I have a question - and I do ask in all seriousness - WHY are these units being called 'prototypes' or 'pre-production' models?
Because that's what they are. The ones we've seen so far are the ones Bob was showing people last year. They're not from new production
But ...
HOW do you know?
Have you seen examples from 'new production'? What differences are there between 'pre-production' and 'new production models? Are any of these differences visible from external observation?
Relying on the difference in the metalwork, whether the number of scallops or the name used is not adequate. As I said before, the use of that could simply be utilizing existing parts to save on waste.
and since last year Bob has said they were 'respinning' the chip for higher current (it's one of the excuses Bob has given for the delays).
I can see one argument for that as being relevant - that if Bob & CO had succeeded, it would have been shouted from the rooftops and since that hasn't happened, then final production could not have begun.
However, I put it to you that our scepticism about that ever happening has been well founded and finding they are unlikely to ever get there, they are just releasing what they
have been able to achieve - while saying nothing about their failure.
One other possibility.... Maybe they did succeed in a higher current solution and have included this in the units they are shipping - without a fanfare ... just to surprise us!
It could happen...
(Maybe not)