Where to find older PSPs in Canada?

[CMPXCHG8B]

Bit of an oddball question here.

I'm looking for a PSP. Specifically, an antiquated PSP, preferably NIB (if that makes any sense at all). My first preference would probably be a PSP-2000 with the TA85V1 motherboard, but failing that I'll happily take a PSP-1000 in all its chunky and weighty glory. I owned one before and the screen/buttons never bothered me, plus I was kind of fond of the over engineered tank-like quality.

I live up in Canada, and I'll probably be driving around and hitting up most of the major retail chains (Futureshop, BestBuy, EBWorld, Target, and Wallmart). I fully expect the majority of them will outright laugh at my obscure queries, but alas part of the fun is the hunt.

Anyways, for those of you who also live up here- do you know of any other places that one might find a PSP-1000 or 2000? I know there's probably a bazillion local places that /might/ carry them, and I'll be stopping by and checking out every one I can find. What I'm more interested in is if anyone knows of any obscure places that might still carry stock that nobody else would think of to ever check (something absurd, like Princess Auto- don't laugh, they had new Gamecubes once).

-CMPX

[Friendly]

If all else fails, ebay. May I inquire as to why you would want such an old PSP?

[Jonathan Ingram]

Probably because of the interlacing issues associated with the PSP-3000`s screen? Otherwise I don`t see the point.

[CMPXCHG8B]

If all else fails, ebay. May I inquire as to why you would want such an old PSP?

Two reasons:

A friend needs a system capable of erasing and programming the EEPROM inside the PSP batteries. The only systems that have the hardware lines to do that are the PSP-2000 with a TA85v1 motherboard (circa ~2006, no later), and all PSP-1000 units. Hard hacking the battery is out of the question since he needs to be able to program the EEPROM (not totally disable it), and doesn't want to pry open the casing and desolder the EEPROM to do so. He probably has the hardware to do it without the PSP, but we figured it would be easier and cleaner if we had one.

I, personally, am often a wee bit bored on the 1h45m ferry ride to and from the island I live on. Wipeout Pure and Pulse are cheap (~$10/each), and I'd like to have some recent Psygnosis games with me that I can actually tote around in my laptop bag. I'm also interested in contributing to the PPSSPP project (because playing any Wipeout game at high res on an Intel computer would be a godsend, and PCSX2 is an unportable mess of plugins and ungodly kludges), and that involves having actual hardware to tinker around with and probe around in software, preferably on an easily hackable system that can be permanently CFW'd.

What spurred it was more about the former then the latter, so I said I'd volunteer to track down a unit for all three purposes. The only reason why I'm more inclined towards the PSP-1000 is because I used to own one a very, very long time ago (almost 8 years now). I never personally had any qualms with it, and for some reason utterly beyond me I'm more inclined to buy heavier hardware (weight wise) if it exists. I guess I just like the feel of it better, though at the same time I'd take the TA85v1 PSP-2000 (if only for the increase in RAM and NAND) if I could find one- but I have a feeling the chances of that happening are remarkably slim.

-CMPX

[Friendly]

I definitely wouldn't go for a PSP 1000 because its screen is worse than that of 2000.
Like I said before, your best bet is ebay. There are tons of cheap used PSP 2000s; just look for one that has a screen protector (to ensure it isn't scratched).
New ones are rather pricey. Here's one (Canadian seller): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-PSP-2000-P ... 0746299994

Is it absolutely necessary to get one with erasable battery EEPROM? All PSPs are hackable now (even though newer PSP revisions require you to re-load the hack every time you completely turn off the system; takes 2 seconds).

[Brasseye]

I have a white Japanese PSP 1000. Nothing wrong with that screen.

[shmuppyLove]

EB Games will be your best bet, but it won't be a BNIB unit, it will most likely be one of their refurbished ones.

They have seperate listings for the "original" (1000), "slim" (2000) and 3000 models, for $59.99, 69.99 and 79.99 respectively.

http://www.ebgames.ca/browse/systems/so ... 1372-6f-93

BTW not sure if you saw it in the shmupmeet thread, but I'll be in Victoria at the end of this month for a week, we should meet up!

