I'm intending to use a MAX1645B switched mode battery charger IC in a product and would appreciate comments on how reliable, or otherwise, Maxim are for IC availability.
I tried to order six of these devices on their web site for prototype boards and it said a price was not available for this part and I had to submit a quote. This should have been responded to within one business day, according to the web site. One week on and no response. Anyway, they want $50 shiipping and handling to the UK, which I consider out of order as Linear Technology on charge $24 to the UK. So I called Maxim in the UK and their delivery charge is £6.50 ($12.44). They quoted 2 weeks for this and another part I was ordering, though there are special conditions attached to ordeing the MAX1645B "This part is non-cancellable and non-reschedulable" and "Orders must have an ASAP requested shipment date." So they make to order, and on asking I was told worst case is 17 weeks, but I was quoted 2 weeks for the six pieces, indicating they do have some stock. I also asked for the
100 off price and would have been able to order the 100 off with 2 week lead time.
I was told by Maxim not to worry as lead times are generally shorter than the 17 weeks, however I can't help but worry. What if after the prototypes are tested and found to be satisfactory that a couple of months down the line when trying to order the first quantity for production that they suddenly quote 17 weeks?
Linear Technology do a part with similar functionality, the LTC4100, though I chose the Maxim part as it is quoted down to 2.8V and I need to run it from 3V. The Linear Technology part is quoted down to 3V, so no margin for supply tolerance. I would have to use a separate 3.3V supply for the LT part.
I'd be interested to hear of others experiences in a similar situation and opinions on whether Maxim can be trusted to generally have the MAX1645B available in less than 17 weeks given the special ordeing criteria.
Thanks