Delays, Updates & Lamp Brightness
almost 4 years ago – Thu, Jun 09, 2022 at 02:54:40 AM

Hi Everyone,

Firstly, apologies that this update is delayed. It has been a rocky few weeks with ALVA waiting to get some concrete news to share with you. The start of the tooling for the torch module has sadly been delayed while we look into the LED bulb options as the original supplier's most recent samples have been much less bright than we need and want them to be, and we need to ensure nothing changes in terms of size/battery requirement before the tooling is started. 

The tooling for the silicone straps and accessories is not an issue, but we don't want to rush a decision to make the plastic housings without having the internal components absolutely how we want them. As it stands, we're shortly going to be proceeding with an updated test batch that promise significantly better performance over the last samples that will realign the project with our expectations so we can go full steam ahead into tooling & production. 

Watch this space, updates will be more frequent as soon as those samples are ordered and in hand. This is far from an ideal situation, but not one we are too concerned about either - there are literally thousands of component options and we're changing a single part only with the aim of improving performance. The delay will be worth it!

Soapstone 2.0 

The sleek and sustainable solution for carrying and using sanitiser, moisturiser and toiletries when on the go. Use it with a single hand and dispense in seconds! See the campaign HERE

As the campaign comes to a close they wanted to share a little gif they've made showing the different colour combos available to backers that have ordered multiple Soapstones, or are planning to add extras during the post-campaign survey.

Each Soapstone is made of an Outer Body and a Bottle - these parts regardless of metal or plastic are interchangeable, so by interchanging parts at home you're able to mix and match your Soapstones!

Surveys are OUT! (+ slight shipping increase!)
about 4 years ago – Tue, Mar 22, 2022 at 07:25:40 AM

Hello everyone!

Big news today - the address + add-on surveys are out!

We swapped from Pledgebox to Backerkit for a few reasons, mostly due to setup complexity and Backerkit giving us the tools we needed. Unfortunately the cost of postage has increased by £2 ($2.60) to reflect volatility on pricing around items with batteries. We kept this increase as small as possible! 

Below you’ll see screenshots of what to expect - confirm for each part of your order whether you want a Wrist (white) LED torch or Ankle (red) LED torch. Pick your strap and accessory colours too.

You’ll then see the add-on store - here you can pick up any extras at a special rate for existing backers.

For your addresses - it is critical that these are double checked. Any mistakes in your address will likely result in a lost package. Please write your address in full as these are being sent internationally. 

For backers in Taiwan - please write your address in Chinese and include your gov. ID number.

Any questions or problems, please let us know!! 

Production Update #1
about 4 years ago – Sun, Mar 06, 2022 at 06:39:13 PM

Hi Everyone,

Hoping you are all safe and well. Apologies that this update is later than originally planned.

We received the ALVA preproduction samples around CNY, annoyingly the silicone strap colours are quite far from the ones we had previously approved. But importantly the function and quality is there. Colour tweaks are a simple thing to do and this will be amended. 

We are also making a slight change to the length of the silicone housing for the torch so it sits flush against the back of the lens much more easily. Refinement ahead of production!

As for the torches themselves, these samples appear a little less bright than the original ones so we are speccing better LED bulbs for inside, we also had the charge port slightly adjusted so it sits flush with the casing rather than being sunk inside - this small tweak looks much nicer and its easier to plug the cable in too!

Every ALVA will come with a USB charge cable, these have been sourced and approved. Photos of everything below.

The next big step is to begin the tooling for the torch case itself (all the black parts + the front lens), and FINALLY get the Address Surveys finished. On the one hand, we wanted this step complete last month, but on the other it cannot be rushed. Pledgebox is a new tool for us and its not quite the workflow we’re used to so apologies its taking a little longer to collect your addresses than planned.

Otherwise, keep any questions you have coming in. ALVA is progressing forward a little slower than we aimed for but once the tooling manufacturing begins that’ll be a big step we’re looking forward to!

The next update will be right before the PledgeBox surveys go out - here you'll be able to select the colour for everything you're ordering, pick up any extras and provide your address! 

/ Josh

Introducing: The HIDE COLLECTION

Wentworth Goods are back on Kickstarter with their 2nd project - the HIDE collection is a line of premium accessories for photographers! CLICK HERE to visit the page!

Funds Received + Next Steps!
about 4 years ago – Fri, Mar 04, 2022 at 08:35:37 PM

Hi All!

Just a quick update to say that the KS funds have been received and final pre-production test units have been ordered now that production is definitely going ahead!

These will take 4-5 weeks to complete and then we’ll be into the Chinese New Year shutdown - meaning that I’ll be able to give them an in-depth test before giving the factory the thumbs up to begin tooling once they’re back from CNY.

Once the tooling is complete, production will start and I can’t wait for that to happen! I will be keeping you updated throughout, but as each step takes time the updates will not be that regular until production itself starts and I start being sent exciting photos of everything coming together.

Address Surveys:

At some point I am going to need to collect your addresses, take your orders for any add-ons, charge you for postage and let you decide on colours for everything in your order.

Because this will take some time to setup, my goal is to get it done between now and Chinese New Year - meaning that I will be testing the final samples at the same time you’re providing addresses, so that should be a really exciting update to post.

If you have any questions between now and then, please do not hesitate to ask!

Happy holidays / Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all!

/ Josh

THANK YOU!
about 4 years ago – Sat, Jan 22, 2022 at 02:29:32 PM

Hi backers,

I’d like to use this update to express my gratitude to all of you for your support throughout the duration of this campaign!

I don’t even know where to start. Running a Kickstarter is never easy. All that comes to mind right now is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I’m blown away by all of you that have connected with this idea! I can’t wait to get cracking on production and get ALVA out to all of you!

As you’ve read on the campaign page and seen in the video, I launched this campaign with a solid plan in place. I put in all the necessary energy to make this campaign as successful as it could be, and while there have been bigger campaigns in this space, it has definitely done what I needed it to to make ALVA a reality.

I’ll continue to ensure that I follow through with my promises and get your ALVA to you as soon as humanly possible. I’ll keep you updated every step of the way, so keep an eye on your inbox for more backer updates and product news! The next update will have a link to the add-on store that so many of you have asked for.

Thanks again for everything.

- Josh