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Worth buying?

Clunge

Clunge

Newbie
Hello all, I'm new to these forums and am quite puzzled with all the jargon.

I've recently decided I need a device to fill the space between phone and PC. I have recently sold my old gaming laptop because I'd rather use a PC for gaming. I have looked into this device, and I like the freedom of modding and things with Android opposed to apple OS. Also, it's ridiculously cheap at
 
Clunge said:
Are there any main issues with these tablets?
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Yes, google market apps store is a pita with FT3 and similar devices from the same region, mainly cos it's not recgnised by the app store as an actual "phone", best bit of advice I can give is to get an android phone to fill the gap if you can afford it, otherwise you are into the world of hunting down apk files and trying to get round the app store limitations.

Read this forum for instance on "can't download apps" threads.

Clunge said:
What are the positive points to buying one of these?
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They are just pure fun, it's a kindle, it's a daily newspaper reader, it aggregates news into newsfeeeds, it plays games (similar to wiiware games though - but still fun), its a sat nav, and so much more, it feeds your brain which is exactly what I want it for, and it does it well if you have a modicum of computing language skills, like PC building, or PS or xbox or Wii modding etc.

Clunge said:
Need some support with things like 'flashing ROMs' I have absolutely no idea what this is referring to :confused: I imagine it's equivalent to just a system reboot?
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Download the file, put it on an SD Card, turn on the tablet, tablet modifies its files and boots up, system is modded.

The files you download have been tweaked by devs to provide you with the best experience it can be, all you have to do is say thanks to the devs for sharing the spoils.

Clunge said:
Also, if I do order it; it will arrive with Android 2.2. Is there an update from this? and if so, do these download automatically? (if not, how do you update 'firmware')
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The only update you need to do is download the files as per the answer above.

Android is only going to get better & more prolific, get in there if you can and enjoy the ride, you can waste hours & hours on the tablet which is just the same as wasting hours & hours on other tablets that cost up to 4 times as much, and is just as equally good fun :)
 
lfc4ever said:
Yes, google market apps store is a pita with FT3 and similar devices from the same region, mainly cos it's not recgnised by the app store as an actual "phone", best bit of advice I can give is to get an android phone to fill the gap if you can afford it, otherwise you are into the world of hunting down apk files and trying to get round the app store limitations.

Read this forum for instance on "can't download apps" threads.



They are just pure fun, it's a kindle, it's a daily newspaper reader, it aggregates news into newsfeeeds, it plays games (similar to wiiware games though - but still fun), its a sat nav, and so much more, it feeds your brain which is exactly what I want it for, and it does it well if you have a modicum of computing language skills, like PC building, or PS or xbox or Wii modding etc.



Download the file, put it on an SD Card, turn on the tablet, tablet modifies its files and boots up, system is modded.

The files you download have been tweaked by devs to provide you with the best experience it can be, all you have to do is say thanks to the devs for sharing the spoils.



The only update you need to do is download the files as per the answer above.

Android is only going to get better & more prolific, get in there if you can and enjoy the ride, you can waste hours & hours on the tablet which is just the same as wasting hours & hours on other tablets that cost up to 4 times as much, and is just as equally good fun :)
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thanks alot.

I've found this device for fairly cheap
eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

but judging by it being NANDFLASH I can assume it's an old model? :(

can anyone direct me to someone UK based to buy the better model with 8000mah battery or whatever.

much appreciated
 
You are not going to find that model in the UK, the only way would be to go direct, and imo I would go for the 8GB model (anything higher and you are paying for a bigger low-cost SD card - might as well pay in the UK for the SD card), get a decent class rated 32GB SD card for the saving and you will have 40GB storage - win-win.

8gb Flytouch 3 Superpad 2 w/ 3g WCDMA, Flash 10.1 GPS Android 2.2

8GB Flytouch 3 Superpad 2 Tablet PC - Flash 10.1 Android 2.2 GPS Apad

And just to show you, the only FT3 with battery rating of 8000mAh are nowhere near the UK:

flytouch 8000 | eBay UK

The nearest is 6400mAh

flytouch 6400 | eBay UK

And if you really want one of them, I would ask them 1 question before I bought it:

Hi,

Can you tell me what version model number this is please?

Let me know the result of the menu shown here:

menu/settings/about device

I'm only looking for a Disco/Disco10 model if possible.

Thank you

But then again, that would be the way I do it, it may not be the way you wish to do it, but it does ensure you get the right model you are looking for.

GL
 
lfc4ever said:
You are not going to find that model in the UK, the only way would be to go direct, and imo I would go for the 8GB model (anything higher and you are paying for a bigger low-cost SD card - might as well pay in the UK for the SD card), get a decent class rated 32GB SD card for the saving and you will have 40GB storage - win-win.

8gb Flytouch 3 Superpad 2 w/ 3g WCDMA, Flash 10.1 GPS Android 2.2

8GB Flytouch 3 Superpad 2 Tablet PC - Flash 10.1 Android 2.2 GPS Apad

And just to show you, the only FT3 with battery rating of 8000mAh are nowhere near the UK:

flytouch 8000 | eBay UK

The nearest is 6400mAh

flytouch 6400 | eBay UK

And if you really want one of them, I would ask them 1 question before I bought it:

Hi,

Can you tell me what version model number this is please?

