Mars TSL 2000 doubt

So the IR diodes are going to appear slightly dimmed because they are on the far end of the visible light spectrum so that’s totally normal. As for the diode distribution on the actual board - I noticed that spider farmer is doing the same thing and it’s actually smart as far as the efficiency of the light is concerned. They realized that creating a more dense pattern of diodes on the edges of the light will create a more even light distribution across the footprint. The dense edges create more light intensity on the edges where it usually would drop off in intensity. It’s just a more efficient diode pattern that creates a more even distribution. That said - spider farmer, for example, has been manufacturing them this way for at least 5 months and selling them without updating the description.. and that’s bullshit to me. Sorry for the rant but hope that straightened things out for ya!