Orvac Electronics

This place is the best electronics store in OC. Forget about Fry’s, Ford Electronics, Microcenter, etc… Orvac has everything. I visited the store on a Friday, and went straight to the pro desk, and bought a «Kendall Howard» wall mount network enclosure. You cannot buy these anywhere else. The guy at the pro-​desk was very helpful, and located the product for me, and even gave me a «pro» discount. My only gripe about this place, is that Orvac does not sell large 3 inch grommets to use in these network enclosure boxes to protect your wires. Nor do they sell extra «Kendall Howard» accessories for the enclosures. They guy at the pro-​desk even helped me stuff the big box into my little car.

Terrible website. They have a Search box that doesn’t search. Then when you go to their categories and search it gives you other items. Narrow it down to «glass» for a fuse and it gives you «ceramic» and no «glass». Finally gave up.

Last hold-​out for local electronic need– if you can’t find it, Orvac has it! Came in just to see what they had on the shelves– pleasantly surprised by the selection, and the staff who were more than happy to help me. Decided to look them up online when I got home, found their website to get their hours and locations. Website is clean and has accurate product selection. Will be back soon, if I don’t buy online.

This old-​time electronics store literally has everything! If you need to locate a hard to find part for your electronics project — they can hook you up!

I love this store and the staff… it is much more refreshing than the big box stores like Fry’s and Best Buy. The staff is knowledgeable and they carry a lot of cool stuff. I will come here before any other place.

Very knowledgeable staff. Spent a long time at frys and got nowhere. These guys got me exactly what I needed right away. Thank you!

I needed electronic components in a hurry, which ruled out Digikey. I decided to support a local business instead of Fry’s.
Orvac had the NPN BJTs and Zener diodes I needed. I was able to find the BJTs myself; the diodes were behind a counter and an employee had to fetch them. The price for each was nearly 3x what I would’ve paid via Digikey, but, again, I needed them very quickly.
The staff was overly pushy about selling me things I don’t need. They have a display of LED light bars immediately at the entrance. It’s a bright and blinking display– naturally I looked. That doesn’t mean I want LEDs, and it doesn’t mean I need an employee following me around trying to sell me LEDs.
I would only return under the same circumstances: needing electronic components in a hurry.

This place has it all! The staff is so nice and friendly about helping you out get your project right. They go out of their way to find the product you need even if they don’t carry something particular in stock. Glenn is the electronics guru there and the rest of the staff is super helpful and nice. Highly recommend this place for any hobbyists and professionals as well

All the staff here are extremely helpful and have a well stocked assortment of electronics.
I came in with a pretty unique problem to solve and Fabian was able to help talk me through a bunch of different options until we found one that would best suit my need. Even though the part I was looking for was out of stock, Fabian helped me to contact other branches and keep it on hold for me till I could pick it up.
Definitely would recommend coming here over a Fry’s or a Best Buy. Staff here is much more friendly and knowledgeable.

They post a 3d printer on craigslist. I contact Collin through craigslist email. He was telling me on Sunday and Monday morning that they have a 3d printer velleman k8200 available. I asked location. Monday morning they replied to me the address. I came by from a far place to check out the printer. When I walked into the store, all the staffs were really busy either cleaning or organizing items, so I decide to find it myself and I looking around the store to look for the 3d printer (good twenty minutes to find the same stand from Craigslist picture.). Suddenly I don’t see anything with the 3d printer. I decided to talk to one of the workers. He seemed busy because he was wearing a headset and it seems like if he was talking to himself or the phone. Then he called me up and asked if I needed help. I asked if they had k8200 3d printer. Then he told me that they sold out last Friday. What pissed me off the most, is that they told me to wait and ask for another person to see if they have it, and while they were talking, they were using the time to try to figure out who send the email. I was really pissed off that they told me that they sold on Friday and wasted my gas and time. They are really unorganized.
They are very unorganized. While I was wondering, It looks like most of workers don’t know anything. Most of them are really busy or seem like they are busy. I don’t know recommend going unless you know that they have or it’s a very common things like led or electronics. If I were you either called in with two different coworkers to see if they have the item or even know if that item exist and do not follow their false advertising. I was very disappointed with this business.
The is only one way to exit, which was through the cashier way. They put in so many blockage or stuff around the exit. It made really hard for me to exit the building. There so much stuff and just little gaps to go through. I am kind of concern about their safety and customers safety if a fire or earthquake happens. It’s like a big store full of stuff. Lots of stuff covering the exit door.

Dan the light man is the best. I walked in the other day with a light (for video, one with a weird bulb) and I had no idea what kind of bulb it took, he looked at it for two seconds and knew exactly what it was, checked in the back to see if they had the bulb (which they don’t normally carry), they didn’t have it but he gave me the exact name of the bulb I needed and recommended two stores that had them. He’s like a wizard. He also helped me a year ago when I needed some LED lights and was equally as helpful and sweet. Being a lady filmmaker who knows nothing about electronics, it’s great to know he’s just down the street!

