Why not let Scott make the decision?
We have had several discussions about this already. He’s my panel vendor now, so the has ‘skin in the game’.
The way I would do it is:
a) Make the prototype pc boards on my dime
b) Make sure they work OK, the software may not be 100% but enough to test (like can read CVs from the A/D, etc)
c) Post to Kickstarter
d) See what happens
My SMT assembler is averaging 3 weeks to turn boards. That’s also about the time to run panels. So call it 4 weeks for all the parts to arrive (the 3rd item is the ribbon cable between the pot board and main board, my supplier is also 2-3 weeks there). The assembler has to wait for the pc boards to arrive, they average 18 days. So it would be ~ 8 weeks from end of funding goal (the goals run 30 days).
I can’t think of a better way for everyone to show support. If the new 5U modules are a “hit” then that is evidence to Scott the risk is minimal. If I put the projects up there and sell 14 modules then that’s probably the end of the line from me. Scott has 100% rights to so anything he wants to on his own. He has rights to the MOTM name and all the older modules. I am not preventing him from making 10 new designs, to hire other designers, etc.
I am just speaking for my involvement.
BTW: If you think the CG and the MT are not good candidates for this and other modules are more desired and you think they would have a better “success rate”, now is the time to say so.
Paul S.