Okay, there are 3 people who have yet to respond. A few more that I'm holding one for because they're not ready to pay me quite yet. We'll see how that all works out. But I just sold the last one otherwise, I have no free and clear extras left.

If you still want one

Just PM me. One of the people above may drop out and you can get in on the first run. If not I'm happy to put you in queue for a second run. I don't need many to justify running more prints, like 10 or so, and I'd probably be willing to just take a few of those as extra stock so we wouldn't even need that many.

Thanks!

Just got an update from the printer. Things are moving along, speaker panels were printing as he was emailing me back. It's sounding like shipping to me by tomorrow is probably optimistic, so probably early next week. One thing that might delay it slightly is they're watching over everything like a hawk and will reprint any that aren't up to standard, which sounds great to me.

I'm going to be in Chicago for business next Wed-Sat (going to try and stop by Expo on Saturday before I fly home, anyone going to be there?) so I'm thinking these are probably going to show up right around when I get back, and I'll come home to a big packing project!

As always will update as I know more.

WTF. Got these weird emails from Paypal, I thought they were phishing BS at first. They want all kinds of info that's none of their business, like where I'm advertising these translites and my original invoices for things etc. F--- that, they can go pound sand before I'm giving them a damn thing that isn't strictly related to payment. They want tracking numbers and stuff too, which is at least somewhat not bizarre, but super unhappy with this gestapo treatment. They're a payment service, they don't get to know this stuff, it's between me and you. And I'm definitely going to take care of everyone who ordered.

If they don't resolve this to my satisfaction it's time to find a different way to take payments for future projects. Hell, it's probably time anyways, this is hardly the first time they've pissed me off.

Hoping I can be packing these by next weekend, just waiting for shipment from printer.

Yeah, I've cashed everything out ahead of dealing with their crap just to be safe. They claim they're following federal regulations, hard to know if that's true or just a line to shut me up. I'd even understand it if someone complained, if there was reason to think I was defrauding people, or selling stolen goods or something, I dunno. 100 orders is nothing, I just got flagged because the number of transactions to my account suddenly went up.

Whatever, I'll deal with it, just stupidity that makes me want to find a better way. Might look into trying Stripe or something, but ugh, I'm not a professional modder, just a guy who did something some fellow hobbyists wanted, and I just needed Paypal to take their 3% in exchange for helping me gather the money.

Nothing would make me happier than sending out the orders, can't wait to get the big shipment in and break it down for you all, appreciate the patience.

Problem is you have to link your bank account to withdraw, and once you do that that's what they default to.

FYI I'm going to Chicago for a few days tomorrow morning (Wed, for business, but will try and see Expo before I leave Sat) so I won't be as quick on the update trigger on Pinside. Hoping to have them ready to ship out when I get back, waiting on final word after the reprints. I guess I shouldn't be surprised it's taking longer than my optimistic estimate, thanks for being patient.

Can we please not turn this thread into a political argument? There are places for it, but this isn't it.

With a new avatar no less! About to go into another all day meeting in Chicago, but trying to keep an eye on Pinside still. Will update if I know more.

(Don't tell my meeting I'm on Pinside.)

Shot an email to the printer, looks like the quality control guy wasn't happy with some of the prints and reran them, so that's why it's taking longer than I was originally told. Obviously we all want them good rather than a couple days sooner, but I do apologize for the delay, I know you've all sent me money and I hate sitting on it not being able to send you anything. As soon as I get the shipping notice I will update, from Wi-Fi on a plane if need be!

Me too, for sure, just feeling anxious about getting people what I promised, it's just my nature. You guys are all awesome and patient, no one is hassling me, this is purely me wanting to take care of business.

Just talked with the printer. They're still working to get them all completely perfect, apparently there was a size or cutting glitch of some sort that was slowing it down, which is why it didn't ship when originally planned.

Sorry it's running late, just wanted to update with any info I had. Once they do ship to me I'll update again. Thanks for the patience.

In the meantime I'm getting people interested in a second run. I'm taking down names, I obviously don't want to take any money from anyone else now though, not until everybody who's paid me already has their orders. But I'm happy to note you down for when things are looking smooth.

Thanks!

I'll have to find the thread, but the one other guy who has one (friend of the printer scored one that didn't pass quality control for some minor issue) lit his with incandescents and took a pic.

Dug up the thread, here's a pic of it lit with incandescent bulbs:

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/aurichs-shadow-alt-translite-is-amazing#post-1156812

I can already tell you that it's really hard to photograph it like it really looks though, so hard to know how accurate that shot really is. He seems happy with it though. Personally with all the cool blue and white I think it's going to shine best with LEDs, but hardly a requirement I would think.

Derp, that's what I get for not refreshing the page before I reply!

I can't see any reason incandescents would be a problem, this is commercial quality printing, and I feel like it's a little thicker than a stock translite. I can certainly inquire, but I'm confident it's fine. There's a backing layer behind the printing which is what the heat would hit. As I said though, I really feel like with the color palette it's going to look a lot better with LEDs and their cooler color spectrum if you're trying to decide.

Okay, finally have some good news! The package should go out to me tomorrow from the printer via FedEx. Part of the delay was they decided the translites needed a protective sheet (you'll peel it off when you get it) like the speaker panels do. So should provide an extra layer of protection during shipping.

I'll confirm when I have a tracking number or when they show up, or whatever further info I get, but looks like we're finally moving to the end stage. Thanks for all the patience.

To the waiting list people, as soon as this is good to go I'll work with you on the second run.

I feel more anxious than professional right now, not gonna feel better until I've shipped hella boxes. Thanks though!

I have a tracking number, coming to me via UPS, due to arrive next Tuesday. Once I get the package in I'll start breaking it down. Will take me a little while to do nearly 100 packages, but I'll get them ready and ship them as fast as I can.

FYI I've had a couple people back out, and a couple people who's status is uncertain. I'm holding their slot but they never actually paid, so not sure what's up. Once I get the order in I'll sort it all out, and any extras I have will go to the first people on the waiting list if they're ready.

My favorite back out story is someone ordered one because he was going to buy a Shadow from his friend. Turns out his friend already ordered my translite for it. I refunded him.

You just take out the stock one by removing the plastic clips around the edges, comes right out. Position the new one behind the glass and slide the clips back on. Take you 5 minutes tops, and is super easy. Only tricky part is not leaving fingerprints all over, might want to clean the glass before you install the new one and handle it by the edges or wear gloves or something.

Same thing really. Pop the translite and set it aside for swapping. The H channel plastic between the speaker panel and the translite lifts up and the speaker panel plastic comes right out. Slide the new one in, secure the channel back above it and you're ready to put the translite back in after you swap that.

No tools, no wires, nothing weird, all really easy. I can take some pics if people need it though.

The new speaker panel plastic is basically stock, but it doesn't have that layer of black wrinkly vinyl, or at least my Shadow has one. So it's just slightly thinner. It sits just fine, I didn't mess with mine at all, but if you wanted you could put a couple pieces of double sided tape behind it just to make sure it sits totally flat. Optional though.