- TMT-2000S-SM Soldering System equivalent to Metcal MFR-1160

The TMT-2000S-SM shipped in a sturdy cardboard box inside the customary Amazon box, the main unit cradled securely in high density foam surrounded by the accessories and arrived in Ecuador without any damages. This power supply has a small footprint but is hefty, protected by a robust hard plastic cover. The only protrusion is the top on/off switch that might sustain a damage in a fall. The solitary front LED changes color from yellow to red if the station is active but the iron without a cartridge. The station comes complete with instructions, US power cord, a well laid out hand-piece holder, a slim, well balanced hand-piece with a 4-foot heat resistant lead, a silicon rubber pad for changing tips, a connecting cable between station and holder, brass curls, sponge and 2 (paid for) tip/cartridges. The Thermaltronics folks have done their homework, no fancy displays, no colorful features, etc. the Curie Heat Technology just works, and works really well. The iron goes from a standby temperature to full working mode (yellow tips) in a few seconds, the time it takes to remove the handpiece from the holder to your workpiece. This “sleep” time, while the iron is not in use should extend the life of the tips considerably. Temperature testing via cooling with a moist sponge shows a very fast recovery time back to the preprogrammed temperature, no more messing with temperature settings, you just keep on working. The soldering temperature is set by the type of cartridge/tip you purchase, blue, yellow, red, from lower to higher temperatures. The cartridges are competitively priced, the selection is considerable and should keep most folks happy, one bonus, the tips are backwards compatible with one of the “other” well known soldering station brands. The holder has 10 parking spots for extra tips, a well for the sponge and brass curls and is connected via a cord to the power supply, an electrical contact at the handpiece holder puts the iron to sleep once parked in its spot. All of the parts appear to be well designed and fabricated, no visible shortcuts taken. I will do a long-term review after spending the next few months with the new addition to my bench. I applaud Thermaltronics for addressing the unjust criticism of an earlier customer who received a station without a tip (the sales description clearly states that the station does not include a tip) by including a FREE 1.5 mm tip (S75CH015), a savvy management decision with minimal investment that keeps the customer happy and makes the station instantly usable.

I needed a really good soldering station and so I decided to give this one a try, based on the claim that it was equal to metcal which I could have bought at near the same price point. Delivery was good, the unit was well packed, but to my surprise instead of being able to sit right down and test out the thing, I now have to pay for and wait for a soldering tip. With the cost of the tip the price point now exceeds the lowest end metcal. Not to mention my project is now pushed back not an overall good situation to be in.

Well built, quality soldering station comparable with metcal.