Aussie Info and #propeller meetings
stevenmess2004
Posts: 1,102
I started this thread so that we could list places in Australia can buy propellers and other goodies to go with them. Also, so that all us Aussies here can get to know one another (others are welcome too though) 
To start off.
You can get a lot of the Parallax products including proto boards and other propeller parts from Ronald Nollet. He has been very helpful to me so far. He also sells the PropBus system.
Futurlec (www.futurlec.com.au) has an Australian site that has a lot of cheap stuff. Just keep an eye on your order. I ordered some stuff from them that they no longer stocked and the didn't tell me... When I sent them an email though they replied quickly and were helpful.
Obviously there is Jaycar www.jaycar.com.au and Dick Smith www.dse.com.au
I have looked at digikey and mouser but I got quoted something like $70US shipping for a couple of Xbees...
Any others?
Also, for aussies or others in similar time zones we are starting regular meetings on #propeller at 8pm (EDS time) on Thursday nights. See you there.
Post Edited (stevenmess2004) : 3/9/2008 6:56:33 AM GMT
To start off.
You can get a lot of the Parallax products including proto boards and other propeller parts from Ronald Nollet. He has been very helpful to me so far. He also sells the PropBus system.
Futurlec (www.futurlec.com.au) has an Australian site that has a lot of cheap stuff. Just keep an eye on your order. I ordered some stuff from them that they no longer stocked and the didn't tell me... When I sent them an email though they replied quickly and were helpful.
Obviously there is Jaycar www.jaycar.com.au and Dick Smith www.dse.com.au
I have looked at digikey and mouser but I got quoted something like $70US shipping for a couple of Xbees...
Any others?
Also, for aussies or others in similar time zones we are starting regular meetings on #propeller at 8pm (EDS time) on Thursday nights. See you there.
Post Edited (stevenmess2004) : 3/9/2008 6:56:33 AM GMT
Comments
Some may also like www.oatleyelectronics.com/ for some interesting bits and pieces.
I agree that Digikey's freight is expensive, but their service is second to none. They get your order to Australia in 2-3 working days usually with very competitive pricing compared to some of our local industrial suppliers.
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There's also RS Components (Homed in the UK, I think they used to be "Radio Spares", hence the "RS"). In Australia - www.rsaustralia.com. They stock locally in AU.
I don't think RS sells the Propeller (or other Parallax products - really too-bad), but certainly they do the other stuff that goes with it, memory, FTDI, Maxim/DS stuff, etc.
I'm in Jakarta so I sometimes use rsaustralia or www.rssingapore.com, which also stocks locally in Singapore. Who I choose (RS-AU or SG) depends on which RS site has local stock and better price etc... Wildly varying unit pricing and local stock availability with RS at both AU and SG sites in my opinion. But decent service in the end; never had a problem once it was settled what was going to ship. I HATE the RS Web sites though, because you can't browse in tabs with Firefox; dunno about IE7, don't run it.
Rgds, David
Post Edited (Drone) : 2/26/2008 3:06:12 PM GMT
It must be very difficult to for R N when Parallax retails ProP Proto Board for $USA20.00. Sure you have to spend $USA100.00 but they are a BARGIN
Its not surprising that Jaycar and DS don't sell them. (not when I checked in August last)
D S used to sell Parallax stuff I bought a BS1 from DS over 10 years ago, it cost $AU60+ dollars if I recall.
In Singapore two weeks ago, no problems getting BS2, but the sales guy I spoke to had not heard Propeller would you believe. We sat at his desk and a took tour of the Parallax Website.
We are in Penang Malaysia and will be here for the next year of so. I could purchased in Malaysia but much cheaper direct from Parallax, parts arrived 5 days later.
There service is hard to beat.
BUT where do you get 24LC512 prefer DIL but SMD will do ?
Can you help Ronald Nollet,?
I cant remeber them being out of stock for anything i have wanted here in Perth, but i have been told that they are the Aus warehouse.· There is also http://au.farnell.com/.
Sevs
Perth(WA)
We sell the Propeller demoboard now for $24.20 in 1 off qty.
That's inc GST.. present exchange rate is 0.91...0.92 ( when we pay at the bank)
We've got lots of Propeller goods in stock..
Spin Stamps + dip chips + Propeller demoboards...Propeller plugs clips etc etc ect
And we manufacture the PropBus system as well for Tafe/uni colleges
aimed at the more serious users.. see www.igniteautomation.com/propbus.html for info.
Will soon be added to our own website as well.
We have been a Parallax distributor for 11 years in Australia and can offer expert support on most of their products.
So let us know how can help... we are a small privately owned co and we do not markup prices so that we can give you huge discounts.. also you have appreciate that we do this now full time.. and stuffing around with little orders for 1 or 2 chips
does not really even pay for the milk .. so our small qty pricing is accordingly..
We keep 24LC256 in stock in dip and also we have stock of 24lc512 in SMD only..
Cheers Ron Nollet Melbourne OZ www.nollet.com.au
Watch out for FUTURLEC!
They once shipped me COUNTERFEIT national semi components!!
They are fine for connectors resistors hardware, etc, but I would NOT buy any semiconductors from them! They do stuff about with delivery times but there prices are very good.
Also, Have a look at http://electusdistribution.com.au, this is were JAYCAR buy all their stuff from, there prices are almost HALF of that of Jaycar. You have to set up an account to be able to orde online, go get one of their catalogs and you will be amazed at the prices.
Also, look at http://au.newark.com/, WESS Components, Clarke and Severn ( good service and great for connectors etc) , Avnet, Arrow for semi conductors , also www.rockby.com.au for general parts.
