Lighted Pony Project (back it!)

[supared]

I appreciate your effort and fully understand that these were not mass-produced.

If you genuinely want feedback, mine is that I'm disappointed with the build variability between each of the buying positions. I purchased at the Pole Position not because of the reduced cost but to help get things moving along. If I had known that I would get a different design, I would have picked a later position.

I don't think anyone is "mad" at you, and we all really appreciate the hard work that went into designing and manufacturing the Lighted Pony. I also hope you can appreciate that some of us are disappointed that changes were being made on a weekly basis and that we have not benefited from them.

I understand. I wish I could have waited to start shipping until I had a perfect product. But then it would never ship. The reality is, it will never be perfect to everyone. And people were pretty upset over the timeline even in April and May. One person said they thought I was on a beach in the Bahamas. The Kickstarter funds wouldn't even cover my bills for more than a month ?. When it reached a point that I believed the Pony delivered the initial promise, then I made it a priority to deliver. I always expected to incorporate feedback to design and improvements to each successive iteration, which is why I explained that each wave would lag by at least 3-4 weeks. I didn't think anyone would be unhappy with their position and Pony.

With any product there is continuous improvement. I could share numerous examples where I bought something and there was a better version released within weeks or months. If its any consolation, the real improvements did not take effect until 2nd Place Ponies based on what I am moving forward with. These were not funded by the original Kickstarter. They were funded by round 2.

When the last Kickstarters ship (4K), I am considering offering a discount for original supporters on the latest versions. I would recommend waiting for the RGB+headlight only. I just need to figure out how to manage it.

Regardless, sorry if I disappointed you.

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[Gimme_my_MME]

Sorry if this was covered already but how can I tell which version/iteration I have?

 

[Texas-E]

When the last Kickstarters ship (4K), I am considering offering a discount for original supporters on the latest versions. I would recommend waiting for the RGB+headlight only. I just need to figure out how to manage it.

Regardless, sorry if I disappointed you.

No need to apologize. I'm just trying to share the perspective of an early backer. It is good to hear that nothing really changed until wave 2. From reading the posts and watching the videos, it made it seem like daily changes. It is a touchy subject for us Job 1 owners (Frunk button, I'm looking at you).

I get that products go through iterations. I backed you because you were putting out a quality product, and I thought it was cool. If financially you can make a discount work for early adopters, that would be wonderful. Even if there was a "core charge" to return the earlier version after swapping it out.

 

[supared]

Sorry if this was covered already but how can I tell which version/iteration I have?

Before, or after install? ?

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

Before, or after install? ?

Before. Just arrived this week and haven't gotten time to install it yet

 

[supared]

I'm thinking the Asian market Mach-Es may support plug and play. Not sure what is there to plug and play on the USDM and EUDM Mach-Es.

I reached out to them about two months ago, and they have sent me some disguised emails asking questions about my project.

They do not have a front Pony yet listed. That first one is for a harness for GT Ponies that did not come with the light enabled. The problem with that is that someone with a GT in the UK confirmed their Pony emblem had no electronics inside. So this won't work for them.

The rear Ponies they have. They are plug and play. That is nice. They do not come on when the brake light is pressed. They are on whenever the lights are on. You pick your color, and it glows when the headlights/tail lights are turned on. It also does not retain some factory things like the signature ribs running along the Pony.

I have not seen this in person. I'm sure they will make some improvements with feedback also.

 

[connoisseurr]

I reached out to them about two months ago, and they have sent me some disguised emails asking questions about my project.

They do not have a front Pony yet listed. That first one is for a harness for GT Ponies that did not come with the light enabled. The problem with that is that someone with a GT in the UK confirmed their Pony emblem had no electronics inside. So this won't work for them.

The rear Ponies they have. They are plug and play. That is nice. They do not come on when the brake light is pressed. They are on whenever the lights are on. You pick your color, and it glows when the headlights/tail lights are turned on. It also does not retain some factory things like the signature ribs running along the Pony.

I have not seen this in person. I'm sure they will make some improvements with feedback also.

Not surprised. I also reached out as well, but they won't even provide any instructions unless I purchase. Very shady.

I'll be waiting for your latest and final version of the front pony. My 4K unit has a lackluster light output and don't want to deal with the install to end up being dissatisfied

Looking forward to seeing the improvements.

 

[supared]

Before. Just arrived this week and haven't gotten time to install it yet

If there is no colored sticker on the back, it is the current default 6K integrated circuit board. Looks like this. If there is a yellow sticker, it is 4K.

 

[supared]

Not surprised. I also reached out as well, but they won't even provide any instructions unless I purchase. Very shady.

I'll be waiting for your latest and final version of the front pony. My 4K unit has a lackluster light output and don't want to deal with the install to end up being dissatisfied

Looking forward to seeing the improvements.

I can say it is hard to tell during the day or even in a dark room when you light it up. I know from personal experience. I was concerned it was not as bright as my original. Installed, it looked great though. Once it is recesses into the bumper, it's better. But I understand. The best is coming soon.

