Wish I had of found this post earlier.  I have both a Aoyue and a Hakko.  I first bought the Aoyue trying to save some dollars.  Found it OK but not great.  I've since bought a genuine Hakko and they are like chalk and cheese.  Hakko is the only way to go, this is one product that you get what you pay for.

Get one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/808-5-808-KIT-P-P-808-KIT-Hakko-Desoldering-Gun-w-Pump_W0QQitemZ380086641353QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item587eede2c9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Then buy a step down transformer.  Can't go wrong.