buy now, or wait for next batch?

Stevism

hey all! 

i'm new here but I'm REALLY interested in getting the LXR. The thing looks fantastic and hats off to Julian, he's really designed something special.

I may be able to buy a batch 1 kit that was never built (need to see pics to make sure it wasn't opened), but I have a few questions.

1) The seller is asking €375 including SD card, kit+enclosure, and worldwide shipping. I am in the US, so the shipping may be worth it. Is that price good?

2) I see there are some differences in the next batch. I'm on the preorder list...isn't the next batch almost ready? Are the changes significant enough to wait? Any price differences in the next kit?

http://www.sonic-potions.com/forum/discussion/73/hardware-revision-batch-2

Sorry if this an odd question for being so new but I'd really love your feedback. Thanks!

-steve

fcd72

As far as i can tell theres only cosmetic changes, electrically they are all the same. If you buy from shiftr over on the MI Forum you dont need any pictures. Be ashured he is trustworthy as can be.

Stevism

Awesome, thanks for the feedback! I don't think it is shiftr actually, someone else. Unless they use multple names haha.

admviolin

Personally, I would go for it only because I get impatient.  Although the next batch is scheduled to be released soon, you never know if there are going to be delays.

I also like being able to say I got #8 of 20 first editions

julian

Nearly all of it is of cosmetic nature.
The new boards will look a little bit nicer (matt black with round corners), have some screenprint and component placement fixes...

The only real differences are the trigger io connector is missing, so on the batch 1 PCBs it has to be soldered with cables to the mainboard connector and the footprint for the SD card power supply decoupling is missing, wich leads to hot plug problems on some SD cards. But both of these are cosmetical problems, too. Both can be soldered easily, but a dedicated connector looks much nicer.

price will stay the same here in the shop for the next batch.
I still think it should be ready around the end of the month.

fcd72

@Stevism

although i never traded with thijs i never saw a bad word about his gearshifting activities over there, so id categorize him as trustworthy as a Shruthizen can be ;-)

Stevism

Thanks for the responses! 

I've opted to wait for the second batch, as I'm not in a rush and I think the tweaks on the second revision sound pretty nice. Especially for the same price haha.

@fcd72 ;

I wasn't doubting the integrity of the seller, just a bit curious if it would be worth it to wait for the second batch or not haha. I will keep that in mind though if I ever see him selling something again 

;;)

fcd72

Best thing about the new batch is the matte black PCB. I hate black shiny PCBs as i am getting old and cant see anything on these shiny reflecting dark surfaces - its like soldering blind ;-)

shiftr

Never trust me to sell an LXR as I won't let go of it ever

Stevism

yeah i could see how shiny is bad! never really thought of it tbh, i guess i have not soldered a shiny pcb before.

and LOL that's very true. i suppose things happen though. but i am sure once i build it i will not let it go either, i read the manual over and over and wish that it was here