6K Kickstarters are done. I'll ship all 6K backers from the second round by Sunday.
4K is just waiting on new circuits. So next week I will take a few hours to finalize the RGB design and place an initial test order of about 50. It takes about 3-4 weeks to get it and test it. If good, those will be made available. Then I will offer the three Ponies (4K actually becomes 5K, 6K, and RGB) with two possible RGB variants.

 

[connoisseurr]

I can say it is hard to tell during the day or even in a dark room when you light it up. I know from personal experience. I was concerned it was not as bright as my original. Installed, it looked great though. Once it is recesses into the bumper, it's better. But I understand. The best is coming soon.

6K Kickstarters are done. I'll ship all 6K backers from the second round by Sunday.
4K is just waiting on new circuits. So next week I will take a few hours to finalize the RGB design and place an initial test order of about 50. It takes about 3-4 weeks to get it and test it. If good, those will be made available. Then I will offer the three Ponies (4K actually becomes 5K, 6K, and RGB) with two possible RGB variants.

I was trying to duplicate how the pony would look when installed into the bumper - the recessed pocket edges would definitely help reflect the light being emitted to make it look brighter. Maybe I'll do it, who knows LOL.

Definitely looking forward to the 5K version, or potentially an RGB+W version (would be cool).

 

[Supertayt]

I can say it is hard to tell during the day or even in a dark room when you light it up. I know from personal experience. I was concerned it was not as bright as my original. Installed, it looked great though. Once it is recesses into the bumper, it's better. But I understand. The best is coming soon.

6K Kickstarters are done. I'll ship all 6K backers from the second round by Sunday.
4K is just waiting on new circuits. So next week I will take a few hours to finalize the RGB design and place an initial test order of about 50. It takes about 3-4 weeks to get it and test it. If good, those will be made available. Then I will offer the three Ponies (4K actually becomes 5K, 6K, and RGB) with two possible RGB variants.

So this is my question. If we filled out the survey and indicated that we would be willing to wait for 4k with frosted plastics, were you planning on shipping us the modified versions or was that just market research? I thought I was getting the 4K version but I just received my pony this week. Since you haven't shipped any 4K yet, I guess I was wrong.

 

[connoisseurr]

So this is my question. If we filled out the survey and indicated that we would be willing to wait for 4k with frosted plastics, were you planning on shipping us the modified versions or was that just market research? I thought I was getting the 4K version but I just received my pony this week. Since you haven't shipped any 4K yet, I guess I was wrong.

He has shipped 4K with smoothed plastics, and I was the recipient of one, among others.

 

[KCole21]

If there is no colored sticker on the back, it is the current default 6K integrated circuit board. Looks like this. If there is a yellow sticker, it is 4K.

Hey John,

What would the green circle sticker mean? I installed it this weekend and Im loving it. I had to settle for the always on option because I couldn’t for the life of me get it to the BCM even after having my wife help out.

 

[supared]

I have shipped several 4K, but I'm not shipping anymore of that 2-piece PCB. I'm waiting for the new integrated 4K PCB.

Green circle is 6K. It looks like you have my latest PCB. It seems to match the headlights pretty well even though it is 6K. All the manufacturers quote a range. That range is actually 6000K-7500K. It's possible earlier LEDs were closer to 7500 and these are closer to 6000. Color is really subjective though. Especially through different camera lenses and phone software.

I botched the first survey, and it didn't ask for names. A lot of people responded, but they did not respond to my follow-up with a request to fill in names. If they did, I captured it and tried to account for it.

 

[Supertayt]

He has shipped 4K with smoothed plastics, and I was the recipient of one, among others.

I was just going off his quote of "6K Kickstarters are done. I'll ship all 6K backers from the second round by Sunday.4K is just waiting on new circuits. So next week I will take a few hours to finalize the RGB design and place an initial test order of about 50. It takes about 3-4 weeks to get it and test it. If good, those will be made available. Then I will offer the three Ponies (4K actually becomes 5K, 6K, and RGB) with two possible RGB variants."
The one I received looks like 4K but my car isn't here right now so I can't verify. What I can say is the LEDs are not very diffuse and the top is MUCH dimmer than the bottom. I understand this is a Kickstarter and sometimes you get nothing for your money. John has done an amazing job and you cannot tell that this isn't a Ford piece. All I'm saying is I want it to look right on my car before I install it. If I have to buy a different one, so be it. I applaud his drive and initiative and it physically looks great. I just don't know if I want to toast the factory one getting it off the car and replace it with this version. The rear pony, I'm in (just please do not do white. It is highly illegal in VA and you will get a ticket. Red would be awesome. If it can light up brighter when the brakes are applied, even better!). RGB up front, yes please.

Great job John, I'll just need to decide if I can maybe frost some of the edge to smooth it out a bit.

He has shipped 4K with smoothed plastics, and I was the recipient of one, among others.

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