12v smart RGB Pixel nodes Ws2811 best quality and best supplier

[Grillhappy]

Up to now, I have ordered all my RGB pixel nodes through Holiday Coro.  Now I'm open to all suppliers, anywhere in the world.  Where have you found the best quality pixel nodes? I am looking for Ws2811 smart RGB nodes (preferably square nodes).  I use the nodes with 3 wires: +, - and Data.  Also, is ADDRESSABLE the same as SMART when talking about pixels?

[Gilrock]

There's 4-5 Chinese vendors everyone uses and the quality probably all pretty much the same.  Price may vary a tiny amount depending on how much time you like to spend haggling for shipping and such.  Depends whether you want them to add pigtails or supply you with pigtails.  I was 100% Ray Wu pixels but I've grown to dislike his pigtails.  After 4 years they can be a PITA to put together especially if it gets cold outside.  The Holiday Coro style pigtail is the best and it's called xConnect.  The rumor is ScottLED also sells those pigtails but I don't see the ability to buy only the pigtails from them when I looked.  Ray Wu sells what he calls xConnect pigtails but don't be fooled they are not as good.  The difference is they fit the same but they are a softer plastic which allows the round section to squeeze in and make assembly a bit harder.  The best xConnects are a harder plastic that will not deform and it just seems to slide together much easier.

If you buy pigtails from Wired Watts in the US I know those are the good version of the xConnects.  I haven't gotten them from any other US vendors yet to know which version they use.

[jnealand]

Any of the common vendors mentioned in the forums are fine.  There is no "best" these days.  I have pixels from a number of vendors and they all work fine.  I probably have more pixels from Ray Wu since that is where I started 6 yrs ago.  Once you settle on a pigtail type you will want to stay with that one.  And if you order pigtails my rule of thumb is to double what you need and then add another 10%.  You will be surprised at how fast they get used up and there is always the following year.  I like the black Ray Wu connectors much better than the older white one.  They go together way easier.  Also use longer female pigtails on your controllers, you will be glad to have the extra length when setup time comes.

[dkulp]

As Gil said, some of the pigtails are hard to connect and disconnect when it's really cold out.   If you live in cold climate, prepare for it.  When I setup my Halloween display, it's warm enough that everything goes together easy.  However, most of the time, when setting up my Christmas display, it's hard to connect the pigtails.  I've started grabbing my wifes hair dryer, sticking it on an extension cord, and carrying that around with me to warm things up.    A few seconds of warm air and the connectors slide together much better and much more completely .   That said, I cannot count the number of time I've gotten yelled at because I forgot and left her hair dryer out in the garage....   Not a happy wife when she found out her hair drying has become a Christmas light tool.   

[Grillhappy]

Thanks, guys, for your feedback.  I know you, Gil and Dan, from Christmas Expo. Your info is very helpful.  All I have used in the past has been Holiday Coro (pixels and pigtails).  From your info, I will look into Wired Watts.  I have never heard of this Vendor.  Do they sell pixels also?  BTW, I live in warm weather climate (Texas) so I do not have the connect-ability problem with joining cables.  Also, if I order pixels from Ray Wu (without his pigtails), approximately how long does it take from the time I order them for them to arrive in the USA?

[jeremytbeau]

Here’s the tracking from my last Ray Wu order.  That’s pretty fast.

Delivered

11/05/2019 - 3:20 P.M.
LUTZ, FL, US
Past Event
Out for Delivery

11/05/2019 - 8:35 A.M.
Tampa, FL, United States
Past Event
Cleared Customs

11/04/2019 - 11:13 A.M.
Past Event
Shipped

11/02/2019 - 6:48 A.M.
Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong
Past Event
Label Created

11/01/2019 - 7:13 A.M.
Hong Kong


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[babybear]

Now as for ordering out of china you need to watch their holidays. they shut right down when that happens. As for wired watts All my orders have been fast last one was ordered sunday nights by 4am Monday I had a shipping price. they were on a truck by 5 and at my house Thursday. Cant ask for any thing more than that. I have a couple thousand smart nodes and P-5  panels from him.

[aknflyer]

I use holiday coro pigtails in Alaska, never had a problem connecting in the cold. They also sell caps for both sexes, it comes in handy as I use corrosion X when assembling and the caps keep the dirt and grass out of the connectors during dissassembly and off season storage.

[Gilrock]

I use holiday coro pigtails in Alaska, never had a problem connecting in the cold. They also sell caps for both sexes, it comes in handy as I use corrosion X when assembling and the caps keep the dirt and grass out of the connectors during dissassembly and off season storage.

So pretty much the same thing I said except I said it back in February when this post first started...lol.

[aknflyer]

I use holiday coro pigtails in Alaska, never had a problem connecting in the cold. They also sell caps for both sexes, it comes in handy as I use corrosion X when assembling and the caps keep the dirt and grass out of the connectors during dissassembly and off season storage.

So pretty much the same thing I said except I said it back in February when this post first started...lol.

Mainly mentioned because is the only vendor I have seen caps available for.