This should be a decent unit. Difference between Variable Temperature and Temperature Controlled is the key to the lower price.
The VT soldering irons, stations and such have a control of the wattage of the iron. Crank it up for higher temp and more heat available for the bigger joints. A Temp Controlled unit, once set, tries to maintain that temp. It has a temp sensor near the tip and when the temp drops as you put the iron on the solder joint, it will turn on the power to maintain the temp, a weller able to increase temp 100°F in 10 seconds. This is convenient.
The VT is a variable wattage iron. You set the wattage when you adjust the dial and that is how it runs until you reset it. It will be hot with no load and cold when overloaded. But looking at most component changes, caps, resistors and such the VT iron/desoldering tool will have a setting that works well. Only need to crank it up for a large lump of solder or turn it down for very small parts.
This is why the StahlTools SSVT is under 20 and the temp controlled units are over 50. Both work well, the TC units are more convenient unless you always attack the same soldering situation. Had an SSVT for a few years before a friend gave me a couple weller irons that needed a station. Nice step up. I rarely turn the temp control anymore. Did frequently with the SSVT adjusting for the amount of solder that needed to be melted. And would love to add a desoldering tool.
