21–30 of 52 posts
Isn't it just a rebranded TS80 ? EDIT: The tip and the base are %100 the TS100, so I guess they took the TS100 and added the USB QC of the TS80.
For the ignorant software only folks like me: why would a soldering iron need a CPU?
TL;DR: Software is eating the world.
First, it doesn't, but it can be easier or cheaper if you use one. You can build a closed-loop controller using only analog electronics, but it doesn't mean you should. Because silicon is so cheap, sometimes it's reasonable to use a $1 microcontroller and 20 lines of code, instead of 3 opamps, 5 resistors and 3 capacitors. I don't mean that software is always a good idea, but you get my point.
Next, if you want an LCD-based user interface (it doesn't mean you should, you can use an analog potentiometer, but having a display is the norm these days), you need a microcontroller anyway. You need a microcontroller to control the pixels on a screen or the numbers on a seven-segment display, and you also need software to implement functionality such as "press this button to change the temperature", or "save the current settings".
Also, these "novelty" soldering irons can power themselves via USB Type-C by using the USB Power Delivery protocol (it doesn't mean you should, but people are having fun doing it), which is a digital protocol, you definitely need a controller and software to do the handshake in order to get DC power. A single microcontroller can perform this task as well.
Now, does it really need a RISC-V microcontroller, instead of, say, a 8-bit 8051 chip? No. But the target audiences of this soldering iron are hardware tinkers, and previously they already ported things like Tetris and Game of Life to the soldering iron, so... Why not?
It lists “USB type C: PD and QC 3.0 12V-20V 3A”.
Would this work via a USB Type A port, with an A-to-C adapter/cable?
"Device Warranty: 30 Days" => Totally illegal in my country
I think it may be legal, since saying it qualifies as a disclaimer. Basically the default is 24m (EU) or 12m (US), but it should be legal to explicitly state another term for warranty. Some shops have down to 1 week of warranty, some (e.g. wholesale items) may state to accept no returns, etc.
No. While in the US people seem to be able to get away with anything as long as there is a disclaimer, EU law is strict - it's minimum 24 months per Art. 17 EU directive 1999/44/EC (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CEL...), with an exception for second-hand goods (Art. 16 of said directive, with the decision on the exact duration being left to the member states).
B2B transactions, however, are pretty much unregulated wild west.
I have given up on understanding the mess that is USB-C. It lists “USB type C: PD and QC 3.0 12V-20V 3A”. Would this work via a USB Type A port, with an A-to-C adapter/cable?
Sidenote if someone from Pine reads this - what is the difference between "courier shipping method" and "standard shipping method"?!
"Device Warranty: 30 Days" => Totally illegal in my country
I have given up on understanding the mess that is USB-C. It lists “USB type C: PD and QC 3.0 12V-20V 3A”. Would this work via a USB Type A port, with an A-to-C adapter/cable?
Type A ports on wall chargers can support QuickCharge - and yes, this will work with an A to C cable.
Having used the similarly spec'd TS100, you're better off getting yourself a 20V capable USB C brick for this.