Its game over for small sensors

Yes absolutely, I couldn't disagree with that one bit.

What I would suggest though, is that the vast majority of people into a particular hobby, who had previously had a poor experience / experiences of a brand, would put aside their feelings towards that brand, if that brand produced a REALLY stand out product, which was universally praised and proven to be the class leader.

I completely understand the sentiments of those who have had such experiences, I've had them myself. However, they can be soon forgotten if a manufacturer puts a product to market which is exceptional.

People are fickle and can be seen to be VERY willing to forget, especially if they feel they stand to gain by putting aside their preconceptions / beliefs towards a manufacturer. I would always tend to argue that purchasing choices are made by assessment of the products on offer at any given time, and not of the products from yesterday.