The unlikely return of the Nixie Tube
There are all sorts of interests served on youtube, from make-up to cameras and over the years I seem to have accidentally acquired the esteemed position of The Nixie Tube Chap.
Therefore when Millclock wanted someone to show their newly manufactured Nixie tubes and clock, they got in touch. I don't often take in review units, however for this I made an exception as it's likely the only way I'd ever get to see one of these in person.
Oh and there's also a new comedy bit to go along with this one. While editing I realised that there was something I said to camera at the end that would definitely attract predictable predatory pedantry attention - so the perfect topic for a muppets sketch then. I decided not to add the sketch onto the end of the video this time and instead to post it separately. I'd noticed that Millclock embedded my Nixie clock comparison video on their website and I thought it might be a bit inappropriate to force them to unwittingly embed my puppet show on there too.
So instead there are links at the end of the video to take viewers to it. It will be interesting to see how people many are really interested in clicking through to watch this I've never been able to separate out the views for the skits before.
Here it is: https://youtu.be/9_c4zKtYQpE
UPDATE 8/9/19 12:00 GMT : Made a couple of quick fixes to the video and the updated version is the one above.
Comments (48)
Hi Matt, I'm sorry to even bring it up, feel like I'm being a bit rude, but I thought the intro to the video was boring. I listened to the whole thing because I'm personally interested in you and the channel, but I think the average person would have not stood for it. It may have turned off people from watching the rest of the great video
Fair enough - I’ll bear it in mind.
I almost missed the "not an outro" outro because the link was hidden after the fold in the description. It would have been a great loss!
I’m glad you’ve had luck with this company. I don’t know if their quality is dodgy or if I’ve had the worst of luck, but my first clock from them arrived - wouldn’t turn on. The second clock had the power barrel detach from the board (shoddy solder work), and now it doesn’t work at all. Not sure if I should risk it again as they do have beautiful products.
That’s unfortunate. I would hope that a $1000 clock would have some kind of quality in the construction, but I can’t vouch for their abilities - perhaps I just got lucky. They are only a small team - I think it’s seven people. After they supplied a ‘deathdapter’ in the box I emailed them about it and I suggested a much better alternative and they replied to say they’d ordered the ones I’d suggested. So they’re definitely still learning on the job.
Really nice design and bright output too! The only downside I saw was what appeared to be a strong reflection of the digits from the rear of the tube. That kind of put me off the look a bit compared with say a regular IN-18. Was there a shiny plate at the back?
Yes there’s what looks like a matte aluminium plate at the back.
A thing of techie beauty.
Great review and demo Mat. Muppets were on fine form.
Thanks. I'm never really comfortable reviewing things I've been sent, I much prefer messing about with things I've bought. However on this occasion this was the only way that made sense.
Had no idea anyone was manufacturing new nixie tubes, much less two separate firms! Sure is a lovely-looking device. I wasn't expecting that many customization options.
This clock looks amazing, great video.
Another good'un, Mat. And not a moment too lengthy.
Very entertaining and the bonus puppet video was a good laugh, Thank you.
The perfect video for Nixie and rubber enthusiasts. Ahem.
Search for "LIXIE" tubes for an LED display that is similar to Nixie tubes.
I’ve done a video all about those edge lit displays https://youtu.be/miqN2gR1Zns
I have to keep reminding myself that I don't necessarily need to buy everything that you like. After all, this is how you make a living. But it's hard sometimes, you know, choosing between feeding your child and buying cool stuff.
Great video as always , in the meantime the little project of a new Atari Video Music is going on :-) Next week i will receive all the components....
Looking forward to hearing more about it.
The WiFi scan @10:31 reminds me of xkcd's latest comic: https://xkcd.com/2199/ 😄 I agree on the "not having many idle/unnecessary things on my wireless network" policy. I just wish that, at least for devices that only connect to the net to synchronize time, they'd use more often radio controlled clocks. But in this case it was probably easier to rely on NTP (Network Time Protocol) or similar Internet based options, as they already needed to make an app to allow customizing LEDs and other options. Also, funny (as always) outro. The YouTube pedant probably ignores that Hyun-day is the National South Korean Car Appreciation Day. Just joking, of course 😜
Their other model has a radio receiver attachment - although I’ve never had any luck with those in the past - on multiple clocks. I think my house is in a dead spot (or doesn’t adhere to the normal rules of time).
I remember back in 1971 someone I worked with at Minot AFB in N.D. bought a Heathkit calculator that used a type of Nixie device that was flatter than usual. It was pretty big, too, but cool just the same.
I wish I had a spare grand hanging around. I'd buy one to these in a minute. Are they letting you keep the clock? Even if you had to pay the shipping and customs, it's a pretty good deal.
