Review X360 USB Pro Bundle Review

[Devin]

GBAtemp.net review of the.....

Manufactured by Team Xecuter
Review sample supplied by Modchip Central

By Devin

Review Contents & Index:

• Introduction
  - Official Feature List
• Packaging and Contents
• Design, and Impressions
• Set-up and Usage
  -Hardware Installation
  -Software Set-up
• Performance
• Conclusion

Introduction

The X360 USB Pro Bundle consists of three items. The X360 USB Pro Module, HDD Power adapter, the CK3i, and a Probe 3. Along with all of the power supplies, and mini USB cables. The X360 USB Pro is a device that allows you to read, modify, and repair a Xbox 360 disc drive. As well as make 2.5" Western Digital Hard Drives compatible with the Xbox 360, so that you won't have to buy a expensive Microsoft branded HDD. The CK3i, is a power supply that sends, well power to your Xbox 360 disc drive in order to modify/fix/read it. With the help of the HDD Power Adapter, it can also supply power to a HDD allowing you to read, and modify it however you see fit. Lastly, is the Probe 3 which allows you to read/modify/repair certain disc drives that require probing.

Official Features List

Connect any SATA device to any PC or laptop via USB Uses a USB connection to connect your Xbox's DVD Drive, and Hard Drive to your PC.
Compatible with Xbox 360 DVD drives Hitachi, Samsung, Benq & Liteon (FAT) Can be used with all Phat Xbox Disc Drives
Compatible with Xbox 360 DVD drives Liteon & Hitachi* (SLIM) Compatible with Slim Xbox 360 Liteon, and Hitachi DVD Drives.
Compatible with Xbox 360 Hard Drives Compatible with all Xbox 360 Hard Drives, and allows you to make your own.
No SATA Port Required No need for any Sata ports on your PC.
Fully compatible with tools like Jungle Flasher Supported by Jungle Flasher
Fully Upgradeable On-Board Firmware It's firmware can be upgraded.
Enhanced WINAPI speed for tools such as Xbox Backup Creator** Can be used to dump Xbox 360 discs.
JungleFlasher Controlled Power ON/OFF/CYCLE/OPEN/CLOSE/EJECT/MODEB No need for user input to cycle Drive power, and Drive Mode.
Manual Controlled Power ON/OFF/CYCLE/OPEN/CLOSE/EJECT/MODEB Has the option for users to control the Drive power, and Drive Mode.
Self-Resetting PPTC Fuses Prevents damage to drive if the power cable is plugged in incorrectly.
Power, and Activity LEDs Allows the user to know the X360 Pro/CK3i are active.

Packaging, and Contents

X360 USB Pro Module
CK3i Module
2x Mini USB Cables
1x USB Power Supply
Sata Cable
2x Power Cables (Normal one, and one with Probe 3 extension)
Wall Power Supply
Probe 3
Power convertor (For HDD Power.)

Design, and Impressions

Design



The X360 USB Pro, and CK3i are both very nice and sleek. They both feature a "see through" design, so you can see all the little circuitry on the boards, and the X360 USB Pro has a image at the bottom of it of the icon for the Jungle Flasher utility. The CK3i also has two buttons (Which are very responsive I might add.), and basically a killswitch the allows you to control whether or not power is given to the Xbox 360 disc drive. The buttons on the CK3i are evenly space and labeled, so there's no worry about pressing the wrong button on accident.

Impressions
My impressions of the design are quite good in terms of placement of buttons, and the look of the units in whole. However I do have a a concern, or two. The plastic feels a bit weak, and thought if you hold it too tightly it might crack. The other issue is related somewhat to the other one, when I plug in the DVD Drive power supply to thee CK3i it makes a crunching sound, which worries me a bit in terms of how long it's going to last. Checking the unit itself I can't see any cracking, or damage. Besides those two issues, I have no other complaints. I'm in particular favor of the activity LEDs which allow me to know that it's still functioning properly and that everything's plugged in alright.