This is one of the last hold outs for people that love working with electronics. I cant think of anywhere else you can buy diodes, resistors, capacitors, and all sorts of other electronic components. This is most definitely NOT radio shack if that’s what you’re thinking.
There are some great people that work here and i’ve seen on many occasions that people bring in some random gizmo they’re trying to fix and the people behind the counter can help out and try to get that gizmo working again.
This is a great place to check out and just browse the aisles and think of projects to work on.

I needed some cables for my home printers and could not find the proper size at Best Buy. I happened to run across this place and it has everything a person could need. Think radio Shack times 10. The staff was very friendly and helped me find exactly what I needed. Next time I need any electrical supplies, I am coming here. I did not see any TV/​Printers/​Computers but for everything needed to hook stuff up, come here.

I’ve been going here since the mid-70’s and have always found the best parts selection ever. Staff is very knowledgeable and can usually save you a lot of time finding the right parts. If you need a replacement part for an electronic component or device, this is the only place to go, period. I tinker with amplifiers and all sorts of other components. If this place doesn’t have what you need, it probably doesn’t exist. Some surplus bins with great buys on computer fans and other goodies. It’s a lot of fun just to walk the aisles.
Would definitely recommend this store to anyone looking for electronic parts and gadgets.

Working on a prop for a film project, entered with little knowledge of LEDs, left with not only the essential tools to make my project happen but an overall better understanding of LEDs and circuiting. Thank you Dan P. for not only moving your lunch to take extra time to help me understand LED lighting but walking me through step by step of how to make sure I got it right. Out of all the times I’ve designed props using specific material, relying on help from specialists, no one has gone out of their way and shown as much consideration as Dan P. Thank you!

Orvac is an awesome electronics store! I’ve been there multiple times for parts to my homemade pinball machine!

Ok
Rarely « Unilocal» but after the great service I received from «Fabian» in the LED dept I needed to share.
This guy went out of his way to assure I was satisfied and knew how to complete my project so I had to give props.
Thanks Fabian couldn’t of completed the complicated LED situation without Ya.
HB guy

D Sub USB printer cable. $ 15 at Walmart and Target. $ 3 at Orvac. Gotta LOVE ‘em!
All the electronic cables and components you’ll ever need at very reasonable prices.
Knowledgeable friendly staff too!

I ripped out a connection in a battery chip that I use frequently, and someone I knew recommended Orvac to help me find a solution. I never heard of this place but thought I’d give it a shot.
Upon my arrival I was greeted right away and told them that I’d need a tiny piece soldered but to be careful because of the chip that is right next to the connection. Fabian was the person who helped me, but with the way he fixed my problem he should have been named Fabio.
He soldered my connection back together with ease and told me about an 18 650 battery that is better than mine (that was cheaper than the battery I already have). So I got my piece soldered extremely well for only $ 5 dollars on site (although he doesn’t normally do that, it was just a small item so he was able to do it for me because of this). Then I also found a super 18 650 battery that I didn’t know existed thanks to his advice.
I never heard of this place before, but now I am definitely going to be a regular. Thanks for the help Fabian!

This is the holy grail for nerds and geeks and techno junkies. Its electronic wonderland!
Ok first off this ain’t Fry’s or Best buy this is a REAL electronics hardware store. And Radio Shack doesn’t even come close the great Mom & Pop electronic that is Orvac.
So don’t come here looking for a 72″ flat screen or a new computer. But if you need parts for them they can help you out. You need something electric you can’t find any where else? Then come to Orvac Electronics. I’ve been a loyal customer for over 20 years!
Need a capacitor for your ceiling fan?
Need some crimpers for your 12 pin connector?
Connections for your stereo or TV?
Need a diode for your mad science project?
Need a needle for your turntable?
Electric line trace?
Shrink sleeve and solder sleeves for waterproof connections?
How a bout a some DIY LED’s for your secret project?
Wire for your home surveillance system?
Switches for the bait well on your boat?
Speaker wire? Best prices around?
These are a few of the items I have purchased here over the years.
You need it they got it! They have components, lamps, and switches, cases, cable, stereo parts, speakers, 19″ rack parts, phone cable, teleco parts, LEDs, wire, battery holders, small tools, soldering irons, breadboards, audio equipment and supplies, connectors, speaker and mic cable, car stereo cooling fans, patch cables, CCTV, PWR, buttons, boards, meters, dials, tape, diodes, plugs, magnets, electronic tools, supplies, bulk wire, networking supplies, racks, speaker fabrication supplies, bench-​top tech gear, glue, tools, connectors and every do-​hickey you could possible want, but then there’s more, so much MORE!
The staff is very friendly and eager to help. So don’t be afraid to ask questions no matter how simple or technical these guys love a challenge. This is the place to go for expert advice, and parts.
I’ll be back!