Hello Pixboomers,
Update time — and this one’s a bit longer than usual, because I want to actually show you what’s been going on behind the scenes. Worth the read, I promise.
Here’s what our shipping cycle looks like:
- Day 1 — Confirmation letters go out to backers
- Days 1–4 — We lock in inventory for the full batch
- Days 4–5 — Confirmed list goes to the factory. They need 2–3 days for component checks, firmware updates on outgoing units, and packaging
- Days 7–8 — Factory hands off everything — packed units, logistics info, import/export docs for each country — and ships to Hong Kong for DHL pickup. That leg takes about 2 days
- After DHL pickup — Your Spark is on its way. Delivery is typically 2–7 business days via DHL express air freight — the fastest option available, because that’s what you deserve. That said, customs clearance times vary by country, so exact arrival will differ depending on where you are. Some of you will get it a little faster, some a little slower — once it’s in the air, that part is out of our hands.
That’s the clean version. But this is a new product, and the road is rarely that clean.
Things come up between batches — a component check flags something, a document needs reworking, a firmware update needs one more pass. When that happens, I have a choice: post an update with half the picture, or wait until I actually have something real to tell you. I always go with the latter. I’d rather be a few days late with something accurate than fast with something vague.
So if you haven’t heard from me in a while — it’s not silence for the sake of it. It means something’s still being sorted, and I’m waiting until I can give you a proper answer.
Things are moving — and getting better.
Before we get into the numbers, I want to say this clearly: while each batch still comes with its own challenges, things are genuinely improving. Production is becoming smoother, shipping is finding a steadier rhythm, and every round makes the next one more reliable.
The June batch started shipping on June 23, and units have been going out every week since. And — remember in our last update when we said we expected to ship at least 120 units from the June batch? We’ve hit that target. That’s a real milestone for us, and it gives us more confidence in what’s ahead.
Where we are today:
- Shipped through backer 160
- Confirmation emails sent through backer 200 — 99% of these will ship within the next week
- A small number of units after backer 200 will go out shortly after
- The July batch is already in production. We expect to have a clearer picture of output numbers in about two weeks — we’ll share that in the next update
- From here, each month will have its own production output, and shipments will continue rolling out progressively through September. Keep an eye on this thread for updates every few weeks
Behind the scenes — the mount latch story.
I want to share this not to make excuses, but because you’ve backed us and you deserve to know what’s actually been happening — not just the polished version.
One of the parts that’s caused the most friction is the mount latch.
Back in late April, the first production run came out with over 100 defective units — all scrapped. That set off a chain reaction. To try to recover the timeline, the factory has been switching production lines frequently, which is why we’ve been running 1–2 shipping batches per week rather than one clean consolidated wave.
Production stability on this part has been a real challenge. Nearly every batch has surfaced a new anomaly. Each time, we stop, analyse the problem, fix it, and re-run — because shipping something that doesn’t meet spec isn’t an option.
Part of what makes this so complex is the supply chain behind the latch itself. It’s not a single-factory component. It runs through five processes across four different factories:
CNC machining → Anodising → SMT → Assembly → Testing
Keeping quality consistent across every handoff in that chain is genuinely difficult, and it’s been the main reason supply has been tight in the early stages.
The good news is that every issue we’ve found has made the process clearer, tighter, and more controlled. We’re already seeing better coordination across the chain — and as these fixes compound, we expect production to become steadier with each batch ahead.
12G SDI — it’s happening.
This one’s been on a lot of your minds. 12G SDI is now in internal testing. If things go as expected, we’re targeting a release this month — and we’re pushing to get there sooner.
12G SDI isn’t the only thing in this update either. We’re also rolling out a range of UI and interaction improvements — including the ability to exit directly from pre-record mode, more flexible button customisation, scroll wheel support, and a round of bug fixes.
Once this firmware update is out, we’ll be shifting focus to remote control development.
Packaging note for backers 100+
Your Spark will arrive in our final retail packaging — eco-friendly, recyclable, and sturdy enough to keep your camera well protected. Please hold onto it. We designed it with after-sales in mind — if you ever need to send your unit in for service, you’ll want to have it.
We’re also excited to share the new packaging design with you soon, so everyone can get a proper look at Spark’s final retail presentation.
Your feedback matters.
We’ve been reading everything — thoughts on the camera, the sensor, and the banding/demarcation line issue that a small number of users have flagged. R&D has it at the top of the list. We’re on it.
And if your Spark has any issues, don’t sit on it — just email service@pixboom.com directly. Our technical team is there to help you sort it out.
If you love your Spark — share it. Tag @pixboomtech wherever you post. We see every single one.
None of this has been easy. But we’re still here, still shipping, and still talking to you directly. That’s not changing.
Thank you. 
— Jing & the Pixboom Team 🧡
