Hacking buy a CycloDS?

[The_Dark_Knight]

hi all,

I'm trying to figure out my first flashcard purchase. I don't even own a DS yet but if I can confidently figure this stuff out I'm gonna go pick one up.

I've read over the reviews on this site, skimmed over the forums, and here's where I'm at...

A. Buy a Nintendo DS from a store.
B. Buy a CycloDS from [website TBD].
C. Buy a Kingston 8GB MicroSD card from a store.
D. Buy a Kingston USB SD Reader from a store because I heard the reader that comes with CycloDS can mess things up (like your computer!).


Questions:
1. Does this look like a good plan? Any thing I should change?
keep in mind: I'm only interested in playing Nintendo DS games. I know that a lot of you love all the neat homebrew/apps stuff.... but that's just not what I'm looking for in this project.

2. What's the best site to buy a CycloDS from? I have been warned about clones and such... a guy in a different thread said topmodder.com was an official CycloDS dealer - is this true? Is that who I should buy from? Is there any more trusted site??

3. Should I get a regular MicroSD or an SDHC card? I guess I don't fully understand the difference.... if they are both the same size then what's the difference?

4. Actually, do I really need 8GB or would I be fine using the 2GB card that (I think) comes with the reader I'm looking at? Basically I just want to make sure games will run perfectly smooth and I'd like to be able to store as many as possible on one card, ya know?

5. Is it true that SD readers can really mess up your roms, saves or (waaay worse) computer!? I can provide a link for the Reader I'm thinking of getting if anyone could tell me it was 100% safe.


...sigh... it's tough not to be overwhelmed by all this!! I'd just buy the games but I just can't fit the games I want into my budget... =\

thanks in advance!! I really appreciate it!

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

actually, I'll just post this now...

here's the Reader I was thinking of getting since I heard the one that comes with CycloDS can have major problems:

link

here's one link for the CycloDS:

link

and here's another:

link

do both look legit? no clones? anyone used these sites before?

 

[lonewolf80]

I believe all microSD cards come with their own adapter that makes it compatible with a standard SD reader.

 

[spectral]

1. Yes your plan sounds good.

2. Sorry no idea, I bought mine from the trade section on a different forum.

3. SDHC stands for SD high capacity. Normal SD cards only come in sizes up too 2GB. SDHC cards are currently up to 8GB but have a theoretical size of 32GB. Whether or not cards that size will ever be released noone knows.

4. The size you need completely depends on how many games you wish to have on at once. With a 1GB you should be able to fit 10-20 depending on which games you choose. With regards to memory card speeds any SDHC class 4 will do for most games but you may or may not run into problems with known troublesome games such as castlevania. If you go for a class 6 you should have no trouble with any. Bear in mind even most normal MicroSD cards struggle with those games, most cards are simply too slow. The best card for the troublesome games is a kingston 1GB manufactured in Japan however you wont know where its manufactured until it arrives unless you buy of someone on the forum who guarantees it.

5. I've heard of some readers corrupting microSD and SDHC cards and rendering them permanently unusable but never heard of them damaging a computer. Originally the reader that came with the cyclo was bad but I've heard the newer ones are fine. You could still buy one though, they are cheap and worth it if only too put your mind at rest.

 

[DeMoN]

There's no problem with the included reader. It's the same reader that many other flash cards come with.

However, if you have a SD slot on your PC/Laptop, just use that instead.

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

ok then, thanks for the info!! no, I do not have a microSD reader on any of my computers.

new plan/new questions....

A) buy DS
B) buy CycloDS from dealwoot.com
C) buy a Japanese-made class 6 Kingston MicroSD card. 4 or 8GB SDHC if I can find it, 2GB if I can't.
D) just use the reader that comes with the CycloDS


1. even better plan?
2. do we all trust dealwoot to give an authentic CycloDS with the latest SD reader?
3. are there any stores you all think will sell Kingston Class 6 MicroSDs? Best Buy? Radioshack?
4. do we all trust the reader that comes with the CycloDS Evo? anyone heard of it causing people problems?


thanks again, I feel I'm making good progress with this....

 

[DeMoN]

ok then, thanks for the info!! no, I do not have a microSD reader on any of my computers.

new plan/new questions....

A) buy DS
B) buy CycloDS from dealwoot.com
C) buy a Japanese-made class 6 Kingston MicroSD card. 4 or 8GB SDHC if I can find it, 2GB if I can't.
D) just use the reader that comes with the CycloDS


1. even better plan?
2. do we all trust dealwoot to give an authentic CycloDS with the latest SD reader?
3. are there any stores you all think will sell Kingston Class 6 MicroSDs? Best Buy? Radioshack?
4. do we all trust the reader that comes with the CycloDS Evo? anyone heard of it causing people problems?


thanks again, I feel I'm making good progress with this....

