My Aptera Newsletter

[byplug]

..Just had a lasik procedure so I am testing it by writing my own Aptera Newsletter on the computer without glasses....

I posted the full article on my web here with pictures and article links...
http://www.byplug.com

Took the SO-1 out for a .......ride.......
Here is a picture that I took today, January 27 ....of the SO-1

[palmer_md]

Very nice article. You seem to be the goto guy for Aptera scoops. That is great, congratulations. I'm glad they are still there working on the car, and I hope we can get some more news like this on a more regular basis. Nothing fancy, just "yep, were here and we are working on the car". Your piece is exactly what we needed to break the silence. Keep up the good work.

[Grendal]

Nice article, Byplug. Thanks.

How far along was the S0-2? You actually saw people working on it? That's very exciting news.

Did you ask if the S0-2 improvements were expected to improve efficiency?

Thanks again.

[SEGsby]

Thanks for posting, Byplug.

Hope the Lasik Procedure went well, too.

[byplug]

Originally Posted by Grendal

Nice article, Byplug. Thanks.

How far along was the S0-2? You actually saw people working on it? That's very exciting news.

Did you ask if the S0-2 improvements were expected to improve efficiency?

Thanks again.

Thanks for reading.....I did not see people working on the SO-2 today... but it looked like it was getting attention and had a windshield ...and many parts around it.... I did see people working on other vehicles and busy... (and I don't think they knew anyone from the outside was coming because I arrived on a 'sometime in the morning' schedule.)

...from conversations, I had the impression that everything being simplified or small redesigns, even small parts, were with 'weight' in mind.... it is fantastic looking in person (SO-1) and that regen knob is so cool....even talk of a patent there.... the doors had a new recessed interior button and they were easy to close from the seat... I rode in the PP8 and the SO-1 and the SO-1 seems tighter....

...there was some X-Prize conversation explaining some of the events that took place and why... if you go back in time as I have to review the progress...(I have kept archived news articles and opinions from May 09 at byplug.com) there really have been things happening, it just gets such microscopic attention daily that it seems painfully slow from the outside and without something to go on in an 'on time' at least monthly newsletter...each day seems quite frustrating for people who have invested $500 bucks ... for example, in reality, the SO-1 reveal was on April 14th, 2010, less than a year ago... (I went to the event as a press guest of Aptera) and the next day the SO-1 was shipped to the X-Prize...and so on..

Concept cars that come out of the big 3 take years to produce and usually they end up 'not happening' (Cadillac Converj electric) or they are boiled down to something so practical they appear blah....

...I am trying to be objective so without appearing like I have been drinking the Cool Aid, and having been allowed to take an 'inside' look... it lifts your hopes because you see things happening that may not appear to be important or news worthy (interesting) to people working there every day ....

...I suggest that they 'let me in' every three weeks or so and I can find something to be positive about.... the pictures that could have been taken inside would be really impressive to people interested in design and the problems or solutions that go with... even the small details...

...when Aptera gets the money..... they appear ready to ramp quickly....and in contrast, other small electrics just do not seem as 'far along' for the big picture ...

Hey, it is getting close to February 1st, I'm ready to 'go back in' - I'll be the assistant newsletter guy with a deadline .... they just have to say the word.....

[byplug]

Originally Posted by SEGsby

Thanks for posting, Byplug.

Hope the Lasik Procedure went well, too.

Thanks.... and as a side note for those interested in Lasik...
My surgery was taped for National television on a TV show called "The Doctors" and aired yesterday, Wednesday the 26th on ABC.

web link:
http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/hom...e&init_id=3416

...While I contemplated the surgery ...over time, it felt much like the scene from "The Rock" where Nicolas Cage is in the nerve gas chamber and the nerve gas is eating his suit and they want him to stick a needle in his heart.....

..."what?, you want to cut a flap in the cornea of my eye and then burn it with a laser, are you F$^*%^# nuts!!"

...but with technology and aging eyes... reality is what it is... so...l found the best Dr. and after a Valium and half a pain pill found out that it is easier than going to the dentist....

Fantastic, smooth and painless... glasses gone!
Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler (http://www.boxerwachler.com/) in Beverly Hills in my opinion is the 'only' eye guy.
Dr. Boxer Wachler also operated on my Father many years ago when he was at UCLA.

[SlowSRT4]

Interesting. Every time I've thought about Lasik I always remember the Simpsons episode where Ned's eyes fell out 10 years after having the eye surgery. Hopefully that won't happen to you.

Do you know your vision score before and after?

[byplug]

Originally Posted by SlowSRT4

Interesting. Every time I've thought about Lasik I always remember the Simpsons episode where Ned's eyes fell out 10 years after having the eye surgery. Hopefully that won't happen to you.

Do you know your vision score before and after?

It was something around 20/200...
...the next morning with some goo still in my eyes was about 20/25.
..much clearer even now and supposed to get better over the next 3 months..

My Dad had it done longer ago than Ned's operation... and his are 'still in'..

[NeilBlanchard]

That looks like the unit that was at the X-Prize -- is it?

[aptera1213]

Congrats on the ride. Sounds like fun.

Gavin