EDGE (new slot1 flash cart)

zektor · July 22, 2008, 03:37:53 PM

Quote from: ratx on July 18, 2008, 08:51:53 AM
I've not tried any recent firmware updates, using a AK2 mostly now - but the Edge was slow to load compared to eg AK2, R4, DSTT etc not just vs Cyc Evol

The Edge units I ordered just shipped. It's funny you say that they were slow, as I am reading in various places that one of the upsides of the unit is how fast the menu is. Then again, you said you tried it with older firmware. Now I am pretty eager to get these and give them a go.

ratx · July 23, 2008, 07:34:46 AM

The Menu is fast but its slow to load to the menu when you first boot it up. Its just a few miliseconds longer that the others but I'm that fussy

zektor · August 01, 2008, 08:00:11 PM

I never got around to replying to this. I received the cards not too long ago and here is my take:

The cards are AWESOME. They might be clones of the CycloDS, but *extremely* good ones. The cards build is exact in terms of the CycloDS, except for the fact that both cards that I received do exhibit the 1mm memory card stick out. It doesn't bother me at all, but might bother some perfectionists.

So, the card is built well, but how does it perform? I am happy to announce that these cards are fast. I did a side by side comparison with the CycloDS, and the speed is exactly the same. The booting is fast, the menu is ultra fast...it is just a great experience from menu to game and back. It's smoother and faster than many recent cards I have tested (DSTT, AceKard2) and that really says something to me.

The game compatibility has got to be 100%. I didn't test every rom released, but I did test over 100 with no issues at all. Speaking of that, I stuck those 100 or so roms on an 8GB Transcend microSDHC card which also answers the question as to will this card handle large capacity memory...and that answer is YES.

The soft reset works just fine, skinning is great (compatible with CycloDS skins), I was able to use all of my saves on it from the CycloDS, and GBA games worked in conjunction with the 3-in-1 and GBAEXPloader and Opera worked for the ram.

It does not have the slowdown or RTS features of the CycloDS (features I personally never use so I am fine with that), or the built in GBA loading feature (I use GBAEXPloader anyway) or the text reader in the beta, but other than that it is just about exact. Actually, it is probably better in the long run in that you don't run the risk of bricking the card with an update since the firmware files reside on the memory card as opposed to the onboard chip in the CycloDS.

I read a whole lot of people knock this card in various forums (the CycloDS forum obviously) calling it a crappy slow clone and so on. That is just bull. The card is REALLY good. Hands down the best budget card on the market. Guess they don't want you to know that...really can't blame them

Not knocking CycloDS (I have their cards too) as they are really great...especially with support. The Edge site is super basic with manual and latest firmware download...but no support/chat forum. It remains to be seen whether or not the Edge people will keep up with updates and such, but it seems they have been doing a fine job thus far.

Hope my little review helps folks in the decision making process

kkan · August 02, 2008, 08:24:14 AM

if its a cyclo clone did you try the cyclo firmware on it yet?

zektor · August 02, 2008, 06:15:14 PM

Quote from: kkan on August 02, 2008, 08:24:14 AM
if its a cyclo clone did you try the cyclo firmware on it yet?

The firmware is not the same. When you download the cyclods firmware you actually *install* it. It is a .evo file that the card detects and installs just like how Supercard firmware is installed. The Edge card works more like an R4 or M3 Simply in that you just unzip the firmware to the microsd and it boots up.

PharaohsVizier · August 03, 2008, 03:02:03 AM

I really love my EDGE cart too. Lots of people say the AceKard 2 is better, while it has more features, I like the EDGE's menu a lot more.

zektor · August 03, 2008, 11:52:25 PM

Quote from: PharaohsVizier on August 03, 2008, 03:02:03 AM
I really love my EDGE cart too. Lots of people say the AceKard 2 is better, while it has more features, I like the EDGE's menu a lot more.

I agree. I am not into an eye candy menu (although the Edge menu is not bad at all) as much as I am in to a no-nonsense game experience. The Edge card delivers in this respect. Just quickly get to the games, quickly load em, quickly get back to the menu when I want, and quickly load another game. It completely rocks.

PharaohsVizier · August 04, 2008, 01:21:57 AM

One of the things that bugs me though about the EDGE is that we don't hear much from them. The team doesn't seem to be giving it a lot of support, and they don't say much either. We just get an update every now and then that fixes games, which is really troublesome.