The future of my crystal sync projects

[Aapo Lettinen]

It looks like that I need to phase down most crystal sync projects in 2027 after my engineering studies are finished. The projects have helped a lot with the studies but when they are completed it is likely that making crystal sync stuff is not very practical anymore especially because at that point almost everyone would already have a crystal motor anyway and would not need more of them in the next 10 to 15 years. 

Financial reasons are the main reason why I won't probably continue making crystal sync stuff after 2027 but the projects have also cause so much health issues (especially because of the stress caused by budgeting issues and impossible schedules and constant setbacks. also the handling of dangerous chemicals, constant sleep deprivation, etc) that is is very improbable I could continue longer anyway. 

The plan is to collect all orders for the Spring2026 projects in November-December2025. Then I would have less stress making those projects during the Spring2026 for not needing to stress so much about the marketing and financing. 

In late Spring2026 and during the Summer2026, would collect the orders for the Autumn/Winter2026 orders. 

It is uncertain what I would do in 2027 but likely mostly making spare parts and if there would be interest licensing some of my designs I could prepare those projects for that. Also if there is some long-running project still going on would complete that of course. And if someone wants to get custom circuit boards made for their camera motor projects, I can still make them in early 2027.

In 2027 I would start migrating to other industry as there is zero film industry work here after all the 4 - 5 bad years in a row and constant budget cuts ( I have had exactly TWO DAYS of paid film industry work this year. It is likely that 2026 is approx the same). 

 

I have had lots of plans for "half-open-source" style projects and other stuff but honestly speaking, I don't think these crystal sync motors would work as open source projects at all. Have spent like 4 years trying to figure out how to make it work but could not find any solution. That is also why I won't release any code or plans of my crystal motors or have possibility to help others with their projects for free. If someone wants to go the hard way and try to build crystal motors from scratch, you are on your own. By my experience, most people who try to build diy crystal motors are not listening to advices and opinions and just want people "confirming their own research" so to speak, that is so frustrating that I don't want to get involved in that in any way.

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Plans for Spring 2026 projects:

- 2nd generation NPR Advanced crystal motor if there is enough orders 

- affordable 6-speed budget crystal motor for NPR if there is enough orders. based on my 4-speed Universal Motor electronics and motor drive 

- ACL2025 motor finishing and making "Universal Motor" version of it. The "universal version" is powerful enough to run 35mm cameras and will test to adapt it to Konvas and Cameflex

- making more Aaton Counter v1.0 devices. If there is interest I can design a 2nd gen version for Autumn2026 

- Selling CP16R 45-speed kits

- selling Universal 4-speed crystal motors. There is mounting parts kits for ACL and Kinor available and soon will have Krasnogorsk3 kit available as well. I could make a installation kit for Bolex cameras but would need couple of confirmed fully paid orders to do that

- if there is interest, making a CP-GSMO crystal sync electronics replacement kit based on my CP16R 45-speed design 

- IF there is interest in getting replacement electronics/motor for Aaton LTR,  I need to start the project in Spring2026 to be able to finish it by 2027. 

- probably a Arri16S crystal motor based on my ACL2025 motor design. will evaluate this year if possible to make

Will collect orders for these before December30, 2025 and then arranging the schedules for the Spring2026. Preferably would collect most orders in November2025 if possible.

Edited October 6, 2025 by Aapo Lettinen

[David Bernard Anderson III]

8 hours ago, Aapo Lettinen said:

It looks like that I need to phase down most crystal sync projects in 2027 after my engineering studies are finished. The projects have helped a lot with the studies but when they are completed it is likely that making crystal sync stuff is not very practical anymore especially because at that point almost everyone would already have a crystal motor anyway and would not need more of them in the next 10 to 15 years. 

Financial reasons are the main reason why I won't probably continue making crystal sync stuff after 2027 but the projects have also cause so much health issues (especially because of the stress caused by budgeting issues and impossible schedules and constant setbacks. also the handling of dangerous chemicals, constant sleep deprivation, etc) that is is very improbable I could continue longer anyway. 

