They think its all over!
about 5 years ago – Thu, Oct 03, 2019 at 10:32:44 PM

It is now!

 The last 30 days have been an absolute blast! 

I cannot thank each and every one of you more for your support and passion for this project. Backers new and old, you are all massively appreciated and I cannot wait to get these into your hands!

What happens now?

Kickstarter is going to start charging your cards over the next 7 days - if the payment fails for whatever reason on day 1, they’ll try again and again until the 7 days are over - at which point your pledge will be cancelled. 

It is not unheard of for banks to decline Kickstarter orders as ‘unrecognised payments’ - so do please keep an eye on your inbox / KS notifications!

And then?

Well, as I’ve been eluding to, things are pretty much ready to move at my chosen shipping partners warehouse. We’ve had the first significant block of stock arrive, and all that's missing are your addresses! (next bit)

Address Surveys.

The surveys for you to input your address, and add any extras you’ve been wanting will be sent out via BackerKit - keep an eye on your inboxes for their email.

THESE WILL BE SENT OUT WITHIN THE NEXT 7-10 DAYS.

Please be sure to fill in your survey ASAP - the faster you fill it in (for Ultra and Early bird backers) the faster your order can be shipped!

Ordering extras.

As promised, you’ll be able to add extras of everything (and more!) to your order during the address survey stage. 

• If you backed the Ultra Bird tier, then then extras will be at the Ultra Bird Prices. 
• If you backed the Early Bird tier, then the extras will be at the Early Bird prices.

You’ll also be able to pick up the Protection Filters, handy Silicone Organiser cases, extra ULHmobile clips, Microfibre Pouches and even the original sizes of ULH if you’d like to complete the set (or have a lens the ULHgo won’t fit!)

There is no additional charges for postage, and no hidden fees either - BackerKit lays it all out for you.

What is BackerKit?

Kickstarter - for its many fantastic qualities - doesn’t make it particularly easy to order multiples or buy a selection of things. The tools for collecting addresses and checking they’re accurate are a bit lacking too, so many creators choose to use ‘Pledge Management’ tools such as BackerKit to collect accurate addresses and offer their backers the chance to customise their order.

You’ll get an e-mail when they are sent out (and I will post an update too!). When you get the email, click the link and follow the on-screen instructions. This can be done from Desktop or Mobile. 

Watch the video below for a walkthrough of the ULH surveys that are coming your way soon!

The Next Update

The next BIG update will be when everything starts to ship - and it won't be that long to wait! Before then however, I will post a reminder update for anyone yet to complete their surveys, and for anyone that thinks they may need to change their address. Keep an eye on that (by mid-month).

It goes without saying, I'm going to sink a few beers and celebrate tonight - but I hope wherever you all are that you're having a great time too! 

Keep the questions coming in if you have any! There is a pre-order link now attached to the top of the KS page - if anyone you know is looking to order, they can jump in there and join the back of the Batch-1 queue for delivery in November! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

// Josh 

Projects to look at next! 

Been chatting to some excellent creators who have some really special projects! Take a look below, and head to their pages to find out more!

BRÜ: The Ultimate Tea Machine

What better way to polish off a slice of ULH cake than with a cup of tea I hear you ask? Well, what about a cup of tea that makes itself?

For anyone that has ever started making a cup of tea, only to walk back into the kitchen 15 minutes later to find a cup of undrinkable brown sludge awaiting them - then BRÜ is for you. It really is the easiest way to consistently make the perfect cup of tea!

Funded in just over 24hrs, they super early bird machines are selling quick! Click here to find out more

 Hanbury Watches 

What better way to sit and wait for your ULH to arrive than to watch the hours go by on a unique and limited edition timepiece? Paul from Hanbury has worked incredibly hard to bring these unique automatic watches to Kickstarter and you can find out all about them HERE

Singularity 2 – The blackest black object you can own.

This one is MAD. Did you see the viral videos that went around a while back about the super dense black material that completely baffles what you’d think possible, and reflects so little light it appears to suck things into it?! Well. This is your chance to own a slice of that kind of madness - I can’t wait for mine!

"Singularity 2 is the flattest, blackest & mattest object that you can actually own. It utilises an inorganic nano-array to trap almost all visible light, simulating the light absorbing properties of a black hole.”

CLICK HERE to check it out!

The Final 48hrs...
about 5 years ago – Tue, Oct 01, 2019 at 11:50:33 PM

The finish line is so close, I can almost taste it!