Let me know the result of the menu shown here:

menu/settings/about device

I'm only looking for a Disco/Disco10 model if possible.

Thank you

But then again, that would be the way I do it, it may not be the way you wish to do it, but it does ensure you get the right model you are looking for.

GL
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thanks again man.

I did get directed to this though:
alvuk.com - 10.2 inch Android Tablet PC
looks like a decent find?

if not, I may order direct like you said. Is shipping expensive?
 
I agree, does sound something like what I would be happy with, and you can upgrade the rom to tim5a, which is the most important factor.

And fyi, shipping is free if you buy direct, like when the new models take off and there are custom roms, I would buy direct in future.

But it is good to see you did your homework before hand, as many have been burned after the event. Ensure you have a 7 day return guarantee too, but don't take off the factory screen protector until you intend to keep it. This will give you a day or 2 to test tim5a rom and ensure all is working, if it fails you can restore factory rom and return it.

GL
 
lfc4ever said:
I agree, does sound something like what I would be happy with, and you can upgrade the rom to tim5a, which is the most important factor.

And fyi, shipping is free if you buy direct, like when the new models take off and there are custom roms, I would buy direct in future.

But it is good to see you did your homework before hand, as many have been burned after the event. Ensure you have a 7 day return guarantee too, but don't take off the factory screen protector until you intend to keep it. This will give you a day or 2 to test tim5a rom and ensure all is working, if it fails you can restore factory rom and return it.

GL
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yeah, I don't like to dive in head first and end up with a cloned device which will be bricked in no time. With tech that's below a decent standard, I'm sure most of the clones aren't REAL bad but not being able to upgrade ROM would be pretty lame. Might go for the UK one as it has the 7 day guarantee even if I don't like it I can return it. I think I feel some extra security just because the company is UK based which makes returns alot easier also.

been such a good help, cheers again
 
Clunge said:
yeah, I don't like to dive in head first and end up with a cloned device which will be bricked in no time. With tech that's below a decent standard, I'm sure most of the clones aren't REAL bad but not being able to upgrade ROM would be pretty lame. Might go for the UK one as it has the 7 day guarantee even if I don't like it I can return it. I think I feel some extra security just because the company is UK based which makes returns alot easier also.

been such a good help, cheers again
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Just be careful of drop shippers. With drop shipping you end upo getting someone who says they are in your country, which they most likely are. But the order direct from the factory and just ad a couple of buck to the overall price. But you end up still having to deal with the factory if there is a problem. Look for sellers that specifically say ships from blah blah UK. Most of the time these are the guys who take the time to quick inspect the units and tend to give more support and someone local to deal with problems. Personally that alvuk site is a little shady. You would think the UK's largest tablet sellers could put up a proper website.
 
Rabid1 said:
Just be careful of drop shippers. With drop shipping you end upo getting someone who says they are in your country, which they most likely are. But the order direct from the factory and just ad a couple of buck to the overall price. But you end up still having to deal with the factory if there is a problem. Look for sellers that specifically say ships from blah blah UK. Most of the time these are the guys who take the time to quick inspect the units and tend to give more support and someone local to deal with problems. Personally that alvuk site is a little shady. You would think the UK's largest tablet sellers could put up a proper website.
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I'm going to go directly to China Grabber for this device:

8gb Flytouch 3 Superpad 2 w/ 3g WCDMA, Flash 10.1 GPS Android 2.2

is this ok?
thanks
 
Rabid1 said:
From what I have read chinagrabber has the best rep for factory direct and you are getting the iBex tablet.
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cheers, just ordered.

Also bought some screen protectors, protective sleeve, keyboard case and a 32gb kingston memory card, and a UK 3pin charger.

really hope it doesn't take the full 14 days to arrive though :(
 
Good choice :)

And when you get your sticky hands on it, post back here as things like Titanium Backup Pro & link2sd are 2 of the most important installs you will need to get your head round.
 
lfc4ever said:
Good choice :)

And when you get your sticky hands on it, post back here as things like Titanium Backup Pro & link2sd are 2 of the most important installs you will need to get your head round.
Click to expand...

I plan to root it as soon as it's charged up :p I found a useful video somewhere which will be great. Then once I have a feel for the device I may try a user-developed rom.
 
It's the custom rom that actually makes the tablet user friendly, otherwise the tablet is as useful as a large paperweight :D

Takes less than 1 minute to flash it.
 
lfc4ever said:
It's the custom rom that actually makes the tablet user friendly, otherwise the tablet is as useful as a large paperweight :D

Takes less than 1 minute to flash it.
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What's the chance of it 'bricking' do you think? and what rom should I use? I don't even know how to flash it.

Are there any good sites to download APKs? and where would I save them if I want applications unavailable in the store?

cheers
 
Chances of bricking it - 0,01%, there's always a chance, but I've never heard of a permanent brick from a rom install.

This is the thread & the rom you need to digest Flytouch 3 Hybrid ROM (rooted)

How to - download the zip, unzip the zip, put the resultant 2 files onto a fresh sd card, not in any directory, insert the card into the FT3, power up, wait, reboot, it is now flashed & rooted. Now learn how to use it, learning beforehand is wasting your time, you wouldn't learn Vista if you were putting on Win 7 as soon as you could.

The market app on the FT3 downloads & installs the apps for you, only when you have got past that stage should you need to ask more :)
 
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