Sega Saturn Import Switch Success

[finerion]

Well, I just got finished testing out my import switch mod and I am pleased to say that everything is a success. Only thing I am trying to figure out right now is where to put the switch. Currently it is just hanging out of the battery door but I would like to mount it someplace a little easier to access. Where do you guys mount yours?

For those thinking about doing the mod but who have not made the jump yet, here are a couple things that I have learned:

1. Use a DPDT Submini Slide Switch from Radio Shack (item # 275-0407). Bend the 6 terminals outwards a little to ensure you have plenty of space.

2. Strip Cat5 cable only as a last resort. Maybe it is just the case I have but the individual wires were so small that I spent almost as much time trying to strip them as I did soldering.

3. Be patient and have another set of helping hands available.

4. Thank the extra set of hands (especially if it is your spouse).

[ujnhunter]

What's the point of a Sega Saturn Import switch? Don't you own an Action Replay Plus?

[CRTGAMER]

Maybe mount the switch to the back to keep the front clean. But then it would be a pain to reach.

[Quiet Flight]

What's the point of a Sega Saturn Import switch? Don't you own an Action Replay Plus?

this

[Ziggy]

I guess it's the eternal softmod VS hardmod war. I usually opt for hardmod options myself, but I can think of a few good reason why you would want a region switch on a Saturn instead of using an AR.

For starters, if you have the AR in the cart slot then you can have a memory cart in there. You can't save to the AR from with in the game like you can with a regular memory cart, which is VERY annoying in my opinion. Also, there's the hassle of actually using the AR every time you wanna play an import game. Perhaps many of the import games finerion wants to play don't require a memory cart or whatnot, so why bother having to use any type of cart at all? In fact, I say the less use the Saturn's cart slot gets the better! Those things are damn weak and wear out too easily.

And how about an AR costs $30 at the least. This mod costs $3 for the cost of a switch. Don't even mention using the cheaper alternative to the AR, the GameShark. The GameShark WILL ruin the cart slot VERY easily.

Well, I just got finished testing out my import switch mod and I am pleased to say that everything is a success. Only thing I am trying to figure out right now is where to put the switch. Currently it is just hanging out of the battery door but I would like to mount it someplace a little easier to access. Where do you guys mount yours?

Congrats on your success. I would mount it in the back so you don't see it, but that's just me. Although, you are using the little slider switch (and not a toggle style switch) so it wouldn't look too bad if you were to put it on either side of the console, or maybe even the front.

I myself would keep it in the back, but if you want it in a more convenient spot, I marked the areas I think would be good...

saturnswitch.jpg

On the side would be OK, or on the top of the console in either corner. Toward the front would make sense, since that's where all the buttons are to work the console are anyway. Or in the back corner so you don't see it as much.

[finerion]

Thanks for the advice Ziggy587. I guess I will probably just stick with keeping it in the back since the wire is already run there anyways.

As for why I did this as opposed to doing the Action Replay, well I have a Ultra Madness Replay Pro which is an Action Replay clone. Doesn't work and the reasons are either bad cart slot or bad card. I've disassembled everything, checked for loose solder joints, shorts, dirt, etc but with no success. So either I buy a new Saturn or buy another Action Replay and hope I guess the right faulty component first. Otherwise I end up buying both and as much as I like the Saturn I would rather buy stuff I don't already own.

Plus I like hardmods when available.

[Upsidedown Fuji]

I always wondered why visible areas on the case have to be touched in the first place. Why not make a "stealth" switch inside the bay where the memory battery is located? It's not all that convenient if you switch regions often, but it's cosmetically sound.

[MentalMan]

Or better yet, do the Switchless Mod.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I always wondered why visible areas on the case have to be touched in the first place. Why not make a "stealth" switch inside the bay where the memory battery is located? It's not all that convenient if you switch regions often, but it's cosmetically sound.

I don't know if it is possible to do this on the Saturn, but I did a "stealth" type region mod for the cart portion of my X'Eye. I put the region switch in the disk bay so that it is never seen.



Look for the little black rectangle at about 2:00.

JY

[Ziggy]

Or better yet, do the Switchless Mod.

Yeah, I just remembered this option, don't know why I didn't think of it before...

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/ ... timate.htm