ITTSB.EU Blog Forum
Soldering tools | Miscellaneous hand tools | Bench top tools => Soldering station, Rework station, relative accessories => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on February 17, 2024, 10:10:55 AM
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Its beyond of my understanding of why ANTEX Soldering, a hero brand of 90s this did not expand it products portfolio according to modern needs.
The application of simple wire to wire soldering this is still here today mostly for hobby.
The application of single side PCB soldering, this died when bulky TV set these when off from the market.
The 50~60W soldering station of the past, this can hardy make it today.
But ANTEX all that it did was to release at 2015, two products, two models 690D vs 660A soldering station.
Watt power identical at 50W, Made in China assembly, five soldering bits, slow heating element.
Even the English people (users) admit, that major benefit of these products is spares availability within U.K.
The number of dissatisfaction grows like a storm in the west world about the Chinese brands.
a) Super-fast discontinued soldering stations
b) Hard to find and overpriced spare parts
These two factors alone steer people getting lesser high-tech soldering stations, but these having a greater level of local support.
Unfortunately for ANTEX Soldering, UK this is now further away from EU, their product pricing might look higher to us.
But the major deal breaker to me is that the brand are in denial to elevate soldering station power at higher than 50 Watt.
(ANTEX next Watt power level is at 250W for single solder iron, which is large in dimensions and bulky.)