Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Sourcing Parallax Parts in Australia. — Parallax Forums

Sourcing Parallax Parts in Australia.

edited 2009-05-16 02:33 in Propeller 1
Does anyone know where to acquire the Propeller Protoboard in Australia? I live in Perth, Western Australia, and I would like to get back into electronics and from what I can see is that the Propeller Chips looks like a load of fun to work with.
Thanks
~JShield
«1

Comments

  • kenmackenmac Posts: 96
    edited 2009-03-07 08:30
    Hi James,
    I'm also located in Perth.
    The Oz distributor for the Propeller is R.T.Nollet, in Melbourne, Vic.
    His web address is www.nollet.com.au/index.htm.

    kenmac

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Perth, Western Australia
    Time Zone = GMT + 8
  • edited 2009-03-07 09:33
    much obliged, kenmac.
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2009-03-07 09:51
    Yep,

    Get all that stuff from RON, he will look after you!


    Dave M
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-03-07 09:59
    Excellent, another Perthie!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Cardinal Fang! Fetch the comfy chair.
  • edited 2009-03-07 10:17
    Woah, Never knew there were so many Perth people on here xD

    not sure what I will do with it yet.

    However I have been trying to build a Flight Capable Wireless Access Point so the propeller may be suited for flight control.

    Otherwise Daleks lots and lots of Daleks...
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2009-03-07 11:29
    Hi wastehl,

    You mention you buy stuff from futurlec!

    I urge you not too!, they are suppliers of COUNTERFEIT IC's. I know this from experience. The guy that runs it ( an aussie ) is a scammer!

    Other ( GENUINE) suppliers you can use for general electronics in oz..

    ELECTUS DISTRIBUTION, CLARKE & SEVERN, ARROW, FARNELL, DONTRONICS, MODTRONIX, ROBOT PARTS..


    overseas...

    DIGIKEY, MOUSER , NEWARK

    and of course RT.NOLLET for Parallax gear


    regards

    Dave M
    From Sydney Oz.
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-03-07 11:41
    DavidM said...
    Hi wastehl,

    You mention you buy stuff from futurlec!

    I urge you not too!, they are suppliers of COUNTERFEIT IC's. I know this from experience. The guy that runs it ( an aussie ) is a scammer!

    That is a fairly serious accusation (leaving you open to legal liability) given you provided no evidence to backup your claim.
    Care to elaborate ?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Cardinal Fang! Fetch the comfy chair.
  • edited 2009-03-07 12:00
    Cor Blimey,
    Threads like these follow me like the plague it seems
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2009-03-07 13:01
    To BradC


    I ordered some LM2595T-5.0 NATIONAL SEMI SWITCHING REGULATORS from him, ( about a year ago)

    they took 2-3 weeks to get to me, I placed them in a prototype board and could not get them to work, I sent the board to a friend of mine who tested it and said it was some other kind of regulator device, I informed FUTURLEC and they sent me replacements. ( this took 4 more weeks mind you) , they tried to tell me there was no problem.

    The counterfeit devices looked ok but when I compared it to the replacements the printing was very different, I looked at the national semi spec sheet and they have standards for marking, the counterfeits did not match the specifications, also the small indent hole was missing. When I sent numerous emails to him he never acknowledged my concerns, he just sent me the replacements.

    beside this issue with futurlec , they are the worst in delivery promises, do a google search on futurlec and you will see that others have had similar issues, also there is no PHONE NO ANYWHERE to contact them. They supposed to have ofices in the US but I beleive they are fake.

    If you don't believe just me, then try this link

    http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Futurlec


    regards

    Dave M
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-03-07 13:07
    DavidM said...
    To BradC


    I ordered some LM2595T-5.0 NATIONAL SEMI SWITCHING REGULATORS from him, ( about a year ago)

    they took 2-3 weeks to get to me, I placed them in a prototype board and could not get them to work, I sent the board to a friend of mine who tested it and said it was some other kind of regulator device, I informed FUTURLEC and they sent me replacements. ( this took 4 more weeks mind you) , they tried to tell me there was no problem.

    No problem, that is some form of evidence to back up your accusation. You can't just go and slander a company with no evidence, it's against the law (for good reason). Now you have provided some backup for it you may have a defense if someone came after you.
    DavidM said...

