Android and Linux Handhelds - Shield, GCW Zero, GP2X, Pandora, Pyra, JXD, etc.
- Thread starter SML
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I'm thinking about getting another open handheld, though I'm not sure there's anything out there that's really worth it at the moment.
I have a GP2X F100 MK2, GP2X Wiz, GP2X Caanoo, Xperia Play, and Nvidia Shield.
I really like the GPH consoles. The Wiz is my favorite of the three. I've never had any of the "pixel rot" issues that some people have. For me, the Wiz had the right mix of power and portability. The Caanoo's default GUI is wonky, and the Open2x-style GUI is slow to load and introduces some problems of its own. I really wish that an Open2x firmware could have been released for the Caanoo.
The Xperia Play was a disappointment. The internal storage interfered with the smartphone functionality, while the nature of the android software market means that the hardware is now too obsolete for ePSXE and FPSE, which means that I really don't have a compelling reason to pick up the Play instead of one of my GPH consoles, which at least have software that has been hardware-optimized.
I really, really love my Nvidia Shield (or the "Shield Portable," as it's now called). I use it every day. I use it to stream Youtube and Netflix to my TV, I use it to play controller-enabled Android games. I would probably stream PC games to it if my video card supported that. I don't use it for nearly as much emulation as I thought I would, though the hardware is definitely up to the task, both in terms of power and controls. The only downsides are that it does take forever to boot and it's gigantic. It weighs over a pound. It is a handheld, but it's only slightly more portable than a Gamecube.
If a "Shield Pocket" were announced, I would pre-order it in a heartbeat. Since it doesn't, I'm looking for the next best thing.
The GCW Zero looks pretty cool, though I'm seriously wary of crowd-funded handhelds. The OpenPandora had amazing specs, but it was shoddily constructed and subject to delays and support shortcomings. Because of all the problems with the OpenPandora, I'm skeptical that the Dragonbox Pyra is ever going to even materialize.
I hear that the Kickstarted GCW Zeroes had sticky buttons and scratch-prone screens. I also hear that Justin is a hard man to get hold of if one wants a repair performed. Have any of those issues been addressed in the ThinkGeek models?
Is there another option that I'm overlooking? My ideal new handheld would be a successor, and a clear upgrade, to the GP2X Wiz.
I have a GP2X F100 MK2, GP2X Wiz, GP2X Caanoo, Xperia Play, and Nvidia Shield.
I really like the GPH consoles. The Wiz is my favorite of the three. I've never had any of the "pixel rot" issues that some people have. For me, the Wiz had the right mix of power and portability. The Caanoo's default GUI is wonky, and the Open2x-style GUI is slow to load and introduces some problems of its own. I really wish that an Open2x firmware could have been released for the Caanoo.
The Xperia Play was a disappointment. The internal storage interfered with the smartphone functionality, while the nature of the android software market means that the hardware is now too obsolete for ePSXE and FPSE, which means that I really don't have a compelling reason to pick up the Play instead of one of my GPH consoles, which at least have software that has been hardware-optimized.
I really, really love my Nvidia Shield (or the "Shield Portable," as it's now called). I use it every day. I use it to stream Youtube and Netflix to my TV, I use it to play controller-enabled Android games. I would probably stream PC games to it if my video card supported that. I don't use it for nearly as much emulation as I thought I would, though the hardware is definitely up to the task, both in terms of power and controls. The only downsides are that it does take forever to boot and it's gigantic. It weighs over a pound. It is a handheld, but it's only slightly more portable than a Gamecube.
If a "Shield Pocket" were announced, I would pre-order it in a heartbeat. Since it doesn't, I'm looking for the next best thing.
The GCW Zero looks pretty cool, though I'm seriously wary of crowd-funded handhelds. The OpenPandora had amazing specs, but it was shoddily constructed and subject to delays and support shortcomings. Because of all the problems with the OpenPandora, I'm skeptical that the Dragonbox Pyra is ever going to even materialize.