[CMPXCHG8B]

Yeah.

i hit every EB Games store on the island today within 20 clicks of Victoria (including Langford). One location had a unit downtown, but it was missing the power adapter and it was apparent the unit had been extensively used. There also appeared to be some sort of bubblegum like substance lodged at the bottom pivot point of the UMD tray panel. Refurbished my ass, the screen wasn't even that clean.

I also hit all the local pawn shops. Found a few units, mostly the same story, including a poor PSP-1001 that appeared to have been ran over by a truck or caught in some kind of hydraulic press. They wanted $5 for that one and I was assured some of the parts might be viable for use as spares :\.

Likewise, Futureshop, Walmart, and Staples all gave me the universal "but why would you want one of those?" look, which maybe I deserved. The guy at Costco at least went in the back and looked around, but alas no luck.

So I guess it's off to eBay and the local second hand markets. Oh well.

-CMPX

[SFKhoa]

If you're in Canada, kijiji is also a good site to check out.

[Skykid]

Probably because of the interlacing issues associated with the PSP-3000`s screen? Otherwise I don`t see the point.

Please elaborate. I'm on the cusp of getting a 3000 for the TV out and improved controls. I was under the impression it had the best screen too.

[Ed Oscuro]

The PSP-3000 has a tearing effect which looks like interlacing, which you'll notice in many kinds of games when there is movement on the screen (i.e. panning the camera in a third person game). I got pretty used to it though. It seems preferable to some of the reported ghosting effects of other systems. I haven't ever seen a PSP-2000, but I personally am happy enough with my PSP-3000. The interlacing effect hasn't been notable in Ultimate GnG, though it was a constant presence in The 3rd Birthday. I don't think it made any impact on Gunhound EX.

[Skykid]

Fudge.

So is there any all round best PSP model? Seems every single one has some kind of drawback. Bit disappointing for a tech company releasing so many models. :s

[null1024]

Fudge.

So is there any all round best PSP model? Seems every single one has some kind of drawback. Bit disappointing for a tech company releasing so many models. :s

Probably one of the earlier 2000s. Not crap D-pad [actually quite nice even], TV out, not too crap screen [for a PSP, there is slight ghosting, not as bad as a 1000], and an earlier 2000 model lets you turn off the system without having to reload whatever CFW [sure, it takes 5 seconds, but it is annoying if you do turn the thing off regularly]. I can't think of any drawbacks compared to the 1k and 3k models.

I love mine. It's my most used portable system nowadays.

[gct]

Black ghosting is pretty bad on both of my PSPs (1000 and 3000), but the tearing effect on 3000 never really bothered me. Skykid, if you will be using TV-out most of the time then this may be a non-issue.

The 1000 absolutely hurt my hands when used in longer sessions though. It might just be my personal grip though, I think I hold it in such a way that the lower edge presses against the inside of my ring fingers.

[CMPXCHG8B]

Fudge.

So is there any all round best PSP model? Seems every single one has some kind of drawback. Bit disappointing for a tech company releasing so many models. :s

Probably one of the earlier 2000s. Not crap D-pad [actually quite nice even], TV out, not too crap screen [for a PSP, there is slight ghosting, not as bad as a 1000], and an earlier 2000 model lets you turn off the system without having to reload whatever CFW [sure, it takes 5 seconds, but it is annoying if you do turn the thing off regularly]. I can't think of any drawbacks compared to the 1k and 3k models.

I love mine. It's my most used portable system nowadays.

There was only one revision that had the TA85v1 motherboards you're talking about, and that's the first (original) revision of the PSP-2000. These are exceptionally difficult to source. They're just as hackable as the PSP-1000s, but with all the supposed goodness of the PSP-2000.

Unfortunately, Sony was quick to revise that motherboard (TA85v2), which blocks the ability to install CFW permanently and create pandora batteries. I believe the window of sale for the TA85v1 units was exceptionally short. I came across a whole handful of PSP-2000 units today during my hunt, and not a single unit was even remotely close to that early of a revision.

-CMPX

[Skykid]

I think I'm just going to get a new white 3k.