I have no clue what you mean by a better plan for buying a DS. Perhaps trade in an older system to get a discount?
Yes, dealwoot will send you the latest version of the Cyclo. Many people bought from them and were happy.
The best place to buy a MicroSD is www.newegg.com
The current reader has no problems with it, it was only the very old readers that had problems but you will not get it if you order from dealwoot.

 

[Midna]

By the way, if you're going all out and buying an 8 gig card, might as well get this. It is faster by a fair bit than the standard variety.

 

[superdude]

the reader looks good but never heard of the site but if you can wait 2-3 weeks heres some links
dealextreme doesn't cost for shipping

micro sd reader http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7506

8gb http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13305

cyclo you might have to pay for shipping from these sites also these come in 2 days to 1 week -->
http://www.divineo.com/cgi-bin/div-us/hb-ds-cycevob
http://www.divineo.com/cgi-bin/div-us/hb-ds-cycevo
http://www.modchipcentral.com/store/CycloD...lution-p-5.html
http://www.systemgears.com/product_info.ph...products_id=148
http://www.gamersection.ca/product_info.ph...products_id=563

ALL OF THESE PRICES ARE AMERICAN OR CANADIAN AND ALSO CHECK IF THE SITE WILL SHIP TO YOUR AREA. DEALEXTREME IS THE ONLY PLACE I THAT MIGHT SHIP EVERY WHERE.

 

[weebwobb]

The current reader has no problems with it, it was only the very old readers that had problems but you will not get it if you order from dealwoot.

I have the latest cyclo ordered 3 weeks ago from dealwoot and the reader works only sometimes and drops then reconnects for no reason after it's plugged in. I don't trust it and never use it anymore. So, some still have problems.

Just placed another order and went with a different company, one that GBATemp recommends. Dealwoot was great though, fast shipping and they sent emails with the order's status. This company has better prices though and I'm just hoping for better luck with the merchandise this time.

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

Demon-

sorry for the confusion, my questions don't (necessarily) correspond with the steps in my plan. so when I asked if it was a better plan I was referring to the whole thing, not just buying a DS =)

everyone-
ok, more info is good...

what is the consensus on the best MicroSD brand? is it Kingston or Sandisk? are there any other brands that are better?

also, I can't seem to find 8 or 4 GB MicroSDs that are class 6. most of them are class 4. I think I would rather have a 2GB w/ class 6 speed than a bigger card that ran slower - make sense? sound good?

 

[DeMoN]

ok, more info is good...

what is the consensus on the best MicroSD brand? is it Kingston or Sandisk? are there any other brands that are better?

Kingston 2GB Japan

or

A-Data 4GB Class 6

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

ah ok, awesome.... this seems ideal...

link

I'll get this one?

 

[DeMoN]

ah ok, awesome.... this seems ideal...

link

I'll get this one?

Yep that's the one.

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

and I can use that Micro card successfully with the reader that comes with CycloDS?

 

[DeMoN]

and I can use that Micro card successfully with the reader that comes with CycloDS?

You're sure your computer has no SD slot? Usually this is a 5 in 1 or whatever reader that can read almost any type of memory stick. If your computer does not have it, then go ahead and use the included reader, it is compatible with SDHC.

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

now, with an A-Data card, do I need to worry about its country of origin? or are they all good quality?

for instance, I know the reviews say that non-Japanese Kingstons run much slower....

 

[DeMoN]

now, with an A-Data card, do I need to worry about its country of origin? or are they all good quality?

for instance, I know the reviews say that non-Japanese Kingstons run much slower....

That's for Kingstons only. Doesn't affect the A-Data cards. Like I said, the one you showed me is the best.

 

[techforumz]

Well, I haven't had any problems with my CycloDS reader, but I have about three others anyways. As far as memory cards, A-Data I hear is good, and my Transflash is really good also. Note: That problem I had with the card was entirely PC based - I like to tinker. Mine is Class-6, and 8GB don't go any higher than class-4. Don't have any experience. Also note, that your CycloDS isn't your PC or your iPod, you aren't putting 720x480 DVD rips on it. A 4GB is decent for me, WAY more content than I can ever use.* In fact my favourite program weighs at only 1MB! (World of SanDS) BTW, the 1.31 and 1.2 firmwares suck. They crash a lot. Still using 1.4B.

*Exaggeration, given the opportunity I can fill it with audiobooks, mp3s, trivial space-hogs, and full-length videos.

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

I've seen very cheap Transcend cards...... is there anything I should know about that brand? I'm thinking I might get the A-Data 8GB Class 6 and a 4GB Class 6 Transcend ... that way I'll have some options if one of them craps out or just doesn't work right.