Lessons learned: first 20 Bionutrient Meters

A few weeks ago we shipped the first 20 Bionutrient Meters with the hope of sussing out any problems before shipping out the remaining 100.  Sure enough, we found some!

Here’s what we’ve been working on the last few weeks:

1. The workbook now has areas where you can write in the details of your experiment, to make the setup and management easier and clearer.
2. Some great suggestions came via the forum at lab.realfoodcampaign.org/forum on the workbook, so we improved the language and clarity – thanks everyone who made comments!
3. Connecting devices to bluetooth pretty much sucks, especially the type of bluetooth we use called Bluetooth Classic.  We use this because it’s the best standard for the type of data we send and receive from the device (serial ASCII).  The process of ‘pairing’ versus ‘connecting’ was confusing and, especially for people used to iPhones, using the back arrow was not obvious.  So we revamped the connection process, and I’m really really hopeful that it makes everyone’s lives easier!
4. We have an ‘on’ button, which we correctly sourced… but a lower quality version of the part (somehow with the same man. part #) ended up on the big order… so, yeah, lots of broken buttons.  New button is ordered and we’re desoldering / resoldering the new ones on for all new units.  You know what they say about assume… you end up with crap quality buttons!

Though it’s been a delay, I’m happy that the next 100 people won’t have to deal with these issues.