The plan is to collect all orders for the Spring2026 projects in November-December2025. Then I would have less stress making those projects during the Spring2026 for not needing to stress so much about the marketing and financing. 

In late Spring2026 and during the Summer2026, would collect the orders for the Autumn/Winter2026 orders. 

It is uncertain what I would do in 2027 but likely mostly making spare parts and if there would be interest licensing some of my designs I could prepare those projects for that. Also if there is some long-running project still going on would complete that of course. And if someone wants to get custom circuit boards made for their camera motor projects, I can still make them in early 2027.

In 2027 I would start migrating to other industry as there is zero film industry work here after all the 4 - 5 bad years in a row and constant budget cuts ( I have had exactly TWO DAYS of paid film industry work this year. It is likely that 2026 is approx the same). 

 

I have had lots of plans for "half-open-source" style projects and other stuff but honestly speaking, I don't think these crystal sync motors would work as open source projects at all. Have spent like 4 years trying to figure out how to make it work but could not find any solution. That is also why I won't release any code or plans of my crystal motors or have possibility to help others with their projects for free. If someone wants to go the hard way and try to build crystal motors from scratch, you are on your own. By my experience, most people who try to build diy crystal motors are not listening to advices and opinions and just want people "confirming their own research" so to speak, that is so frustrating that I don't want to get involved in that in any way.

------------

Plans for Spring 2026 projects:

- 2nd generation NPR Advanced crystal motor if there is enough orders 

- affordable 6-speed budget crystal motor for NPR if there is enough orders. based on my 4-speed Universal Motor electronics and motor drive 

- ACL2025 motor finishing and making "Universal Motor" version of it. The "universal version" is powerful enough to run 35mm cameras and will test to adapt it to Konvas and Cameflex

- making more Aaton Counter v1.0 devices. If there is interest I can design a 2nd gen version for Autumn2026 

- Selling CP16R 45-speed kits

- selling Universal 4-speed crystal motors. There is mounting parts kits for ACL and Kinor available and soon will have Krasnogorsk3 kit available as well. I could make a installation kit for Bolex cameras but would need couple of confirmed fully paid orders to do that

- if there is interest, making a CP-GSMO crystal sync electronics replacement kit based on my CP16R 45-speed design 

- IF there is interest in getting replacement electronics/motor for Aaton LTR,  I need to start the project in Spring2026 to be able to finish it by 2027. 

- probably a Arri16S crystal motor based on my ACL2025 motor design. will evaluate this year if possible to make

Will collect orders for these before December30, 2025 and then arranging the schedules for the Spring2026. Preferably would collect most orders in November2025 if possible.

Your health is important! I think you have a great product and have been a really light in the world of restoring these camera motors for modern times! 

[Aapo Lettinen]

If Trump attacks NATO then will stop taking new orders immediately but if it is "just" the South American countries then continuing as normal.

Paid orders would be delivered when possible again whether it is wartime or not. I won't abandon customers for world politics. Just expect extra delays if something happens.

Buying more materials from US in wartime would not be possible so the ordering would close immediately if there would be an attack against NATO.

Hoping for more peaceful times and continuing crystal sync projects normally unless something extraordinary happens.

[Aapo Lettinen]

Ordering deadlines for the Spring2026 motor and accessory projects:

Aaton A-minima 100ft magazine:  February 10th, 2026. Absolute deadline and paid fully when placing the order. I may not be able to make these afterwards at same quality and the price will be very different so please let me know in January or early February if needing one. If missing the deadline you would need to manually finish the magazine by yourself before it can be used so it is very critical to order in time.

NPR 20-speed Advanced motor v2.0 : March 1st, 2026. This is similar than the v1 version of the NPR motor but has different aluminium body and slightly lower price. I need the orders when the final v1 motors have been shipped to be able to guarantee pricing and calculate batch size and order parts early on. One batch made in Fall2026 or early Winter.

