Richard Booth wrote:
>
> Steve Hardy wrote:
> >
> > > > The biggest problem is finding a no-nonsense source for these
> > > > components in small quantities for prototyping. Perhaps someone
> > > > has an alternative component/source. Thanks.
> > >
> > > Try at Maxim! www.maxim-ic.com (or www.max-ic.com, I'm not sure)
> > > They have a lot of processor supervisory ICs, and if you need only a
> > > few pieces, you can obtain that as free samples, yust fill the form
> > > and they'll send the chips to you.
> >
> > I tried this months ago and still haven't got the samples.  Perhaps
> > they don't ship down under?  But then again, perhaps that serial ADC
 contained
>   DES encryption - prohibited export...
> >
> > Regards,  SJH  Canberra, Australia
>
> This does not sound like MAXIM!! I've Emailed request on a Sunday
> evening
> and had parts on Wednesday!! This was MAX186 A/D chip. Follow-up your
> request.  It might have gotten lost.  Their address is:
>    http://www.maxim-ic.com
>
> I checked with MAXIM and they do NOT have encrypted parts. Digi-Key is
> my favorite small run supplier.  No surcharge is order is $25 or above.
> They also carry MAXIM line.  They accept VISA and MasterCard. URL is:
>    http://www.digikey.com
>
> Dick Booth;  Cupertino, CA USA

I have to endorse what Steve says here.
Veltek are the suppliers of Maxim and Dallas parts in Australia.
They don't seem to like customers that don't buy in at least 1K
quantities.
You don't get a free manual for anything, it's user pays.
You can't get an order for under $50 AUD.
You must ring the order in, you can't just drop in.
I wanted a Data Manual that they sold for $10. It was a major operation.
I just dropped in to pick it up and had to seek special approval to get
just a manual, and they still wanted me to ring it in, 'but I'm here' I
told them!. Can I use your phone?

If you live in Australia, my advice is to forget using Maxim or Dallas
parts unless you use them in large quantities.

On the other hand, I order from DigiKey US for those special parts on a
regular basis, however the $5 foreign fee plus the cost of Air mail
postage, sending a catalog, a box full of packaging, 5 invoices, Oh, and
plus the goods, makes the postage charges for any item around $30 to $40
USD per order.

You have to order a lot of items at once to spread the costs out over
each unit.

Don...

Don McKenzie donmck@labyrinth.net.au
DonTronics Tullamarine, Australia
http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~donmck

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