Neon Tester TS-990

My neon/nixie/gas-filled-tube tester homemade 5 years ago still works, but it is cumbersome to carry the device and a 12V battery when you need in on the field (A.K.A. flea markets...).

Instead of looking for a different case and fit a LiPo+booster, I decided to buy the TS-990 Neon Tester, that has a comfortable case and works off 4xAA batteries. Hard to beat at 10€/12US$!

Size is about the same :)

I did not expect it to pulse on/off the HVAC every second, but that helps to see the gas in daylight. Also it is more powerful than the CCFL inverter, as it lights up the gas even without touching the tube glass.