I'm looking for a circular bar graph to go around a rotary encoder. I've seen this sparkfun one, and it's nice and all, but it's too expensive as I need five. Plus I don't even need it to be so elaborate.
So then I found this one(Hi-Eff Red). And it's absolutely perfect. I emailed them and it's only $3.50 each. But I have to order 500. And I can't find them anywhere else. Nor can I find anything even similar anywhere else.
It's like the two I linked are the only ones in existence. I even found a datasheet for one of those claiming there's a blue one, but I haven't seen it. I've tried Newark, Mouser, Digikey, Tayda, eBay, Sparkfun and Google, but no more circular bar graphs. I know I could just stick a bunch of LED's in whatever configuration I want but I want my final product to look nice and I don't really have any way to form my own housing beyond holes in a project box. Can anyone help me out?
Thanks.
stoopkid:
So then I found this one(Hi-Eff Red). And it's absolutely perfect. I emailed them and it's only $3.50 each. But I have to order 500. And I can't find them anywhere else. Nor can I find anything even similar anywhere else.
Have you tried asking them if they have distributors? Or costumers that have ordered 500?
Even so, my guess is that the unit price of these will be much higher than for a 500 lot unit price. You have to take into account shipping, storing, etc, etc... same as Sparkfun does. However, it may come cheaper than Sparkfun.
Good idea. I sent them an email to see if they could help me locate a place to buy from. In the mean time I'd appreciate any more advice.
yeah those things are pretty nice looking i saw them at sparkfun as well on their friday showcase videos , but deff. pricey!
I was thinking it would be fun, just for kicks, to get a regular pot and put some leds around it and mimic this behavior. sounds simple enough.
I like buttons with lights as well have you seen these beauties Metal illuminated pushbutton-Blue Ring - DFRobot
Nope, they emailed back and the only info they would give me was that they don't have them in stock, they would need to fabricate them if I bought them.
I think I'll just go with a regular 10seg bar graph or maybe attempt to fashion my own... Probably just go with the rectangular one though : /
Any additional help is still appreciated!
I really like these:
They integrate well with the rotary encoder and they come in four colors.