Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
1–10 of 52 posts
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#2How does it compare to the TS100?
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#3How does it compare to the TS100?
Or the TS80? (which also sports USB-C)
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#4"Device Warranty: 30 Days" => Totally illegal in my country
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#5How does it compare to the TS100?
I want to say the Pinecil, which I've been anxiously awaiting, is significantly less expensive... But shipping of $11 (though looks like I accidentally selected courier shipping so it's more like $50) brings it up closer to parity with the TS-100 kits you can get on Amazon for the TS100s.
I'm still really excited about the Pinecil though! I don't solder a lot, so I'm looking forward to having a quick kit I can whip out instead of my whole toolbox of soldering tools with my ancient but trusty Weller.
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#6How does it compare to the TS100?
I think the TS100 has a big advantage that you can easily rig up a barrel DC connector to XT60/XT90 connector, and use it to solder directly from a charged portable lipo battery.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ts100+lipo+cable&client=fire...
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#7How does it compare to the TS100?
Note, tips are the same!
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#8Been super eager to get one of these after reading the announcement last time on HN. Placed an order right away! $25 for a TS-100/80 like features with a RISC-V processor?! Sign me up! To be honest, I have no clue why I need a RISC-V chip on my soldering iron...but seems like it'll be worth the $40 (with shipping) worth of entertainment.
Edit: Seems like this batch has a GPIO + JTag breakout board!
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#9For the ignorant software only folks like me: why would a soldering iron need a CPU?
Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron
#10For the ignorant software only folks like me: why would a soldering iron need a CPU?
To control when/how it turns on and off, show status on a display, ... It being programmable is a bit of a gimmick for most, but the usual caveat applies: You might not need it, but if you want/need some customization it's very nice if your hardware actually allows you to add custom firmware. (E.g. for the TS100 there were some features that as far as I know first featured in custom firmwares, e.g. flipped display for left-handed users)