The topic of this $1500 used nixie sale prompted me to have a look back
through my own (small) collection of nixie tubes.
I suppose it says a great deal that my primary concern is that in the
future I won't be able to afford nixies anymore and has nothing to do
with the (mounting) value of the tubes in my collection. Probably I'm
not alone.
I built my first Nixie clock in 2004, an anniversary present to my wife.
At that time, IN-14's were the cheapest "normal" sized nixie tube
available on ebay. I think I paid between $1-$2 each for them. My wife
has long made clear that I need to make sure that I have a supply of
nixies for the clock sufficient to last for her entire lifespan. This is
a tricky thing to guesstimate (both her life and the lifespan of the
nixies). The clock has been running 24/7 since spring of 2004 and only
just recently finally had its first tube failure (an IN-14. surprisingly
the two IN-17's are still going strong). So, more than 7 years in a
direct-drive configuration.
A couple of years ago, I noticed the skyrocketing prices for nixies in
general and IN-14's in particular. I bought 24. (24/4*7=42 years). I'd
not thought much more about them until last night when I realized that
my small collection of IN-14's is now worth more than $1000.
In my tenure with this hobby, I've noticed first the IN-8-2's skyrocket
in price [and dwindle in availability], then the IN-16's and now the
IN-14's ($8/each now). IN-8's still seem to be available, but sockets
are exceedingly rare. Strangely, the IN-18's price has remained
extremely stable at approximately $30-$35/each.. lending to the
suspicions about price fixing.
The only trends that I am noticing are that:
1) Anything with flying leads is popular
2) Tubes seem to dwindle in availability once kits are available for
that tube
3) Side-view nixies are much more popular than end-view nixies
So. Right now, the only 18mm character height (was once "normal sized",
now is considered "large" depending on the seller) nixie that I would
consider building a new clock with if I wanted to keep costs down is the
IN-12. I personally like these tubes. I wonder, is it simply that there
were far more IN-12's to begin with? Or is it because people like the
side-view tubes that much more?
Also leads me to wonder about VFD speculation. Right now, VFD's (even
large ones) are very cheap. Kits are only now becoming available for the
VFD's and they have a very cool "vacuum tube" look to them. I'm assuming
that the reason people like the side-view nixies more than the end-view
is because of the "vacuum tube look".
What do you think? Is it time to buy up a ton of large VFD's? I've never
speculated with nixies before (only accidentally) but I can't help
wondering. I also personally like VFD's. I like that they are a triode
and are much easier to work with than the nixies. I also like it that
you can build a linear amplifier with one. :D
-Adam W7QI
On 12/11/2011 11:31 PM, Nick wrote:
On Dec 11, 9:03 pm, Jeff Thomas<[email protected]> wrote:
On Dec 11, 12:43 pm, Nick<[email protected]> wrote:
BTW. They are truly astonishing in the flesh. Quite unlike any other
tube... kind of odd, as they have a standard socket, but a huge
base...
Nick
Nick, being one of the members here who acquired a herd of these long
ago, IMHO the cathode digit shape is 'butt-ugly".
Their appearance reminds me more of a neon sign than of a nixie.
I discussed this issue with John S a while back - I've never made a
clock with these as I feel that for a domestic situation, they are
just too huge - the atrium of an office, maybe - SWMBO wouldn't allow
them into the house although she says she likes them (she may well be
just humouring me!). Luckily, I didn't get quite as many as you, but a
good stash none-the-less...
The like or dislike of a nixie (or any object) is a purely subjective
matter - I quite like them, they are just SOOOOO big its a bit
daunting, hence not doing anything with them (at the moment). I sold a
few, but in pairs.
Nick
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"neonixie-l" group.
To post to this group, send an email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/neonixie-l?hl=en-GB.