RS components are good for many items ( they keep a lot of stock ) but they are the most expensive supplier in the WORLD!!!! use them for prototyping only!
for PCB's I use ENTECH in SA, they have a good prototype service!
but for larger orders I would use MOUSER or DIGIKEY they both have a very good range and the prices are the best! much better now with the exchange rate
If you are into MEMBRANE panels/keypads I use a chinese company called http://www.zskeypad.com/ , talk to a guy called PHIL ZHAO, his customer service is excellent! and the prices are unbelievable too! They do small runs!
regards
Dave M.
www.epecom.com.sg
David
Thanks Ron, very helpful. I will PM about parts.
@Drone
I was in the area and popped into the Agent on Sim Lim Drive, basically just for a look.
Regards to both
Ron
Ron, with regards to the Propeller demoboard now for $24.20... is that listed on your site? I couldn't see it. I would personally much rather buy that type of thing locally from you than from say Digikey. If pricing / availability info is clearly accessible on your site the decision is easy. Having to send emails or phoning for info wastes everyone's time, especially for one-off orders, which as you say are barely worth your while anyway. I'm not bagging you in any way Ron, I hope this doesn't sound like I am.
Cheers,
Shane.
Occasionally we need to be kicked in the rear to update that website..
It all takes time.. takes for initiating another update..
Re Propeller Proto board ..Your right Shane it is not there but we have them instock..
Would having a PDF file on our front index page. with all we stock and pricing be a good idea ?
We order every week on Parallax ..we order on Friday or Thursday and the stuff lands here at our place
monday or tuesday so anything is never far away..
Will add some stuff to our website.. early next week that addresses some of these issues..
cheers Ron
I'm located in Perth.
Anytime I order any Propeller stuff ex East from Ron there is a freight/postage penalty, which tends to work against the good base price of the Prop.(unless able to order in quantity - most hobbyists want to buy one or two)
None of the major parts people handle the Prop., and probably won't until there is sufficient interest from the customers.(who probably don't know about it anyway)
The weakness with the Prop. in Oz is the lack of promotion and lack of local (state) distribution.
I attempted to get the Silicon Chip people interested in producing even a review in their magazine, but that seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
If we could get Altronics or Jaycar interested enough to build a kit or two, maybe it could start the ball rolling.
Forget DSE, they are in the process of backing away from component supplies altogether, I am told.
Altronics do handle the Picaxe range, which is the "education" or entry level for PIC's, so they may be interested in adding the Prop. for the "experienced" hobbyist end.
The Managing Director Jack O'Donnell is an ex workmate of mine - perhaps I could "test the water" on the subject.
Anyway, it's good to know that our Oz numbers are growing.
kenmac
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Perth, Western Australia
Time Zone = GMT + 8
Well before you told the Silicon Chip magazine we had contacted them and submitted some stuff for them to evaluate.
We paid for some advertising.. but really nothing happened.
Just before Christams last year we visited the Silicon Chip people again.
We had an appointment with the sales rep and the technical editor.
The sales rep decided not to be there and the technical writer was there but was very negative.
Really an amazing attitude.. all he could was being negative.. nothing really constructive...
So after 2 serious attempts and $800 in bills ( petrol and my time) the ball is in their court.)
Remember we are in Melbourne they are in Sydney (900KM north of us) so we went thru a considerable
amount of trouble...
I have also been in touch with several resellers but none of them are capable of supporting this Propeller
product and want to inflate prices too much to the point of being ridiculous..
Mr Ken Gracey at Parallax knows what we get up to ... they support us termendously.
We promote the Propeller here very heavily and the main customer base for the Propeller is industry.
The hobby market here is small and very few people ...not going to go any further discuss markets as your mate
will find out...Altronics are by far the best organized lot.. their shop here in Melbourne is great.
But their wholesale price is still a long way of being reasonable .. shame as we like to support local industry..
The mark up these guy's apply is amazing..
Shipping small qty stuff is expense for us.. we concentrate on the industry market as long term that
is of benefit for us and also for Parallax..
Cheers Ronald Nollet Melbourne
I have included "extras" upon request, things like PropPlugs or extra DIP Propellers, so people wouldn't have to pay shipping twice, once for me for a SpinStudio and then from another supplier for a PropPlug to program it.
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Brian
uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller
PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!
SD card Adapter - mass storage for the masses Audio/Video adapter add composite video and sound to your Proto Board
Also, would the aussies like to start regular meetings on the #propeller irc channel? Say once a week or once a fortnight?
If you can specify a time, I will try to be online.
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Check out my robot using the propeller RECONAUTOR
If you like my avatar then check this out Propeller Domed Stickers for sale
8pm (Canberra time) Thursday 13 March 2008
all welcome
Pitty you can't join us though.
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Check out my robot using the propeller RECONAUTOR
If you like my avatar then check this out Propeller Domed Stickers for sale
Cheers,
Shane.
I think that most of us managed to make it although some were late, very late (like me) and others very, very late. We talked a bit about several things ranging from graphics drivers to portable prop in a briefcase systems and xbee (even dreamed about doing it on the prop and then quickly dismissed the idea) and some of the projects that I have done. So, next week it is time for someone else to do show and tell.
Any way, next meeting will be 8pm to 10pm (Eastern time) on Thursday night (well, if you are from WA than you may want to stay later). Come when you can and all welcome. If you have questions we will try to answer them and we are all interested to hear what projects you are working on. See you there
8pm to 10pm Eastern time on Thursday night. I will probably be a bit late but don't let that stop you from being there