You're right---but I get the impression more people prefer #3 then #4 of all the photos you posted... The overall effect seems superior on all #3's with #4's a close second---#'s 1 and 2 tied for last in all your posts.
IS sucks anyway, tons of purple fringing. Old one sharper and not even half the price. I want a ringlight, full circle kind like yours. More 5700K lamps or ringlight, that's such a hard choice. Ringlights are only useful in macro and closeups right? but lamps don't do the job in those situations...
Rings come in a vast array of types and powers but most are just for close ups. Mine is used a a small fraction of full power for coins but it is AC only so I have not tried using it for nature/macro. I also have a ring flash that can be used outside but usually prefer directional light for nature. There is always new equipment for sale. I make no effort to keep up. The feature I value on mine is the dimmer range goes from 0 to 100%. I use this to balance between the ring and directional lights used together. An on/off switch only would be very limiting to my uses.