[john12ax7]

The hard gold plating for the 500 series edge connector adds significant cost.

So any suggestions for a good quality reasonably priced place? Lower quantities like 25-50 pcs.

[gyraf]

For good, predictable and consistent quality, I'd recommend someone like my supplier "PrintLine" in Denmark (that PCBGrinder uses/runs). Probably not the cheapest, but very far from being expensive...

In general, for PCB's you really get what you pay for. Seen very few exceptions to this.

Jakob E.

[john12ax7]

I looked up Printline and their prices are very reasonable, wonder if there is an equivalent in the US? There are places for regular PCBs, but things get  unreasonable when you need the gold plating.

[gyraf]

PrintLine only recently started their in-house gold line - but I think it's getting more common that pcb manufacturers do gold as part of the service.

Also ask yourself: Do you actually need gold?

Jakob E.

[john12ax7]

Also ask yourself: Do you actually need gold?

Isn't hard gold a requirement for an edge connector?

[gyraf]

I don't see the rationale in it being an absolute requirement - and I've seen quite a few tinned edge connectors working fine over the years..?

[Oliver B]

The hard gold plating for the 500 series edge connector adds significant cost.

So any suggestions for a good quality reasonably priced place? Lower quantities like 25-50 pcs.

Hi gyraf,   you can see this article for reference : http://www.instructables.com/id/Quick-PCB-Prototyping-Where-to-Make-Our-Own-PCB-/

[gyraf]

Thanks, Oliver - that's a pretty nice run-down of the current options.

Jakob E.