Bacteria's GP2x mods - #1 completed!

[bacteria]

Doing two GP2x different mods; first one is to implement a d-pad into a GP2x, keep original casing, respray it, replace the short life AA rechargable's with a far longer life Li-ion cell.

Making a full guide on it so anyone with any basic hobby skills can make their own.

Putting the main worklog (what I am showing at the time) on the GP2x forum, and just a pic here and there here and on my forum. I promised the guys on the GP2x forum that i'd give theirs preference until such point as the project is done - then it'll be promoted primarily on my site of course, theirs and other forums too.

Making the work into a video or two, will try and keep it into one 10 minute video, a step-by-step guide, easy to follow.

I'm planning on selling it when done too - one of the lads on the GP2x generously donated me a broken GP2x F200 which i'm going to mod (the second one) for myself; so the first will be sold and some of the proceeds given to him as "thanks".

* GP2x project forum link*

A couple of pics to whet the appetite:

Spray painted top, in metallic black. D-pad hole cut out for the circular d-pad I have.



Not a great pic, but proves it is easy to do this mod with four rubber topped tact switches, piece of acetate/card, hot glue and d-pad. Pic is from the video (not released yet) - more work to do yet!

[lisalover1]

I personally liked the joystick on the GP2X, but this is cool, too. Your mods always turn out great.

[bacteria]

The joystick on the GP2x was rotated a bit on the second version, which is the GP2x i'm using. It was far better than on the "first edition" GP2x as the joystick was hard to use in a game.

I found the GP2x stick in the second version far better (with this rotation) but annoying still as your game character would still move in a different way to how you intended. That is why the d-pad mod is a good idea to do.

On the F200 (touchscreen model) they put in a proper d-pad (see pic below), however as you see in the pic, the one I got (kindly donated), is busted - the d-pad area is broken, so i'm going to re-house it and make various improvements (project #2), including Li-ion battery, larger buttons and better spaced, etc.

[bacteria]

For some wierd reason, the center click button isn't working, and on close inspection of the board, probably didn't originally as one of the two pins supposed to be used for center click is connected on the board to ground. Doesn't appear that center click is needed anyway; checked on the Wiki of GP2x emulators; and a forum member said the center click works like the "B" button anyway, so no loss!

Made a couple more video clips, got project to the stage the front is finished. The PSP Li-ion cell still works strongly after being used for a little while, which is very encouraging.



Just need to put a PSP Li-ion battery in the back and do the case backing now.

[bacteria]

Covering this in more detail on the GP2x forum, but just by removing the covering from a PSP battery you can fit it into the GP2x and close the lid! Only modding needed is to connect it to a charging jack! Easy!

[bacteria]

FINISHED the GP2x project (project #1) it now has a proper d-pad and Li-ion cell. Had nowhere to put a stereo jack (using one for the external charger connection), had to trim inside the battery compartment to make space - took the afternoon to do that. Anyway, got lots of pics and video clips, going to have to pick what I want, edit, etc. I want to see how long the battery will last, charged, so charging the cell at the moment (I also want to know how long it lasts for the last video clip too).

I'm making the build process and documentation all on the video, however having to use some stills with wording on, to explain the latter stages.

Yes, used a PSP charger (well is it a PSP battery), modded the charger a bit so the charger can still be used to charge a proper PSP battery too. The charger unit is designed to take power input from a PSP wall power adaptor (5v) so that is connected too. The reason I used a stereo jack for recharging a battery is that the battery has three contacts on it, one for positive, one for negative, and the middle one presumably for recharge status. A stereo jack has three connections too.



When the system is being used, the original battery cover is on, it has to be off though for the recharge jack to be used - although, I might make a hole in the backing piece and leave the backing closed...

Needs a bit of a dust, etc, but:



Intention will be to sell this unit as mentioned before; when the video is done, done games testing, etc.

So, going to test some games and emulators, test how long the system lasts in a proper game (ie 200mhz or thereabouts); edit the videos, make a last video clip; post it!

[bacteria]

GP2x is dried, looking lovely in its two tone colour scheme (silver and black). Closed the case up, barely but did close ok; booted up, fine. Had a far better game on Gradius 3 on the SNES than before – the d-pad works great.

So, two pics – one of finished system, and the other the GP2x logo i’ll be putting onto the back of the cover.





Now I need to see how long it lasts with the two sets of PSP batteries installed. Whatever the result, is the best I can make it. Going to leave the GP2x on this afternoon on Gradius 3 on the SNES in demo mode (at 200mhz) and see how long it lasts.

When I know that, I can make a final video, including using the system, etc. Will probably need to edit a few bits out to keep it all under 10 minutes!

[HungryGarou]

Damn...now i kinda regret selling off my F200 unit. Might consider getting another one...
Would you be willing to perform mods for other people? pretty please?
If i can get D-pad like that in one plus the PSP battery, then I'd really consider giving the GP2X another chance.

[bacteria]

Yes, I would undertake such commissions, however the idea of this project is to show other people how to do the work themselves and gain the pleasure in doing so.

Within the next hour i'll be presenting the video for the project - completed!

[bacteria]

FINISHED project 1

Here is the link to my site: LINKY

YouTube video: (this is a step-by-step video guide too for d-pad modding and Li-ion battery modding a GP2x BTW)

Pic of system (silver and black finish):





D-pad modded; 4 hour 10 mins playtime on 200mhz game; 4 hours to recharge from flat.

I will sell this item, details and terms on *HERE* - this is a one off item BTW. If you wish to bid for the item, you'll need to register on the forum first to post.