360 Accessories? - What's good to have?

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:15 am

Are there any 360 accesories that I should consider getting right off the bat? What about a battery charger kit? Do most of you just keep replacing "aa" batteries as needed? I would imagine you can go through an awful lot of batteries if you game a lot.

Appreciate any advice. So far I am loving my 360, even though I only have 1 game so far

I have downloaded about 6 demos that I can't wait to try.

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:22 am

I was reading somewhere that you're not supposed to use rechargeable batteries, but thats all I use and I'm having no problems with them.

Trax · Post by **Trax** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:10 am

XBOX 360 Memory Card ($39.99)
XBOX 360 Datel Transfer Kit ($14.99)
XBOX 360 Plug and Charge Kit ($14.99)

All items unopened/Brand New

All for $60.00 and I will pay S&H

PM if interested!

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:29 am

I've got the rapid charger, i forgot what it is called but it plugs in externally (ie not the plug and play) and charges two batteries at once. I have 3 batteries total, so there is always at least one in the charger and i am never SOL.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:34 am

The camera is a pretty good deal, especially if your Live subscription is almost up. For $80 you get the camera, 1 year of Live, a headset, UNO, Robotron, and 200 Microsoft points.

With the camera you can video chat with friends who have the camera, use the camera in game for some of the arcade titles (Uno, Hearts, Spades, etc.), and create your own personal gamer pic. I think Rainbow Six:Vegas will also use the camera for face mapping you into the game.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:37 am

Whoa WTF, i didn't get that with the camera. I got Uno, 1 month Live and a head set. But i didn't pay $80 either.

BTW can you shut that damm stupid camera theme effect off? Also i find it odd you can;t just take snapshots and store them, you can only take it and put it in as your gamer pic.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:59 pm

Danimal wrote:Whoa WTF, i didn't get that with the camera. I got Uno, 1 month Live and a head set. But i didn't pay $80 either.

BTW can you shut that damm stupid camera theme effect off? Also i find it odd you can;t just take snapshots and store them, you can only take it and put it in as your gamer pic.

Yeah, you got the $40 pack... I was wondering what game came with it... I guess it's UNO.

You can also put pictures you take with your camera in messages... I've received a few.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:04 pm

All I have is the Charger kit. Highly recommend it.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:28 pm

Danimal wrote: BTW can you shut that damm stupid camera theme effect off?

Stupid or not, you can turn it off, or try one of the other effects besides the water effect. I think it's somewhere in the personal settings.

I have only played a few hands of Uno with Fshguy who has it and two randoms who didn't have the camera, and I have to say I miss that little box with the picture in every other online game I play, including the sports games. The randoms in our game were jealous of the camera.

We must get some Uno going, or some Spades, some night. The camera really adds a lot. When Texas Hold 'Em gets its update, we just have to give it a go, especially since that game can hold 8.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:21 pm

Zeppo wrote:
Danimal wrote: BTW can you shut that damm stupid camera theme effect off?
Stupid or not, you can turn it off, or try one of the other effects besides the water effect. I think it's somewhere in the personal settings.

I have only played a few hands of Uno with Fshguy who has it and two randoms who didn't have the camera, and I have to say I miss that little box with the picture in every other online game I play, including the sports games. The randoms in our game were jealous of the camera.

We must get some Uno going, or some Spades, some night. The camera really adds a lot. When Texas Hold 'Em gets its update, we just have to give it a go, especially since that game can hold 8.

I've got the camera as well, and use it in World Series of Poker; oddly, most people just point it at a stuffed animal or table-top item.

The lighting in my room is tough, since it's all in front of the set (behind me in the shot) so it's hard to make myself visible. Making a MAP of your own face to use on your character in WSOP is almost spooky; it looks just like YOU.

All in all, a worthwhile $40 if only for the novelty, but I hope it finds more uses in more games in the future.

Let me know next time you're playing UNO.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:22 pm

I saw other effects options in there Zep, but I saw no options to shut it off. I weill check it again.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:14 pm

Yeah, the camera is great, and I love the external charger. It actually seems to extend the amount of charge you get over the plug and play, and you always have a fresh battery.

The one thing I haven't gotten yet but will definitely spring for is the headset I saw the other day. It's both ears, full cover, with the mic. Gives you stereo sound (dunno about surround) and its wireless. It's 100 bucks, but I have to keep the sound so low at night that it's worth it for me just to be able to get ambience...

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:54 pm

I'll have the 1st party wireless headset the day it hits store shelves.

FifaInspected · Post by **FifaInspected** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:55 pm

Jack,

The best accessory is a backup 360.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:46 pm

FifaInspected wrote:Jack,

The best accessory would is a backup 360.

I'm sure he got the warranty. Do stores offer an in store warranty? If they do, that's the way to go.

Boltman · Post by **Boltman** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:57 pm

I have a 360 wireless controller (official one made by MS) so it was no doubt that I would need the plug and play charger w/ battery.

It is a must have IMO, it will continue to charge your controller, even after you turn your 360 off!

