Team Xtender Replacment Case ISO-420 Certified Review

[size=4]Team Xtender Top Half GameCube Replacement Case -Review-[/size]
[size=3]Brakken, 2005[/size]
Revision 2

This review has been ISO-420 certified

[size=4]Introduction[/size]

Brakken is back again brining you another quality review which is ISO-420 certified. I've finally been sent one of Team Xtender's Game Cube top half replacement cases for review.

I am posting this review to clear up misconceptions many people have over rumors circulating about the quality of these cases. Previous reviews posted by Team Xtender's competitors have shown damaged products and made claims with no proof to back it up. I hope you find my review honest as I have taken much time to check all of the cases features and to take pictures and videos for proof.

A case is a case is a case as it should seem, but this case is a step in the right direction compared to the other case on the market. After opening the package it came in the first thing I noticed was it's weight as it's made from a higher quality and thick plastic.

After turning it upside down to take a look inside I noticed that it indeed uses cheaper solutions for the buttons then the original Cube case does and then I also noticed the sides were indeed warped a bit, but nothing compared to other defective cases on the market.

[Image: Orginal, Xtender Case and Other Replacement]

[Image: Mechcanical Comparison]

[size=3]Installation[/size]

Fitting the case was a breeze except for having to cut one of the screw poles inside the case to make room for the Viper GC chip. One would think that a case made specifically for a Cube with a Viper GC chip in it would have been made to accommodate the chip. I have heard you can relocate your chip, but since I permanently attached it to the fan chassis that wasn't an option. To remove it I took a pair of wire cutters and cut the screw post half way down and then twisted the top half left and right until it broke free.

After the pole was removed the case slid gently down on the bottom half of the Cube and fit perfectly. There were no gaps to be seen, no need to pull out on both sides and find someone else to push down on the case while you try to screw it on. Next I screwed the case on and all four screws fit snug and didn't stay lose. Also there were no grinding and/or plastic warping noises when I tightened the screws.

[Image: Side Angle]

Opening and closing the lid was not an issue. It doesn't get stuck half way up and when it's closed there is no gap for dust to get in.

[Image: See how well it fits!]

Next came the inserting and removal of full sized media. There is a large gap in the front of the case which will allow you to remove the media using one hand and is hassle free. Many people claimed removing media from these cases was worse then competitors, but I guess we all know who was lying now don't we.

[Movie: Removing Media and Opening the Lid]

The lights were a nice addition and work well. All you do is press down on the Viper GC logo on the case and they turn on.

The lights are encased under the removable jewel and can be removed and possibly changed with other types of lights. The lights draw their power from internal batteries which can be changed if they run out, but due to the lifetime of LED I doubt you will ever have to change them.

Overall I am very satisfied with this case and hope that the minor problems that are present are fixed in later versions.

[Image: Side Angle with Lights On]

[Movie: Lightshow!]

[size=3]Positives[/size]

Installs as promised quickly and easily!

Great quality plastic! Very sturdy!

Dip in the front of the lid to remove media with one hand!

The handle is still present on the back for easy portability!

Built in removable blue LED light show!

You can still see the original LED shine!

[size=3]Negatives[/size]

If you're using a Viper GC chip mounted on the fan chassis you will have to find a pair of wire cutters or tin snips and remove the screw post that is positioned where the Viper GC chip sits. The only way around this is to move the chip.

There is no place for a normal sized jewel and it comes pre-tagged with a Viper GC sticker. The sticker is about the same quality as other cases, but I think you should have had the option to put it on yourself. Luckily you can replace the jewel, but so far there are no replacement jewels available.

[size=3]Conclusion[/size]

As this case is the second one to hit the market one would hope that it would surpass the other alternative and it has! I'm completely satisfied with this case and was left with a good feeling when I installed it. Sure this case has minor flaws, but compared to other flaws plaguing other cases they are barely noticeable.

