NEW PDVS2mini DC Voltage Reference from Ian Johnston - Reviewed.

[Paul_txl]

I've been looking at buying one for a couple of years but I thought you had stopped selling them post covid. I should have used the "email when available" link, my bad. Glad its nothing too serious thats stopped you and hope you enjoy your other interests.

[flo.b]

Woah, all the best Mr. Johnston!

Absolute bummer though, this product is amazing and deserves to be continued! And I was waiting for the new production..

Wish I could help with this, but I'm afraid I lack the experience. Hopefully a new partner can be found soon!

[J-R]

Just saw this:
"The design rights to the PDVS2mini has been SOLD.
Forwarding information for the new manufacturer will be published soon."

[IanJ]

Just saw this:
"The design rights to the PDVS2mini has been SOLD.
Forwarding information for the new manufacturer will be published soon."

Nearly 5 years of home production of the PDVS2mini and 40yrs in the oil industry (mostly electronics related) it's time to retire, part health issues and part "it's time".
The demand for the PDVS2mini has never been higher and I think it will be in great hands, so please give them some time to get their ducks in a row, keep your eye on my website for updates.

For me, I am still doing a couple days a week in oil just for a wee while so the folks taking over my work can make good.......so lets, for the moment, call it semi-retirement.
Meanwhile I am forging ahead having fun with my YouTube channel and test instrument repairs.......so if you have any faulty gear you don't need then please contact me.

Ian.

[donlisms]

Ian, this enhanced picture of what's going on with you is encouraging for those of us who tend to assume the worst.  Thanks for the update. All the best!

[p.larner]

why not release this as an open source project?.

[2N3055]

why not release this as an open source project?.

And why would he?

It is a low cost calibrator. Apart from Ian making a nice and elegant design, for users of device 99% of utility of buying it was fact that Ian kept calibrated KS3458 that he calibrated devices with. And he did a top notch job, too.
You were buying calibration, mostly, not device per se.
Without proper calibration it's not very useful...
Without proper calibration it is just a source of stable voltage.

And also, people that do the hard work should get paid for it.

[TheDefpom]

Ian deserved to earn some money by selling his design to someone that was willing to continue the work and ensure that people could still buy the units, and as mentioned, building the thing is only half of it, a decent calibration of the PDVS2mini is the critical bit there.

[Kean]

why not release this as an open source project?.

If he was shutting his business down completely, then that would be ideal.  It benefits the community and allows existing owners to maintain their units.
But as 2N3055 explains, a large part of the value of such a device is in the calibration which your average DIY builder would not have access to.

For as long as it is a viable product, it makes much more sense to sell the business/IP as a going concern and have someone continue the manufacture and calibration.  While the market is somewhat limited, there was clearly demand as Ian would quickly sell out of each production batch.  It took me a few in-stock notifications before I had an opportunity to grab one for myself.  His pricing was very fair, and I don't think anyone reputable could provide them significantly cheaper.

[skander36]

why not release this as an open source project?.

The are other projects as open sources.
One of them is here - https://www.elektormagazine.de/labs/voltage-current-calibrator-0-to-10v-and-0-to-40ma-0001
with atempts to replicate here : - https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/elektor-voltage-current-calibrator-project/
But as you can see and guys here explain before me, the main issue is the calibration of such device, even the methodology for aquiring repetable results is not easy.