I want a PSP, does anyone have some input on which to get?

[ownerizer]

I posted this in the "what's it worth" forum, but it got little response.

I've been looking on Craigslist and eBay, trying to get a general feel of what the different models of the PSP are worth. I know the PSP Go, is basically worthless, as Sony stopped supporting it, but there are so many other models of PSP, which is the most robust and what is a fair price to pay? I found a couple on CL, that I would have to drive almost an hour to, for $50 with accessories and no games, but without knowing the model number, what should I pay?

[Rickstilwell1]

Don't get a 2000, the disc drive doors end up having a problem where it keeps asking you in the middle of the game if you want to quit or continue. It's because it thinks the drive door was opened when it wasn't. I've never had that problem with my more heavily used PSP 1000.

Also if you want video output, the 2000 only works with the component cable, while the 3000 works with both the component cable and the composite cable. So I would say 3000 for video output, 1000 for a sturdier machine with no video output.

[kupomogli]

I know the PSP Go, is basically worthless, as Sony stopped supporting it,

Sony stopped selling it because it didn't sell well, but they didn't stop supporting it. The PSP Go will still receive the standard firmware updates and such just like any other PSP model.

Anyways. Here's a breakdown of the PSP.

PSP1000. This one I is the one I would recommend the least. While it was my first PSP and I loved the system, there's no output, which is an amazing featurue that only the 1000 doesn't have, and an odd placement for speakers. The speakers on the 1000 are on the bottom of the system. The sound quality is more drown out this way because instead of the sound going towards you, it's going towards the ground, maybe muffled by something your PSP is resting on while you play, etc.

PSP2000/3000. I think either are the best versions to get. With both systems I've never had a problem with what Rick stated, so I'll have to skip on that one. However, I have had the problem on both the 1000 and 2000(my 3000 I only use to rip games now and I play all my games on the 2000,) is that the motor eventually stopped working in the systems. Because this has happened on two different systems, I no longer play the games on disc, but rather rip them off the disc and play them through custom firmware.

So anyways. The PSP 2000/3000 both have their speakers on the front on both sides of the screen. Never have a problem with audio being muffled or anything any longer. Both also have video out, which it's far more enjoyable playing the games you love on the big screen. They'll receive a loss in quality sure, but overall will still look great. The 3000 supposedly has a more vibrant screen, but I wouldn't be able to tell you since I haven't compared it.

PSP Go. Then there's the Go. Now the Go isn't bad, but unfortunately, there are a few games that will never be available for it without assistance from custom firmware. Both Star Ocean titles, Mega Man Powered Up, Crisis Core, among a few other good ones aren't playable because they're not on the PSN and never have been.

I like the feel of L and R on the Go better than that of any other PSP, and this is one thing I'm thankful that carried over to the Vita. The buttons work all work fine. The analog works well. The only problem with the Go unfortunately is when using the L and R buttons and resting your hands on that portion to make quick use of them. The major problem with the Go is that with the screen going upwards, your fingers are pressing L and R behind the screen, so games that make a lot of use with L and R are quite annoying on the system as you don't have as much room to rest your fingers as you can never center them because of the screen. The 3DS has this same problem infact. If it's not such a bother to you on the 3DS then it should be fine with the Go if you were to purchase it.

Now here's the reason to purchase the Go though, and in one way it makes it the best PSP system. TV out on the Go is the best. Now if you purchase the component only, the Go unfortunately only has one spot for an input so you're going to have to use it for either tv out or power, so you're pretty much required to also purchase the PSP Go Cradle. So with the PSP Go Cradle, you have the Go on there, you have your power cable, and you have your tv out cable. Do you have a PS3 controller? Link your PS3 controller up with your Go and right there it's the best non portable version of the PSP. Overall the other versions are better, but if you purchase the Go with the idea of using it for tv out only, then it beats out all others in that specific aspect. Although if you don't have a PS3 controller, then forget about getting the Go for tv out as it's the worst of them in that case.

So I would say pick up a 2000 or 3000, and then if you already have a PS3 controller and some expendable cash, pick up a Go and turn it into a consolized PSP.