I think they are letting me keep it. I don’t really have the need or space for another clock - but it’s just a big relief if I can avoid trying to send anything to Ukraine - I wouldn’t even know where to start.
That was good of them to send you that. It looks like a nice product. If I had a spare grand, I'd probably get the newly announced Lego Star Destroyer though. Not sure where I'd put it.
Thanks for the puppet show! "Someone is wrong on the internet!" I'll never understand why some people insist on arguing with strangers about the most irrelevant things imaginable. I've personally always pronounced "porsche" as "expensive"
I doubt I'll ever see one of these clocks in person due to their (justifiably high) price. Millclock and Farny are building functional works of art. I suspect many buyers will be collectors of contemporary kinetic sculpture first, and techno-nerds second. BTW, Matt, the color temperature of the lighting in this video varied, from warm at the beginning to cooler at the end. Perhaps sunlight was shining onto the set when you started? It certainly affected your flesh tone for the first couple of minutes!
Yes they were shot at different times and I had to boost the first piece as I realised it was way too dark when viewed back.
Excellent video, very well demonstrated - that clock looks lovely, but too pricey for me. I shall struggle on with the working 5/6 of my Gixie clock. They were supposed to be sending out replacement tubes mid-August, but unless they're coming by time machine, they are somewhat overdue. As to the pronunciation of Porsche, it is one of those names for which one has to choose between being correct and being understood! Apparently, in Japan, the car brand Mazda is said as 'Mat-so-dah' - oh the possibilities for ridicule are endless. Do you remember the Not the 9 o'clock News sketch in a courtroom when Griff Rhys Jones insisted the defendant had no 'alleebee' https://youtu.be/SdHDrqS33EQ Have a great weekend, Mat - good to see you looking and sounding well again.
Yay!! - more puppets! - I think the most awesome time for the puppets, is when they get a starring role in the video itself, such as the ring doorbell video, one of your best ever!
There have been a few occasions where they could have popped up as the voice of a viewer, but I’m concerned about annoying, confusing or alienating people who weren’t expecting them.
You certainly started as the Nixie Tube chap for me - It was searching for Nixie tube click videos that introduced me to your channel. Possibly my first ever techmoan video view was the 3 clock one you featured. Just like the brand new nixies it’s great to see you still manufacturing videos so I don’t have to just rely on old stock...
I admit it, I was the sad person who silently corrected you at the end. I’ll see meself out.
😂 ...my bins go out on Tuesday, also.
Ah, now that was artistic licence - mine are Thursday, but Tuesday worked better for the ‘joke’.
Unlike the Sony products, were Nixie clocks ever a consumer product in the first place ? Obviously Nixies had loads of applications in things like test equipment (I have a Venner Frequency Counter / Timer using them) but I suspect they went from Industrial applications, through Hobbyists to being a retro "consumer" product. I would quite like to be corrected by someone saying "I bought a Nixie Clock in 197X or earlier. Personally my Christmas present in 1977 was the Maplin digital clock kit but that used an LED display like most digital clocks of that time.
They were a bit too expensive for consumer devices - there were a couple of things, but not mass market. I do remember seeing a couple of clocks from the ‘70s over the last few years. I think they were v.expensive when new. My SAE Tuner is one example of a high-end consumer product that cost enough to make their inclusion viable https://youtu.be/ZkCIdufSGS8
Expensive they may be but there is a market. Dalibor Farny has made over 8000 tubes. I've got one of his clocks. Beautiful.
Oh there’s definitely a market. The only problem is that 99.98% of youtube comments won’t be coming from potential customers. They’ll mostly be teens on their phones. I’ve made videos before about things that cost $5 shipped to your door from China and most the comments were about how ‘expensive’ it was.
LOL. Fernando P.
I do wonder how many will think that’s a mistake... I’ve had some very obvious and deliberate jokes ‘corrected’ by people in the past.
The skill to make these new tubes is incredible. What a gorgeous piece of engineering that is.
Since I finished the video I’ve learnt from MillClock that each tube takes six man-hours to make.
Very interesting, and I agree with you; I hope they are successful. Sadly, $1,000 is beyond my means, but come that lottery win . . . :-) A very thorough review Mat.
I know what you mean by thorough - in my opinion it’s a bit slow going. This is one of the problems with review units - I feel I need to cover every last feature, more than I would if I’d have bought the thing myself...but that means the videos drag on longer than I’d like.
That was very interesting. Dunno what it is, but you look particulary good in this. Super professional.
It’s probably the new lens and camera - it creates that shallow depth of field/blurry background, that looks all posh and stuff.