Wow, a lot happened here, while i wasn't looking...
First of all, i said it many times, and i'll repeat it here, just to make sure everyone understands it:
I DO NOT believe Steve to be of ANY fault here! He got ripped off much worse, than those of us, who bought a few diodes from him....
Also if you just bought ONE DIODE, you really don't have much to complain about. Even buying the three, i was fully aware, that there is a risk involved! I explained the reasons i was hopeful - the spec sheet and the previous good experience - but i knew i was taking a risk buying them. Especially buying three - but i wanted my tests to be thorough, which is impossible with only one.. But i should probably have bought one first, and only continue the testing if the initial results were encouraging...
Had i only bought one, i wouldn't be making a fuss about the cost. I have wasted (or invested into - depends on how you see it) INFINITELY more money than that on various research so far - it's the only way to learn, and the results benefit everyone... But i would of course still have posted the test results, even if it was just one. In my case, it was also the triple express shipping, that compounded the problem, but that was on my own request (i wanted results fast)...
What i'm trying to say is,
if you buy a new untested diode, you should be aware, you are taking a risk -
if you buy a new untested diode you should be buying it for testing! If you are unwilling to buy it for testing, you should probably wait for someone else to do it... And if you only bought one, you should be happy.
In any case,
you should keep in mind, that in the end, Steve pulled the shortest straw here, no matter how many diodes anyone bought from him.... He bought an entire stock, and now he has problems because of it, while he was only trying to get us all something good.
Don't make it harder on him, than it has to be!
Besides, his offer to replace them with SF-AW diodes is really commendable! I wanted to test those for a while now, and it would be amazing, if the money i put into this wouldn't go to waste! It's more than i was hoping for! As for his replacement requests, they are simply a necessity...
I should also mention, that thus far i have not requested any refunds or replacements from Steve - i was waiting to hear what the suppliers would do about it. I would not feel good demanding anything, if i didn't know Steve was being compensated by the suppliers...
But it would seem, that the actual diode suppliers are starting to work with him to solve this problem (it sources)... In fact, they seem very motivated to do something about it!
That is great news for everyone! I sure hope Steve gets fully compensated for any finantial losses these diodes are causing him. But i also hope he gets access to real high power diodes through this in the end! And if the suppliers are willing to cooperate, that is actually a good possibility!
it sources: From what you said, i take it you are the supplier, and it would seem that you got ripped off in this transaction as well...
But making an appearance here and taking responsibility and action is making a VERY good first impression, regardless of the first diodes being bad, and will ultimatelly be beneficial for you as well!
I mean, it is obvious, that you have a "foot in the door" with actual diode suppliers or even manufacturers... And i have high hopes, that in the end you will be able to get real high power diodes from them!
And once you do, Steve is going to be selling MANY for you, you can be sure of that! If you get actual 150mW Nichia diodes (or ANY manufacturer's 150mW 405nm diodes for that matter) at this price, you are going to sell hundreds here easily. And if you can eventually get us even higher powers, by all means please do! We are going to buy even more of those..
From one of your posts,
it would seem you are offering two diodes from the next (higher power?) batch for testing, and are even willing to supply photos of the packaging with the specifications and all...
This is great news! I would absolutelly love to test them on my equipment! A simple PIV plot like the ones above will immediatelly show if they are over 100mW, and a lifetime-test on my cycler-circuit would show HOW MUCH over 100mW they are very quickly...
These tests would also help you make sure you don't get ripped off again!
I would post the test results, and if they are good, you won't have any problems selling the diodes... But from past experience, it would be best to approach any "new" diode with a smaller sample order first and do extensive tests on them, before buying more.
I would love to offer my services in the testing of any new diodes you can find. :angel:
I am actually very excited by this opportunity! If it ends in an actual high power diode supply, the bad diodes would have been worth it by themselves! (at least to me)
Anyway, i'll get back in touch with Steve, and await further news from you. Hopefully it will be good news!
In any case, the fact that you posted here, and are willing to cooperate to find a solution is a very good sign, and i am hopeful, that even if we have to go through several bad diodes with incorrect power ratings, we can eventually get to the real deal.
You should also make sure, that your diode supplier or manufacturer knows, that you won't be fooled again, and that you have a way of knowing if the ratings of a diode are correct! I'd gladly supply you with as many test results as it takes..
I though I was getting a 8x.