Here follows my pandora impression, experience, including the unit, service etc - I actually wrote this, this morning and then deleted it purely because I did not want to "rub salt" into the wounds of those still waiting. However Craig has made the point in another thread that only faulty units are ever mentioned. So to try and re-balance here is my view, which yes is more positive ...
I want to be clear I’m not sticking up for Craig / nor insulting him, and this applies to other members and threads as well, I know some have had pretty dire experiences. This is purely my experience.
When I ordered all those years back, I knew clearly what I was getting myself into, a start-up company attempting something for the first time. I had dealt with gbax before for all sorts of "carts" for the gba but never bought any of the gamepark kit. When I ordered I was after the be-all and end-all of emulation devices. I knew when I ordered xmas was not going to be possible, but had no idea on the extent of the delay. So yes I did get frustrated, but in the end it was worth it ...
In terms of queue I was around 1500 odd on Craig’s list. I saw the first units go out and was dying of anticipation so I literally lept at the chance to get a one nubber (which luckily turned out to be a two nubber). I am guessing I am much older than most on the board and come from the original generation of gaming consoles, so nubs where never a must-have in my book. My whole process of choosing the one-nubber, getting the email and delivery was smooth - all in a few days.
On arrival it was it was awe inspiring - Pretty much took me back a few decades to when I got my first G7000. It was that unique. Now I could at this point comment on the points mentioned before, one side was a little higher than the other, my 0 key was hard to press, the bezel bulged and the case was a darn tight fit BUT these issues were NOTHING at all. I focused on what had been achieved in my hands I had a full little computer with all the emulation power I could possibly want .. an unbelievable feat.
As with all things in my life I was excessive and loaded my pandora stupid. Everything went on and then I started feeling like a kid in a sweet shop - What sweet is next ? and then ? and then? and then ? Just plain overload !!!
At this point I was worried re the bezel, more because I would see dust starting to settle in the groove. I contacted Ms J and Ms D and the process was completely painless. Send the unit back RMSD, and one was dispatched to me. Turnaround was about 4 days.
My new pandora had less of a bezel bulge (still has a slight one BUT this adds character and is no issue at all!) and its left shoulder button was a little over drilled makes it a bit wonky. BUT again a brilliantly crafted and constructed piece of technology.
This time I started adding my pnd's selectively. So added fuse (manic miner, jet set willy and jetpac) / pandoraPanic (a must have! props to the team) / Game and Watch simulator (added of late) / Visual Boy advance (Game and Watch 1,2,3 and 4 - Kuru Kuru Kururin / Kururin Paradise / The Lost Vikings) [EDIT Neogeo and Metal Slug - How dare I have forgotten ] and few movies and FBReader and a few books!
I am loving it to bits, I am using my pandora as an emulation device. Cant program for it, trying to understand pnd for scripts but that's where my "hacking" customisation will end!
So what are the not so good points - Well at some point I will need a new shoulder button. From a personal point of view I love the nubs for navigation on the desktop but have not used them in games. But I tend to shy away from nub games, like I said Im old-school.
The OS also has some bugs. But luckily we have a mad mallorcan german working on those. Luckily there are workarounds for the ones affecting me. On a separate point ED, you deserve a slap for putting your pandora in the sand. The picture showing all that sand near the SD ports sent a shiver down my spine
No matter how frustrated you are by waiting - Hold On - ITS WORTH IT!
If you are frustrated by a return PICK UP the phone and call in - You will find yourself talking to the two most helpful people from a service point of view. Bear in mind these two ladies are dealing with 8000 customers / returns / dispatching etc.
All in all this has been a really positive and enriching experience!
Oh and .... Kuru Kuru Kururin is undoubtably the best game ever
Please forgive any grammar and spelling mistakes ..
I want to be clear I’m not sticking up for Craig / nor insulting him, and this applies to other members and threads as well, I know some have had pretty dire experiences. This is purely my experience.
When I ordered all those years back, I knew clearly what I was getting myself into, a start-up company attempting something for the first time. I had dealt with gbax before for all sorts of "carts" for the gba but never bought any of the gamepark kit. When I ordered I was after the be-all and end-all of emulation devices. I knew when I ordered xmas was not going to be possible, but had no idea on the extent of the delay. So yes I did get frustrated, but in the end it was worth it ...
In terms of queue I was around 1500 odd on Craig’s list. I saw the first units go out and was dying of anticipation so I literally lept at the chance to get a one nubber (which luckily turned out to be a two nubber). I am guessing I am much older than most on the board and come from the original generation of gaming consoles, so nubs where never a must-have in my book. My whole process of choosing the one-nubber, getting the email and delivery was smooth - all in a few days.
On arrival it was it was awe inspiring - Pretty much took me back a few decades to when I got my first G7000. It was that unique. Now I could at this point comment on the points mentioned before, one side was a little higher than the other, my 0 key was hard to press, the bezel bulged and the case was a darn tight fit BUT these issues were NOTHING at all. I focused on what had been achieved in my hands I had a full little computer with all the emulation power I could possibly want .. an unbelievable feat.
As with all things in my life I was excessive and loaded my pandora stupid. Everything went on and then I started feeling like a kid in a sweet shop - What sweet is next ? and then ? and then? and then ? Just plain overload !!!
At this point I was worried re the bezel, more because I would see dust starting to settle in the groove. I contacted Ms J and Ms D and the process was completely painless. Send the unit back RMSD, and one was dispatched to me. Turnaround was about 4 days.
My new pandora had less of a bezel bulge (still has a slight one BUT this adds character and is no issue at all!) and its left shoulder button was a little over drilled makes it a bit wonky. BUT again a brilliantly crafted and constructed piece of technology.
This time I started adding my pnd's selectively. So added fuse (manic miner, jet set willy and jetpac) / pandoraPanic (a must have! props to the team) / Game and Watch simulator (added of late) / Visual Boy advance (Game and Watch 1,2,3 and 4 - Kuru Kuru Kururin / Kururin Paradise / The Lost Vikings) [EDIT Neogeo and Metal Slug - How dare I have forgotten ] and few movies and FBReader and a few books!
I am loving it to bits, I am using my pandora as an emulation device. Cant program for it, trying to understand pnd for scripts but that's where my "hacking" customisation will end!
So what are the not so good points - Well at some point I will need a new shoulder button. From a personal point of view I love the nubs for navigation on the desktop but have not used them in games. But I tend to shy away from nub games, like I said Im old-school.
The OS also has some bugs. But luckily we have a mad mallorcan german working on those. Luckily there are workarounds for the ones affecting me. On a separate point ED, you deserve a slap for putting your pandora in the sand. The picture showing all that sand near the SD ports sent a shiver down my spine
No matter how frustrated you are by waiting - Hold On - ITS WORTH IT!
If you are frustrated by a return PICK UP the phone and call in - You will find yourself talking to the two most helpful people from a service point of view. Bear in mind these two ladies are dealing with 8000 customers / returns / dispatching etc.
All in all this has been a really positive and enriching experience!
Oh and .... Kuru Kuru Kururin is undoubtably the best game ever
Please forgive any grammar and spelling mistakes ..