This is just a quick check-in to welcome all of the new backers since my last update, and to once again thank each and every one of you for choosing to support this campaign!

We’ve got less than 48hrs to go, and I really can’t wait. I’m about 95% complete with the survey setup (through BackerKit), so they’ll be ready to go out in the days following the end of the campaign (more on all that in the next update!)

As always, if you have any questions fire them over to [email protected] and I’ll get back to you asap!

Finally, I’m going to do what all Kickstarter creators do and ask that if you know anyone that may be interested in the campaign - please let them know, there isn’t long left afterall!

Once again, thank you all!

// Josh

As they say, sharing is caring - check this one out, I think this ticks the box for 'massively popular crowdfunding project...'

This Pocket-Sized Reusable Cutlery From OUTLERY has raised more than 1.5 Million Dollars. You Can Still Grab Early Birds Before They Run Out. 

Grab Yours Now! HERE 

21 Days In! + iPhone 11 Compatibility
about 5 years ago – Wed, Sep 25, 2019 at 01:53:19 AM

5,700+ backers in 21 days…

… Once again, a huge thank you to each of you for continuing to support and share the campaign. We’re 1,400%+ funded and into the final quarter of the campaign now!

iPhone 11, 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max

I have been getting a LOT of messages from people wondering if the ULHmobile will work with the trio of new handsets from Apple. I can now confirm that YES the ULHmobile works with the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. I bought a Pro Max yesterday, and today I took a trip to a nearby car dealership (some small Italian company you've probably never heard of) to capture a bit of footage of me using it…

The standard wide lens and the telephoto present no problem at all, there is no vignetting and no major need to be particularly accurate with alignment of the ULHmobile when fitting. Just slip it on and job done - as with all other smartphones tested.

The new ultra-wide lens can be a little more fiddly. It requires the camera lens to be in the middle of the opening on the ULHmobile. There will still be a slight vignette, but as soon as you push the phone a bit closer to the window this disappears and gives you an unobstructed, reflection-free wide angle shot with plenty of pan & tilt range remaining! Any micro adjustments to its position can be done quickly and easily while fitted by sliding the clip around on your phone until you’re happy with its placement.

Production Updates

This week we’ve received the packaging, instructional cards, microfibre cloths, a small batch of ULH protection filters and the UltraBird stock for ULHgo and ULHmobile backers. With more things set to arrive in the coming fortnight, it’s exciting times indeed! We’re still perfectly on schedule! The BackerKit surveys will be coming out after the campaign ends and it’s really important you fill them in ASAP. - the faster you fill them in, the faster your order will be dispatched!

Keep the questions coming - either through Kickstarter or directly to [email protected]

Not long to go now!

// Josh

Halfway Through! + Carry Case...
about 5 years ago – Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 10:59:00 PM

 Woah, we're half way there! Woahh..... 

You just got Bon Jovi'd. 

Ole' Jon-Bon wasn't wrong though - we are halfway there (or through, at least, until the end of the campaign...)

At the time of writing we're on over 4,000 backers! Absolutely incredible. A HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported the project and shared it with their friends :) 

Below is an update video of me talking about the things I've been working on this past week, and how they effect each and everyone of you (positively!). Scroll down below the video to read about the same information if videos not your thang...

Your requests answered: #1 - The Carry Case!

A huge thank you to everyone who filled out the little marketing survey! I've been reading through it every day since the launch of the campaign and it's clear that there was one thing missing that was really needed to finish this package off - a carry case. 

Despite being in Madeira and enjoying all the island has to offer, I've been working out what size case is needed and sourcing a manufacturer to make them to my requirements. A little shout-out needs to go to Peak Design here - their large Slide Strap comes in a bag that is the PERFECT size, so I based the ULH carry case dimensions off that and added a slide-toggle so the bag can be kept closed. 

The end result is a black microfibre pouch, with a ULH logo printed on it that'll keep your ULH (whichever you own!) safe and clean in between uses. I only wish I had realised we needed this from the start!! 

And by way of an extended thank you:

Every ULH will come with a microfibre carry case for FREE! 

That means every ULHgo and every ULHmobile will come with one in the box - so for those of you that have backed the combo, you'll be getting one for each ULH.

#2 - The Organiser Pouches!

In addition to being asked for a simple carry-case for the ULH, many of you requested more of an organiser pouch / multi-use case. As a big fan of tech/media pouches, I loved the idea. 

Sticking with the silicone theme, I'm launching a line of zippered silicone organisational pouches in 4 different colours (available to purchase on their own or as a 4-pack). Each has the ULH logo on it, and the same great anti-static coating as the ULH to keep them free of fluff and dirt. 

