OK, just snapped these pics.
I would like to note in my own defense that if you look at the pic of the back of the chip, the printing explicitly states both that the Vin connection takes 3.3-5V, and also the Logic connections are "5V Safe". I'm not doubting that the general assertion of the chip being fried are accurate, but the chip itself purports to be capable of handling 5V all around. If that's wrong, it's not just digital documentation or a third-party website or even my assumptions, it's literally printed on the chip itself. Would this indicate more just a knockoff chip quality over an actual error on my part with connections?
Anyway, I still appreciate the assistance in trying to nail this down, frustrations at the oddities we're uncovering aside. I initially hesitated to solder more of the header pins onto the remaining sensors I have, in case the problem had been my soldering job. Now I feel like it wouldn't be bad to go ahead and solder on the pins, but I definitely still
hesitate to wire up any further of them before we have some closure on this issue.
I am a bit confused, however, about how to even approach getting a more "reputable" name-brand sensor if Adafruit no longer sells them. Bearing in mind this is inexperience and not laziness speaking, is there anywhere beyond Amazon that would be more appropriate to purchase something like this from? Believe me, I'm all for giving money to someone besides Amazon.
