Nixie tubes were only used on a few French pinball machines made by Rally Play in the mid-1960s. The flat planar displays used from 1987 onwards in US machines were also neon gas plasma displays, but they were 7 flat segments. No US pinball machine ever used nixie tubes, to my knowledge.
I have one of these Cathode Corner watches. What you all have to appreciate is the incredible feat of technical engineering that this watch represents.
The tubes are over 30 years old. I am glad David chose to use a tube which has a reasonable supply, as the UK customs broke one of my tubes apart looking for bombs, or Bin Laden. I was able to get a replacement fitted.
The case is anodised aircraft-grade lightweight alumin(i)um machined to a high specification. It is not heavy and you don't notice it when you are wearing it. Yes maybe it is a little large by watch standards, but what fun. Genuine jaw-dropping high-voltage neon on your wrist. It also has a precision neoprene gasket to keep moisture out and a precision fitted glass crystal. The strap is a beautiful quality leather item which complements the watch.
The electronics represent as good a compromise as is possible, given the various requirements of long battery life, reliable high voltage firing of the tubes and good timekeeping. It's not so easy technically to do this stuff. The two axis accelerometer is a nice touch. You set it to your preferred viewing angle and when you want to see the time, it shows. The miniaturisation and small component size inside has to be seen to be believed. There's even a programming socket and open source code, should you want to hack your own features into the watch.
It's a truly great watch and a remarkable achievement. I am happy and proud to own one. Its been going for about 9 months now without a hitch.
Get your wallets out and don't be so mean. This thing is a true work of art.
Slashdot Mirror
Nixie tubes were only used on a few French pinball machines made by Rally Play in the mid-1960s. The flat planar displays used from 1987 onwards in US machines were also neon gas plasma displays, but they were 7 flat segments. No US pinball machine ever used nixie tubes, to my knowledge.
John
I have one of these Cathode Corner watches. What you all have to appreciate is the incredible feat of technical engineering that this watch represents.
The tubes are over 30 years old. I am glad David chose to use a tube which has a reasonable supply, as the UK customs broke one of my tubes apart looking for bombs, or Bin Laden. I was able to get a replacement fitted.
The case is anodised aircraft-grade lightweight alumin(i)um machined to a high specification. It is not heavy and you don't notice it when you are wearing it. Yes maybe it is a little large by watch standards, but what fun. Genuine jaw-dropping high-voltage neon on your wrist. It also has a precision neoprene gasket to keep moisture out and a precision fitted glass crystal. The strap is a beautiful quality leather item which complements the watch.
The electronics represent as good a compromise as is possible, given the various requirements of long battery life, reliable high voltage firing of the tubes and good timekeeping. It's not so easy technically to do this stuff. The two axis accelerometer is a nice touch. You set it to your preferred viewing angle and when you want to see the time, it shows. The miniaturisation and small component size inside has to be seen to be believed. There's even a programming socket and open source code, should you want to hack your own features into the watch.
It's a truly great watch and a remarkable achievement. I am happy and proud to own one. Its been going for about 9 months now without a hitch.
Get your wallets out and don't be so mean. This thing is a true work of art.
John