Never buy cheap tools. It looks like a cool gadget, but is it actually useful for soldering? Does it maintain correct temperatures? How long the tips last and can you buy them easily? Are there many variety of tips?
etc. etc.
If you are into soldering, do yourself a favour and buy something tried and trusted like Hakko FX-951 if you are on the budget. It will probably outlast you.
Lots of cheap tools are excellent. In this space, Sugon/Aifen make fantastic JBC clone soldering stations for under $100; you can use original JBC tips, but MAGMA tips work 95% as well as the JBC originals at a fraction of the cost. The range of tools and materials being produced for the Chinese phone repair market is incredible - some stuff (like tweezers) that's just outright better than any western equivalent, some stuff that's completely novel and has no big-brand equivalent.
I agree. We put an incredible amount of effort into making this a functional workhorse that will last a lifetime.
Tips we'll have at launch: Cone, Bevel 1.5, Wedge 1.5, Point, Bevel 2.6, Knife 2.5, Knife 1.4
What kills tips is oxidation. With our auto-sleep sensor, it drops below the temperature that will wear it out. When you pick it up, it's back at soldering temperature in a few seconds.
Give it a chance! You're right, it's not tried and tested, yet. But Tom at Hackaday is not an easy person to convince: he's been around the block and used every iron out there: "iFixit didn’t just raise the bar, they sent it into orbit."
I don't see why maintaining tip temperature would be even slightly difficult with modern electronics. It should be possible to make a very cheap and excellent soldering iron at this point.
the Hakko FX-951 is discontinued and its replacement FX971-44 costs GBP 350. would you also recommend the FX888D that is half the price, ignoring second-hand market?
etc. etc.
If you are into soldering, do yourself a favour and buy something tried and trusted like Hakko FX-951 if you are on the budget. It will probably outlast you.