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[on:]

I'm putting together a group buy of the FTDI FT232RL chips, as used in the Arduino. I'm trying to get enough commitments together to get up to at least 1 full reel of 2000 chips. The plan is for me to purchase the parts, and then distribute them to the end-users. I'm not going to make any money off of this...I'm just trying to get a good deal on some parts.  :-)

If you are interested, drop me a line.

Thanks.

-Pete

[Reply #1 on:]

Where are you getting them from?

A reel of 2000 units will cost about $4,700

More importantly who is going to solder them on PCBs?

[Reply #2 on:]

The distributor has not been finalized yet. Might be one of the usual players like Mouser, etc. Any suggestions?

Yeah, a full reel is spendy. I personally only want like 50 or so. Soldering a few at a time by hand isn't too bad. Most of the folks who have expressed interest are shops who are producing products in commercial quantities...likely with solder stencils, pick & place machines, and reflow ovens.  

-Pete

[Reply #3 on:]

Mouser Reel of 2,000: $2.35 each = $4700.00

[Reply #4 on:]

Digikey Reel of 2,000: $2.65001 each = $5300.02

[Reply #5 on:]

Yeah, if the decision was between Mouser and DigiKey, I'd be pretty hard pressed to find a $600 reason to go with DigiKey.  

[Reply #6 on:]

Now you need to find someone who can beat mouser

[Reply #7 on:]

Digikey charges sales tax, if you don't provide the tax exemption form, so mouser is the best option.

[Reply #8 on:]

One additional hint... if you purchase over $200 in mouser, select UPS ground and they will upgrade to UPS 2nd day for free.

[Reply #9 on:]

Ah, very nice tip!

[Reply #10 on:]

Ok, we're up to a full reel or so. I'm going to close the deal and place the order in the next couple of days. If you're interested, now's the time to speak up.

Thanks.

[Reply #11 on:]

Hi Peter,

I left a message for you in another forum.

For guys in the UK or Europe or US you can get some
some cheap chips without buying huge reels from

Tronisoft Limited (P/N: 6210)

or

RS P/N: 406-580


Prices are very reasonable for small quantities

Best regards,

Clayton
 

[Reply #12 on:]

We store FT232RL, and small qty is welcomed  

[Reply #13 on:]

how did this go? everybody get what they wanted?