We've got T2s in hand (on neck?) and have melded minds with the factory about what comes next.
The T2s are great pieces overall -- we'd say we're about 95% of the way there -- but there are a list of items we still need to get right. Most of these are small issues, but the cumulative list means that we're still not at prime time.
We'll be flying out to China to make sure we nail this last 5% while completing a small sample run.
What are these issues you ask? A few noteworthy ones are...
Color Variances: we discussed this ad nauseam in our last update but we are actually quite close to where we want to be. The gold finish is slightly off, but the gunmetal is spot on.
Chain Lengths: this is an ongoing battle between how much length is needed to adequately use the product, the ease of taking The Dipper off and on, and where it sits comfortably on most women's chests. We think we have nailed the overall length, but what's being lost in communication with our manufacturer is the ratio of chain for each layer (inner, middle, outer).
It currently looks like:
It should more look like:
Hooks and Screws: we need a strong anchor for the mechanism that allows the necklace pendant to open and close. The latest attempted solution causes problems with placing the outer chain into the lower pendant.
Clasp Jack: taking the plug in and out of the back clasp is more difficult with our T2s than it has been with previous prototypes. We need to adjust the resistance so it's not too hard to transform your necklace into earbuds and back.
Sound: the sound is really good, y'all! We think where it is today would impress each of you, but our CEO is a perfectionist with a keen ear. The bass is solid but she thinks the sound can be tweaked to have a little more treble shine through.
This list and other tiny items tells us that we are rounding the bend. Our timelines are being updated accordingly, though they aren't fully settled. We'll share more once we know.