Set-up and Usage

Hardware
The hardware set up is quite simple. Let's start with the X360 USB Pro. Plug the included USB Power Supply, and mini USB Cable into the corresponding slots and plug the actually USB ends into yours computer. Next, plug the Sata cable included into the sata port on your X360 USB Pro and plug the other end of the sata cable into your Xbox 360's disc drive. That's it for setting up the X360 USB Pro, next up is the CK3i which is just as easy to set up. First off, plug your DVD Drive power supply cable into the CK3i's DVD drive power slot and plug the other end of the cable into the corresponding power supply port on your Xbox 360's DVD Drive. (Depending on your model of Xbox 360 Disc Drive you might need the probe, and or other devices. Follow the same steps, except use the power supply cable with the Probe 3 extension and connect the Probe 3 to the end of the extents ion.) From there plug in your USB cable connect it to your computer and plug the power supply into a wall outlet, and you're all set up hardware wise. Once set up, software wise I'd recommend to follow the Jungle Flasher tutorial which goes in depth on grabbing your Xbox 360's Disc Drive keys, and installing CFW on your Xbox 360's disc drive in order to play burned games. A link can be found at the end of the Software set up section of this review.

Software



Time to set up your X360 USB Pro, and CK3i in order to get them to work with Jungle Flasher. Download the drivers for the X360 USB Pro, and CK3i below extract and store them some place where you'll remember them. Now plug in your X360 USB Pro into your computers USB ports and wait for windows to pop up with a "New Hardware has been found" notification. When it asks you if you want Windows to search for drivers automatically, select no and browse for the drivers manually. Point Windows to the place where you extracted the X360 USB Pro drivers, and press ok. The driver should install, and your X360 USB Pro should pop up under your Device manager. Next up is the CK3i, plug it into your computer via USB port and follow the same procedure and point it to where your extracted the CK3i drivers. Now, download Jungle Flasher (There's a link to it, at the end of this section.) , and extract it to a place you'll remember. Once extracted go into the Jungle Flasher folder and inside there should be a "libusb" folder inside that there will be a "libusb.dll" file, copy or move that file to the previous folder (Jungle Flasher folder.) so it's in the same directory as JunglerFlasher.exe. If you plan on installing CFW to your Xbox 360's Disc Drive, you will need to download it separately. (No link, due to the possibility that it has Microsoft's code in it, but a quick google search for the "Latest Xbox 360 LT Plus Firmware" should get you what you need".) Once downloaded extract the files into a folder in the JungleFlasher folder called firmware. You're all set, now. I'd recommend to follow the Jungle Flasher tutorial which goes in depth on grabbing your Xbox 360's Disc Drive keys, and installing CFW on your Xbox 360's disc drive in order to play burned games. A link can be found below.

X360 USB Drivers

CK3i Drivers

Jungle Flasher Tutorial

Performance

I must say, I haven't had a single issue with using the X360 USB Pro, or CK3i in conjunction with Jungle Flasher. Along with the use of the Jungleflasher tutorial I was able to successfully able to flash a Benq drive with 0800 firmware, (For those who do not know, that firmware allows you to dumping your own legit copies of Xbox 360 games as a regular PC DVD reader isn't able to.) after grabbing the keys from it. I was also able to get the keys from, and flash a Liteon disc drive with CFW. I hadn't actually used Jungleflasher before, so from a novice perspective it's relatively simple. I didn't have any spare 2.5" Western Digital HDDs lying around so, I wasn't able to try out making my own Xbox 360 HDD.

Conclusion

I'd give it a 8/10 the build quality of the X360 USB Pro is really the only thing bringing it down, I'm quite worried about the lifespan of one. However, Team Xecuter have a "backed" warranty on it so if it breaks you can ship it to them, for a repair or replacement. I've messaged support asking how long the warranty is, so I'll update this review when I get my response. If you don't have a computer with Sata ports, or have a laptop and want to repair/replace/install CFW on your Xbox 360's Disc Drive then the X360 USB Pro bundle w/CK3i and Probe 3 is perfect for you.

 

[ModchipCentral]

Disagree with "I'd give it a 8/10 the build quality of the X360 USB Pro is really the only thing bringing it down, I'm quite worried about the lifespan of one."