I hear that the Kickstarted GCW Zeroes had sticky buttons and scratch-prone screens. I also hear that Justin is a hard man to get hold of if one wants a repair performed. Have any of those issues been addressed in the ThinkGeek models?
Is there another option that I'm overlooking? My ideal new handheld would be a successor, and a clear upgrade, to the GP2X Wiz.
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For under $40 the Leapfrog LeapsterGS can run Linux and is powerful enough to emulate the Neo 100%. The button layout isn't ideal but it works.
I'm considering making a few more of these over the next few weeks for my little nephews. I was selling these systems with my custom linux OS + Emulator last year around this time.
I'm considering making a few more of these over the next few weeks for my little nephews. I was selling these systems with my custom linux OS + Emulator last year around this time.
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That's amazing. What's the screen like on the unit? It really doesn't look that bad in the video.
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The screen is real nice on those, especially for classic games since it's 4:3 320x200 .
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Funny, I've been looking at the same model and so far I like it better than the alternatives. My only concern is the dpad, let us know if it's any good. I read the screen touch is not very good but that's not what we're getting this for anyway. Also read the screen is a mix match from the 1st to second batch run. Oh I almost forgot, the PSUs seems to be faulty but it's an easy fix, look it up on youtube if you have any problems, there's plenty of info there about it.
Is till have my GP2X Wiz, the thing works well but the dpad and buttons aren't that great, I mean they do the job for anything that's not a fighting game, forget playing fighters on this thing but that's ok, fighting games are meant for joysticks anyway.
Is till have my GP2X Wiz, the thing works well but the dpad and buttons aren't that great, I mean they do the job for anything that's not a fighting game, forget playing fighters on this thing but that's ok, fighting games are meant for joysticks anyway.
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While not fully a handheld the shield tablet is pretty damn boss. $300 and yet still the most powerful android device out there (and to an extent the latest ipads). It would be nice if nvidia made a new shield portable using the same K1 processor (or it's 64bit variant brother found in nexus9).
Someone ported a gamecube emulator to the Jetson TK1, linux pcb that uses the same K1 processor.
Someone ported a gamecube emulator to the Jetson TK1, linux pcb that uses the same K1 processor.
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Has it arrived yet?
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It just got to my post office today. Unfortunately, I won't be able to pick it up until Monday.
Delivery time frame was from 12/11 to 12/24. This is from the official site.
I'll post my review once I get it in my hands. Hell, I might even make a video.
Delivery time frame was from 12/11 to 12/24. This is from the official site.
I'll post my review once I get it in my hands. Hell, I might even make a video.
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The JXD s7800b:
Now I'm not going to all out dingoonity on this. For the gamer that wants to play FC, SFC, MD, PCE, Arcade, Mame, NEO, and even Dreamcast, this system is for you. The Nvidea Shield is comparable to this unit, but the Shield is definitely faster.
Right out the box:
Tablet, USB cable to Modem, charging ac cable (can't be charged with USB).
To get you started, there's an APK preloaded with access to games. This system has access to most popular games within this hobby of ours. Also included are some preloaded games from PSP and Android platform.
I'm currently trying to run PS games and will report back when I'm done. So far, Ikaruga ran flawless without issue. The controls allow you to map out whichever way you want to control the game. As in Mame4All/droid, you can rotate/stretch every game to full aspect.
It's portable in the sense you can pack it to go, but definitely won't fit in your pocket. Screen is nice and crisp, also doesn't look like a cheap tablet screen. The whole system is rooted but does not have GPS capability.
I spent a good portion of time before bedtime playing Musha:Aleste on it. Flawless emulation.
Now I'm not going to all out dingoonity on this. For the gamer that wants to play FC, SFC, MD, PCE, Arcade, Mame, NEO, and even Dreamcast, this system is for you. The Nvidea Shield is comparable to this unit, but the Shield is definitely faster.
