I participated in the Great Global Hackerspace Challenge recently, sponsore=
d
by
Element14. We bought some stuff from them, and my feeling is that they are
better than Newark used to be but they have a long way to go before they
catch up to Digikey or Mouser for small orders.

Their search is still clunky and slow and they still have reasonably poor
stock
availability on a lot of the components I look at (they seem to do better o=
n
tools
and system-level modules than they do on discrete components). However, the
Element14 community site has a nice assortment of white papers and a fairly
active engineering community. They have taken ownership of Eagle, too, whic=
h
is
nice from a supplier integration point of view, IF you like Eagle and IF yo=
u
like
Element14/Newark.

My view is that they've set their sights on becoming a choice supplier for
the
small quantity ordering group which Digikey and Mouser currently target.
They
have a way to go but the community and low-cost layout/schematic tool will
go a long way towards helping them get there- neither Digikey nor Mouser
have
a design tool that they integrate with nor do they have such a vigorous
community.
They'll need to improve their parametric search, pricing, and website speed
first,
though.

Mike H.


On Thu, May 26, 2011 at 11:39 AM, Funny NYPD <funnynypd@yahoo.com> wrote:

> We have abandoned Newark ever since the year of 2007.
> Today I came across Newark web site accidently, and find there is an
> alternative
> Newark web called "Element 14", it seems has something on shipping servic=
e
> to
> catch up with Mouser and Digikey, here is the statement on shipping rate:
>
> "
>
> Flat Rate Shipping from element14
> We offer a variety of shipping methods for your order. Once your  order
> is
> shipped, we'll notify you via email, informing you of the  tracking
> number so
> you always know where your order is.
> Flat rate shipping
> We offer 3 levels of flat rate shipping service.
> UPS ground or USPS priority mail.......$5/order
> UPS second day air...........................$12/order
> UPS next day air...............................$35/order
> Note that these rates are per order, regardless of how many items or the
> weight.
>
>
> Other Available Shipping Methods
> We offer numerous carrier method options. Here are some  guidelines to
> follow to
> select the most economical method for shipping  orders.
>        * For urgent delivery, select an air shipment method. We work with
>  FedEx, and
> UPS to deliver  orders quickly.
>        * For large or heavy items,                  select a ground metho=
d.
>        * For orders being shipped to APO and FPO destinations, select
> USPS."
>
> I was told element14 is the same as Newark, and all items will be shipped
> from
> the same facility on SC.
> Anyone has ever give this new Element 14 a try.
>
>  Funny N.
> Au Group Electronics, http://www.AuElectronics.com
> http://www.AuElectronics.com/products
> http://augroups.blogspot.com/
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