...if one of you that are responsible for running things could update the thread once the premium kits, kits with brass plates and kits with 12º feet are ready to be packed and/or shipping that'd be great!
Ok.
Saw someone already got their exent premium kit on reddit
That's definitely not a premium kit.
The issue with the screw in stabs are not that uncommon but the LED issue is worrying. Let's hope it's a one time thing or a shipping issue.
graefeln's post addresses the issue with screw-in stabs adequately without the need for me to expound further.
Regarding the SMD LED issue - yes, it was picked up during QC. And no, it is definitely not a "one time thing". Do expect more PCBs to arrive like that.
We flashed each board individually and entered bootmapper to test random keys + LED functionality. Upon discovering that some PCBs had LEDs turned off, or LEDs where only 2 of the 3 colors worked, we were faced with two choices:
1) Send the faulty boards back to China to get reworked.
This would have delayed the GB by at least 2-3 more months (I sh*t you not). The first batch of basic kits would've still been unassembled. Nothing would have shipped yet.
2) Ship the kits anyway, and teach the people with wonky LEDs how to fix them. It literally only takes a minute if you know what you're doing, or 5 minutes if you don't.
No prizes for guessing how we proceeded, and I'm willing to wager most other GB organizers would have done the same. As a fellow GB participant, it is also my opinion that issues such as these are resolved best (and quickest) as a collective, rather than be carried solely by the runners.
Sadly, I am well aware that there will invariably be a group of people who bought into the Exent with a customer/consumer mindset rather than as a community member, whose fingers are itching to type "I paid good money for this board, I expect it to arrive flawlessly!!!!11 Don't give me excuses for the LEDs, they're your problem not mine!!!111" even while reading this sentence
Well, if you're one of them, there really is no point in me attempting to change your belief system or way of thinking.
The debate could go on forever. Just yell at me if you must, and move on.
Back to the issue at hand - For those who are unfamiliar, the LEDs aren't working properly simply due to poor contact. That's all. Nothing too sinister or complicated.
Read my post here if you want a better idea (both PCBs came from the same source). We have already weeded out the PCBs with major issues e.g. dead controller, so what you receive should well be user-fixable. But feel free to send me a PM if you still can't figure it out.