanks - that was very informative. I want one!

[@WaschyNumber1]

Does any shop sell cheaper soldering iron tips for this soldering iron 15£ to 30£(all shops) is a little pricey for 1 tip 🤔

[@gopronomad4381]

8:15 probably the oxidation of your older solder tip

[@electronic7979]

Nice item

[@ncsnsn9262]

How can we place an order?

[@CrypticBore]

Great video, Take a sub. Its nice to hear a fellow kiwi. Hope youre getting by ok, This covid 19 stuff is pretty scary. Im in Australia and we arent as locked down as you folks back home which is both a positive and negative. ANYWAY Im about to get into through hole soldering due to build my first mechanical keyboard, a project ive been putting off for quite a while now. Any sugestions for purchases from types of solder to irons and anything that can make it easyier to do for a novice. Im thinking of picking up a Ts 80 or TS 100 but i have no idea what tips to buy. I already have my PCB (iris Rev. 4 and switches (gateron Clears) Keep up the good work!

[@ad_fletch]

I’m in same position - just hope my keyboard kit and new iron get here before the end of the year with lockdown shipping delays...

[@Viddiecent]

Great Video! just out of curiosity I couldn't find any info on an IP rating. I work in Irrigation do you think it'd hold up ok in "moist" conditions? im using a gas iron atm and im wondering if it'll be worth the switch? and I know its not the ideal conditions maybe I could make a silicon usb cover?

[@Schematix]

Sadly, I can confirm that it has no IP rating. Nor would I suggest it could even handle a splash of water. Besides the USB port. The area around the switch & display would let water in. You could probably make a sleeve out of some silicone tubing to make it splash resistant?

[@Viddiecent]

@@Schematix Now thats an idea? 🤔 I mean im not going to be altering the voltage when im joining? And its only usually 1-2.5mm signal wire anyway. Thanks for the response btw 😊 I appreciate it

[@noelandrew3600]

you now have the batteries mate ;)

[@Schematix]

Isn't that the truth! Maybe I should mod the TS80 to handle the full 48v, 40amps haha (sarcasm everyone)

[@markwhi1]

Great video, thanks. Have you used the previous TS100 model, and if so how would you compare the two?

[@Schematix]

I haven't held the TS100 so I can't comment on it. From my research and watching/reading reviews online comparing both. I came to the conclusion that the TS100 is a powerful iron but, not very ergonomic to use. On the flip side, the TS80 is small, lightweight and a pleasure to hold and use. Honestly, I haven't picked up my soldering station since I bought the TS80. I'm just waiting on parts to make the TS80 into a proper soldering station.

[@markwhi1]

@@Schematix Thanks for the reply. I have the TS100 and I don't mind it (it replaced my WES-50 as my daily driver soldering tool), but it is a bit fiddly to hold sometimes. I'm considering picking up the TS80 based on what I saw in your video and I'm looking forward to seeing your soldering station build!

[@jjnava7949]

Is this for everyday use?

[@lycanlycans7548]

First for a good test you should clean your old iron tip and then do the test ! Second use flux . Regards,

[@smokemirrors1531]

i subscribed because i like you - and forgot your channel name and i have less than 100 subscribed channels but only just found you again. No recommended videos in all this time! You tube have completely ruined you tube lately. just search the word 'ufo' to see what i mean .

[@ronaldhofman1726]

your soldering pin is not the same , the on the one is pointed and the other is flat blade , so more heat transfer.

[@ManosRK]

How much does it cost ?

[@ManosRK]

Looks extremely portable!

[@umbratherios5614]

7 min mark... to keep it fair you should use similar tips, not use a cone tip on one and a wide bevel tip on another. Also, that usb-c connector won't last long. the ones on my phones don't last past one year... but the ts80 is still a damn good iron! just it's power connector and it's soldering "audio" connector tip is all I dislike.

[@n7565j]

I agree completely! Thermal mass is not even close, he may be right that the usb iron may respond quicker but a chisel tip on the usb and a surface mount tip on the other isn't a fair fight, at all!!! Would be VERY interested to see a rematch with similar tips :-)

[@umbratherios5614]

@@n7565j the surface area and how much contact the bevel tip has is also far more than the conical tip. it means th bevel one transfers heat FAR faster and better. That's not stigma against conicals though, that's simply how things are. I use them all the time, and chisels too, but each tip has it's place.

[@WaschyNumber1]

🖖 👍

[@ColinPopoviciu]

I wish it had an LED light

[@pb-tec]

If you own a 3D printer, I can recommend my case on Thingiverse: www.thingiverse.com/thing:3560806

[@andreiciora2765]

You haveit a pace station .

Very nice video. I think it's a fair review, though, your soldering station looks antiquated. Mine took 27 seconds to reach 400C. Still very impressive if it can show similar performances to mine. I'll consider buy it. By the way, your jlcpcb is just a normal link. Isn't it supposed to be affiliated link? I have to order some PCB and i thought i could use your affiliated link, but it's not. Just wondering if it's a mistake or you just simply advertise it.

[@crackseller321]

I want that shirt

[@rgosens2]

No, screen goes dim easily.

[@boris2342]

over complicated, internet addicted ,cheap junk

[@mhack9881]

Boris is my kind of guy !!!