May the Fourth Be With You!
about 5 years ago
– Sat, May 04, 2019 at 11:01:11 AM
On this day last year we launched our Kickstarter campaign. What a doozy! We're still plugging away on rewards, but we wanted to thank all those of you who made this day so special for us. We hope to return that favor very soon.
Given that today is one of our favorite holidays, we also wanted to spotlight a Star Wars fan film in development by Adam Curlewis and his gang of young filmmakers from New Zealand. We backed their successful Kickstarter campaign, and we can't wait to see their movie The Hunt for the Padawan. We'll be watching their careers with great interest, and so should you.
May the Fourth be with you!
Shipping. (Yay!) For some. (Boo.)
over 5 years ago
– Sun, Jan 13, 2019 at 03:22:25 PM
Hello, backers!
This will be quick because we need every second for your rewards.
A few more manufacturing challenges in December set us back again, but we are furiously building our first batch of umbrellas. They are real. And they are coming. Each unit takes about 4 hours to assemble, with a few more required for troubleshooting, testing, and packaging. We love this part, but it is very tedious.
To increase production volume, we have recruited a few friends to help us out. We expect to ship our first 30 units in January, but the vast majority of backers will receive their rewards in February. Some may even see delivery dates in March, but you know who you are. When your reward is in the queue, we will reach out to you personally to let you know.
The good news is, all of the delays have resulted in a better product. For example, the battery recall ended up working to our advantage, as we found a replacement that improved LED performance. In the video below, you'll see that the blade on the left is brighter, with fuller illumination down the length of the tube. To the naked eye, the difference is even more striking. (By the way, how cool is this "unstable" crystal effect?)
Here is another hilt test to whet your appetite.
We are also thrilled to announce a surprise. As a thank you for your patience and understanding, all of you will receive a mini saber keychain. Each one has been CNC-machined from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum. The precision detail and solid metal make them pretty darn neat. The picture below does not do them justice.
Thank you all for helping us make this journey. Things are finally coming all together, and it feels good to know that soon you will get to experience the magic of something we created.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Ben
