[My In-Depth GP2X Review]

[Is'lan]

Retailer: Play-Asia

About two months ago I bought my first delivery from Play-Asia,
consisting of mint-condition Dreamcast games of Space Channel 5 and
ChuChu Rocket. The surprise I got in the package was that they each
came with a $5 off coupon for my next Play-Asia purchase (one-per-order)
over $50. Of course, I used one of them on my GP2X, getting it for
$165+S&H, the cheapest I have seen on the net. Overall, I was pleased
with Play-Asia.


The Device: GP2X

My first impression of the GP2X as I took it out was that it was smaller
than the blown-up images made it appear to be, and surprisingly light.
Of course, for a handheld these are good things. Inside the box was
also supplied a little gift of candy (+1 point for Play-Asia).

Play-Asia markets their GP2X's as being updated to the latest firmware;
however, I noticed that mine was still running firmware version 1.2.0
(-1 point for Play-Asia). What really shocked me was when I found out
that it only had a running life of a half an hour. I relaxed some when
I found out that this could be fixed by updating to v1.4.0, yet it also
scared me when I found out for the first time in the user's manual that
you could ruin your gp2x beyond repair if its power goes while your
updating. Seeing as that I could only hope for a little over 20 minutes
on fully charged 2500NiMH batteries, I was rather frightened, but the
update took only a few seconds and wasn't really a threat.

Now, useability. I must say I am rather disappointed with its interface
design. Instead of just clicking on a music file, you first have to go
to the main menu, select music, and then search for the music, leaving
you with 5 different methods of searching through its files.

As for games, so far I have run NES and Genesis games quite well at 95%
satisfaction , but for some reason the SNES emulator hasn't been able to
work yet. As for video display I must say I was quite pleased; watching
AMVs on it is even better than on my computer, the smaller screen making
the imaging less stretched out.

Now, construction. I have had two main problems with the GP2X. At one
time the GP2X, while in its case, slipped off my hand while I was
sitting down, falling to the floor at less than a foot. When I took it
out to see if it was okay, something was loose and ratling around
inside. Fortunately it was only a battery. Apparently that small drop
caused the metal clip holding that one battery in place to somehow get
squished, and I had to go in with tiny screwdrivers to try to bend it
back out carefully, afraid that I might end up breaking it off entirely.
This happened a second time with the other battery holder as well, but
now that they have both had this problem I hope I wont have an issue
with it again.
The second issue occured with the audio port. I read about how a
soldering fault left the audio port to get busted, but I was pleased to
find out that it had no problem with my headphones. But then I lost my
headphones and tried a different pair: broke right after I used 'em.
Also in this section, I would like to address the issue of the joystick.
Indeed, there are some problems with it, though I feel it has been a
little overemphasized. The joystick cap is not perfect to manage and
there are some sensitivity errors, but at least it causes no problems
when you're trying to play an RPG.


The Accessories: Screen Protector

I find that the screen protector is a must. The LCD screen comes with a
lot of scratches already on it, but when you put the screen protector
on, they all seem to disappear. They biggest problem is that it doesn't
really come with any proper instructions. I was able to haphazardly
peel it off (took me forever to figure out what piece was the one I
wanted to keep), and get it on, but to my dismay had some rather large
bubbles in it. I was able to peel it back off a try to reset it, but
even then there were still two small bubbles in the way, but they
weren't too bad. After a week or two, the bubbles disappeared entirely,
leaving a perfect screen.


The Accessories: Carrying Case


I have found the carrying case to be quite handy, though I must gripe
about its design. It fits quite tightly around the GP2X, leaving very
little room for anything else. The headphone port on top of the GP2X is
set against the binder of it, making it impossible to plug in headphones
in case you want to listen to music while carrying it around in
it (though that should be considered poor design more on the GP2X's
part). Then there's the little mesh-pocket that's inside of it. For some
reason the pocket is on the same end as the clasp for the wrist-band, so
that when you carry it around by the wrist-band, gravity will make most
things you carry in it fall out. REALLY poor design. But at least it
can hold the USB cable well, even though its practically useless.

The Accessories: AC Power Adapter

Though I did not buy one, I thought I should at least include my
thoughts as to why I did not. At Play-Asia it appears that the Power
Adapter that they sell is only made for European sockets. If anyone
would know of another retailer to find one of the US, please post it.


Conclusion

At the moment, I cannot really say there is anything special about the
GP2X except for one thing: the prospects of what might be done with it.
So far I haven't had the chance to really play with it (except games and
videos), but its the future prospects that shine for the GP2X. Still I
cannot say if the GP2X will be a success, but I hope to at least try to
see what might happen, and hopefully even get to have a part in it.

[yaustar]

Please tell me that you took off the protective screen film on BOTH sides of the plastic screen protecter...

Other things you have missed is the custom firmwares such as Open2X that are now being used. The firmware upgrade/battery running out problem is standard for all devices including the PSP but is recoverable if you are not in the middle of a uboot upgrade as that means you can still reflash the kernal.

The strange thing is that I can get at least 2-3 hours on my 2300mah batteries and I am running 1.1.0 firmware.. :S

[Is'lan]

But aren't custom firmwares even more risk-prone to bricking?

Really I'm wondering how much of a threat firmware flashing really is. Is the risk just in if you lose power while flashing, or is it always there?

[yaustar]

Nope, as said eariler, as long as the Uboot is intact, it can be fairly easy to recover. Usually most updates will flash just the kernal. Look for DJWillis unbricking guide for more details.

Usually the risk is running out of power while flashing.

[Is'lan]

Of course I want everyone to know that this is just more-or-less an out-of-box review.

Also, I forgot to mention the TV-Out cable. Like the power adaptor I also didn't get the TV-Out cable, mainly because its video output is S-Vid, and I very rarely see a television with S-Vid input. It would be so much better if it was just RCA.

[yaustar]

Just get a S Vid to Phono adaptor.

[Rasputin]

Thanks for the review. I am trying to decide whether or not to buy one of these, and every little bit of information helps.

BTW, I appreciate that it is an "out-of-the-box" review. It has almost seemed to me as if GP2X devotees are reluctant to reveal the shortcomings of the device and will only tell you what it is capable of after it has been hacked every which way.

I will probably end up buying one, but it's nice to know what to expect rather than ending up holding a handful of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations.