At 10:43 AM 4/12/96 EST, you wrote:
>Places like RS Components and Farnell are convenient, well stocked and
>comprehensive.  The down side is that they are between 2x and 5x as
>expensive as a more specialised supplier.  Check out the diff between
>RS and, say, Zatek for prices on PIC chips in small qty.

For PIC chips, yes. For a lot of other chips, the L293 or L298 being good
examples, how do you find a supplier, if one exists? And even if you
consider PIC chips, at one point I was toying with using an SMD PIC 16C84.
The regular PIC suppliers will sell you nothing less than 126 units,
although at a reasonable price. RS sells a single unit at AU$20.

>The RS catalogue makes an interesting couple of evenings' reading, if
>you can get one.  They only send you a catalogue if you are going to
>spend over $1000 in a year, but I asked nicely so they sent me an
>out-of-date catalogue for free.

I managed to get an out-of-date one a couple of years back as well after
much cajoling. I even managed to get a CD catalog from them last year but
I can't keep that up year after year. I can understand them being choosy
about giving away their catalog - it is a huge, full colour tome and
probably costs tens of dollars to print but a 2 dollar CD, for Chrissake?
Surely they can toss a few around without feeling the pinch?

Farnell is another story - I rang them up for a catalog and I was told
stiffly that I would be put on their list and sent one when they are
printed. Months passed and nothing happens. Then I discover their web
site in the UK and fill in a form for a catalog and voila! I get one
in the mail!

Regards

Prashant
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