What is the Ideal Prize?

I am curious what the most desirable prizes might be within the community.

I have selected items from each of the following categories for this poll but feel free to indicate something else in the comments below.

Measurement instrumentation
Fabrication tools
Communications devices
Computers
Cameras
Toys/Entertainment

What is the item you would most like to see offered as a prize in a design contest?

Top Comments

Jan Cumps over 5 years ago +7

Others: a voucher for components.
javagoza over 5 years ago +7

I voted for Others: the element14 blue man!
ntewinkel over 5 years ago +7

I think the problem with the nice big prizes is that once you have one it would feel wrong to hoard multiples when other participants could use them. I do like the fun silly kind of toy or robot prizes…

fmilburn over 5 years ago

A voucher for me but at the top of the list of big ticket items on my list is a 2 channel DC power supply with good low current measurement, control, and 4-wire leads. I also enjoy the element14 branded breadboards, T-shirts and such. A coffee cup would be nice
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BigG over 5 years ago

Just thinking out loud here... how about some RF measurement tools for >1GHz stuff. Bet not much available for $2k, but then again I'm sure the community could offer suggestions.
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dougw over 5 years ago in reply to hugohu

In the past some contests had a parts kit and a voucher supplied to winners of the proposal phase. This was a useful format.
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hugohu over 5 years ago in reply to dougw

The limit is 600- yeah that would be cool. Even 100 would be somewhat of a motivation.
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ntewinkel over 5 years ago

I think the problem with the nice big prizes is that once you have one it would feel wrong to hoard multiples when other participants could use them.
I do like the fun silly kind of toy or robot prizes that we otherwise might not purchase simply because the spouse would give us dirty looks

Maybe a choice of prizes? but then, the voucher does that well too.

I do also enjoy the smaller feel-good prizes like element14 branded items, especially if that included daily-use type items.
I'm using their breadboard on my desk right now. I could also see branded useful things like coffee-cup coasters, compact power banks, solder mats, RPi cases or power supplies, USB hubs, maybe even small USB SSDs (to go with Raspberry Pi, or just for general backups). Even if the "branding" is just a quality well-made clear sticker on a stock item.
I just received a little e14 hand sanitizer bottle the other day, which is totally useful to have these days.
I've also been seeing branded covid-masks around... done tastefully I'd totally wear one of those with e14 branding.
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dougw over 5 years ago in reply to hugohu

For those with tax issues, does it make sense to split contests into phases where there is a smaller prize for each phase? (also more opportunities to win)
What is the limit anyway? Could 3 phases with $500 voucher per phase work?
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neuromodulator over 5 years ago

Voucher is the most flexible, otherwise just test equipment... (BTW you can get 6.5 with 2000 USD, Keithley 6500 is just 1200, and Keysight's are also bellow 2000)
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hugohu over 5 years ago

Some. Oscilloscope? I don't really need a fancy one, already got a PC one, and 2000 = tax.
TV, laptops, most are pretty useless. 2000$ voucher? I wouldn't know how to spend that, frankly. Too much PCBs with 2000$ of parts. Tools? I would try to get a reflow gun, or new iron if possible from p14
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dougw over 5 years ago in reply to javagoza

Where did you notice the e14 Bluebot dude if you don't have one?
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dougw over 5 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

Yes, a voucher for $2000 would be super awesome!
That would fuel a ton of projects.
I added it to the list ....
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