Boltman · Post by **Boltman** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:58 pm

sportdan30 wrote:
FifaInspected wrote:Jack,

The best accessory would is a backup 360.

I'm sure he got the warranty. Do stores offer an in store warranty? If they do, that's the way to go.

Yea, most strores do offer a warranty, Best Buy / Curcuit City etc have nice ones.

Wal-Marts is sick, they simply give you a new system if they have one in stock, no questions asked, they will do so even if you no longer have the receipt!

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:14 am

ddtrane wrote:I was reading somewhere that you're not supposed to use rechargeable batteries, but thats all I use and I'm having no problems with them.

Same here. I have two pair of AA NiMH's that I swap back and forth between my controller and my charger. Got them at Sam's Club (Energizer's, they're the green ones).

No problems at all using my own rechargeables.

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:22 am

Quick charger is essential IMO. I don't know about you but i would rather be completely free of wires when i buy wireless controllers. A play and charge kit just defeats the purpose of wireless.

Datel Transfer kit is a good idea although i got the xsata instead. It connects the hard drive directly to your computer via usb. You can tranfer any files, including entire demos or even backup the whole HD just in case. Only problem is the hard drive has to be on the 360 and the console has to be on. So either your 360 needs to be close to you computer or you use a laptop. A website called llama.com has what looks like a much cheaper version of the xsata, and it MAY work when the hdd is not attatched to the 360. You might want to look into it a bit more.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:12 am

LAking wrote:Quick charger is essential IMO. I don't know about you but i would rather be completely free of wires when i buy wireless controllers. A play and charge kit just defeats the purpose of wireless.

Just in case the OP gets confused, I have the play and charge kit and I always play wireless. I charge the controller when I'm not playing and take it off the charger when I am. The wired option is so you can play games when the battery is low/dead, but you don't have to use it otherwise. It doesn't "defeat the purpose" of anything... just gives you another option. With the quick charger, if you don't have another battery your only option when one goes dead battery is staring at the screen for two hours.

Boltman · Post by **Boltman** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:04 am

Kazuya wrote:
LAking wrote:Quick charger is essential IMO. I don't know about you but i would rather be completely free of wires when i buy wireless controllers. A play and charge kit just defeats the purpose of wireless.
Just in case the OP gets confused, I have the play and charge kit and I always play wireless. I charge the controller when I'm not playing and take it off the charger when I am. The wired option is so you can play games when the battery is low/dead, but you don't have to use it otherwise. It doesn't "defeat the purpose" of anything... just gives you another option. With the quick charger, if you don't have another battery your only option when one goes dead battery is staring at the screen for two hours.

You beat me to it LOL, the "defeats the purpose" comment got me as well. Thank you.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:04 pm

I had that for a while and it works great. Made by Turtle Beach. Not surround sound, but very good quality sound IMO. I just sold it on Ebay because I wasn't using it much and needed some $$$....but it's a great product.

tealboy03 wrote:The one thing I haven't gotten yet but will definitely spring for is the headset I saw the other day. It's both ears, full cover, with the mic. Gives you stereo sound (dunno about surround) and its wireless. It's 100 bucks, but I have to keep the sound so low at night that it's worth it for me just to be able to get ambience...

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:13 pm

Kazuya wrote:
LAking wrote:Quick charger is essential IMO. I don't know about you but i would rather be completely free of wires when i buy wireless controllers. A play and charge kit just defeats the purpose of wireless.
Just in case the OP gets confused, I have the play and charge kit and I always play wireless. I charge the controller when I'm not playing and take it off the charger when I am. The wired option is so you can play games when the battery is low/dead, but you don't have to use it otherwise. It doesn't "defeat the purpose" of anything... just gives you another option. With the quick charger, if you don't have another battery your only option when one goes dead battery is staring at the screen for two hours.

See, the way my system is set up is that there is the tv against a wall, maybe 4 feet out a coffee table and then the couch. I like being able to put the controller on the bottom "shelf" of the coffee table or on the end table we have so i can sit down on the couch, hit the "play 360" button on my harmony remote and pick up the controller from under the coffee table anbd play, never having to walk up to the 360 to turn it on or unplug a controlle rfrom the play and charge kit. And if the battery runs out i always ahve another one fully charged in the quick charge kit next to the couch. No need to run a cable across the floor (a walkway as well) and under or over the coffee table. Nothing wrong with the play and charge kit if you don't mind that or your setup is different. It is cheaper, that's for sure. But i'll take the quick charge kit over it anyday.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:25 pm

The quick charge kit is pointless...I'm with Kaz. I actually have friends that come over and play so I don't particularly want to have 4 batteries ready to go...so I have two, and I charge them up overnight when I'm sleeping and get up and play the next day. No need to have them connected to the 360 at all...in fact, I don't know if I have EVER done that. Just plug them into my pc or laptop and then they are ready to go the next day. No wires, no mess, no problem.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:52 pm

I like the fact that you can plug the quick charge kit into any outlet anywhere you want. You aren't restricted to a usb port somwhere.