Flash Carts: A Guide to What to Avoid and What to Buy

The issue is of where to buy one, not really what to buy. I have a friend who has an original R4 that he got years ago, and another who has an Acekard. So I don't really care which it is since I've heard positive reviews from them both, I just can't seem to find a legitimate website to buy it off of.
I understand if you guys aren't able to link to a site that sells them, I just figured this would be the best place to ask.

 

Acekard 2i or Supercard DSTwo are the best.

Edge and Cyclods haven't had firmware updates for a long time, so neither of them are ones that I'd recommend.

realhotstuff.com is the best site for all your pornographic flashcart needs. They are a legit seller and I've used them before. But still, a lot of flashcard sites have stopped using paypal for various reasons.

 

I would argue that the best at the best price is the Original R4, 1:1 clones. Despite the 2GB limit, the Wood kernel does an astoundingly good job. It is still updated, still being worked on, and is one of the better designed kernels out there, especially for a cart as simple as the Original R4. Considering you can get it for about $3, it's definitely a good deal. I've been using one for around two years now, and the 2GB is plenty of space for the average person. If you want to start dealing with music and movies, that's when you should look towards a different cart, for higher capacity more than anything else.

As for shops, honestly, I don't know anymore. Do not, I repeat do not shop at Real Hot Stuff. They were hacked awhile ago, and they still haven't managed to fix all of the holes, despite accepting new orders. You put your credit info at risk by choosing to go through them. Sad but true, we've lost what was once a reliable seller of flash carts due to some money hungry hackers. It's one of many woes of life. If lightake is still around, they've always been a safe bet. Besides that, I'm not overly familiar on the shop side of events these days. I'll try to re-familiarize myself in order to be more helpful in the future.

One thing asdfth12 is very correct on is that Edge and CycloDS are not carts worthy of purchase anymore. Team Cyclops has abandoned their carts that they once appeared to work so diligently to maintain. Yes, for anybody still in the dark, Team Cyclops produced and maintained both of those cart lines. As they've lost support, I can't justify their purchase. It was already a hard sale when they were trying to push a cart for $30 to $40 that did less or about the same as one you could pick up for $12. The days of the CycloDS have come to pass. I don't foresee a reliable revival from Team Cyclops coming about. It's best to leave these carts in the past, where they belong with the likes of other abandoned carts. Updates are still needed, and these can no longer keep up. The CycloDSi has already proven an extreme disappointment anyways, with its compatibility in primarily firmware aspects, failing.

Also, PurgexCross, we can link to sites. We can name site names. None of that is taboo here. Just know that you probably won't like whatever payment system you have to go through. PayPal frowns upon Chinese sellers having accounts with them, as these sellers tend to distribute content that is used for illegal purposes. This violates the terms of service in some way, and their accounts are generally frozen and the funds seized. It's easier not to bother and to go through a service that just processes direct payments. PayPal has been making an effort to crackdown to some degree. It's something to be aware of during your hunt.

Finally, sorry for getting back to this so late. Some extenuating circumstances caused me to have to take a leave of absence. I'm hoping these words fall upon at least one set of eyes that they may assist.

 

Just as a notice, the DSTWO hasn't been getting updates in 2012. Still works with the newer games, but meh, that's not the point.
Also the CycloDS iRevolution doesn't support DSi update 1.4.3, so updated DSi and DSi XL systems block the card.

 

They're probably working on a 3DS version of the card.
That is what the AceKard team said they were doing.

 

It's already working on the 3DS. Just doesn't support 3DS games.

Still it's reasonable to release an update to say you're still active to the users.

 

What is was meaning is that the AceKard team are working on a card that works on 3DS roms.
That was what I got on an e-mail a few months ago.

 

The DSTwo updates when updates are required. Anymore, it's pretty much exclusively bootloader updates, which Team Supercard is pretty good at. As for the CycloDSi, the lack of compatibility with the latest firmware of the DSi and 3DS is the exact reason the cart is no longer recommended. It isn't about the frequency of updates. It's about necessary updates, which the Cyclo line is sorely lacking in.

As far as 3DS compatibility goes, many teams are working on it, but until an actual hacking group comes through with someway to run backups, they're essentially sitting on their thumbs. Nobody keeps their hopes up for 3DS piracy even within this year.

 

I'd like a lot less buggyness in the EOS though...
Really, the plugin screen thing is buggy as gods hell.

 

where is a reliable and cheap site to buy a Acekard 2i?

I use to buy them at Priceangles.com but they completely removed all Acekards and many other carts too.

 

Pick your poison, avoid Real Hot Stuff: http://shoptemp.net/products/Acekard-2i.html

 

the R4i-SDHC 3DS is ok isnt it for the 3ds but just doesnt support 3ds games?

 

Correct!

 

What funguy said!

I don't know how to clarify this further besides....

NOTHING, NOT A THING, NADDA, N-O-T-H-I-N-G PLAYS 3DS ROMS! NOTHING AT ALL!

 

me no likey 3ds

 

Hi all and here's hoping someone can help yet another clueless newbie - I've just got a DSi for the little one - I'm in the UK trying to locate a reasonably safe way to buy one of the reccomended cards; Supercard DSTwo, Acekard2i, or R4i Gold 3DS. Most sites are 404 and the only working site I found that was clear bout what it was offering was in China and no way am I giving my CC details to anyone in Beijing, lovely as they may well be. Anyone know of a reliable and safe supplier to or in the UK?

Many thanks for any advice offered!

 

I have used these and can recommend them http://www.cheapr4i.com/

 

Many thanks funguy, I'll have a look

 

Don't be afraid to buy from China. Sellers such as lightake (if they still sell - I'm out of the loop as far as shops go) are very trustworthy, and sometimes you don't have a choice. Most of us that buy flash carts buy from China though. I remember waiting four weeks for my little R4 a few years back. It's been entirely worth it, since I bought the right one.