Some more international electronics

GordonMcComb

I'm filling out a list of selected non-US online retailers of electronics and robotics goodies. I have Maplin, Jaycar, and several others, but I'm looking for some more. I'm concentrating on English-speaking territories. Any suggestions for notable outfits?

(Yeah, I know this is Parallax's forum, but not everyone is in the US and likes to order form the US, because of shipping costs. I include Parallax in every article and book I write, even if it's for a servo extension wire, so they get good coverage.)

Courtney Jacobs

Parallax has a number of international distributors, and these retailers carry many other brands than just Parallax-brand products. They're mostly concentrated in Canada and Europe, but we also have contacts in Australia, the Middle East, South Korea and elsewhere.

You can browse through them and their websites with our distributor locator tool if you're looking to find retailers in specific locations.

https://www.parallax.com/company/distributors

GordonMcComb

That's a good idea. I'll be sure to include this URL.

User Name

Non-USA but English-speaking? I've ordered lots of stuff from Pimoroni (UK). I think they're great.

Back in the day, Dick Smith Electronics (AU) was fantastic. Don't know anymore.

Tubular

Dick Smith folded earlier this year, but had largely lost their way with electronic components some time ago. Their brand name lives on through another retailer, Kogan, but its all about consumer appliances now (and online only, rather than shopping malls)

Jaycar (as you probably know) is by far the #1, and has many physical stores as well as an online store

Altronics is another bricks and mortar chain (also online)

TronixLabs is one of the new breed and carries good amounts of stock

GordonMcComb

Good ones. Thanks!

I looked into Dick Smith, but found they had changed directions. There used to be some Dick Smith outlets in the US -- bought my first satellite receiver kit from them. They've been long gone from this market, though.

Tubular

Ok, yeah they did used to be into Satellite equipment, and also computer consoles back in the 80's

Some other online ones I forgot to mention earlier
Little Bird Electronics (online)
Ocean Controls (factory and online)

Peter Jakacki

Jaycar has lots of stores for sure but to me it is strictly hobbyist and DIY but it is interesting browsing their stores. I usually just buy odds and ends or enclosures since I can see and feel them for suitability. But tronixlabs are really good to deal with and have lots of parts and modules and great service. I even bought stuff like adhesive copper tape off them and just used this recently on a matrix board as the ground and power "bus-bars". They are kind of like the Adafruit of Australia (and carry Adafruit stuff too) and ship anywhere in Australia for $5 which I always get overnight.

I also have Protostack, a handy online supplier just around the corner but he doesn't mind a local popping in to pick up prototyping boards and connectors and bits and pieces. Be alright if he handled Parallax stuff as well as the AVR stuff

My list of local and non-local suppliers that I regularly use:
* tronixlabs (fun stuff)
* Jaycar (bits and pieces etc)
* element14 (components I need overnight)
* Protostack (matrix boards & connectors etc)
non-local
* Mouser (production stuff)
* Digikey (production stuff)


Some other local ones I'm aware of and have used:
* Prime Electronics (nothing online but well known)
* Altronics (similar to Jaycar but on the other side of town)