Build your own HeNe kit?

[vk2fro]

Anyone tried this HeNe kit? Very pricy, but looks really cool other than that.

I saw this thread just now and had to look - I also grew up building HeNe lasers and got shocked many a times by the starting voltage. My biggest one was 6mw. You got a tube, a power supply kit like the one mentioned and an enclosure along with instructions. The psu took around an hour or 2 to put together. That kit cost $130. In 1988. So this thing is an obvious and blatent ripoff for 0.5mw @ $320. Granted you get a nice case and all, but its still 6 times what its worth. Perhaps $320 assembled and tested, but whats the fun in that.

They even spoil the fun by winding the transformer for you (what is it with electronic geeks whom most hate winding transformers?)