Home
JAQForum Ver 24.01
Log In or Join  
Active Topics
Local Time 23:46 23 Nov 2024 Privacy Policy
Jump to

Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.

Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Altronics kit price increase

Author Message
Geoffg

Guru

Joined: 06/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 3194
Posted: 04:01am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Altronics are about to increase the price of the Maximite kit by $10. So you need to move fast if you are thinking of buying a kit.

I must admit that I am not very happy with the price that Altronics charge, even when they wanted $80 for the kit. By my calculation all the parts cost them about $20. I know that they add a lot of value by soldering the chip, etc but I still cannot see how they can justify a sell price of $90.

I spent a lot of time trying to make the design simple and low cost and in my view they are taking that work as profit.

Geoff

BTW I have no connection with Altronics financially or in any other way.
Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net
 
sparkey

Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 819
Posted: 04:10am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

i would recomend dons SM1 board to those who like to diy as ageneal product it makes a lot better cost effectie answer when you have it for a purpose as a controller and have too fit it inside some equimpent don has been trying his best to offer all the notes and support wth this unit on his website but at a consumer`s point of view if you want the unit as a complete stand alone then your only choice you have is the altronicxs complete box and dice regards sparkey...Edited by sparkey 2011-08-29
technicians do it with least resistance
 
donmck

Guru

Joined: 09/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1313
Posted: 04:28am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  sparkey said   i would recomend dons SM1 board to those who like to diy as ageneal product it makes a lot better cost effectie answer when you have it for a purpose as a controller and have too fit it inside some equimpent don has been trying his best to offer all the notes and support wth this unit on his website but at a consumer`s point of view if you want the unit as a complete stand alone then your only choice you have is the altronicxs complete box and dice regards sparkey...


Thanks Sparkey,

I have dropped my price by $5 since I first started selling them, and also added a 100cm 26 pin IDC cable to make it more price attractive.

If they bump it by another $10, I'll drop mine by another $5.

Cheers Don...

https://www.dontronics.com
 
Xiongmao

Regular Member

Joined: 25/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 48
Posted: 04:29am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I second that! After 4 MONTHS on the waiting list for the Altronics kit, I "settled" for a SM1. I'm glad I did, even if Don did drop the list price the day after I bought mine.

It would seem that Altronics' PCB maker who is no doubt supplying the PIC programmed as well as soldered is the one doing all the 'value-adding'!

So why the price increase? Because they've figured they are already selling them as fast as they can make them, and can get away with it!
 
jebz

Regular Member

Joined: 13/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 79
Posted: 04:34am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  Xiongmao said  So why the price increase? Because they've figured they are already selling them as fast as they can make them, and can get away with it!


The thing is they're not selling them as fast as customers want them. I think it's time they got some competition.
 
Xiongmao

Regular Member

Joined: 25/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 48
Posted: 04:35am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

A question for you Don: are you going to offer the SM1 with the RTC already fitted as an option?
 
jman

Guru

Joined: 12/06/2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 711
Posted: 04:40am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Hi

I got a 3 PCB's from TrippyBen
Managed to source all the required bits (Futurlec EBAY etc.)
To build all 3 cost no more than $100 (No case)
SD adapter and PIC proving to be the most expensive parts

Regards

John
 
donmck

Guru

Joined: 09/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1313
Posted: 04:42am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  Xiongmao said   A question for you Don: are you going to offer the SM1 with the RTC already fitted as an option?


Unfortunately not, it wasn't my design.

I know some members have chased parts to populate it, but I don't know what the outcome is.

Others have purchased completed I2C clocks from eBay, and fitted them inside the case.

Cheers Don...
https://www.dontronics.com
 
Kevin - VK3CKC

Newbie

Joined: 26/07/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1
Posted: 04:45am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Thought it was about time I put up my first post.

I waited some 4 months for the Alltronics kit. It arrived some 2 days after I last thought about cancelling it. Went together in about an hour, worked first time. Trouble is, Trouble is, I've forgotten what I was going to do with it. No doubt that won't last long.

Now, I need to buy a few hours from somewhere.

Kevin
VK3CKC
 
Xiongmao

Regular Member

Joined: 25/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 48
Posted: 04:51am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I already happened to have all the bits to hand except for the IC, just waiting for that to arrive.
 
sparkey

Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 819
Posted: 05:04am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post



technicians do it with least resistance
 
bigmik

Guru

Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2914
Posted: 06:20am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  donmck said  

I have dropped my price by $5 since I first started selling them, and also added a 100cm 26 pin IDC cable to make it more price attractive.

If they bump it by another $10, I'll drop mine by another $5.

Cheers Don...



Yey,

Thats the Spirit Don,

Its not right that businesses make so much profit from a relatively cheap product, especially ones that were designed to make it affordable for all.

At least yours is fully soldered if not in a case...

If they double the price will you pay me $10 to take one?

Mik
Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<
 
ajkw
Senior Member

Joined: 29/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 290
Posted: 06:48am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I am surprised that Jaycar/Electus don't do the kit to give them some competition.
 
donmck

Guru

Joined: 09/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1313
Posted: 08:04am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  bigmik said   If they double the price will you pay me $10 to take one?

Mik


Sounds like a plan Mick.

I don't think it is a good plan, but a plan nevertheless.

Cheers Don...
https://www.dontronics.com
 
Ray B
Senior Member

Joined: 16/02/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 219
Posted: 11:19am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Good on ya Don...
Don I can't see the SM1 schematic on your web page so I can see the difference, is it published there somewhere ?

Thanks
RayB from Perth WA
 
sparkey

Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 819
Posted: 11:30am 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

tctec.net regards sparkey...sorry bit tired tonite this is the addy

Edited by sparkey 2011-08-29
technicians do it with least resistance
 
donmck

Guru

Joined: 09/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1313
Posted: 07:51pm 28 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  Ray B said   Good on ya Don...
Don I can't see the SM1 schematic on your web page so I can see the difference, is it published there somewhere ?

Thanks


Listed twice on this page:
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/maximite-sm1.html

Schematics and all other relevant files are available from:
http://www.themaximitecomputer.com/max/Programs/
Then Select Hardware, then tctec

This board is not the same as the one in the Silicon Chip article. The board is different, the layout is different, it fits a different case, and it is assembled and tested. You must read the full details for the differences, and check the new schematic.
However it is 100% fully software compatible with the original board.

Cheers Don...Edited by donmck 2011-08-30
https://www.dontronics.com
 
planet42
Newbie

Joined: 25/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
Posted: 11:39pm 29 Aug 2011
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I ordered the maximite from MAD electronics last Friday (26/8) and it arrived this morning (30/8). (see madelectronics.com.au). They currently have it in stock and it costs $72.50 plus postage ($11.50). They also take PayPal which made everything so easy to do. Didn't need to create an account or any of that nonsense. Highly recommended. In fact I've just bought a second one. The kit itself comes in Altronics packaging.

 
Print this page


To reply to this topic, you need to log in.

© JAQ Software 2024