Do you have GAS? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 06:13:11 am
content: .. Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I am sort of new here, but just browsing this forum section is seriously making me drool and wanting to acquire more test gear (not to mention all the electronic components).One of my other hobbies is Photography, the GAS struggle is real in that community. I wonder if others feel similar or is it just me?And if yes, how do you cope with it?

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 06:52:01 am
content: Wrong forum section imo.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 02:10:17 pm
content: Quote from: Muxr on March 13, 2015, 06:13:11 amBy looking at the price tag.McBryce.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 02:22:04 pm
content: Quote from: Muxr on March 13, 2015, 06:13:11 amOccasionally.Quote from: Muxr on March 13, 2015, 06:13:11 amBy farting.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 02:59:55 pm
content: The worst case of GAS I have ever seen:http://www.virhistory.com/ham/shack.htm

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 03:14:24 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on March 13, 2015, 02:59:55 pmLooks like a tie withhttp://emperoroftestequipment.weebly.com/to me.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 03:20:50 pm
content: Quote from: Muxr on March 13, 2015, 06:13:11 amBy growing up.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 04:09:35 pm
content: Quote from: McBryce on March 13, 2015, 02:10:17 pmExcept for ebayOutside of electronics/photography circles, G.A.S. is better known ascompulsive shopping. Women are naturally inclined to having C.A.S. (clothing adquisition syndrome, not to be confused with computer algebraic system).

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 04:10:17 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on March 13, 2015, 03:20:50 pmGot your superiority fix for the day?

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 04:36:51 pm
content: Quote from: dom0 on March 13, 2015, 03:14:24 pmAwesome link! I love his descriptions of each piece of equipment.

author: Euphyllia
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 07:00:18 pm
content: I used to, I really really did.QuoteFormer owner of a D700, the Holy Trinity, and a couple f/1.4 primes thrown in. $10k in photography equipment. I also had low five figures in electronics equipment.A few years back I realized how foolish it all was, how little I had accomplished with any of it, and how it was really just consumption in a vain attempt to further my own image of myself.I sold the entire camera kit, sold what I could of the electronics gear save for the scope and soldering station, dumped everything into mutual funds. The mutual funds have made far more money than I would have with the gear.I now focus on self improvement. I try and write better code. I study books and app notes. I won't design or build anything unless I see a legitimate commercial opportunity for it or a way to make myself more marketable to employers. I try and take better pictures with my old point and shoot. Everything I own fits in my car now; I'm damn near a vagabond at this point. At one point I considered living out of a van while making very high 5-figures USD because honestly, what point does all this crap have? An internet connection to learn with, a gym to work out and shower at, and some source of healthy fresh foods is all I really need I think.That's probably way to far for most folks here, but what it boils down to is this: buying things does not make you something. An expensive camera doesn't make you a great photographer. A full electronics lab doesn't make you a good engineer. Hard work is what does those things, and hard work doesn't cost a penny.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 07:18:27 pm
content: I only buy stuff that I need to tackle a specific challenge. Very task oriented so I do not have anything just to have it.To me, the test gear is just a means to an end. I want to solve problems that sometimes need a circuit. To design a circuit, I need to measure and evaluate. Therefore I buy test gear. Sometimes I browse new and used gear just to see if there is something out there that will allow me to do something I have never done before. I will get circuit design ideas just by looking at capabilities of test gear.I have been into professional cinematography for decades (7 figures), the 'gear head' collector types are generally the least capable cinematographers since they spend too much time fiddling with stuff and too little time making pictures. It was a good lesson for me going into electronics, I spend the majority of my time focused on solving the problem that was defined at the beginning.There is nothing wrong with collecting, its just a personal hobby to do for fun.

author: necessaryevil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 08:54:56 pm
content: I was about to say 'yes, but it depends on wat I had for dinner'.But on a little bit more serious note: I don't have it specifically with test gear, but with electronics in general!

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 10:52:30 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on March 13, 2015, 04:10:17 pmGot yours?