If you weren't one of the unlucky people to jump on the bandwagon and purchase a faulty case I would highly recommend this case as it's worth the money you will spend on it and if you are one of those unlucky people and actually care about what you buy and are plagued with problems I would also recommend replacing your old case right away!

decent review. why didnt you complain more about having to modify a case that should already have been modified like you did with the hushtrap? the lid looks to completely fly open. how does it close? you didnt say if it was as smooth as the original case or a bit harder like the hushtrap. can you take another pic of the lid open perhaps with a fullsize disc inside..so we can see the little gap in the front where you can take the disc out? you can see it in the vid..but i would like to see a better image of it. man..those leds looks compeletely retarded. have no idea how people can like that ****. but that colour..the transparent indigo is damn sweet. overall..i still think you were and still are too hard on the hushtrap cases..as mine is still perfectly fine. and maybe a little too easy on this case. you still have to modify it to get it to fit properly(something i didnt have to do with my hushtrap). the lid looks to be insanely fast to pop up. im sure that could easily be fixed though by tightening a screw. again..try to get some more pics of a fullsize disc inside. would really like to see more of the case. overall though..i wouldnt think anyone would go out and replace their hushtraps for this one. they look pretty much identical and do the exact same thing. now only 1 more case left. see how long that one takes to come out.

Get a better Digicam please, don't mind reading your reviews but I believe good pictures make your review look good.

Move your post to the case modding forum?

Originally posted by Chanser
Get a better Digicam please, don't mind reading your reviews but I believe good pictures make your review look good.

Move your post to the case modding forum?

The lid opens up way too fast. Is there any way to make it open like the original Gamecube case? The recent batch of Hushcrap has a smooth opening mechanism.

I think people were over reacting with the first case review however, I have to admit it seems like you were a little easier on this one as opposed to the hushtrap. You would think that since they call it a viper case that it would be able to accomadate a viper chip, in standard placement, without modification. The Color is pretty sweet but I want something a little more stock looking. So I'm hoping the third case will be great.

the third case will not look stock at all. they did release a sample pic a long time ago..and it really wasnt stock looking.

as for the lid opening far too fast...i would think that you could probably just tighten the screw on one of the hinges. that would probably slow it down.

Originally posted by plan-9
the third case will not look stock at all. they did release a sample pic a long time ago..and it really wasnt stock looking.

Who said it needs to look stock?

i was replying to the post above mine.

"The Color is pretty sweet but I want something a little more stock looking. So I'm hoping the third case will be great."

hey sounds like hes hoping the 3rd case will look stock. and it wont.

Ah, I didn't notice the stock part in his post before.

Originally posted by plan-9
the third case will not look stock at all. they did release a sample pic a long time ago..and it really wasnt stock looking.

Chikushou. I guess the Hushtrap is the one for me then. It looks most stock and I want to spray paint it anyway as well as cut the center out and have my own custom led lit jewl. I just wish it had a spot for the power led.

I guess I'm getting off topic now so I'm sorry.

I have a xtm/viper case and am very happy,noticed someone has a problem with the speed of opening!

i placed a small piece of package foam in the hinge part
slows down great,someone might try rubber sealant or that sort of thing but be careful
hope this helps.

Originally posted by SephirothTNH
I just wish it had a spot for the power led.

You could always mod the case to fit the original led piece something like this HERE (its not the best picture but you get the idea)

with the LED something like this HERE

The best way to keep it looking stock is to mod the original case.

Personally, I prefer the hushtrap case to the xtender case, it just looks better. The leds on the xtender look annoying and I can,t see people wanting to have them on all the time.

Originally posted by pixelhub

Personally, I prefer the hushtrap case to the xtender case, it just looks better. The leds on the xtender look annoying and I can,t see people wanting to have them on all the time.

You don't have to have the LEDS on, you just press down on the Viper sticker to toggle them on and off.

What is the problem with the Digi Cam I am using? It possible might the the lighting? I am going to to take a couple pictures of the case outside and see how they turn out.

As for the quality of the pictures they are much better then a lot of pictures I see, but I only had around $500 to spend on a camera so I doubt I could of bought one of those $15,000 professional ones. I had cheeckymonkey complaing to me about the quality, but when I look at his guide pictures they are worse quality then mine.

Outside Side Angle