This seems like a very reasonable deal? Is there some hidden catch? Also, can anyone explain to me the $500 difference between buying first batch and second? It it simply because they think the difficulty will rise substantially following second batch? Just wondering. Thanks. Anyone have suggestions on hosting options?

Yes of course there is a hidden catch...I was caught of guard as well by the price (lower than the original L3 at twice the hash power?). Its obvious bitmain is prepping to dump these on the market. Scrypt hash power will tripple in the next 2-3 months.
Don't forget that they are also taking advantage of the recent price hikes to make it look like this is a super deal. Dont think that this LTC price will last forever (though I hope I'm wrong).
The shipping date for April has already been sold out! don't understand why they cant just ship all of them out at the same time

does anyone know what any other PSU I can use on the ant miner L3+ besides the APW3+-12-1600W? ..
These two should work ok with the L3 +
http://www.ebay.com/itm/252701978823?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT you can plug two L3 + in to this one may 3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191640171414?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l5999&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI191640171414.N36.S1.R1.TR1 one L3 +
break out board that runs both :
https://centrix-intl.com/details.asp?Parent2ID=1&productid=13329I have a few of PSU and Break out boards there really nice the 2400 watt is brand new ..
Unfortunately the L3+ requires 9 PCIE connectors, that board doesn't have enough.
sorry did not notice ,there is another one it does have enough plugs, i have one two of them ..
this one runs both those PSU with more plugs and made by Sidehack on the bitcoin part of the forums and said he has a few in stock ..
https://asicpuppy.com/magentoPuppy/sidehacks stuff or link to some of his stuff, may have to read thu it btw he makes BTC miner for us on top of PSU breakout boards has full PSU kits and does some hosting ..
I'm not trying sell anything just making sure you all are a ware of him ...
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1718358