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 03:28:29 am
content: Quote from: Euphyllia on March 13, 2015, 07:00:18 pmI think for most people it's not about their image, but either the fun of having shiny new (or old) gear, or a vague (or not so vague) plan to make some use of it.Quote from: ivan747 on March 13, 2015, 04:09:35 pmGAS is also known in a few additional circles.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 04:39:23 am
content: I certainly have GAS and no problem with it.Without GAS guys, most of that nice old (broken) test gear would go to trash anyway. So why not save and repair it and maybe learn something doing it.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 04:51:24 am
content: To be ' a compulsive disorder' the GAS would have to cause social or financial dysfunction. I think most enjoy the benefits of a good piece of test gear every so often.As an amateur radio operator, none of my gear 'turns a dollar' , I am fortunate that I have some disposable income, a modest amount goes toward my hobby. I find the intellectual stimulus I get from electronics enjoyable and worth the money. :-)

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 08:42:37 pm
content: Quote from: VK5RC on March 14, 2015, 04:51:24 amTrue thatI was trying to be a bit funny.. stupid me

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 08:58:15 pm
content: Quote from: Muxr on March 13, 2015, 06:13:11 amBy injection of the new equipment dose

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 11:51:15 pm
content: @ivan747 apologies for taking things too seriously , unfortunately I do have a few slight OCD tendencies, I have to keep my GAS under control! I am just maintaining social and financial harmony with SWMBO.We have an agreement, I don't count her shoes, she doesn't count my radio gear. HiHiRob

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 12:53:07 am
content: Quote from: German_EE on March 13, 2015, 02:59:55 pmOh my gosh, he did ittwice!http://www.navy-radio.com/misc/shack.htmNot that there's anything wrong with that. A retirement hobby is fine.I admit I suffer from GAS. How do I cope with it? By going cold turkey when broke, then binging when I'm not.Also, with ebay binges can be fairly cheap.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 01:03:07 am
content: QuoteI took a photography class in college. Bought a Minolta X700 + lenses specifically for it, as I argued that it would help me.My teacher showed up with a signle-use camera that produced pictures I could never do with my X700.I learned from that what's behind that camera is far more important than that camera itself.The same can be said about those people who spent a fortune on their electronics gears.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 03:40:50 am
content: Guitarist, photographer, electronics tech.If I was focused on one I guess I might develop GAS, but since my interest (and money) is spread out a bit I only buy what I "need" to achieve what I want with each hobby

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 06:09:37 am
content: Quote from: Muxr on March 13, 2015, 06:13:11 amthe other moved thread dragged me to this general section.... GAS sydrome only occur to "kids", i also in photography deal GAS there is worst, but luckily i have enough sanity before i joining in, the only remedy for it that is... sanity...

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 09:22:31 am
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on March 13, 2015, 03:20:50 pmYes, of course, this guy it's a seventeen...

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 03:43:20 pm
content: All that lovely Heathkit gear just sitting on a shelf

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 03:47:39 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on March 15, 2015, 03:43:20 pmMost of it would have been buried underground, burnt and turned to build Honda Civics.

author: wn1fju
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2015, 12:44:08 pm
content: Sorry, I didn't see this month old thread until just now...I am the author of emperoroftestequipment.weebly.com, the aforementioned site that was"tied" for first by one responder as the worst case of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS).I enjoy the challenge of repairing/restoring old test equipment and use it as a vehicleto further my electronics education, as I have zero formal training in electrical engineering.I assure you I routinely spend less on a piece than a typical cheap dinner and a movie, yetobtain way more entertainment value.My web site was originally written as a way for me to keep track of the equipment and therepairs. The URL was not disclosed to anybody for many years. Recently, I posted the URLonly to eevblog because many forum posts ask for opinions on various pieces or help withrepairs. I'm not trying to brag, enhance my self-imnage, or anything else.I simply enjoy fixing the old stuff. I know it is not present state-of-the-art equipment. I workat a Government funded organization that has essentially an unlimited test equipment budget, androutinely have access to equipment that most of you can only imagine as you drool over thepictures in a catalog.So lighten up everybody. If I truly was suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, asmanifested by GAS, I would repeat everything twice or something. If I truly was sufferingfrom Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as manifested by GAS, I would repeat everything twice or something.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2015, 01:47:59 pm
content: Don't forget that in two months time the European radio amateurs have the Friedrichshafen show, a flea market so big that it takes two and a half days to see everythingThose in the know arrive with empty automobiles so that we can carry away the bargains.https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4097/4747964297_0bd94b0543_z.jpg