I'll see if I can't bug Mike to get him to post his thoughts here...

 

Here are some of Mike's most recent comments, and he hopes to have some pics up here within the week. Install instructions will follow as soon as he has a chance to write them...

"They definitely pass muster. I like the effect. I just wish the Z emblem was bigger and higher up on the screen! The 3rd brake light tends to hide the Z emblem when directly behind the car.

Installation of the LEDs was very simple. The windscreen is surrounded by a rubber gasket. I just cut out small areas for the LEDs to fit and then hot glued them in place."

He does seem to be having a problem getting enough light to travel through the screen, though, so we'll be chasing that one down as soon as possible. Neither of us are sure what the issue is, and it's difficult to manage being such a distance from each other. These things work GREAT in every application I've tried them in so far, but I'm sure we can track it down. It may even be something as simple as too much glue...

The new boards are on their way to me via FedEx, so hopefully the parts will be here around the same time so I can start playing. The case design still needs work, but the preliminary pics I received a few hours ago look sweet.

 

Mike is having difficulty logging in to the forums, so he has asked me to post this message...

Unfortunately, the pic Mike provided me had an extremely low contrast, so it really didn't seem helpful to show it. Mike has said several times in the past that the light is not that bright, which makes me thing something is either wrong with the kit he received or the mounting method...I'm telling you, these things have no problem lighting up logos.

 

This might be the coolest mod ever, but still no pics!

 

FLZ (Dave) was just here so we could hopefully resolve the low-light issue mentioned by Mike. At first glance, it seems like standard clear glass, but on closer inspection it obviously has a slight tint to it. This is no good as far as lighting is concerned.

However, there is hope. I don't see any issue with offering a piece of replacement glass or plastic. Due to copyright issues, I cannot offer any sort of etching like the Z on the stock screen, but there's nothing stopping people from having one made themselves at their local sign shop. This actually works to everyone's advantage since most want a bigger Z, a Z higher up on the screen, a logo of some sort, etc.

Mike sent me a set of install instructions with pics last night, but I have not had an opportunity to check them over. So, it seems like this is still doable, but everyone will just have to wait a bit for the details to work themselves out.

Dave said he would post pics today, but don't get too excited...remember, these are pics from a windscreen we already know is not going to work. The brightness is low due to the tinting, but it's NOT representative of the fnal product.

 

Looks like Mac beat me to the post. Not surprised, the guy appears to be a genius. Unfortunaitely the pics I took , for lack of better description, SUCK. I'll post two of them just to give you an idea. I hope to work with the maestro, so better things will most definitely come your way.

 

worse pic, but they'll get better in future...

 

Now I'm the slow poke...you posted the pics before I could

The second pic shows what Mike is most likely seeing at his end of the world...a very dim Z. This is what happens when the screen is lit from the top/bottom. Not good.

The first pic is from me holding the LED on the side of the screen pointing down (not into the screen). MUCH better, and how it should look if the tinting wasn't there. This is roughly how it shoudl look (probably a bit brighter) if the screen is replaced and frosted stickers used.

I gotta get me one of those cameras that Dave has...some nice pics, especially in low light conditions (the clarity is amazing).

 

Hopefully this post will go through...

Just wanted to give everyone an update on progress so far. I got the install instructions to Dan a little while ago and he is currently going through them for edits, additional pics and such. They should be done soon.

I'm also in the process of getting a new windscreen made with a larger Z emblem etched into it and clearer glass. When I can ever get the glass company to move, I'll post pics of it. I'm probably going to have it made out of some super clear glass which should make the etching really stand out. The original glass is tinted too much to show off the emblem. Besides, its small and too low to be seen anyway.

Hang in there guys and gals. We're almost there...

 

What is the cost of the new windscreen? I had some glass made for me earlier for something else, but for the clear low-iron glass, it cost twice as much!

 

I've been quoted ~$56 for regular glass and ~$75 for super clear. There's a minimum order and the windscreen is way under it so you pay for a lot of glass you don't get to use.

The etching on the other hand has been in the $100+ range! I think I'm going to try out vinyl first since I have a friend that has a machine. Dan seems to think it will work just as well and make it easier to change designs later should the desire hit me.

Anyone that can get the glass/etching done for cheaper, I'm all ears!

 

If a number of people are interested in the upgrade (and are willing to put down deposits), I will offer a replacement screen to go along with the LEDs and pass on the bulk savings.

I'm currently having difficulties programming the new chip I'm using, but hopefully that will be resolved soon. For whatever reason, the programmer refuses to acknowledge this particular chip.

 

I'd be willing to put down a deposit, but I must admit that I'm a little concerned since this still seems to be in the development phase. I'd definitely need to see a money back guarantee if the glass/lights don't fit/work properly.

 

I agree with flukechance, but would be willing to put a deposit with a money back guarentee.

 

You guys don't know me like the people on the S board, but I work very hard to ensure there's no such thing as a dissatisfied customer

It's in the development phase only so far as I'm continually adding features to it. My original analog design starting selling bak in August of last year where I sold out of the 30 boards I ordered. Next came the digital design which started selling the beginning of this year, allowing me to add in demo modes as well as greater functionality. I'm upgrading the system again so that the same controller can be used for either footwell lights or the windscreen, hence all of the work you read about transferring code.

The Z presented itself with some unique issues, mainly the tinted windscreen. I've known since the original version came out that tinted windscreens would not work, but I thought the Z's was clear. Mike ran into problems with his test kit because of this...the kit itself worked as designed, but the tint didn't allow much brightness. The solution was simple enough, replace the screen. It adds on additional cost I had hoped to avoid, but we do what we must to play with our toys

I NEVER sell a product unless I'm absolutely sure it's going to be top notch (just ask the guys on the S boards...even a couple who also log here), and should something go wrong, I immediately act to resolve the issue.

I'm forced to spend a lot of time lately transferring the code as well as preparing the boards for mass production (i.e., no more prototype cases), so sometimes it may not seem like things are progressing as fast as they should.

 

Hey, give this place a call, not sure if they are cheaper but its an alternate place to try.

http://permanentreflections.com/

The guy has a lot of experience with glass to use for LED lighting and custom designs. Maybe get it to say "fairlady z"? But a simple easy solution would be to go with MacGyver for the screen also.

 

I must comment. Mac is a great guy and treats each customer as if they were the only one. I also try to do this with my own customers, but it's not always easy. I have bombarded him with tons of questions and he's always answered them all. His products are pure perfection.

I have this mod on my S2000 and love it... Top notch quality work that looks factory. That's the only way I'll have it if it's going on my car!

 

I'm making some progress in the programming department, but it's rough going. From what I can tell, the code has been successfully transferred from one processor to the other.

The actual programming process, however, has been less than stellar. I'll spare you guys the details (I might give a detailed account on the S board if anyone here is truly interested), but suffice it to say each time I go to program the chip with a new edition it's hit or miss. Now that I've resolved all issues due to my stupid mistakes (I hope), the programmer itself is the weak link. Never designed to be a production programmer, only for hobby, it just doesn't have the power to force a program into the chip...I'm right on the edge, and I have about a 10-20% chance of getting it to work each time I try. Of course, a quality programmer will set me back about $700, so I'm forced to hold off until some money comes in.

If I can get the programmer to be a bit more reliable, I'll be able to work on the fading code and finish up the footwell lights.

 

Hey Mac, keep up the great work. I can't wait to see what the final product will look like, I will definately be one of your customers. I know this question has come up before, but have you looked into doing anything with the color of the gauge cluster to change it from the stock orange color?

 

I posted a full account of what's been happening the past few days on the S board. See here to read up on it...

http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showth...91#post4013691