Real-time metric counter using Soviet-era Nixie tubes | Hacker News Reader

Real-time metric counter using Soviet-era Nixie tubes

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65 pointsmisterkgb8 comments

When I read these and see the general response I wonder how the average code-jockey today would respond to the articles that were quite common in Elektor and other 80's era electronics builders magazines.

This stuff is childs play in comparison to the kind of gear hobby electronics types would churn out in those days and if the response is as strong as I think it is this may mean that a new wave of home-brewers is about to launch.

I think the geek zeitgeist changes from decade to decade depending on what cool new thing is out there. 50 years ago it was building Heathkit and being a HAM radio enthusiast. 25 years ago, it was the PC/microcomputer. 15 years ago, the web.

Now, we have a weird amalgamation of all the above, at price/performance levels that would blow away anyone operating in those previous eras, and enabled things like cheap 3D printing and software defined radio.

It's a heck of a nice time to make interesting hardware.

to throw out a few watery ideas based on your comments - it seems to fit with the 'retro' aesthetic; or at least the re-hashing of old ideas at a high frequency. This reminds me very much of the idea of post-modernism. Perhaps the downside is we loose some authenticity but make up for it in the wealth of the combinations.

Damn, that looks costly. Each one of those tubes goes for at least $40-$60 on eBay, and the socket/driver boards are another $5 each. I like the acrylic base and standoffs--well done!

This story made me want a nixie watch: http://www.cathodecorner.com/nixiewatch/watchmovie.html

Boy, I want one of those. I just found Nixie clock building kits. I'm really tempted to buy one as the primary clock for my office. That'd look fabulous.

All told, there are over 500 solder points or connector crimps...

Meh. The H-8 backplane alone took 500 solders.

Makes me want to build one as a divergence meter:

http://steins-gate.wikia.com/wiki/Divergence_Meter

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