For the past 4 years, I've been building my MINI micro color camera systems for the MINI community. I've sold quite a few systems, and each one was a labor of love requiring about 40 steps per system--multiply that for multiple camera systems. Everything from designing, illustrating, printing, folding, stapling instruction manuals to manufacturing to packing were done by myself. I had a few notable friends who helped me along the way including DiD (Dave Bunting) who helped me crank out a huge batch of VacuCams one evening.

The VacuCam began as a simple idea. Create a super affordable ready to run micro camera system that provided professional results with the least effort. Then make it easily expandable and upgradeable.

Working with a local machinst, I had parts custom made, but dealing with low quantity hand-made parts was costly. Some customers balked at the high prices of items like my tow hook mount.

Many of the components were imported from overseas and about 25% of the cameras brought over were discarded or sent to my parts bin due to quality not meeting my standards. The remaining 75% would be disassembled, Dremeled, and optimized before going to my assembly table which really was my living room. Once I got going, I could crank out a few camera assembly subcomponents per hour, and then I had about 40 additional steps. These steps were required because the off the shelf components weren't "good" enough. For instance, when my distributors discontinued the Y cigarette splitters, I had to source a new one that was more complicated. It worked well, except for the cigarette power plug which was too loose in the MINI cig lighters. So I purchased much higher quality plugs, cut the old ones, and reconnected the better ones, all in the name of customizing it to suit our needs best.

I always tried my best to provide the best service and I thank those customers that patiently waited several months for me to build and ship the system or those that needed the cameras in a hurry for a track day, and I expedited the shipping at my cost because I felt guilty for taking so long to build them. I also donated plenty of VacuCams to the community for events and fundraisers.

But the time involved in building each system has outweighed my time available. Now that ShowCarDetailing.com has taken off, VacuCam which was once more of a passionate venture than a money making business will be ceasing operation at the end of this year, 2007.

I'm still active in the MINI community, so support will continue for existing customers. Parts will continue to be available while they are in stock. I have a huge amount of inventory of raw components and parts that will be put on sale over at the eshop of SCD under a yet to be made Clearance category.

I just wanted to thank all of my customers who have supported me and my VacuCams.

Richard