Chinese Pixel Manufacturers Disagree About Their Product

[Luckyphil32]

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year for 2026.

I am getting quotes from Ray Wu and Paul Zhang for the 4 wire Bullet Pixels and they do not agree on a product.

Paul Zhang said to stay away from GS8208, as they are unreliable and to purchase the WS2818.

Ray Wu said to stay with the GS8208, as he believes that are better than the WS2818 bullet pixels. Not sure if he is trying sell older stock.

Whats everyone's opinium, as I had only two failures last year with Ray Wu's GS8208. Cheers Sean

 

[merryoncherry]

The GS8208 is 12V. Is the WS2818 12V? https://www.superlightingled.com/PDF/WS2818.pdf (They say something about there being 12V but I cannot find a spec for it to tell if it is just a resistor- or regulator-based design around a 5V part.)

That said, sounds like they are pushing the product they sell. My problems have had more to do with epoxy and stuff than the chip.

 

[darylc]

They are both fine in my experience

 

[Katekate]

I havent had any issues with the GS8208. See the discussion thread on them here https://auschristmaslighting.com/th...tion-for-the-5v-vs-12v-ws2811-question.14464/

 

[drakky]

The GS8208 is 12V. Is the WS2818 12V? https://www.superlightingled.com/PDF/WS2818.pdf (They say something about there being 12V but I cannot find a spec for it to tell if it is just a resistor- or regulator-based design around a 5V part.)

That said, sounds like they are pushing the product they sell. My problems have had more to do with epoxy and stuff than the chip.

the ws2818 ones i have are regulated

 

[merryoncherry]

the ws2818 ones i have are regulated

Wow, been a couple years since I saw a new regulated pixel. You see a regulator inside it?

I would throw WS2808 into the mix then, they're 12V native and use a lot less power than regulated. Been using a couple thousand of them for the last season mainly for the low power, not the 4-wire. No issues, but noticed the board complexity is pretty high...

 

[Luckyphil32]

Thanks Everyone.

 

[drakky]

Wow, been a couple years since I saw a new regulated pixel. You see a regulator inside it?

I would throw WS2808 into the mix then, they're 12V native and use a lot less power than regulated. Been using a couple thousand of them for the last season mainly for the low power, not the 4-wire. No issues, but noticed the board complexity is pretty high...

they're not new 2018 I think I've had them from, ws2808 native 12v sounds like a good idea I will check them out thanks