Looking for advice. Is it helpful to have diverse drive models?

[TomB19]

I have a pair of identical LG WH16NS40 drives. They work well with LibreDrive v1.02.

Oddly, the second drive always worked better than the first drive until I cleaned the laser lens in each drive. Now they both work equally well.

Still, there is the odd disk I cannot read.

Would it be helpful to have a different model drive as an option for disks that do not read in these drives? I understand there is only one drive manufacturer and the optics are probably all common so perhaps it would not be helpful?

[MartyMcNuts]

I have a pair of identical LG WH16NS40 drives. They work well with LibreDrive v1.02.

Oddly, the second drive always worked better than the first drive until I cleaned the laser lens in each drive. Now they both work equally well.

Still, there is the odd disk I cannot read.

Would it be helpful to have a different model drive as an option for disks that do not read in these drives? I understand there is only one drive manufacturer and the optics are probably all common so perhaps it would not be helpful?

There is more than one drive manufacturer and yes it is helpful to have different models/brands. I suggest you add a Pioneer drive to your collection. You can get one from a seller here in your region.

[dcoke22]

As I understand it, the ASUS drives are rebranded LG drives.

The LG BU40N is different hardware than the 'standard' LG/ASUS desktop drive. And as MartyMcNuts mentioned, Pioneer's hardware is unique to Pioneer. Both are well regarded.

I have 3 different optical drives, all different, and I find the diversity of hardware does produce different results. With troublesome discs, usually at least one of the drives will work.

[TomB19]

I appreciate the help, gentlemen.