I understand it has the best display if you take screen tearing out of the equation, and the best inputs too. Is the screen tearing really that terrible? I won't be tv outing all the time, but if it's barely noticeable I'm not too fussed.

[Ed Oscuro]

Well, the screen tearing doesn't even really impinge on my consciousness unless I'm looking for it. It doesn't make anything illegible in my experience.

[Skykid]

Many people say it looks like scanlines. That's something I'd pay extra for.

Anyway, found all the info in this thread:

shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=41816&sid=230226efcb0ab93e0e4352bf835e4c79

3000 sounds good to me. Outputting PSX games to TV in 240p is a big plus in my book.

[Ed Oscuro]

I've been meaning to get a component cable sometime for output to my Wega...unfortunately they're all a bit on the expensive side (meaning more than $5, heh), and anyway I want a PS2 component cable first. Anyway, I'd characterize the interlaced effect as more like half the fields lagging behind the top ones, but it's not a severe problem because at half the fields are up-to-date.

[ZellSF]

Many people say it looks like scanlines. That's something I'd pay extra for.

Anyway, found all the info in this thread:

shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=41816&sid=230226efcb0ab93e0e4352bf835e4c79

3000 sounds good to me. Outputting PSX games to TV in 240p is a big plus in my book.

Most definitely does not look anything like scanlines. Looks like weave (no) deinterlacing.

240p output isn't that good, it's better than if the PSP had upscaled to 480i of course. Just don't expect the video quality of a real PSX.

[Skykid]

Well damn. I don't know what to do. I have a 1000, the 2k's supposed dull colours aren't so appealing... I guess interlacing it is. I play mainly 2D stuff like Darius Burst, Drac X etc on my PSP, hopefully it will be less obvious with this type of game.

[null1024]

There was only one revision that had the TA85v1 motherboards you're talking about, and that's the first (original) revision of the PSP-2000. These are exceptionally difficult to source. They're just as hackable as the PSP-1000s, but with all the supposed goodness of the PSP-2000.

Unfortunately, Sony was quick to revise that motherboard (TA85v2), which blocks the ability to install CFW permanently and create pandora batteries. I believe the window of sale for the TA85v1 units was exceptionally short. I came across a whole handful of PSP-2000 units today during my hunt, and not a single unit was even remotely close to that early of a revision.

-CMPX

I just checked, and the TA-085v1 is the only one that matches your spec for making a Pandora battery [sadly, the D-pad on the 1000 is criminally bad. It'd be much nicer if you could somehow score one of these... ]. However, all 2000 models but the TA-088v3 can have a permanent 6.60 CFW installed. You can do permanent 6.20 on most PSP models [well, any PSP model that you can install 6.20 on].

It's actually been a while since you've needed a Pandora battery at all.


And I like how weighty the 1000 feels, but the D-pad is truly terrible. I got myself a 2000 because 1: I fell on my 1000 and now it seems to have an internal shorting problem causing it to crash randomly, and 2: I couldn't stand the D-pad anymore.

[Fudoh]

can have a permanent 6.60 CFW installed. You can do permanent 6.20 on most PSP models [well, any PSP model that you can install 6.20 on].

did any of the relevant releases over the past year (Gunhound, Soreyuke! Burunyanman) require FW 6.6 over 6.2 ?

[ZellSF]

can have a permanent 6.60 CFW installed. You can do permanent 6.20 on most PSP models [well, any PSP model that you can install 6.20 on].

did any of the relevant releases over the past year (Gunhound, Soreyuke! Burunyanman) require FW 6.6 over 6.2 ?

I think the changes between 6.2 and 6.6 were for third party services and such, no changes relevant to running games. I remember setting up version spoofing to play 6.6 titles on 6.2 and all the ones I tried at the time worked.

Well damn. I don't know what to do. I have a 1000, the 2k's supposed dull colours aren't so appealing... I guess interlacing it is. I play mainly 2D stuff like Darius Burst, Drac X etc on my PSP, hopefully it will be less obvious with this type of game.

It's obvious wherever there's any motion in the picture... But think of it this way: on the 2000 you would only see a blur there, as they have notable ghosting. Also the 2000 has worse anti-glare colors.