They'll be perfect for stashing spare batteries, power cables, GoPro accessories and all the other bits of detritus that seem to collect in the bottoms of our camera bags and suitcases. These will be available to order once the campaign has ended during the address-survey stage! 

#3 - Stretch Goal SMASHED! 

Now we've broken £100k, the ULH filters will officially be available to add to your order at the end of the campaign! If you have any lenses without protection filters on them, it's definitely worth picking one up because the cost of a new filter is a lot less than replacing the front element of a lens if the worst should happen...

The Home Stretch...

Now we're at the halfway point and the finish line is in sight, I don't think I'll have time to add any extra items / stretch goals and still be able to guarantee the delivery window of October for the Ultra/Early bird backers - but if you have any suggestions for things you'd like to see added, please let me know! 

To have so many of you on board at this stage in the campaign is just incredible! 

A huge thank you once again, and if you know anyone who may find the ULH useful, be sure to send them the link!

Until the next update,

// Josh 

Spreading the love - some projects I'm a fan of!

Nanobag 3.0 - The ultimate reusable shopping bag

You won't believe how small this bag is! We all know that camera bags are great for carrying camera gear, but for those times where you need to carry a bit extra, they can often come up short. If you keep one of these stashed in a side pocket, you'll be covered next time you need to carry extra stuff!

These tiny shopping bags are ultra light, ultra strong and ultra portable. Finally it’s convenient to always carry a bag. Comes in 12 colorful designs. Get your bags HERE!

One.Week.In (+ Stretch Goal!)
about 5 years ago – Tue, Sep 10, 2019 at 10:50:03 PM

2,649 backers in 7 days. Another HUGE thank you to each and every one of you for backing my campaign! 

What a week it has been! Every hour that passes we get closer to the campaign ending and closer to when you can all be using your ULH's - I can't wait to see what you get up to with them! 

First order of business...

A STRETCH-GOAL ANNOUNCEMENT! 

It's customary on Kickstarter to have stretch goals, it's often a question we as creators get asked and if you haven't prepared anything - it can be a risk, and can lead to the undoing of a project if something poorly thought out is rushed through... However. Anticipating (and hoping!) that this campaign would be a success, I took steps to organise a surprise addition to the ULH-lineup, and have been testing my initial samples for a little while now! 

The stretch-goal for this campaign, to be made available to everyone once the magical number of £100k hit, is custom ULH-branded Protection Filters! 

You will be able to add them to your pledge AFTER the campaign has ended. Pricing to be finalised.

Available in enough sizes to fit almost every lens out there, the ULH Protection filters screw onto the front of your lens and act as a sacrificial barrier to protect your precious glass from scratches, dents, big impacts, mud, water, snow, sand and even chocolate! 

With the ULH fitted in reverse, you get a good amount of protection from the elements, but you'll be wanting a Protection Filter on the front of your lens to help cover up that one area of vulnerability. 

It is, after all, far cheaper to replace a filter than the entire front-element of a lens. 

Back in the old days of film cameras, UV filters were needed to help stop certain rays of light from hitting the film, but thanks to digitial technology/sensors, these are no longer needed. These days UV and Protection filters are used instead to protect your lens from the elements and accidental damage. 

Will the ULHmobile fit onto the iPhone11?

I've been getting this question a fair bit this week, and although it hasn't officially been announced yet, we all seem to have a pretty good idea about how the iPhone11 is likely to look. The suggestion is that the iPhone11 will have a 3-camera-cluster in the form of a tile, and it is my belief that the ULHmobile WILL work on this new handset. There are other 3+ camera phones that the ULHmobile already works perfectly on (such as the Samsung S10 and Huawei P30pro) so I have no reason at all to believe the iPhone11 will be a problem.

To take things a step further, I downloaded a 3d CAD model of what the new iPhone could look like (the rumoured 'leaked' design) and fitted the clip from the ULHmobile to it. As you can see, if the leak model specs are correct, then all 3 lenses will fit into the opening no problem!!

Your feedback on the questionnaire:

Really quick one here, thank you to everyone that's filled out the little questionnaire. I have been seeing a LOT of requests for a carry case / pouch and I wanted to quickly say that I've heard you, have taken steps, and will have an announcement next week once samples have been reviewed. Watch this space! 

As always,

Thank you for reading the update and continuing to share the campaign with your friends, I massively appreciate it!

Keep the questions coming in,

//Josh

[email protected]