X360, Falcon or Not?

[sammyunltd]

Hi!

I totally got 0wned this Boxing Day. I bought a X360 Pro Edition (with Forza 2 and Marvel) that also included, as a bonus offered by Future Shop, Halo 3 and NCAA March Madness '07. Whatever, it was only for Halo 3 that I bought this.

Anyway, so it turned out that the X360 in there is not a Falcon-chipped (i.e. not a Lot #741-742+). Apparently - because I haven't received my X360 yet - all the X360 from this Promo Bundle were manufactured in the middle of 2006, which means that they are Zephyr.

The catch here is that it was NOT advertised on the website that the X360 included in the bundle was not HDMI-equipped.

Now, after having talked with some FutureShop rep, I have the option of taking back my X360 along with NCAA and Halo 3 in exchange for a REAL "Go Pro" X360 (i.e. the Falcon one) or keeping my old X360. I don't really care about NCAA and frankly not that much about Halo 3, as I will not buy Xbox Live immediately. I can live without Halo 3.

Now, this may seem obvious but, when you look at it, that'd be sad to lose 2 games that way, out of false publicity. So, is the X360 Falcon worth it? Is it really proven that it is more reliable (less RRoD and stuff)?

Thank you!

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

That isn't even Zephyr. That is the piece of shit version....well mine is still problem free.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Right, no HDMI means it's the original garbage design that's a ticking time bomb for the RRoD. MS will never tell, but EBGames/Gamestop has said the failure rate is over 30%.

So far the Zephyr models (= with HDMI) seem to be much more reliable, so getting one of those would be ok. But you didn't, so the only reason to keep it would be if you don't mind a very good chance of losing it for 2-4 weeks, then getting a lousy non-HDMI refurb replacement that also has a high chance of failure.

 

[Bibble]

I would say you have to choose between
A) Keeping those two games and probably having to send your 360 to MS eventually (sooner than B)
B) Losing the two games and possibly having to send your 360 to MS eventually (later than A, if it does RRoD)

I would go for A for the following reason. It is comparable to your 360 breaking, MS taking it for 2-3 weeks, and then sending it back to you with those two games, all free of charge. The only thing you lose is 2-3 weeks of play time.

 

[sammyunltd]

Bibble... you forgot that option B involves a much more "safer" Xbox 360, less likely to RRoD'ed or to just break. I really like those odds.

I'll probably try to argue with the manager and tell them that this was FALSE PUBLICITY. They didn't tell anywhere that we would get a light year old Xbox 360. They even packaged the bundle under the name "Pro", which is NOW reserved for the Falcon consoles. How confusing.

What about you Bl4ckfl4g?

 

[Bibble]

Originally posted by: sammyunltd
Bibble... you forgot that option B involves a much more "safer" Xbox 360, less likely to RRoD'ed or to just break. I really like those odds.

I realize that the Falcon is the safer choice if you are strictly concerned about the system breaking, and I indicated that by saying "possibly" and "if it does RRoD" as opposed to "probably." All I'm suggesting is that 2 free games might be worth the cost of losing your 360 for two weeks.

Also, is the name Pro reserved for the Falcon? I just bought a Pro yesterday and it's a Zephyr. I thought Pro just meant it has a 20gb hdd.

 

[sammyunltd]

Yeah, sorry. What I meant is by reserved is that the only "Pro" that are coming out of the manufacturing plants these days are "Falcon". But you're right. However, why should I get a 18 months old product when, normally, I should get something recent. They should have warned us and give another name to the bundle because there is not a lot of difference between Pro Holiday Bundle and Pro Value Bundle. As far as I'm concerned, they both have the "Pro" and since they have the same product description on the website, I'm tempted to conclude that they are the same product (except for the 2 bonus games).

False Publicity.

 

[zealit]

Wow, I'm so glad I saw this thread tonight. Could cancel my order and get one of the few Holiday Bundle left. Too bad... No Halo 3 but whatever I want the HDMI port version.

 

[sammyunltd]

Lucky dude!

How long is the network cable provided by the "Go Pro" packages?

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: sammyunltd
Bibble... you forgot that option B involves a much more "safer" Xbox 360, less likely to RRoD'ed or to just break. I really like those odds.

I'll probably try to argue with the manager and tell them that this was FALSE PUBLICITY. They didn't tell anywhere that we would get a light year old Xbox 360. They even packaged the bundle under the name "Pro", which is NOW reserved for the Falcon consoles. How confusing.

What about you Bl4ckfl4g?

I'd talk to them and try to keep the games and get the falcon or zephyr. If they won't do that then I'd return the whole thing and get a falcon.

 

[randay]

return it.

 

[tfinch2]

My GF bought my 360 from a local grocery store of all places and scored a Falcon. It says 175W on the box, has an HDMI port, but it does not say "Go Pro". It included Forza and the Marvel game.

 

[imported_Imp]

Guess we know why they had 500 to sell that day now. It's either 2 free games ($100) and risking the hassle of dealing with RROD or give up the games for peace of mind.

The Falcon hasn't really been out long enough to prove that it's better, but given the proven crappiness of the old version, you almost can't go wrong.

 

[sammyunltd]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: sammyunltd
Bibble... you forgot that option B involves a much more "safer" Xbox 360, less likely to RRoD'ed or to just break. I really like those odds.

I'll probably try to argue with the manager and tell them that this was FALSE PUBLICITY. They didn't tell anywhere that we would get a light year old Xbox 360. They even packaged the bundle under the name "Pro", which is NOW reserved for the Falcon consoles. How confusing.

What about you Bl4ckfl4g?

I'd talk to them and try to keep the games and get the falcon or zephyr. If they won't do that then I'd return the whole thing and get a falcon.

Yeah, that's exactly what I am going to do. I called the Customer Service of Future Shop and basically the woman told me to STFU and to GTFO. No "switching" of console. Keep it or get a refund. That's it that's all. Nice customer service... for people that just lied to hundreds if not thousands.

My order is still in Post Office nearby. I'm going to pick it tomorrow. As soon as I pick it, tear the box apart, pull out my wireless router and 2.1 speakers, and I go to the Future Shop for a total refund.

The entire city of Quebec City is without a 360. I've tried everywhere. I am not even sure I'll go 360. There's some nice deal on the PS3 and plus I've had a good time with my sister's BF's PS3 so who knows. I just need to motivate myself again in waiting 1-2 weeks to buy a 360. Any help?

tfinch2 Nice! I guess we can only rely on the Lot # and on the # of Watts the PSU draws.