    If you don't believe just me, then try this link

    I never said I did not believe you, I inferred you made a libelous statement with no evidence to back it up.

    I've just ordered 5 of the above regulators from said supplier (2 days ago). I'll be very interested to see what turns up then.

    On the other side of the coin, I've been using them for 2 years and never had an issue.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Cardinal Fang! Fetch the comfy chair.
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-03-07 13:10
    James Alexander Shield said...
    Does anyone know where to acquire the Propeller Protoboard in Australia? I live in Perth, Western Australia, and I would like to get back into electronics and from what I can see is that the Propeller Chips looks like a load of fun to work with.
    Thanks
    ~JShield

    Just to add to that question based on the remainder of the thread. The protoboard is conspicuously absent from the nollet.com.au website, which is why after pawning a kidney for shipping I order mine direct from Parallax. Perhaps the Perth based Prop users would be interested in pooling our resources and doing group buys to try and mitigate the shipping hit somewhat?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Cardinal Fang! Fetch the comfy chair.
  • edited 2009-03-07 13:13
    that rating does indeed look poor, but I suspect it may just be a case of everyone having different experiences, however since I have not utilised their services I can not ultimately comment anyway.
  • DavidMDavidM Posts: 630
    edited 2009-03-07 13:17
    HI Brad,

    No probs mate, Did you do a google search on futurlec, you be surprised at what you see!

    What kind of components do you buy from them, I now get EVERTHING I need from elswhere, The other week someone posted a link to OCTOPART.COM, I now use this frequently to see who supplies a particular device, you also get a side by side comparision of price and stock and spec sheets as well.

    regards

    Dave M
  • edited 2009-03-07 13:23
    as for the bulk shipping that is an excellent idea, being as budget constrained as I am.

    the question however is how to go about it.
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-03-07 13:26
    DavidM said...
    HI Brad,

    No probs mate, Did you do a google search on futurlec, you be surprised at what you see!

    I have done a google search, and I'm not surprised. Their customer service is *shocking* and their lead and delivery times can be abysmal. Having said that, I have always received precisely what I paid for, even if it has taken 21 days to turn up. Maybe I've been lucky [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    DavidM said...

    What kind of components do you buy from them, I now get EVERTHING I need from elswhere, The other week someone posted a link to OCTOPART.COM, I now use this frequently to see who supplies a particular device, you also get a side by side comparision of price and stock and spec sheets as well.

    I use them for anything from Semis to Passives. If they have it listed, it's often less than half the price available locally (*if* its even available locally) and not much I do is urgent so I can afford to wait a bit. If it's that urgent I use RS and have it in 2 days at 6 times the price.

    Just to bring this back on topic (a little anyway), I notice they have a Propeller based board listed now!

    Their prices on some basic semis are great, but the specialist stuff DS and MAXIM can be a bit spendy. Having said that I like the "one stop shop" bit.

    One thing that does concern me is they _do_ store your CC on record (and don't ask for any verification beyond your account password for future orders!), and there is _no_ way to change your shipping details or password once you have registered, so choose a complex password off the bat!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Cardinal Fang! Fetch the comfy chair.
  • sevssevs Posts: 50
    edited 2009-03-07 14:16
    Sharing the shipping cost is a good idea. It can be alittle annoying when you are paying more in shipping than the cost of the item you have bought...

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Advertisement sponsored by dfletch:
    Come and join us on the Propeller IRC channel for fast and easy help!
    Channel: #propeller
    Server: irc.freenode.net or freenode.net
    If you don't want to bother installing an IRC client, use Mibbit. www.mibbit.com
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-03-07 18:22
    AFAIK you don't have to provide evidence, just as long as you can, and as long as it can be proven it is not defamation. However, you should not say don't use xxx. You say I don't use xxx because... - there is a difference! May I suggest you all edit the thread to save any problems.

    Now, all shipping from the US is fairly expensive. Parallax have a great service, typically 5-7 days to Australia. 8-9 days for Digikey and Future Electronics (not the company you referred to - just checked).

    I mainly reside on the Gold Coast but visit Gosford (Sydney) regularly.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps:· SixBladeProp, TriBladeProp
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators (Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100) - index
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)

    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-03-07 19:42
    Unfortunately shipping to Australia can be expensive. I recently shipped parts air mail to Australia and was quoted 2-3 weeks for delivery. cost me $8 CAN to do so and the package only waied 130g.

