>rex says "here, take it. use it for a couple weeks and if you want it we'llwork it out".
Well who wouldn't have gone for an offer like that. Unfortunately most of us
aren't able to pop into STS. You say there was no real financial advantage,
I'm still waiting to hear that there is any financial plus to buying a shop
panel despite the Egres site stating that shop panels are cheaper to put
together.
As for your comments on the downside of custom panels.....
Twice I've spent 20 (quite pleasant) minutes on the phone discussing each
custom order. A fax was received from Rex with the layout graphics and a few
suggestions about alternative modules. There then followed a 10 minute phone
call confirming the panel layout and transfer of money. Not much more
involved than ordering a custom panel I think. Maybe it's just me.
My postcript is that I have absolutely nothing against shop panels but IMO
if a person is thinking about a 2 or 3 panel small system or has specific
requirements such as Derrick or the guy who ordered 4 Quadrature Oscillators
I can only see custom panels as the way to go.
CW