Portable soldering irons are tools that can be lifesavers in challenging situations, they can allow you to make that vital fix or replacement while out in the field. The TS80P portable soldering iron from Miniware is a great tool for Makers who are often away from their workbench. It is an upgraded version of the original TS80, and today we will be looking at what has changed in the TS80P model to make it worthy of that extra letter.
Miniware is a company that is well known for their portable electronic tools such as oscilloscopes, soldering irons, and digital tweezers. They released their first product, the mini oscilloscope, in 2009 and their first portable soldering iron in 2015. A few years ago, they released the TS80 and now they have released the TS80P, an upgraded version with a redesigned finger guard, improved performance, and a few quality-of-life upgrades.
Finger Guard/Spring Ejector
The first upgrade you will see with the TS80P is the finger guard where the soldering tip connects to the body. The TS80 finger guard has a slight lip while the guard on the TS80P is much larger and provides a comfortable place to grip the soldering iron. The TS80P guard also features a spring mechanism that allows you to pop out the equipped soldering tip and quickly insert a new one. This upgrade provides added safety, improved comfort, and an easier way to remove or swap soldering tips.
QC 3.0 & PD 2.0
The TS80P is powered by QC 3.0 (Quick Charging) and PD 2.0 (Power Delivery) while the TS80 only featured QC 3.0. QC 3.0 is a type of fast charging first implemented in 2015 for smartphones and other devices. It provides a max power of 36W, a voltage of 3.6 – 12V, and a current of 2-3A (Connector dependent). Using QC 3.0 you will be able to power the TS80P at 3A at 9V DC. PD 2.0 is a newer type of fast charging found on some of the latest iPhones and Samsung devices. The TS80P makes use of USB-PD at 3A at 12V DC. A QC09 travel charger is included with the TS80P so you can enjoy all the benefits right out of the box. The TS80P can also be powered by charging plugs, power banks and mobile power supplies that comply with PD2.0 (12V 3A) and QC3.0 (9V 2A) standards.
Other Improvements
The TS80P includes a few other improvements that improve the overall user experience. While the original TS80 used 9V – 2A – 18W to reach 300oC in approximately 22 second, the TS80P uses 12V – 3A – 30W to get to 300oC in approximately 8 seconds. The TS80P also features a built-in smart chip to protect the port. All the TS80 tips are compatible with the TS80P which means you don’t have to buy a new set just for the TS80P. It also means that there is already a range of tips to choose from if you need a different type. The firmware on the TS80P is open source which mean you can modify it or load custom firmware made by other users onto it.
Our Thoughts
We are consistently impressed with new products released by Miniware, and the TS80P is no different. The development division at Miniware has put plenty of thought into both the TS80 and the TS80P. We really enjoy the versatile nature of the TS80P, both as a daily use tool and a portable soldering iron. The TS80P truly shines when it comes to portable soldering as it features a compact design, fast heating, and the ability to power it from a variety of compliant power banks and chargers. The biggest downside to the TS80P is that it tends to roll around if you are not careful. You can avoid this by purchasing an M-Stand, or if you want to go the extra mile you can even try making a DIY soldering station like the Youtuber Schematix did.
The TS80P is a jack-of-all-trades soldering iron as it is capable of being a daily use soldering iron on your workbench, or a portable soldering iron in your toolbox. It is the ideal tool for Makers on the go. The TS80P is available on our website.
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Graphic Designer | Photographer | Gamer and Twitch streamer.
I have a passion for design and a love of art. I am always eager to learn new things, be it 3D modeling/3D printing, copywriting or even cooking. Pretty chill guy who is always down for a braai with family and friends.