    I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module with uSD reader, and RTC options.
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,706
    edited 2009-03-07 20:52
    Ron Nollet (OzStamp) has been excellent to deal with. However I have found the brief price list on his website doesn't reflect all the stuff he actually has in stock. He will also get the rarer Parallax stuff in if you just ask.

    For parts in around 7 days
    X-On has a tie-up with Mouser - free freight and customs brokerage on Mouser parts over $200
    Farnell will bring in (non competing) Newark parts for about $30 courier fee
    RS has a similar arrangement for Allied parts

    For parts in around 3 days
    Get a MyUS virtual mail box in miami. I send the instruction to ship late Friday night AEST, goods usually arrive Monday at noon AEST via DHL. Great for US ebay purchases etc.

    McTrivia I reckon those modules will turn up after about a week, will keep you informed.

    tubular
    (Melbourne)
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-03-07 21:32
    at least now I know I can offer world wide shipping on my modules for $15.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module with uSD reader, and RTC options.
  • QuattroRS4QuattroRS4 Posts: 916
    edited 2009-03-07 22:55
    Ron also has a great Propeller based board - propBUS - see here www.igniteautomation.com/propbus.html
    he does not have it on his own site though - don't know why !

    Regards,
    John Twomey

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    'Necessity is the mother of invention'

    Those who can, do.Those who can’t, teach.
  • edited 2009-03-08 03:28
    Ron apparently has Protoboards in Stock both the USB and STD versions as of today.

    <extract from email>
    prices calculated on the exchange being 0.63..0.64
    32212 Protoboard $66.00
    32812 USB protoboard $77.00
    32111 Propeller professional development board $330.00
    Propeller dip version chip $22.00
    </extract>
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-03-08 04:52
    wastehl: Concord hey... well I grew up in Ryde & Ashfield. Later lived in Canada Bay, North Rocks, Cherrybrook... familiar territory - small world smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps:· SixBladeProp, TriBladeProp
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators (Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100) - index
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)

    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,400
    edited 2009-03-08 06:07
    Long thread about where to get parts in Oz.

    I confirm that RTN is the place to go. I've worked closely with all of the Parallax distributors and Ron is a loyal, reliable, and cost-effective source of Parallax parts.

    Ken Gracey
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-03-08 08:35
    Thanks Ken. I wasn't aware of RTN until this thread and it's nice to know they are recommended by Parallax.
    I found when going after the parts I needed for my boards that I could obtain everything from two different US sources so the freight cost could be shared amongst all the parts. Often, it is not necessarily the best to buy the cheapest IC. Ron's price is not expensive when you consider the freight.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps:· SixBladeProp, TriBladeProp
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators (Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100) - index
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)

    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-03-08 13:57
    James Alexander Shield said...
    Ron apparently has Protoboards in Stock both the USB and STD versions as of today.

    <extract from email>
    prices calculated on the exchange being 0.63..0.64
    32212 Protoboard $66.00

    66 Bucks for a proto board? Man that's a wakeup call..

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Cardinal Fang! Fetch the comfy chair.
  • edited 2009-03-08 15:57
    this is true but the shipping is next to nothing it is about the same If I were to ship it from Parallax, however probably would not take as long to arrive.

    also the propBus was recorded as being $175AUD
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-03-08 18:37
    Shipping cost me over US$30 from parallax if memory serves me correctly. Digikey and Future Electronics were more expensive (Fedex) - I think abt $40 & $70, but my props were US$12. All took about the same time. In Aus shipping should be no more than $5-10 for a small Express Post parcel.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, SixBladeProp, website (Multiple propeller pcbs)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators (Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100) - index
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)

    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • eblanckeeblancke Posts: 26
    edited 2009-03-16 09:09
    mmm, I am also from Perth. Interesting to hear about sourcing problems.
  • BradCBradC Posts: 2,601
    edited 2009-03-16 09:52
    eblancke said...
    mmm, I am also from Perth. Interesting to hear about sourcing problems.

    Oh, we don't have problems sourcing, it was more about the most cost effective way of organising shipping and where to get stuff in a hurry if it was required.

    I think Perth is reaching critical mass [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Cardinal Fang! Fetch the comfy chair.
Sign In or Register to comment.