[Aussie2B]

I'd go with the 2000. Loading times and ghosting are worse on the 1000. It's a big enough difference that some games go from having practically unbearable load times on the 1000 (like PoPoLoCrois and Ys: The Ark of Napishtim) to being quite comfortable to play on the 2000. And ghosting is irritating even on the 2000, so you don't want it to be worse yet. With the 3000, for some bizarre, stupid reason, Sony gave it an interlaced screen, even though PSP games weren't designed with an interlaced screen in mind. Makes the games look like poo. I wouldn't even consider the Go, so the 2000 comes out on top for me. I do have the aforementioned problem of the tray thinking it's open, which was very worrisome at first, but I learned that if I once in a great while gently pull on the four metal prongs on the flap (with my finger or tweezers), it'll just barely bend them back in place, holding the UMD more firmly against the system, eliminating the problem until the metal prongs flatten out slightly again.

[Ryudo]

PSP 2000

Love the system. ALso the load times are so much better

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Another vote for the 2000.

Better form factor, some improvement on load times, Skype compatible (if you're even remotely interested, but you need to buy a compatible microphone, nothing built in to the 2000) and a very good screen.

The 3000 has slightly better video output features, but I'm just not a fan of the screen technology they utilized for whatever reasons that they did that.

I also like the Go, but I'm not going to recommend it as a primary PSP unit over the 2000.

[ownerizer]

I appreciate everyone's input, and I think for all intents and purposes, the 2000 model will fit my needs the best. That being said, what is a reasonable price to pay for one?

[substantial_snake]

One more count towards the 2000 here.

I've owned a 1000, 2000 and GO with the 2000 being my favorite pretty much because of all the reasons mentioned above.

I would however suggest you get a GO if you ever plan on picking up a Vita so you can build a PSN PSP library before hand, instead of having to double dip later down the line. The screen, buttons and compact size is all great on the GO too, really just don't think releasing a UMD less PSP was a smart decision at the time and it sold terribly because of it. The point here is that the hardware is great on the GO so I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand, and with custom firmware you aren't missing much without a UMD drive.

[Edmond Dantes]

I've only ever owned a 3000 and I have not had any problems with it. It is my most played portable.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I appreciate everyone's input, and I think for all intents and purposes, the 2000 model will fit my needs the best. That being said, what is a reasonable price to pay for one?

Ideally less than $100. I'd say $75-$80 is fair, if you can get one for lower even better.

[xelement5x]

Ideally less than $100. I'd say $75-$80 is fair, if you can get one for lower even better.

This is about right for what I see too. I picked up a 3rd PSP recently (a GO, as mentioned previously for the benefits for using it as a home version) with a fair amount of accessories for $60.

It's harder for me to find just a loose system on CL though, as most people want to bundle it with their junk games and then raise the overall price on the bundle.

[Cornelius]

Sounds like you've settled on the 2000, which is probably good. It is what I have, but I've never used the 3000. Amazon warehouse has some 3000s right now, though: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001KMRN0M/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ

Actually, now that I look they've got some 2000s too. You might look at some of the special edition ones. They've got the Jak bundle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000U9TXJ0/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ

I love AWD, most stuff is just a damaged box, returns are easy if it is worse than you were expecting.

[Lady Jaye]

I've only used the 3000, so I can't compare with the other versions, but one thing about it that sometimes annoy me is the on-off/sleep button placement. During intense action gaming, it's happened quite often that I've accidentally put my game to sleep with the palm of my right hand, or even worse, shut down my PSP without having saved recently.

So, if that button is better placed on the other models, that may be a factor to consider as well.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I've only used the 3000, so I can't compare with the other versions, but one thing about it that sometimes annoy me is the on-off/sleep button placement. During intense action gaming, it's happened quite often that I've accidentally put my game to sleep with the palm of my right hand, or even worse, shut down my PSP without having saved recently.

So, if that button is better placed on the other models, that may be a factor to consider as well.

Nope. It's the same place on all of them, they're all subject to accidental sleep mode/power down via that action.

[RCM]

This is about right for what I see too. I picked up a 3rd PSP recently (a GO, as mentioned previously for the benefits for using it as a home version) with a fair amount of accessories for $60.

It's harder for me to find just a loose system on CL though, as most people want to bundle it with their junk games and then raise the overall price on the bundle.

You picked up a GO for $60? Damn, I envy you. I want one, but am not willing to pay over $100 for it.

[xelement5x]

You picked up a GO for $60? Damn, I envy you. I want one, but am not willing to pay over $100 for it.

Haha, I'd been watching Craigslist for quite awhile but I'm pretty patient. I'm in an area with a lot of military and rather than keep things long term they tend to just want to sell off stuff for cash when they're leaving or just getting back from deployment. The Go just returned from Afghanistan according to the guy I bought it from, but it's in great shape.

