Recommendations For A Socket Nixie Clock Kit

[Dman777]

Hi, 

I am looking for recommendations for a Nixie clock kit that uses 6 socket tubes(please note this is not top tubes). 

So far I have:

http://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=122

This uses IN-4 Tubes. I like this clock...but I am not a fan of the case and I would to have column lights

http://www.clausurbach.de/shop/product_info.php?language=en&info=p209_black-n-wood-uhrenbausatz.html&

I like this but it's a little pricey for my budget...and I am not familiar with QS30-1 tubes from Fengguang Tube Factory in China

http://store.tubeclock.com/index.php/nixie-tube-clocks/clocks#IN12_6_Clock

I like this clock....mainly because of the case and price. But I was hoping that for column lights and some LED's. IN12 tubes seem to have a good reputation also. 

If anyone can please comment what they think about any of these or if they might want to suggest socket clock kit that I am missing, I would be greatly appreciate it. It needs to be a clock kit because I'm not a do-it yourself from scratch kind of person. Doing my research before I pull the trigger :)

Thanks,

-Darin

[Paul Parry]

On Sunday, 22 June 2014 22:37:04 UTC+1, Dman777 wrote:

Hi, 

I am looking for recommendations for a Nixie clock kit that uses 6 socket tubes(please note this is not top tubes). 

So far I have:

http://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=122

This uses IN-4 Tubes. I like this clock...but I am not a fan of the case and I would to have column lights

 

I do a different case for this kit:

http://www.bad-dog-designs.co.uk/images/Contemp/Desk_3.jpg

 

Although get the Halo kit as you can use a wide variey of end view tubes, I personally use GN-4's as they are excellent tubes.

 

Cheers,

Paul

[Dman777]

Is that price with the clock kit and tubes? Also, I'm kind of leaning to the In-12 tubes. Do you have any thing with those?

Thanks,

-Darin

[Paul Parry]

Hi Darin

 

Yes, that is complete with the Kit / Tubes / Casing and Power supply.

 

Drop me an email - pa...@bad-dog-designs.co.uk and I can send you some futher pictures / details

Have a look on the website, there are quite a few based on the IN-12's although I usually make specific clocks to order, 80% of my work I do as commissioned pieces with just a few for general sale.

 

Cheers,

Paul

[blave]

I responded to this post via email but apparently it didn't go through for some reason. I am not very enamored with Google Groups... Anyway, this is what I typed into my ASR-33:


I'm not sure what you mean by "top tubes" unless you mean the IN-17 variety that have wires instead of pins.

I built the "Lena" a couple months ago and really like it. http://nixiekits.eu/

The kit is very high quality and well thought-out, and the PIC programming is quite clever in terms of the various effects that can be configured. I must say, though, that the fact that the IN-12 tubes use an upside-down "2" filament for the "5" drives me a bit crazy, so I try to never look at my clock when there's a "5" in the hours or minutes ;^) . Also, Lena uses IN-17s for the seconds digits. You would probably want the Lara kit, which has the same mainboard but a different daughtercard for the six IN-2s.

Of course all of those tubes have "on the top" digits; if that's what you mean then of course none of those will do. In that case, check out "Sven reloaded" which uses side-view nixies.

BTW all of those kits have some SMT components, which are pre-soldered. But the Lena was still a fairly challenging kit to build, in a good way. You HAVE to follow the instructions closely or you will goof something up, I'm sure if it.

cheers,

Dave B.