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Professor Abrasive posted an update over the weekend. https://www.patreon.com/posts/big-batch-exfat-43392797

The takeways are:

-The next batch should be ready by the end of November and he expects everyone in the queue will be able to get one.
-exFAT will be supported as of firmware 150 (available now). Sadly this will not apply to Satiators that have already shipped.
-Custom Action Replay firmware is available that will allow the Satiator to boot. You can use the Satiator to apply the firmware and backup the current AR firmware. Hold A while powering on your Saturn if you want to boot to the AR cart instead.

I've briefly tested the new firmware for the Satiator and the AR cart. Both work as expected. There was no change log provided for the Satiator firmware so I assume it is just for exFAT support. I tried the Capcom/Marvel games that weren't working on 149 and they still aren't working on 150.

EDIT: I found the change log. Seems firmware 150 was mainly just for exFAT support.

Just got my Xstation.
I'll let you know how the install goes (might be a week before I summon the moxie for it).

It's cool that they send a solder board for both the 100x AND 550x models. I might install on both models just for the heck of it.

I hope it plays nice with my gameshark pro (if only for virtual memory cards).

Awesome, hopefully I'll get my Xstation soon. I'll install it pretty much as soon as I get it. I'm still not looking forward to having to lift so many pins on the QFP, but I guess that's what I'll do. I didn't realize that it game with the board for 100x and 500x models, that's good news. I was wanting to install this on my 1001 because it has a dead drive. I have 5501 as well, but I'd rather make use out of the 1001 since it's useless with a busted drive. I only see install instructions for the 5501 model though.

Yeah, I don't see any tutorial for the 100x model either. It can't be too hard to figure out where it goes, and it has the same number of solder points, just a different form.
I'm assuming the same pins are lifted on the Sony chip.

You may have to wait for proper instructions to be in the safe side.
I might be slightly more adventurous (or reckless) myself in that regard, as it seems straightforward enough.

I was the same way with the PSIO when I 1st got that: couldn't wait to install it. But the Xstation I will experiment with a smaller card for a while before I commit to putting a lot of games on there. I'm in less of a hurry there (let's me hear about bugs, user compatibility and such).

Well I've read through the instructions for the 550x, and watched Voultar's video, and both show you to remove a resistor and install a jumper wire to the PCB from the main board. So I wouldn't want to take a flying guess with the 1001, I'll wait for instructions if need be.

I have the 1001 with a dead drive. I also have a 5501 that's OK but I stopped using it because the drive had trouble reading some discs (which is normal for this model). Then I have a 7501 with a MM3 chip and a stock 7501. So I could install the Xstation in my 5501, it's not like I'm going to use it any time soon. I just figured I'd install it in my 1001 since that drive absolutely dead.

That's right, I forgot about that wire and resistor.

Well, I guess I'm glad I left my 5501 model alone. I may still prep the 1001 model anyway.

Anyway, I had a handful of PS1 systems (bad drives/untested) from a lot I bought before PSIO came out. And then my regular 5501 stopped reading games reliably late FFIX playthrough (and a delicate clean of the lens made it worse).

I used a 1001 system for the PSIO (the separate audio/video ports are a nice option), but looking back, I maybe should've used a 7xxx model on that.
I still have high hopes for better functionality and more for PSIO.

At least I'm set either way. If I like Xstation enough, I'll order another for the spare 1001 (as you mentioned, it's dead anyway).

On another note, Saturn systems are getting damn pricey these days (used to be able to pick one up for under $30).
With all the ODE options for it, demand is way up.

nightrnr wrote:Anyway, I had a handful of PS1 systems (bad drives/untested) from a lot I bought before PSIO came out. And then my regular 5501 stopped reading games reliably late FFIX playthrough (and a delicate clean of the lens made it worse).

My first PS1 was a 5501. It always worked fine, but when I was playing through FF7 it couldn't read the second disc at all. It read the first disc fine, and every other PS1 game I had at the time. So after that I got a chipped 7501 from SnowKitty. I got my 1001 in a lot of stuff, and the disc drive never worked for me. I picked up another 7501 because I thought I would use it for my retail discs and use my chipped 7501 exclusively for burns, to sort of spread the wear and tear out across them lol.

nightrnr wrote:I used a 1001 system for the PSIO (the separate audio/video ports are a nice option), but looking back, I maybe should've used a 7xxx model on that.
I still have high hopes for better functionality and more for PSIO.

Well the cool thing about the PSIO is that you really can use it on multiple consoles. You can buy the "switch board" for just a couple of bucks and install them in all of your PS1s. Then the PSIO can just be plugged into whatever console you want to use it on. That's what I really like about it, and the Satiator for that matter.

nightrnr wrote:On another note, Saturn systems are getting damn pricey these days (used to be able to pick one up for under $30).
With all the ODE options for it, demand is way up.

Yeah, it's great that ODEs are bringing a lot of consoles back from the dead. But unfortunately for something like the Saturn that didn't sell well, now the price is gonna go up. Also, the ODEs for the Saturn are pretty easy to install and don't require soldering. So that allows more people to be able to install it themselves.

Just got an email notification that my Xstation has shipped!

You are likely to install yours before I get to mine Ziggy. I just don't have it in me right now. I am getting new soldering tips though (I think I could make do, but a fresh tip might be best for those pin lifting areas).

Plus, I think I'm content with PSIO for now. I just want a different option to compare compatibility with some games.

Oh, and I did consider ordering some additional switchboards to install on other bad-drive systems. But it's definitely more than just a few dollars when shipping is added. I think I would just put it towards a whole new one to complete another system.

My Xstation came in a few days ago, but I haven't had the chance to install it. I'm not sure when I'll get around to it.

It comes in a neat little box and includes 3 stickers. I'll post a pic of it when I get the chance.

So I was going over the install docs, you can find them at github.com/x-station. They have install instructions up for the PU-8 and PU-18 motherboard revisions. But as it turns out, not all 1001 have the correct PU-8. So I'll have to open mine up and see if it's the correct board. If not, I'll just put it in my 5501 I guess.

One thing I noticed, looking over both the PU-8 and PU-18 install guides, is that you only have to lift 4 pins on that QFP on the PU-8 boards. You have to lift 8 pins on the PU-18 board.