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 January 7 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

[Aapo Lettinen]

Forgot to mention. It is probable that I will change pricing to Euros in April to anticipate Trump affecting USD rates  negatively and me needing to switch to euros for parts ordering

[Aapo Lettinen]

Trump pretty much declared a trade war against Europe so may affect availability and prices of all products sold to the US. 

I would expect from 25% to 45% price raises to some of the materials I use. May need to dynamically raise motor prices according to the US>EU tariff situation, the prices will probably change every two to four weeks.

Import tariffs to the US need to be worked out by the customer. They are entirely up to what mood Trump happens to have so there is no way to know, can chage day to day even.

There is so much uncertainty that I can't promise pricing more than couple of weeks to the future anymore. I have told this before but saying it again: we are running out of time. We are really running out of time and soon it may become impossible to make these products anymore. There may be just mere months left to order anything. I hope there is time until June but I don't know anymore, no one really knows

[Aapo Lettinen]

Known price raises: 

March2026, raising all product prices from 10% to 15% . This is for sure.

April-May2026 : raising product prices a further 10% to 15% on top of the March price raises. This is probable and can't promise the exact amount, it can be anything between 8% and 30%.

June2026: further raises, no possibility to know exact amount but likely from 15% to 40% on top of the other price raises made previously.

I can fix the pricing for a product when it is paid for. For USA customers it is possible to alter the tariff costs by charging different % of the software vs hardware but I need to pay Finnish 25.5% tax for software sales so it affects the pricing if I value the software differently. Fully legal just causes extra costs. 

[Aapo Lettinen]

Universal 4-speed motor electronics are now possible to order separately for diy projects and good discounts if buying more than one kit. One can design one's own motor casing and sell them if wanted, I am happy making the electronics boards as long as getting my money back and it helps getting more cameras to working condition 🙂

[Aapo Lettinen]

Ordering deadline for the rest of the orders this Spring is 15th March. So orders for products which will be delivered between April and June.

On 16th I will finally start building the large NPR motor batch, assembling A-minima magazines and other stuff so will likely stop reading messages for about 2 weeks to concentrate fully on assembling work, between 16th March and 1st April.

In early April I will continue normally, taking further orders for Summer2026 batches and the 2nd batch of A-minima magazines and some NPR and Bolex motor models.

Price increaces on most products will apply from 16th March onwards. Typically something like 20% increase is expected on most products. Looks like I will still keep USD pricing in April but will calculate new higher prices to counter inflation and the Trump wars which affect parts prices.

 

[Aapo Lettinen]

[Aapo Lettinen]

Some updates now when I know schedules better.

- Building of crystal sync motors will stop in November-December2026. I might make some types of circuit boards for longer but not full motors. I have an upcoming documentary project which starts shooting in December and will cease ordering cnc parts and materials before that.

- PARTIAL PAYMENT PLANS DISCONTINUED AFTER MAY2026. These have caused so much scheduling and budget issues that I cannot pay the extra costs and manage the huge extra risks and extra stress anymore. There has been multiple cases where I have needed to borrow thousands of dollars from elsewhere per project because payment parts were late and the whole project was about to fail. So NO PAYMENT PLANS AFTER MAY. 

- Most expensive products over about 1500usd are discontinued in June2026 due to the discontinuation of payment plans. People are generally not able to order 2000+ usd priced products which need to be paid immediately in one part. That means the batch sizes would be too small for the projects to fund themselves and I can't afford to donate my own money to projects anymore. Thus the safest option is to just concentrate on mid and low priced products and discontinue the expensive ones. I will try my best to keep the Aaton A-minima 100ft magazine available a bit longer for some higher price if that is possible. Things like the NPR20-speed motor are not going to be continued after the first batch and will be replaced with other cheaper products.

- Pricing is adjusted to encourage early payments and late delivery, that is because the Spring and early Summer is overbooked already and I am collecting now orders for August - November 2026, trying to get cnc parts made in larger batches than before to ensure that I get enough of my own money back from the projects

- I am concentrating on making crystal sync modules and half-assembled products for most of the 2026 because they have less financial risks and people who want to design their own motor casings are needing them. So I am offering couple of different 4-speed crystal sync modules and some other products. Possible to order multiple ones for good discount.

Edited May 2 by Aapo Lettinen

[Aapo Lettinen]

I will start a half year documentary project in December so phasing down crystal sync motor projects in October-November 2026. Projects containing expensive cnc parts will be phased down gradually already in Summer and early Fall. 

