I think I ordered some stuff from Maplin in the 80's. Liked the hobbyist approach.
In Sweden we have a shop called Electrokit in Malmoe. Fast mail-order delivery and a real shop (but just in Malmoe).
We had and still have a shop called Claes Ohlsson that, in the beginning, started as a mailorder shop. They had loads of nice hobbyist stuff, electronics, mechanics, tools - not everything but a lot. Bought my first tubes (EL34) from them.
Now they are very successful and have shops all over the country. Spotted a shop in Hamburg even. But as someone wrote - they closed down the hobbyist department and sell cheap Chinese crap and household equipment and tools of questinable quality.
In Sweden we have a shop called Electrokit in Malmoe. Fast mail-order delivery and a real shop (but just in Malmoe).
We had and still have a shop called Claes Ohlsson that, in the beginning, started as a mailorder shop. They had loads of nice hobbyist stuff, electronics, mechanics, tools - not everything but a lot. Bought my first tubes (EL34) from them.
Now they are very successful and have shops all over the country. Spotted a shop in Hamburg even. But as someone wrote - they closed down the hobbyist department and sell cheap Chinese crap and household equipment and tools of questinable quality.
There is a message on their website saying they will be back soon.
maplin | Connecting Brilliant Ideas
maplin | Connecting Brilliant Ideas
Hello just looked at their website .. and if the short intro film on their is anything to go by it will be just the same old cheap gadgets from China & electrical toys .. hopeless
Let's face it, largish scale DIY electronics is long dead. Too expensive, too time consuming. People want cheap gadgets and they don't give a toss about how they work.
Someone should be shot for that marketing strapline "connecting brilliant ideas". Good grief...
What's happened to Elektor then?
What's happened to Elektor then?
It's hard for diy enthusiasts to compete with the massive purchasing power which is enjoyed by manufacturers in relation to electronic components.
I bought a solar PIR security light from Home Bargains. It is housed in a substantial stainless steel enclosure and it has proven to operate reliably.
It cost a mere £5.99!
To replace its two rechargeable lithium cells would cost twice that amount, so I effectively got the associated electronics for free!
When the cells wear out, I'll simply replace the entire security light!
Wonder how much it would cost to diy it? Would the pleasure involved justify the cost?
I bought a solar PIR security light from Home Bargains. It is housed in a substantial stainless steel enclosure and it has proven to operate reliably.
It cost a mere £5.99!
To replace its two rechargeable lithium cells would cost twice that amount, so I effectively got the associated electronics for free!
When the cells wear out, I'll simply replace the entire security light!
Wonder how much it would cost to diy it? Would the pleasure involved justify the cost?
The Maplin shop in Carlisle was in a huge building which must have cost a fortune to run and rent.
Then they had 3 or 4 staff on.
I went in numerous times for a browse and I was the only customer in there.
Not surprising they went bust.
This is why the new Maplin will be online only.
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