Does anyone know why GE discontinued the F96T8/XL/SPX41 and replaced it with F96T8/XL/SPX41/2? There appears to be no difference in the specs, so I am wondering if I should try to get some of the discontinued ones at a clearance price, as long as they weren't discontinued due to problems.
Grainger has them at a good price.

I see no change in the specifications at all except for the UPC, the mercury content is even the same. Get some of the older ones if you can at a discount and maybe a newer one to compare. Maybe the cathode construction changed slightly or they are made at a different plant.

I also thought of the possibility that GE moved the plant, since I know they added A19 halogen production to one of the fluorescent factories.