OK confused here, these only work on Nitro bindings?
So up to now you already have limited your market. I understand you just trying to prove the concept of it working 1st. Now you may need a complete redesign to see if you can even get them to work on something else.
I like how you point out a downfall of powder. Honesty in your product shows you know your product and aren't marketing false info.
I also like the backyard park, this could be a large market for you.
The patent process, I'm not sure I believe you here. A simple patent search to start is $1500 ish and will grow to around $3K. Not including the 12-16 month process of getting the patent. So if you can barely afford a single prototype how did you get this upfront cash or is this where all you money went prior to making the prototype.
Place a gopro on your board to film you getting in/out and how they move while riding. It was nice that you added the park footage.
I also know this was a test video so-to-say but you must get a better backdrop.
Since your season is over, more for next year. Ask random riders if they would try this system out with you. You will get some yes and a lot of no's so get used to that and keep at it. Then film them if possible and ask them to fill out a questionnaire about the product.
I must say I think you gotten taken on your prototype cost. I can't see the detail of your product. I think if you shopped it around a simple part like that you could have CNC or Milled up for far less. I going off my own experience needing parts fabricated from scratch. If possible get a file of the part that a machinist can upload and whip one up. That would keep the parts consistent and reduce your costs, if you don't already have one.
Glad to see you stick with it, take the good/bad this is what an entrepreneur must endure. You've really come a long way with this idea and I hope it works for you. This is a great experience for you as well being so young and taking this on. It is how many great businesses start, hard work, no cash, sweat and tears !!!
1. This particular prototype is only compatible with Nitro bindings. With the right hardware, and possibly some dimension variations, it is compatible with any binding where the strap mounts outside the heelcup if the heelcup sits high enough that the lever will not drag on heelside turns. In other words, it would work with Ride, Union, and Rome as well to name a few.
2. Glad you appreciate my honesty! I don't like being bullshitted, so I don't see any point in bullshitting others either.
3. The patent process is expensive, but a patent application, which gives you a filing date instantly, is only $65 if you do it yourself. I easily spent over 20 hours putting that together, not counting all the research on how to do it prior to filling it out.
I did some research on other patents for a few hours, but official patent searches are a waste of money. There is no way to know for sure that nothing similar has ever been patented in the history of patents. It's a crap shoot/total shot in the dark. Read about it for a few hours and explore different sites. Total waste of money. Lawyers will tell you "it's absolutely necessary" though because that's how lawyers stay employed.
4. The garage was the only place in my house I could get rid of the annoying buzzing/humming sound that my refrigerator sends out and the camera picks up, as you can clearly hear in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BicF5PnUw3A
I tried 2 different cameras with their built in mics and 2 external mics (even bought the GoPro adapter cable, which I didn't use) all over the house and even my Rhode NT1-A picked it up everywhere. It was an annoying process.
5. You can get into them while riding, but you have to have really good balance. I can do it, but I figured there would be no point in filming it because 95% of riders probably could not, making it not a real selling point. Maybe I will at some point next season though. Who knows.
6. I got a lot of quotes online, and although the local shop was a little pricy (not by much though), it was worth it because they gave me 2 prototypes for the price of 1. There is a lot of detail that went into the pieces. I easily could have simplified the drawings more for a lower price looking back, but I needed it in time for the season.
I looked into CNC, steel prints, DMLS, and got quotes from various places. I do not regret my decision going with Tech Inc.
That price mentioned also includes hardware, printed plastic lock piece, and plastic straps. Lock piece needs to be made out of aluminum too (plastic just breaks), but I ran out of funds. 20 years old and still need money for living life of course.
7. Thanks! I hope it works out for me too. It's been one hell of a learning experience, that's for sure.