I can't resist a bit of bragging though ;)
Here was the bundle, it's a crappy picture I know:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7270442418_0ca35b26b6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/93679370@N00/7270442418/)
psp go and accessories (http://www.flickr.com/photos/93679370@N00/7270442418/) by xelement5x (http://www.flickr.com/people/93679370@N00/), on Flickr

Black PSP Go with 16GB internal memory
Additional 2GB card
Hard case and soft case for the unit
Charger/USB cable
Component cables

[Edmond Dantes]

I'd pick up a Go if there was a way to transfer UMDs to it.

Actually, isn't there a way? I've heard of programs that can copy UMDs to the memory and allow you to boot them from there.

[kupomogli]

I'd pick up a Go if there was a way to transfer UMDs to it.

Actually, isn't there a way? I've heard of programs that can copy UMDs to the memory and allow you to boot them from there.

A second PSP with CFW is required. Also, CFW is required on the Go to play them.

[Jorpho]

Are all of the models equally moddable? Do you still need one of those Pandora batteries, or have things advanced beyond that point?

[kupomogli]

The Go and PSP3000 have the soft mods that have the official source code embedded in them so all you have to do is open the CFW, allow it to switch your firmware and then after turning your PSP off and then on, the firmware will be back to official. You can use another that will allow it to be permanent as well, and you can also remove the permanent as well, I think.

[Rickstilwell1]

The Go and PSP3000 have the soft mods that have the official source code embedded in them so all you have to do is open the CFW, allow it to switch your firmware and then after turning your PSP off and then on, the firmware will be back to official. You can use another that will allow it to be permanent as well, and you can also remove the permanent as well, I think.

So it's as easy as just sticking the CFW update onto the memory card and running it?

[dairugger]

So it's as easy as just sticking the CFW update onto the memory card and running it?

exactly. i love my go so much for this reason and all its emus. i always buy physical copies of my games tho, a psp collection is a thing of beauty!

[xelement5x]

exactly. i love my go so much for this reason and all its emus. i always buy physical copies of my games tho, a psp collection is a thing of beauty!

Same here, I've got a decent PSP collection as well but it blows my mind that I have to go through all these hoops to play all these games that I legitimately own. DRM and all I know, but it's a shame that such a nice product as the GO got so shafted with the ability to play physical games.

[Rickstilwell1]

Oh cool, that makes me really want a Go. I could use my PSP 1000 to burn discs and the go to play them on. That extra internal storage and PS3 controller compatibility will make it really nice.

[Gamevet]

exactly. i love my go so much for this reason and all its emus. i always buy physical copies of my games tho, a psp collection is a thing of beauty!

Yeah!

I got my PSP 3000 a couple of years ago and I've bought about 36 titles for the system so far. The Gradius collection is really cool.

[duffmanth]

Like most people have mentioned on here, the 2000 or 3000 models are the ones to go for. I would would stay away from the original PSP 1000 model. As far as what to pay, last I checked new PSP's were like $130 or so, so a gently used one should be under $100.

[otaku]

I've owned all of them except for the go which I would stay away from. Nothing wrong with the original at all prices are low and you have the most freedom

[Parodius Duh!]

3000 all the way. Easiest to hack with teh R0mz.

[Aussie2B]

Just out of curiosity, how do classic games look on the 3000 compared to the 1000/2000? I don't like the interlaced screen for actual PSP games, but maybe that would improve the look of classic games designed for interlaced screens.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Just out of curiosity, how do classic games look on the 3000 compared to the 1000/2000? I don't like the interlaced screen for actual PSP games, but maybe that would improve the look of classic games designed for interlaced screens.

The thing about the interlacing is that it's not the traditional kind of interlacing that you'd encounter on a CRT monitor. It's something that occurs like screen-tearing when a game is in motion.

I've even experienced it on the 3000 when my eyes are affixed on a portion of the screen and I move the unit slightly up/down. Something about the refresh rate allows me to see the tearing with my naked eye even when the image is in a resting state.

It's just a weird side-effect of the tech. I don't think that it would make any classic game collection any better.

[Leo_A]

It's not even interlacing (According to Sony), it just happens to appear like it when you notice it. Supposedly it was a byproduct of things like improving the color range and improving the refresh rate.

I'd take it over all the blurring on my PSP 1000 anyday. There's still LCD blur here, but it's much less noticeable. And that helps the classic collections on here a ton.