WTB: PSP - 2000 or 3000?

Decided to take a dive into the PSP world but I'm not exactly sure if I want a 2000 or 3000. I know for sure I want one that can use CFW as I'd like the option to use homebrew and be able to run backups in case I want it in the future.

Best I can tell the main difference between the 2000 and the 3000 is the screen which appears to be superior in quality on the 3000 but I'm reading something about banding issues?

As for the PSP itself, CFW is a must and it'd be nice if it was relatively scratch free.

 

As far as I know all PSP's can be CFWed, so that shouldn't be a concern. I don't know much about the screens.

 

The 3000 series definitely has the best screen, I researched it before purchasing one about a year ago.

Honestly I would recommend just buying one new from a retailer, they were $100 about a year ago and probably can be found slightly cheaper now.

 

I'll completely disagree with kuze here on the screen. IMHO, the 2000 screen is noticeably superiour to the 3000 screen.

That said, you're in the US, so you can walk into any Walmart and buy a brand new PSP-3000 (usually with a game bundled) for $100.

Used (when they are available) from retailers like Gamestop, the systems are typically $70, so used private party should be even less.

Don't pay any extra for one with CFW loaded, because the PRO CFW is open source, free and hosted on Google Code. It works on all PSPs out there.

Both 2k and 3K series PSPs have TV Out if you buy the optional cable.

 

Why do you feel the 2000 is noticeably superior? I've seen comparison shots showing the 3000 having a better color gamut (very obvious from the shots I've seen) but I do see articles discussing the 3000's screen having a few issues that I think would drive me nuts.

 

Because the 3000 renders what looks like an extremely interlaced image on the screen, while the 2000 is solidly progressive.



While it's true that the 3000 does have more saturation, that doesn't mean everything looks better. Aside from the interlacing, the 3000 screens aren't color balanced quite as well as the 2000.

Are the screens on the 3000 series bad? Not at all.

Are the screens on the 2000 series better? Without a doubt.

 

Very helpful info here on CFW and LCFW.

http://forums.pspslimhacks.com/thre...cfw-for-my-psp-1000-2000-3000-or-psp-go.7779/

For the "key" PSP2000 (tell by date code/serial number)

http://forums.pspslimhacks.com/threads/is-this-psp-hackable-allow-me-to-answer-that.120/

I use a PSP2000 with the latest CFW, love it for the train ride (45mins feels like maybe 20mins) just wish the screen was brighter as the sun plays havoc (at the wrong time lol!)

 

3000 has different subpixel orientation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Psp_sub-pixel_comparison.jpg At least in first batch. So there is effect like interlacing is seen sometimes.
Does anyone has recently manufactured 3000 model? Maybe they changed the screen since then.

 

That is the same image I recall seeing many moons ago and why I've been hesitant to purchase one over the other. Beyond the screen issue it seems they're largely identical consoles. So if anyone has a PSP-2000 they'd like to offload shoot me a PM.

 

there's the thing with CFW and LCFW if it's of an issue to you.

as far as i know 3000 device cannot have permanent CFW's due to the IPL being not accessible like on the older 2000 series machines.
there's loaders nowadays that make it a very minor hindrance, but atleast personally i like my 2000 because it just takes a cfw install once and that's it, no loaders and no toying with it ever again.

on the other hand, LCFW that you load up everytime after switching off the psp have the advantage of running OFW when wanted, unlike the older ones where the CFW is permanent.

that's how it was last time i checked atleast, no idea if progress has been made since

 

Some 2000 models have TA-088v3 motherboard which is not flashable too.

 

Even though they lack TV-out and the screen isn't as good. I much prefer the 1000 just for its chunkier feel and better build quality, has more of that special feeling about it.

The GO is a pretty cool machine too if you don't mind the smaller screen size but I don't know if you can load CFW on to it.

 

just get what u feel u need...the CFW once loaded, will stay loaded until you fully reboot...so really not much of a hindrance.

 

With newer CFW you can boot (home pressed) in ofw mode also

 

i really prefer my 1000 over the 2k for the size too, it fits better in my hands for some reason, even though i do have tiny hands. Out of the 3, i like my GO the most because of it's size, but for some reason i always found the 1k
better than the 2k on that sense.

as far as loading CFW to GO, its' the same as 3000 series pretty much, no custom IPL's so LCFW only.