CP16R 45-speed update, the final batch:  March 15th, 2026. After the deadline I will raise prices and it may not be possible to get the full installation kit anymore as I will sell my reference camera in April-May after which can mainly make circuit boards. Very limited supply because these are time consuming to build and I usually don't make extra ones. If still wanting this cp16r update please contact me asap.

 

ACL2025 crystal motor with 20-speed controller, compatible with other cameras too: March 15th, 2026. I will make one batch before Summer and likely second batch in Fall2026. Original price of 1600usd only applies to orders which are paid before the March deadline, will raise prices after that.

 

CP-GSMO update electronics:  March 15th, 2026. Every and all orders need to be in and at least partially paid before that date because this update has cnc machined parts which need to be individually tested with the camera body and manually finished to fit so need to order them all at once in March. Only one batch will be made, this has too precise fitting to be available later.

 

Aaton Counter v1, the Spring2026 batch:  March 15th, 2026. I have parts to make 10 more devices if needed. If missing out you can still get one from the late Fall / early Winter batch in October-November2026 but can't guarantee pricing.

 

NPR 4-speed "affordable NPR motor": March15th, 2026. I have plans to make another batch in Fall2026 but it is slightly different model and more expensive. If wanting the most affordable version need to order now in Spring.

 

4-speed Universal Motor V2.0 : March15th, 2026. This model is otherwise quite similar than the pink v1 version but has connections to input extra speeds from Aaton Counter and to use Aaton Counter as footage counter with it. Additionally the crystal sync algorithm is newer than on the v1 motor so it is better at low speeds. One batch will be made in Spring2026 and another batch in early Winter2026 with different pricing. 

Original 4-speed Universal Motor: order asap if needing one. will assemble devices until the supply of aluminium casings runs out. Contact me ASAP if wanting the original model in pink or champagne colour. When the supply runs out I will concentrate on the V2 model.

50-speed crystal stroboscope light: March15th, 2026. led display to select crystal speed and high power led for stroboscope. I will make one batch and then consider if it is practical to make more so please let me know asap if needing this product, preferably before deadline to ensure you get one

Bolex 1:1 axle crystal motor and 8:1 axle crystal motor:  March15th, 2026. I will need to purchase a reference Bolex to make these so will raise pricing after the deadline, needing the camera in March. There is enough orders for 1:1 motor to be made but no orders yet for 8:1 model so if needing the 8:1 please contact me asap even now in January-February as I will rearrange the development work if 8:1 not needed by now which would affect its pricing and schedule. Early orders for 1:1 will speed up its development by one or two months so if already knowing you would need it then it will speed up the project if placing the order early. 

Arri 16S 20-speed crystal motor: approx April15th, 2026. This may change as the project is dependent on the schedule and tests of the ACL2025 project and I don't have reference camera body yet. Early orders will speed up the development. 

You can DM here on the forum or on Instagram (aaplet14).  Email also works.  (Don't send facebook messages, they DO NOT WORK and I can't read them at all)

Edited Wednesday at 04:37 PM by Aapo Lettinen

[Aapo Lettinen]

All the rest of the orders for extra batches made in Fall/Winter 2026 will be collected in June2026 latest. If earlier deadline mentioned for certain product then that is followed instead.

Depending on the political climate and your location it is possible that the orders also need to be paid in full when placing them. This may change suddenly but looks like that most of the stuff which has April2026 or earlier ordering deadline is still possible to get by payment plan unless otherwise mentioned.

Partial payment plans are likely only available for Europe, UK, Australia, NZ from June2026 onwards. 

If the Orwellian downfall of democracies continues and worsens at this pace and these horrible incidents become everyday thing  then I will start to migrate to other industry already in Summer2026, a year earlier than planned, which would likely cause me quickly cutting off all product lines which don't generate profit