Mooltipass Mini Status Update: Amazingly Beautiful Aluminum Cases

[mathieu...@gmail.com]

Dear Mooltipass Enthusiasts,

I'll start our weekly email with this:

As you can see, we didn't make any mistake when designing the aluminum case... it assembled perfectly!

Here's the thing though: we received an overwhelmingly good feedback from the testers who saw it, so good that they asked us why we would still bother with the ABS version of the mini.

This got us thinking and we realized they had an excellent point. To put it in bullet points:

Aluminum version:

- thinner than the ABS mini

- more professional looking

- case and screen scratch resistant

- serial number laser engraved on the back of the case

ABS version: 

- in some very particular lighting situations, you may see its insides

- side isn't perfectly rectangular because of the required mold angles

- screen window may get scratched by sharp objects

To be completely transparent, cost wise, the aluminum case is $13 more expensive than the ABS version.

And if we were to offer both versions, the aluminum mooltipass mini would actually be more expensive due to a lower production volume.

We haven't made our final decision yet and are waiting for more feedback from the selected beta testers before making it.

Which brings me to my final points:

- aluminum cases for the selected beta testers will be ready in less than two weeks (we made this decision to quickly deliver units to them)

- selected beta testers will be contacted this week (promised!)

- if we were to only produce the aluminum Mooltipass mini, we would still keep a $50 early bird price

We'd love to hear your opinion on this matter, so don't hesitate answering this email!

Cheers,

Mathieu & the development team

[Kyle Wade]

I would love a completely transparent case.

just a thought.

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Omega...@gmail.com

[mathieu...@gmail.com]

Hello Kyle,

that might be an idea for a stretch goal! 

Let's see what other sthink.

I nearly forgot to attach this gif:

[Jesse Vallaro]

If only the aluminum was offered would the $13 price still stand or would it go down due to volume?

[Keith Schincke]

The aluminum looks great. 

I have a V1 beta in aluminum and a V1 in ABS. 

The heft of the aluminum feels much better and is resistant to the scuffing. A <=$15 difference would be a good up price. 

[mathieu...@gmail.com]

Hello Jesse,

Unfortunately these $13 would be for an aluminum only offer.

Mathieu

[Warren Besore]

Judging from the picture, the aluminum version looks classier than the ABS; and being thinner is a plus. Just my opinion, but I would go with the aluminum and forget the ABS.

[Jesse Vallaro]

For those who have the ABS. Is it significantly lighter?  The reason I ask is would it suffer from being lifted up on one side by a USB cable that is twisted?

[Antonio Cunha Santos]

Hello,

Considering the aluminium case, and it's advantages, I belive it's cost worth.

Best regards,

António

António Pedro Oliveira Cunha Santos

"Patience is the companion of wisdom." Aurelius Augustinus Hipponesis"

 

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[Rileigh Woodward]

Coming from me I would say that aluminum would be the way to go. I travel a-lot and I am always afraid that my current mooltipass may get damaged. I would pay the extra $13 for a little peace of mind.

R3dmous3

[Pierre Capillon]

Hello,

I've been keeping an early plastic mini without screen cover in my pocket for about a week now to assess dust collection / screen cleaning, and it clearly seems manageable. Laser-engraved markings is also much more durable to keep a fleet of minis identifiable (it's not unusual for sticker markings to wear out...).

I'm more concerned with case resistance to harsh environments, be it scratches, dust/sand collection or prying/bending/pressure. When using a non-personal mini, people may be far less cautious than if it were their own. That being said, the aluminum case seems to cover most issues better than the ABS one. 

Cost-wise, the difference seems small enough not to bother producing an ABS version.

I'd be all for an only production.

Regarding stretch goals, would it be doable to have a colored alu case? I'd love to be able to distinguish minis from a fleet by case color (say plain, black, dark red, dark blue).

Pierre

[mathieu...@gmail.com]

Thanks for the great feedback everyone!

Pierre: colored cases as a stretch goal is actually what we had in mind.

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[Brad Silcox]

I agree, no interest in the ABS case from me now that I've seen it in aluminum.  I'd even accept the CAD/CAM files to mill my own case if the consensus falls the other way.  Color choices would be nice but not as important as the material selection itself.

Brad

[mathieu...@gmail.com]

Thanks Gunther... your kind words are extremely appreciated.

Thanks Brad!

[Vlad Conut]

The aluminium case its just beautiful :) it looks far better than the plastic one and its not that expensive.

any updates on the kickstarter campaign ? 

BR,

Vlad

[mathieu...@gmail.com]

Hey Vlad,

I'm fairly confident we should be good for a start at the end of August!

[Chris Hood]

I am with the group, after seeing the aluminum case who would want ABS.  My only question would be how is the case put together?  The ABS cases are sonic welded and cannot be taken apart without damage, I would like to see the aluminum case have nice stainless steel torx screws or similar so I could take the case off.   Now I am sure you are wondering why I would want to take it apart, well it is related to the questions about color, I have the capability to powder coat at home, and so I would powder coat it to whatever color suited my fancy at the time.

Needless to say my vote is aluminum.

Chris

Chris Hood
chris...@gmail.com
RHCE (RedHat Certified Engineer)
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[mathieu...@gmail.com]

Hello Chris,

As you know we can't sell cases which could be opened due to security reasons.

We'll use a maximum strength retaining compound with a shear strength of 4500psi... which will make it impossible to open the case without leaving enormous marks on it.

Cheers!

[*...@osquat.com]

I'm only interested in aluminium. Especially for the smaller version I'm more likely to carry in-pocket than the original.