Classic vs Modular vs MNC6 - Which Nixie Clock Range Should You Buy?
What actually differs between the ranges
When comparing Nixie clock kits - on this site or elsewhere - the questions that actually matter are usually: which tube family does it use (and therefore what does it look like and how easy are replacement tubes to source), is it available as a kit, factory-assembled, or both, what's the relative price point, and what form factor or case style does it come in. Those answers vary by range and by revision, so rather than guess at them here, this guide points you to the definitive source for each range until a direct comparison table is added below.
Quick comparison
| Range | Tube type | Kit / Assembled / Both | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Rev5 | Any small or medium tube | Kit | Designs that do not have "6 tubes in a row" |
| Classic Rev6 | Any small or medium tube | Kit | Designs that do not have "6 tubes in a row" |
| Modular | IN-14, IN-8-2, IN-8, Z570M, NL-840 | Kit | Standard designs with replaceable tubes |
| MNC6 V2 | IN-14, IN-8-2, IN-8, Z570M, NL-840 and many others | 90% assembled | Recommended for any standard clock |
How to decide
The main factors that will help you decide are: Do you want the challenge of assembling each component on the board to have the satisfaction (and challenge) of doing each step? Or do you want to have a great clock that you can show off to your friends without the long investment in time that a traditional kit has? If you want to have a guaranteed result with the least drama, for mid sized tubes, go for MNC6 V2
Next factor will be the way you want the display to be aligned. If you want the traditonal "6 tubes in a row" look, go for Modular, All In One or MNC6 V2
Finally, if you want to use a tube that is not in the standard range, then go for Classic Rev5 or Classic Rev6. The difference between the two is that the Classic Rev6 uses "NeoPixel" backlights and can have a motion detector.
If you're unsure, get in touch and describe what you're looking for (budget, tube look, DIY vs assembled) and you'll get a direct recommendation.
From our long experience with selling Nixie Clocks, the person buying it usually falls into one of two camps:
The electronics enthusiast: build electronic things for the satisfaction of doing so, and enjoys the meditative process of constructing something, tackling problems that can arise and solving them. For these people, we recommend any of the clocks presented - they are all easily in your ability to construct them.
On the other side we see also The design entusiast who loves the look and feel, but might not be so experienced with electronic construction. For these people, we recommend the MNC6 V2 which will give you a great result in a shorter time and less drama.
Electronic construction always has a small amount of drama: you can put a component in the wrong way or put the wrong component in, but the MNC6 reduces this to the minimum.
See the full store listing for every model side by side, or jump straight to Classic Rev5, Classic Rev6, Modular, MNC6, or MNC6 V2.