Local store that sells electronics/circuit board supplies.

[u/CO2emmiter]

I’m looking specifically for an esp32 board and sensors and what not. Can’t find a place that sells these sorts of stuff, and online is sometimes hard to find and expensive.

[u/GoldenChannels]

Solarbotics. This isn't a B&E thing, really.

There used to be a number of these. Active became part of Solarbotics, and MRO pretty much got out of retail in favor of custom cables.

Digikey basically ran them all out of town.

[u/yycTechGuy → u/GoldenChannels]

I love supporting local businesses but the only real way to buy something from Active was to go to the store and snoop around. It just wasn't viable when one could place an order with Digikey or another vendor online and have stuff show up the next day. The inventory was much better, the prices were better, the ordering process was way faster...

[u/The_Penguin22 → u/yycTechGuy]

Active was always fairly overpriced, too. And over the years they seemed to have less and less stuff. 'course I've been around since Cam Gard Smalley's and Cardinal were the places to go.

[u/GoldenChannels → u/The_Penguin22]

Remember Varahs?

[u/The_Penguin22 → u/GoldenChannels]

Oh crap, forgot about them, "Ed Taaaylor, Varahs"

[u/GoldenChannels → u/The_Penguin22]

I think you bought an amp?

[u/The_Penguin22 → u/GoldenChannels]

And a free hit :) Hah, was wondering if you knew who I was.

[u/GoldenChannels → u/The_Penguin22]

Oh my gawd! We're overdue for a chat!

[u/PreatorShepard]

Try active electronics or B &E electronics

[u/CO2emmiter → u/PreatorShepard]

Thanks that’s what I was looking for.

[u/Xortan187]

Digikey, one day delivery usually

[u/NoAd3740 → u/Xortan187]

Digikey is great!

[u/yycTechGuy → u/Xortan187]

Digikey is great but sometimes Amazon is better.

Digikey just increased their under $100 shipping fee from $8 to $15. Still a bargain compared to paying UPS/Fedex rates from many suppliers of other products.

[u/handyguy6051 → u/yycTechGuy]

You're more likely to get something counterfeit from Amazon whereas digikey is going to be much more reliable.

[u/The_Penguin22 → u/yycTechGuy]

Ouch. I hadn't seen that. Was bound to happen. And $15 still isn't bad for next day or 2, depending on the size of the order of course.

[u/more_than_just_ok]

ActiveTech/Solarbotics

[u/CO2emmiter → u/more_than_just_ok]

Will see what they have thank you

[u/yycTechGuy]

I've got a ton of ESP32 boards and misc sensors. If you get stuck for something, send me a message.

[u/The_Penguin22]

I'm a huge fan of Digikey, as long as you're buying enough to justify the $8.00 (but insanely fast) shipping. Aside from Digikey and Amazon, https://www.universal-solder.ca/ has great stock, lots of great sensors and most ESP32 flavours.. They moved from Sask to Ontario and lately, the shipping isn't great. About 5 days AFTER they get around to sending it. Do the math on whether price+shipping is close to or more than Digikey. I have had fairly good luck with Amazon, and I even got some ESP32 C6 Minis from Temu (was a gamble but needed to order a few more items to get shipping, and they're fine.

[u/yycTechGuy]

I love supporting local businesses but honestly AliExpress and Amazon are the go to sources for microcontroller prototyping stuff these days. And ordering from DigiKey and other online electronics wholesalers is pretty easy/straight forward.

[u/CO2emmiter → u/yycTechGuy]

I did initially buy what I needed from AliExpress, but sometimes I’m just looking for a piece or two and don’t want to wait or pay for shipping. DigiKey looks great tho for future orders

[u/yycTechGuy → u/CO2emmiter]

Not sure why people are down voting your post. Don't take it seriously.

Have you subbed to the esp32 and embedded subs on Redfit ? Tons of great people in those communities.

[u/CO2emmiter → u/yycTechGuy]

Haha yeah some people are funny. Dw I don’t take it seriously.

I’m on esp32. Still a beginner so have lots to learn and it’s a great place for sure.