The Fall2026 will be mostly of making Universal Crystal Motor batches and concentrating on other things already. 

The ACL2025 motor project will be finished under Universal Crystal Motor projects, it will go to Fall or Winter 2026.

NPR motor projects discontinued after Summer unless there is early extra orders which I can manage to schedule to October batches.

Aaton Counter future is uncertain. I will make a June2026 batch and one batch in September-October. Might be discontinued after that.

I will probably sell diy 4speed motor kits and other circuit board products still in 2027 but if someone wants readily assembled motor it needs to be ordered now in 2026. I am losing the infrastructure to make them in 2027 so no crying afterwards if missing out, you would need to manage with the 3d printed one then

[Aapo Lettinen]

It is June now which means that new partial payment plans are not possible to get anymore for any normal products which have lots of cnc machined parts.

Some circuit board products are possible to get with partial payment, like if purchasing lots of 4-speed diy kits or other stuff which has very little or no cnc metal parts at all. 

So ordering one A-minima mag with partial payment = not possible.  Ordering 10 diy 4-speed kits with partial payment = perfectly fine.

[Aapo Lettinen]

Aaton Counter availability:  likely the last batch made in November2026.  Order asap or in September2026 latest to get one if still needing these counters. 

4-speedV1 universal motor ("6-speedV1) : Final batches made in October2026 but I may continue making them in 2027 as long as I have parts available. Check out the appropriate threads for pricing and deadlines, the pricing goes up each month.

4-speedV1 diy kits: available as long as I have parts left. Will surely be available still in early 2027, not sure about pricing.

6-speedV1 EXR universal motor: The updated model of the "4-speedV1" motor with different software and wider 12 - 75fps speed range. This model is partially replacing the aluminium body 4-speedV1 model but both are available as long as I have parts left. Discount pricing during June2026, higher pricing after that.

50-speed universal motor:  Available from October2026 batch, check the deadlines for pricing changes. I will probably make another batch in 2027 for higher price if the October2026 batch gets enough orders to continue with this model. 

4-speed V2 ("6-speedV2") model with Aaton Counter compatibility: available as long as the Aaton Counter is available and discontinued after that. Likely last batch made in November2026. Let me know in September2026 latest if wanting to order this model, it is much lower volume than the V1 motors so will be discontinued earlier than the other 4-speed models.

6-speed NPR "affordable" motor:  I am making another batch in August2026, order very very asap if wanting this motor, preferably in June2026 but might be possible to get later for higher price. This model has lots of cnc parts so will be discontinued as soon as possible but if there is enough additional orders I can make one additional batch in November2026 if needed. Price goes up every month so order asap from as early batch as possible if you need this motor.

 

A-minima magazine availability:  I am assembling the first batch at the moment and frankly speaking I hate the project for being so difficult and expensive with trillion redesigns having to throw cnc machined parts worth thousands of bucks to the garbage bin. I get more revenue from other projects and want to discontinue the A-minima stuff as soon as possible, it is just not worth it to keep it available for long. I promised to allow extra orders in June-July2026 for August-September2026 batch but after that I will discontinue the project (and maybe throw the cad files away never wanting to see them again if having any more of these extra costs and setbacks with the project) so absolutely not possible to get later than August-September2026. If you need the A-minima 100ft magazine, please follow the project actively and place the order immediately when seeing the first magazines are shipping to ensure you will get the magazine from the last batch. The parts are so expensive that if missing out the order deadlines and I have already made the cnc orders then it is not possible to get the magazine anymore (maybe for double price but probably not even then)

[Aapo Lettinen]

Looks like I will concentrate fully on electronics and software in 2027 and phase out all cnc machining stuff after November2026 if in any way possible. 

Will keep at least some kind of Diy-oriented crystal sync electronics kit available in 2027 and one or two types of Universal Crystal Motors as long as I have casings available.

Probably the aluminium body 6-speedEXR motor and the 50-speed motor will have relatively good availability in Spring2027 and phasing them out after Summer2027 with last ones sold in August-September. 

The availability of 4-speed(6speed) DIY electronics kits for 3d-printable Universal motor will be available for most of 2027, likely the full year depending on how much I have stock left after Summer2027. Prices may vary but will keep the most affordable diy oriented stuff available the longest.

NPR motors would not be available in 2027 but I made arrangements to enable making NPR-compatible diy motors from diy 4speed kits by using the cad files from my 6-speed NPR motor project as base. There is couple of people designing their own casing versions at the moment and we will see some interesting results later this year already, likely much more refined than my own design! I will keep suplying electronics for these designs still in 2027