Hacking AK2.1 from DX (Arrived 10/27/08)

Another World · Oct 27, 2008

i received my ak2.1 from DX today which is going to be an xmas gift for someone. i also have one that i received from the team as a review sample. The one from the team ak is a black pcb, the DX kit is a green pcb. the team ak one is in a flat finish box with no gloss and contained the old ak2 reader, the pcb has silver contacts. the one from DX is in a shiny glossy box, i opted for the no reader version, the green pcb has gold contacts.

i'm curious did anyone receive a black pcb ak2.1 in the glossy box?

also the contacts on the green pcb are look slightly darker in some spots, there is a pattern of darkness that fades up and over. there is also a small scratch where the green is wearing off. it’s at the bottom under the contacts. i don't know much about electronics in regards to circuits, contacts and such. i'm curious of the weathered look is a problem?

i'm considering asking to exchange it but i doubt i would have a replacement in the next 3 weeks (which is when i travel and give my holiday gifts).

thanks to those who can provide more answers.

-another world

13375p34k3r · Oct 27, 2008

I'm not sure how the color of the contacts and PCB have to do with the quality of the product.

Another World · Oct 27, 2008

the question is in regards to if the discoloration is if it's a sign of problems, corrosion, etc. the statement about the differences (silver/gold) is just to note what came with each colored pcb as i attempt to compare with others. also the green pcb is a modded fixed version of the 2.0 pcb that has all the issues, the black is a complete redesign. all of it relates to quality and possible problems.

-another world

gratefulbuddy · Oct 27, 2008

Received 2 AK2 v2.1s from DX on 10/23. Both are black PCB in glossy boxes. Both are the no-reader-included kits.

EDIT: Contacts are a "lighter" gold than my original AK2. No noticeable discoloration.

carterman · Oct 28, 2008

gratefulbuddy said:
Received 2 AK2 v2.1s from DX on 10/23. Both are black PCB in glossy boxes. Both are the no-reader-included kits.

EDIT: Contacts are a "lighter" gold than my original AK2. No noticeable discoloration.

I haven't popped open the AK2 I got today (Friday technically), but it looks like the black PCB with lighter gold contacts. The bottom of my sticker is kinda messed up, though, and the whole thing seemed 'loose' for a while there.

Renegade_R · Oct 28, 2008

Got mine recently...It was in a glossy box and the PCB is black. The sticker was totally placed crooked so I just peeled the damn thing off. The TF Card reader that came in the package was absolute shit and was scratched as if someone took it in their hand and rubbed it against the pavement...I'm ordering a new one from them.

gratefulbuddy · Oct 28, 2008

Received another 2.1 from DX today (10/28). Its a black pcb in a matte box.

Bri · Oct 28, 2008

Got mine October 20th, the one without a reader. Black PCB in a glossy box. The sticker looks fine on mine, but one of the clips was bent backwards (bent it back and it's fine now).

-Bri

LionHeart9999 · Oct 28, 2008

Got mine in a small glossy box, with black pcb and very light gold (maybe silver? hard to tell) contacts. Sticker was very crooked, and peels off bit by bit when I insert in/out. Spring wasn't working at the start, but it's now warmed up.

nicklessguy · Oct 28, 2008

I just got the same problem.

Bought this:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16142

and got this:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11811

With the added fact that its an old, used, green PCB unit (with dirty contacts and all), inside a box from the newest unit.
Damn DX smart asses trying to fool people!

I will send a mail complaining and i want them to send me the correct product that i bought, or i will never buy there again (and i buy there a LOT).

Vague Rant · Oct 29, 2008

Ordered the sans-flash (whoops, I punned) Acekard 2.1 last week, received it today (10/29 local date) and it's a black PCB, gold contacts. Not that it matters. Sticker is way off-center, though. Stuck on pretty good, too; I've been trying to peel it off and put it back on straight, but I can't get the thing off.