Right out the box:
Tablet, USB cable to Modem, charging ac cable (can't be charged with USB).
To get you started, there's an APK preloaded with access to games. This system has access to most popular games within this hobby of ours. Also included are some preloaded games from PSP and Android platform.
I'm currently trying to run PS games and will report back when I'm done. So far, Ikaruga ran flawless without issue. The controls allow you to map out whichever way you want to control the game. As in Mame4All/droid, you can rotate/stretch every game to full aspect.
It's portable in the sense you can pack it to go, but definitely won't fit in your pocket. Screen is nice and crisp, also doesn't look like a cheap tablet screen. The whole system is rooted but does not have GPS capability.
I spent a good portion of time before bedtime playing Musha:Aleste on it. Flawless emulation.
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Played through Starfox's 1st level, ran smooth. Playstation emulation ran smooth (wife played Crash Team Racing). I did notice some audio crackling on some Dreamcast games (Border Down) while using Reicast emulator. If there's another emulator, I'll give it a shot.
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Whats the story with the D-pad OMFG?! Good, bad, so-so?
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Pretty good. I had no problems playing CPS1/2/3 with both d-pad and stick. They were very responsive to multiple inputs and cancels in KOF. This has easily turned into my favorite travel unit for MOTW gaming.
If people are looking into this model, make sure you get the s7800b versus the original. Some places are selling the s7800 as the s7800b.
If people are looking into this model, make sure you get the s7800b versus the original. Some places are selling the s7800 as the s7800b.
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Here's Star Fox running on the JXD s7800b.
Wife has been playing Tomba! and Crash Team Racing on ePSX emulator. Since earlier today, I haven't been able to get her to relinquish the JXD s7800b.
The unit also works well with Chromecast and streaming videos to the TV. I'm trying to get wireless gaming on the TV now. HDMI out works great physically plugged in.
Wife has been playing Tomba! and Crash Team Racing on ePSX emulator. Since earlier today, I haven't been able to get her to relinquish the JXD s7800b.
The unit also works well with Chromecast and streaming videos to the TV. I'm trying to get wireless gaming on the TV now. HDMI out works great physically plugged in.
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I have the archos gamepad mk1 - it sucks. It's a little buggy here and there but I can handle that, the killer though is the d-pad, it's four individual buttons and just total garbage to use. I gave it to my 2 year old to play counting and abc games and to dribble on.
I heard the mk2 had pretty much all of the mk1 issues sorted though.
I heard the mk2 had pretty much all of the mk1 issues sorted though.
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No, that's the original settings with Auto Frame skip turned off.
After getting the thing back from my wife, I played Einhänder for a good hour. Soukyugurentai on PS is currently paused.
The dpad and both sticks work well. The stick is my favorite for playing MvC, SFA2, and other fighters.
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I finally took the plunge and ordered a JXD just like yours, can't wait, this thing looks amazing. I've been eyeballing this for a while, seems like the ultimate rig for the road, I've always wanted something like this.
For a while there I was toying with the idea of making one with my GP Wiz and a PSOne screen and go custom with everything else but the truth is that the hardware interaction between the 2 could be pass my ability to mod. Who cares? this JXD surpasses it tenfold, I do however like the PSOne screen a lot 'cause the native resolutions looks amazing with PSX games, it looks as good as a DSi XL screen, every pixel is clean and separated so perfectly. I know, I'm just rambling, there's just something about that screen I like a whole lot.
For a while there I was toying with the idea of making one with my GP Wiz and a PSOne screen and go custom with everything else but the truth is that the hardware interaction between the 2 could be pass my ability to mod. Who cares? this JXD surpasses it tenfold, I do however like the PSOne screen a lot 'cause the native resolutions looks amazing with PSX games, it looks as good as a DSi XL screen, every pixel is clean and separated so perfectly. I know, I'm just rambling, there's just something about that screen I like a whole lot.
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Can you post up a video or if running Dreamcast? Maybe some JSR?