As everyone knows, Team Xecuters products are top notch and in my opionion, the quality of the X360USB Pro is excellent. Can you give more detail on your opinion of the build quality? We have sold lots of them and have barely received any back; And I am not just saying them to boost sales on them or anything, I'm saying it because its the truth!

Since it was rated 8/10 , can you ask what you have compared it to?

I would have rated it as 10/10 as this is the best 360 modding tool in my opinion. If you look at their forum, they have clear step by step guides on how to work every one of their products.

 

[Devin]

Disagree with "I'd give it a 8/10 the build quality of the X360 USB Pro is really the only thing bringing it down, I'm quite worried about the lifespan of one."

As everyone knows, Team Xecuters products are top notch and in my opionion, the quality of the X360USB Pro is excellent. Can you give more detail on your opinion of the build quality? We have sold lots of them and have barely received any back; And I am not just saying them to boost sales on them or anything, I'm saying it because its the truth!

Since it was rated 8/10 , can you ask what you have compared it to?

I would have rated it as 10/10 as this is the best 360 modding tool in my opinion. If you look at their forum, they have clear step by step guides on how to work every one of their products.

While I'll agree that Team Xecuter products are usually top notch, I have my doubts on the actually plastic and glue(?) (I see little plastic clips, perhaps that's what keeps it together.) used to keep the X360 USB Pro together. I'm not saying that it will break, but from what I've experienced I wouldn't be surprised if it did. As for what I compared it to, a friend of mine owns a Maximus360 Lizard which has more of a sturdy, firm build to it. Just build wise I'd say it's better than the X360 USB Pro. If I rated it a 10/10 that would mean the item was flawless, or my review was biased. While I agree that performance wise it deserves a 10/10, the build really knocks it down a step. Really the only hinderance it has. Definitely worth a purchase, just warning people that the build isn't the best. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, this just happens to be mine.

This warrants a third opinion. I just handed it over to a family member, and asked them to describe the build of it. Everything they said pretty much matches my description, however he didn't like the see through portion. I'd still like another opinion, specifically from someone from the forums.

 

[ModchipCentral]

Alright, you're talking about the case that its in. I see what you mean. The Maximus Lizard feels sturdier because its more of like a rectangular box while the X360USB Pro case can crack if you apply lots of pressure on it.

Its performance has far outweighed that portion for me. Extremely user friendly and makes flashing that much easier. My X360USB Pro is still pretty minty and I haul it everywhere with me, just toss it in my bag. *shrugs*

 

[Devin]

Alright, you're talking about the case that its in. I see what you mean. The Maximus Lizard feels sturdier because its more of like a rectangular box while the X360USB Pro case can crack if you apply lots of pressure on it.

Its performance has far outweighed that portion for me. Extremely user friendly and makes flashing that much easier. My X360USB Pro is still pretty minty and I haul it everywhere with me, just toss it in my bag. *shrugs*

Agree'd, but I can't solely review it based on performance . I'm sure you understand. I also have a question. Since you're a reseller of the X360 USB Pro, do you know the length of the warranty Team Xecuter have for it? Don't suppose there are alternative cases for the X360 Pro that have a bit more strength?

 

[ModchipCentral]

Another thing you can argue is that with the X360USB Pro, it doesn't require as sturdy of a case as the Maximus Lizard. With the Maximus Lizard, you are using this tool the whole time, pressing buttons on it, has an LCD screen, etc.

With the X360USB Pro, you are not pressing any buttons. Everything is done through your PC.

 

[Devin]

Another thing you can argue is that with the X360USB Pro, it doesn't require as sturdy of a case as the Maximus Lizard. With the Maximus Lizard, you are using this tool the whole time, pressing buttons on it, has an LCD screen, etc.

With the X360USB Pro, you are not pressing any buttons. Everything is done through your PC.

I agree. The device is more stationary that the Maximus, I really suppose I'm referring to the CK3i, which is what makes the cracking sound when I plug in the power cable. The X360 USB Pro doesn't really get used in terms of buttons and switches as the CK3i so I can understand the reasoning behind the casing. Could it have possible been that mine is faulty?