Another World · Oct 29, 2008

this is what i received:

contacts are weatherd/dirty starting in the middle and going out to the right. also notice the two dings/scratches in the pcb. the kit was mounted upside down in the package. i'm pretty sure its a used/returned kit from someone who expected to receive a black pcb.

they are making it right... the customer service responded in about 2 hours. i'm still a happy customer. i'll have to post back when i see what i get in its place.

-another world

nicklessguy · Oct 29, 2008

Lucky you.
It costs me almost twice the card's price to send it back.

Bri · Oct 29, 2008

Did you buy it from DX? DX is usually very good about paying for return shipping in these cases (where either the cart is DOA or you didn't receive what you paid for).

-Bri

Renegade_R · Oct 29, 2008

Well its all the luck of the draw really...its a good thing their customer service is good...but mind you its quite slow.

Their trans-flash card reader that came in the Acekard's packaging looks like it was a customer return cause it was full of pavement scratches...I just ordered that tiny one for $1.58 off their website...I can't be bothered to rage more than I already am in my life.

Tubcat · Oct 29, 2008

Got mine today. Ordered Oct 20, received in my hands 9 days later in Toronto.

Matte box, with a card reader, black PCB, gold contacts & most importantly, the sticker was on straight!

Ordered one without a reader the day the 2.1 came out, Sept 29, and it was a glossy box, black PCB, gold contacts and a straight sticker.

Vague Rant · Oct 30, 2008

You straight-stickered bastard. How dare you show your face around here?

I eventually got mine off. Corner looks a bit scratched up from me struggling to get it off, but it's nothing to get upset about. I'm guessing they must be done by hand if they're so variable in angle, I wonder what poor Chinese kid's job that is.

Tubcat · Oct 30, 2008

Vague Rant said:
You straight-stickered bastard. How dare you show your face around here?

Henceforth, I shall be called "Straight-Stickered Bastard".

Strikes fear into your heart...Admit it, it scares you.

denyfate · Oct 30, 2008

Ordered mine September 29th.. Received October 29th in Mississauga, Canada T.T
well.. at least it came

PCB is black, with a crooked sticker.. i ripped it out and put it back on myself.. now its straight =D (but damn air bubbles!!)

Card reader didnt work at first.. but after playing around with it, now it works!!

foob · Nov 10, 2008

Another World said:
this is what i received:

I am new to AceKard. Received mine hours ago. Matte box with reader. Sticker crooked.

Black PCB?
Not quite sure if this is what a 'black PCB' is supposed to look like, but the green under the contacts in that pic on mine is definitely a green, but a deep, darkish, almost grey green. Not as vivid as the green in the pic. Not even close.

The paint coating above the contacts is black.
I assume this is the black PCB (?).

Build Quality (or lack thereof)
The internets were rampant with shoddy build quality feedback (at least DealExtreme comments were):
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11811
...but I was never prepared for just how bad the cartridge is built.

I literally had to force the thing into my DS first time I put it in. As I was putting it in, I heard a snap sound, which I assume to be something sliding against the 'clips' on the side of this cartridge as it slides in. Uh oh. I couldn't even take the thing out successfully by pressing in on the cartridge to eject it; it wouldn't. I thought it was stuck and my DS broken. That's how tight it fit first time.

Absolutely horrifying build quality. You've been warned (assuming you haven't bought one yet, those new to AceKard. You know who you are).

Never in my life have I used a product so woefully built!
Closer inspection with known working carts shows some dimensional inconsistencies not to mention those horrid plastic lugs on the side of the cartridge.

I shake my head at not only the build quality (which I wouldn't care so much about anyway) but the fact that it needed to be forced in first time, and the fact that it is still a tight fit, albeit allowed to come out and in semi-properly without thinking it's stuck in there permanently 'cause the DS wouldn't eject it properly. This thing can sell on the market? I think I have said enough here.

I am in therapy to help put that unpleasantness behind me.

Positives?
On a positive note, I like the default interface and I hear good things about skinning this thing.
http://www.acekard.com/skin.php?order=download

That's all the positive I can say at this point.
My DS and I are happy that we are both still alive at this point. More news as it comes to hand.

Hacking AK2.1 from DX (Arrived 10/27/08)

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