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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on October 18, 2011.

Pre-holiday Update

Update #30 · Dec 23, 2011 · 3 comments

It's been a while since my last update, so I thought I'd post a quick update. The replacement bamboo showed up on Monday, so we're well stocked for now. There may have been a small number of kits sent out where the fit wasn't quite as good as I'd like due to extreme variances in the thickness of bamboo we used, but we now know to look out for that and change the dimensions of parts accordingly. We're still constrained by laser time, but we've added one more member to our team, and he'll be checked out on the laser next week, so hopefully that'll increase our throughput. My mom is also in town from Japan for the holidays, and she's been pressed into service too (that's her in the photo below). 

So, all in all, we're making steady progress. Here are the numbers of kits shipped, broken down by reward level:

  • $70 rewards: 3 of 5 shipped
  • $80 rewards: 12 of 14 shipped
  • $90 rewards: 69 of 74 shipped
  • $115 rewards: 8 of 58 shipped
  • $140 rewards: 61 of 74 shipped

The Limited Edition engravings are also complete, so those will ship out very soon to the $250 and $500 backers. (Actually, I'll do another post just on what I ended up doing with the Limited Edition, because I think it's pretty cool...)

So, that's basically it for now. We have 6 hours of laser time scheduled for tomorrow, and I have another 4 hours reserved for Saturday. I'm going to take Sunday and Monday off, but will be back at it on Tuesday. I think we're on track to get most of the kits shipped by the end of the month/year.

Ok, I should go to bed now... I need to get up in 6 hours to make it to my 9am laser reservation... Yikes! 

Hope y'all have a happy holidays!

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Comments

    1. Me_olivia_cropped.small

      Creator Ryo Chijiiwa on December 26, 2011

      Terry - I expect to have all reward kits shipped out by mid-January, if not sooner.

    2. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Terry Smith on December 26, 2011

      will I get my unit before Feb? I will be leaving on an extended trip and would like to know if it will be shipped before 27 Feb 2012

    3. Fb_profile_picture.small

      Creator Terry Smith on December 23, 2011

      I do look forward to the kit . I am building a ham radio kit now . I am eager to see the solar panel as it might work for my low power ham radio battery... happy holidays Terry kj4ezx

251
Backers
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Funding period
Sep 18, 2011 - Oct 18, 2011 (30 days)

  • Pledge $1 or more

    4 backers

    Thanks for your support! Every dollar counts towards making this project become reality.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2011
  • Pledge $25 or more

    4 backers

    A personalized laser-cut and engraved bamboo plaque with your name on it.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2011
  • Pledge $70 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    A solar power pack kit! See the specs in the main description. This is the real deal, at a special price, for 5 early supporters! (Add $15 for international shipping.)

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2011
  • Pledge $80 or more

    14 backers

    A Solar Hacker Edition of the kit, which has everything except the bamboo enclosure. Normally, a 5W panel and 6Ah battery alone would cost more than this, but you'll get the charge controller circuit plus booster circuit too! With 10W (2A @ 5V) of output, you'll have plenty of power to do cool stuff with!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2011
  • Pledge $90 or more

    75 backers All gone!

    A solar power pack kit! See the specs in the main description. You'll get a kit from the first production run, and at a lower price than retail. (Add $15 for international shipping.)

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2011
  • Pledge $115 or more

    60 backers Limited (15 of 75 left)

    A solar power pack kit! Plus ONE of: extra 5W solar panel, spare 6Ah LiPo battery, or AC adapter. This second batch will ship after the first batch, in mid-to-late November.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2011
  • Pledge $140 or more

    75 backers All gone!

    A Deluxe Edition solar power pack kit! Comes with additional 5W solar panel, a replacement battery, and an AC adapter for when the sun don't shine. (Add $10 for int'l shipping.)

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2011
  • Pledge $250 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    A Limited Edition solar power pack kit. The bamboo enclosure will have a special engraving with unique serial numbers (only 10 will be made). Additionally, the kit will come with a colored faceplate instead of the clear acrylic faceplate in the standard model. The LE kit will also come with an extra 5W solar panel, replacement battery, and AC adapter.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2011
  • Pledge $500 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    A Limited Edition solar power pack kit, plus all the extras as described above for the $250 level. PLUS a Deluxe Edition kit (see $140 level) to give to your favorite person. PLUS, a prototype unit that will be shipped shortly after this Kickstarter campaign reaches its goal (even if it's before the end date). The prototype enclosure will be numbered, and have your name engraved on it (just in case, you know, you lose it at a bar...).

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2011