Use Cases:
- Current need: to make guitar/instrument (1/4" TS) cables and some other 1/4" TRS cables.
- Current need: to replace a 3.5mm TRRS connector on a headset (it broke off inside of a laptop)
- Future need: I'd like to do some Raspberry Pi projects. One project I had in mind was to control a bunch of RGB LEDs with something like the Adafruit 16x9 Charlieplexed PWM LED Matrix Driver - IS31FL3731 (https://www.adafruit.com/product/2946).
I don't envision myself removing or replacing tiny surface mount things.
I'll also be purchasing a helping hands station to hold the cables and connectors as I solder them.
So with my use-cases in mind, can someone recommend a soldering iron?
The problem: (i.e. overchocie, consumerism, YouTube rabbit hole)
I've watched some videos from Louis Rossman on YouTube. He's hating on any soldering iron that doesn't have heating elements and temperature sensors directly on the tip like the Hakko FX-951. In fact he even talks down about the Hakko 888D saying it's garbage ancient technology. For $100 he recommends buying a fake Chinese ripoff of an FX-951 rather than the 888D.
I appreciate his passion and do enjoy his videos, but I'd like a second opinion on a soldering iron.
I can't bring myself to dump $300 into an FX-951 but at the same time I don't want to buy a fake product either.
Can someone recommend something around $150 or less?