The Wholesale Forums

[Titchimp]

Originally Posted by spotlightdvd

Very helpful TitChimp.

In terms of making a decision on whether to buy from a seller, we're often limited to POS. Could you post a pic of a real Duo so we can know what differences to look for in packaging alone?

do real Duos have the Japanese PSP logo or is that an indicator of fakes?

The do and they dont, dpending on when they are made the real ones will have the PSP logo, i believe it is a more recent thing to show they are compatable. I will try and get a pic of a real one but tbh they are so similar its hard to tell unless you have one in hand, i would recommend you get a sample of one, pay with CC, if its fake you have grounds to do a chargeback i believe.

[diablo audio]

Great post Titchimp . I've added to your rep .

[spotlightdvd]

More questions for TitChimp or anyone else who can answer.

I've spent about 2 hours testing and researching after getting some 1GB Pro Duos and I still can't tell if they're definitely real.

1. If the back of packaging is all in asian character is it a fake?
NewEgg has pics posted here which look very different on the back: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...N%20-%20Retail
2. If the adaptor is included separately, not in the plastic case is it a fake?
3. If a 1GB holds a full 1GB, is it definitely authentic?
4. How deep is the "engraved" text? I feel something when running my finger over it but it's too slight to tell if it's an indent or a bump.
5. How reliable an indicator is the transfer speed? Could it depend on my reader or using the adaptor? I get < 1 MB/sec (i.e. 44MB file takes 1 minute)

From what I've read it sounds like the biggest distinguishing characteristic of a fake is that they don't hold what they say they will. These do, so I'm inclined to think they're real. The packaging could mean they're japanese retail versions. On the other hand, they don't match the packaging I've seen on some other forum posts and on the NewEgg site.

Does anyone know the number to call Sony to ask about whether a product is authentic? The guy I talked to didn't know, but didn't seem to think they'd be able to tell me based on the serial number. He said warranty would be handled through the company I bought them from.

Thoughts?

[Titchimp]

Originally Posted by spotlightdvd

1. If the back of packaging is all in asian character is it a fake?

Not neccisarliy, just imported from the asian market

2. If the adaptor is included separately, not in the plastic case is it a fake?

they may just be buying the adaptors cheap and using them to add value to their cards

3. If a 1GB holds a full 1GB, is it definitely authentic?

im not sure, and wouldnt like to say either way

4. How deep is the "engraved" text? I feel something when running my finger over it but it's too slight to tell if it's an indent or a bump.

shouldnt be too deep, try rubbing one of them harder, maybe with a cloth and see if it rubs off at all, that might help

5. How reliable an indicator is the transfer speed? Could it depend on my reader or using the adaptor? I get < 1 MB/sec (i.e. 44MB file takes 1 minute)

could depend on the reader, best bet is to get one which you know is authentic and set a bench mark, test the others on the same reader against this

Also, my guide is not 100% at all, the manufacturers of fakes will be constantly changing to try and get closer to being like originals, especially now the price of originals is dropping, down to £25 for 1gb in some places

[spotlightdvd]

I've spent several hours between today and yesterday doing more research and compiling my findings in an article here, but the details are still sketchy. If you have any experience with fakes, please read it and let me know if it fits with what you've found.

http://www.spotlightdvd.com/resource...roduoguide.asp

(The article is a pretty crude draft - comments most welcome! I'm not linking it yet, just posting)

In terms of the memory sticks I have, it seems to fall right down the middle between real and fake and I waver back and forth in terms of what I think:

1. Packaging - Seals are not "round", but not long rectangles or continuous seals like people say legit Pro Duos have. They're small, roundish rectangles. Everything else about the packaging looks like pics I see people post of fakes. But then fakes look like real ones, so mine also look real.

2. Memory Stick - Gold leads are clean and complete - no holes. Text on back is not engraved or indented, like some posts say it should be, but neither does it wear off easily like fakes are supposed to. I scratched it with a coin and the text remained unaffected. Yet here it shows a deep indented text (top right) http://pspupdates.qj.net/Real-V-S-Fa...g/49/aid/18198

3. Performance - Full 1GB storage capacity, but I got transfer rates way below 80Mbps. I'm guess this is due to my reader, USB drive, or PC. Files copy back and forth without any problems.

4. Interior - I finally cracked one open after reading that the chipsets are the ultimate determinant. See the comparison here: http://pspupdates.qj.net/Real-V-S-Fa...g/49/aid/18198(the one on the left of each photo is the legit). Guess what!? My cards have the chip layout of the fakes but the "Samsung" "PCB" text that's supposed to indicate legit products.

These are right down the middle on all the key determinants. Another theory is that these are Japanese retail products from a discontinued line. See the bottom of my article where I reference a new MSX-MxGNU line. Does anyone know more?