Grench
Forum Addict!
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2008
- Messages
- 6,629
As far as I am aware, I'm the only prototype purchaser that has, 'gone public'. I thought it would be fun to share those experiences here. I asked for and received ED's permission to create a blog of sorts around the prototype purchase and experience.
I almost didn't make the Prototype order. I am number eight of eight. No, I am not filthy 'rich'. I am making this purchase in lieu of updating/replacing my primary gaming computer this year (the case and motherboard are roughly 8 years old now, but has upgrades). I do have a fair idea of what I'm in for - I was also a prototype purchaser of the Tapwave Zodiac so many years ago.
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Communications
After the purchase and payment for my prototype there hasn't been much for direct communications from the team. Instead, all updates are here in the forums. There has been one exception - color selection.
The color selection email I received from ED asked me to rank order my three favorite colors. My response was:
1st - Glow in the dark.
2nd - Mutt (As many different colors as possible)
3rd - Bakelyte (which would either be mixed color pellets or a surface treatment)
4th - Red #D000000
5th - Dark Red #7E0000
ED responded that colors need to be purchased in certain quantities of at least 20kg and that would preclude the glow in the dark request - but hey, that was a long shot to begin with. From his response I will most likely be getting Dark Red.
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Considerations leading up to arrival.
With the Pollycarbonate case pieces starting to arrive with ED and the circuit boards nearing completion and early boards starting to boot, it is tempting to get as organized as I can for the prototype's arrival. Almost like adding a child to a household, I start trying to figure out what I'll need to make the addition as smooth as possible.
It is very tempting to pre-purchase SD media for the device. However, I've learned my lesson a bit years ago with the Zodiac 2 and then re-learned it with the Pandora.
For the Zodiac I had purchased 16MB cards, then 32MB cards before even receiving the unit. By the time I was 'done' with the Zodiac I was using 4GB SD (non-SDHC) cards.
During the long 2.5 year shipping wait for my Pandora, I purchased 16GB then 32GB cards. After it arrived I moved to dual 128GB currently use a 256GB card in my Pandora, keeping the 2nd slot open for data interchange.
Still, the gear nut in me keeps checking the SD card prices and capacity.
uSD has been stuck at the 200GB peak capacity for a long time now. However, that Sandisk 200GB microSDXC card has dropped in price to where it can be purchased on Amazon in the US for $99 - which makes it VERY tempting to purchase one. I'm trying hard to resist, though, and hold 'Pyra Purchases' for when I actually have a Pyra.
Full sized SDXC cards have been at 512GB for some time - and they charged a rather deterring premium for them. Looking today there is a PNY 95MB/s 512GB card on Amazon for $200. The 256GB version of the card is $80. Either are very tempting, but I'm still trying to hold off purchasing until I have the Pyra in hand.
There is a 4th card slot in the Pyra though. As a prototype purchased from the US, ED has assured me that my Pyra will be equipped with the US 4G module. These days I have my family cell phone plan through AT&T. So, I plan to add the Pyra to that plan as a 'Bring your own Phone or Tablet'. Of course the Pyra isn't listed in the Device or Brand tree - no surprises there. However, there appears to be another option. Apparently if you dial *#06# on a mobile phone or device it will reply with it's IMEI number. AT&T requires this as a first step before they will sell a SIM card. So - nothing to do there until after the Pyra is in hand.
Back when Exagear had a pre-sale-sale I purchased 2 licenses with the intention of 1 going on my future Pyra. But that was also in part to add support to Exagear's efforts - which proved out to be a good thing.
That sums up my process and thoughts to date. If anyone has questions you're welcome to ask. There isn't much I can add beyond what is already in the forums and the small details above though. I will add more information to this thread as the process and my thoughts continue to evolve.
I almost didn't make the Prototype order. I am number eight of eight. No, I am not filthy 'rich'. I am making this purchase in lieu of updating/replacing my primary gaming computer this year (the case and motherboard are roughly 8 years old now, but has upgrades). I do have a fair idea of what I'm in for - I was also a prototype purchaser of the Tapwave Zodiac so many years ago.
******************************
Communications
After the purchase and payment for my prototype there hasn't been much for direct communications from the team. Instead, all updates are here in the forums. There has been one exception - color selection.
The color selection email I received from ED asked me to rank order my three favorite colors. My response was:
1st - Glow in the dark.
2nd - Mutt (As many different colors as possible)
3rd - Bakelyte (which would either be mixed color pellets or a surface treatment)
4th - Red #D000000
5th - Dark Red #7E0000
ED responded that colors need to be purchased in certain quantities of at least 20kg and that would preclude the glow in the dark request - but hey, that was a long shot to begin with. From his response I will most likely be getting Dark Red.
*******************************
Considerations leading up to arrival.
With the Pollycarbonate case pieces starting to arrive with ED and the circuit boards nearing completion and early boards starting to boot, it is tempting to get as organized as I can for the prototype's arrival. Almost like adding a child to a household, I start trying to figure out what I'll need to make the addition as smooth as possible.
It is very tempting to pre-purchase SD media for the device. However, I've learned my lesson a bit years ago with the Zodiac 2 and then re-learned it with the Pandora.
For the Zodiac I had purchased 16MB cards, then 32MB cards before even receiving the unit. By the time I was 'done' with the Zodiac I was using 4GB SD (non-SDHC) cards.
During the long 2.5 year shipping wait for my Pandora, I purchased 16GB then 32GB cards. After it arrived I moved to dual 128GB currently use a 256GB card in my Pandora, keeping the 2nd slot open for data interchange.
Still, the gear nut in me keeps checking the SD card prices and capacity.
uSD has been stuck at the 200GB peak capacity for a long time now. However, that Sandisk 200GB microSDXC card has dropped in price to where it can be purchased on Amazon in the US for $99 - which makes it VERY tempting to purchase one. I'm trying hard to resist, though, and hold 'Pyra Purchases' for when I actually have a Pyra.
Full sized SDXC cards have been at 512GB for some time - and they charged a rather deterring premium for them. Looking today there is a PNY 95MB/s 512GB card on Amazon for $200. The 256GB version of the card is $80. Either are very tempting, but I'm still trying to hold off purchasing until I have the Pyra in hand.
There is a 4th card slot in the Pyra though. As a prototype purchased from the US, ED has assured me that my Pyra will be equipped with the US 4G module. These days I have my family cell phone plan through AT&T. So, I plan to add the Pyra to that plan as a 'Bring your own Phone or Tablet'. Of course the Pyra isn't listed in the Device or Brand tree - no surprises there. However, there appears to be another option. Apparently if you dial *#06# on a mobile phone or device it will reply with it's IMEI number. AT&T requires this as a first step before they will sell a SIM card. So - nothing to do there until after the Pyra is in hand.
Back when Exagear had a pre-sale-sale I purchased 2 licenses with the intention of 1 going on my future Pyra. But that was also in part to add support to Exagear's efforts - which proved out to be a good thing.
That sums up my process and thoughts to date. If anyone has questions you're welcome to ask. There isn't much I can add beyond what is already in the forums and the small details above though. I will add more information to this thread as the process and my thoughts continue to evolve.
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