This hints it is a scam.......
16,000 at 16 chips per device = 1,000 devices
"We will be shipping ALL CURRENT ORDERS IN THE MONTH OF MARCH AND WE STILL HAVE ROOM FOR MORE ORDERS SO Get IN WHILE YOU STILL CAN!"
So current orders are less than 1,000 devices?
and they issued 200k in refunds, <200 people? which indicates their total orders before refund was less than 1,000
Batch 1 was 900 devices. So provision for 1000 devices is a good margin for error. Batch2 was expected to be delivered later, now that 200 devices have been refunded I suppose there is room for merging batch1 and 2 without purchasing additional chips. Don't see how this hints at a scam.
And to top it off... the guy who himself clearly stated the project was "beyond his capability" is now FIRMLY BACK IN CHARGE riding a new euphoria high......
I wouldn't be as colorful to describe the current situation but Tom's behavior is not unlike the one of a depressive person: alternating between highs and lows. So I don't believe for a minute this is a scam and think BTCFPGA will deliver in the end. I have every reasons to believe that Tom's personal problems got in the way and slowed things down. I've yet to be convinced that the future ride will be smooth and need more transparency for that.
BTCFPGA didn't publish enough information to my taste so I've finally asked for a BTC refund. I'm not convinced Avalon's second batch won't be delivered around the same time or before the first bASICs. So I'm waiting for more transparency from BTCFPGA and actual results from Avalon to decide how many ASICs from each of them I'll purchase.
I never even considered BFL because of their track record and Josh/Inaba outrageous attitude on the forums. Unless there's a massive PR and behavior change from them I'd prefer stopping mining than going with them even if they were the last ASIC vendor standing.