Reading the topic you linked to I'm apparently repeating myself

I'm going to make my next PSP purchase a 3000 (yes a third one).

[Skykid]

Well damn. I don't know what to do. I have a 1000, the 2k's supposed dull colours aren't so appealing... I guess interlacing it is. I play mainly 2D stuff like Darius Burst, Drac X etc on my PSP, hopefully it will be less obvious with this type of game.

It's obvious wherever there's any motion in the picture... But think of it this way: on the 2000 you would only see a blur there, as they have notable ghosting. Also the 2000 has worse anti-glare colors.

Reading the topic you linked to I'm apparently repeating myself

I'm going to make my next PSP purchase a 3000 (yes a third one).

If it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me. Besides, I'm done with the PSP 1000's blurriness, played with that thing forever now, got plenty of enjoyment from it, but ghosting is irritating. I suppose I'd rather have crisp colours and crisp interlacing instead, if I have to make a choice out of two disappointing options.

Damn you Sony, you owed the PSP more than this.

[Friendly]

While I also have an older model, I think I now like PSP Go best (with CFW, of course). It's the most portable PSP and has the best screen by far. In combination with a grip (for instance this) it's comfortable to hold, and you can effectively use it as a home console (pair it with a Dualshock 3 controller and use a PSP Go Cradle with component cables). The only problem is that they aren't getting any easier to find as time goes by, because they have been out of production for two years.

[gct]

I just checked, and the TA-085v1 is the only one that matches your spec for making a Pandora battery [sadly, the D-pad on the 1000 is criminally bad. It'd be much nicer if you could somehow score one of these... ]. However, all 2000 models but the TA-088v3 can have a permanent 6.60 CFW installed. You can do permanent 6.20 on most PSP models [well, any PSP model that you can install 6.20 on].

It's actually been a while since you've needed a Pandora battery at all.

OP's post leads me to believe that he needs the PSP to do more things than just making Pandora batteries and/or install CFW, though I'm not sure what else you can/want to do that involves programming the EEPROM. The last similar thing I heard was re-flashing the chips on the batteries of the Vaio UX series of UMPCs after replacing the cells.

If you just need Pandora batteries, I think you can still buy pre-made ones from various Chinese sites.

[Skykid]

While I also have an older model, I think I now like PSP Go best (with CFW, of course). It's the most portable PSP and has the best screen by far. In combination with a grip (for instance this) it's comfortable to hold, and you can effectively use it as a home console (pair it with a Dualshock 3 controller and use a PSP Go Cradle with component cables). The only problem is that they aren't getting any easier to find as time goes by, because they have been out of production for two years.

No physical media drive no purchase. And that grip can PSP Go fuck itself right in the ass. Looks like something Batman would use to take out a row of bad guys on an overhead gangway.

[Friendly]

That's why I said "with CFW, of course". I have a collection of PSP UMDs; obviously I won't purchase any of those games again digitally.

[CMPXCHG8B]

So, /thread here.

After searching high and low, there's basically no retail stores in Canada that I could find who are publicly advertising the fact that they still carry or sell these machines anymore. Maybe some other local stores have 'em, maybe not- there's basically no way to tell. I visited damned near every store on Vancouver Island and couldn't find one, except for a few PSP-3000s going for $159 (mostly at Toys R Us). I phoned everyone I could find a phone number for across Canada who might have one and could ship it, same thing. Lots of 2000s and 3000s, no 1000s.

As per the recommendations on this thread (and from many salesmen working at many different retail stores), I landed up hitting eBay, Craigslist, Kijiji, and Used Victoria. I found a nice kit an hour and a half away up in Nanaimo that had only been used once or twice and was literally in mint condition for $50. Only took three days to sell the insane pile of accessories it came with, yielding a +$35 profit in the end (plus the console, which I kept).

So for anyone else stumbling across this post, basically, don't bother if you're in Canada. You can find factory sealed units online but expect to pay $289+ for them. I have literally visited or phoned every single store otherwise, and if you can't find one locally you'd best be looking for a second hand unit instead.

-CMPX

PS: These suckers really fly clocked at 333mhz. Good lord.