The 25 prototypes have been shipped to backers to play with and test!  This is a huge step along the way toward completion!

While getting feedback from the testers, I'm also preparing for production.  The longest-lead item, the LCDs, have been ordered!  Everything is still on track depending on how many corrections are needed after further testing.

Here is a set of photos from the prototype production.  I assembled them all myself, which became more work than I originally planned!  There are now about 60 tiny surface-mount parts per device, each needing to be carefully placed with a tweezers.  Multiply that by 25 and you get 1500 parts...I'm so glad to be past that!

Hey everyone!

I just thought I should give a quick update, even though I don't have much content just yet -- I'm a bit behind on messages, so if you sent me a message and I haven't gotten back yet, I'm sorry -- I'll get to it as soon as I can.

Right now I'm just putting all my time into completing the prototypes so I can get them shipped out!  It's close -- I finally have the 25 boards all assembled!  I'm hoping to have them completed by Saturday.

It was actually a lot more work than I originally planned since the product is way more complex than the first prototype.  There are about 60 surface-mount parts that all need to be placed by hand (that's 1500 pieces for the 25), and unfortunately about half needed some level of rework.  I should add a plug for SparkFun's hot-air rework station: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10706 -- I didn't have this for the first prototypes -- what a difference it made!

What's left is a little bit of fine-tuning and testing, putting them in the cases, making sure the firmware has some basic level of functionality, and finally packaging and shipping everything.

Once I've got them shipped, I'll post some pictures of the process and catch up on messages and emails.

Thanks for your patience and support!

Elijah

Finally, an update with real photos and video! (Not just the 3D renderings!)

The prototypes are in production!  They'll be shipping very soon!  So those of you who are prototype backers, let me know if your address has changed since you filled out the survey.

I'm still working on the "backer portal" where you can manage your orders and update your addresses, and I hope to get it done this week still, but the prototype production will take precedence since I'm a bit late on those already.

Thanks for your patience!  I think it will be worth the wait -- there have been a lot of improvements and I'm really excited about the final result.  Check out this video overview:

There's also a series of photos at the bottom of the post.

In other news, the official Timelapse+ website is up!  Check it out at www.timelapseplus.com .  It's now open for preorders starting at $149, with an estimated shipping date of June 15th, 2012.

As I said, I'm still working on the backer portal which will be built upon the web ordering system.  One change is that I've decided it's better overall not to try to stock the adaptor cables, but link to an online source.  This saves me effort not directly related to the Timelapse+, and saves you money.  You'll still receive a cable with your reward, though.  If you ordered additional cables, I'll still be able to ship them, but you may wish to change your order to get them directly and save money.  This will again be possible through the backer portal when it's up.

Thanks again everyone!

Elijah