Still using/owning Pyra/Pandora/GP2X/GP32/Caanoo?

[b_o_b]

Inspired by this post from Notaz who recently updated PCSX for the Pandora I am wondering how many lurkers are still hanging around that use their old devices.
I don't post a lot anymore but am still using my Pandora(s) on an almost daily basis and GP2X maybe a few times per year.

Poll created with votes being public (I think it is fun to see who is still hanging around*) and you can select multiple responses.

BTW - you can change your vote later if your situation has changed.

 

[TeDaDeS]

I do use them less though as I have multiple handhelds, but they're still in my top 5 most used handhelds.
The Pyra does lack a "Notaz" level of support for getting the hardware to operate at its peak performance.

 

[atari_afternoon]

Pandora almost daily since 2012. I have about 960 full recharge cycles on ONE battery, and it still has good life in it.

Wiz I still also love and use, its battery is much worn tho, about 2 hours of Gameboy- and GBA-life I get out of one cycle. I also have to take it out after each time, and then reenter date and time, or it would simply be drained.

The Caanoo (used from @Klumpen) still works, but roughly only 1 hour battery life, and the stick is getting sticky (gluey).

GP2X still runs (mostly for Lynx homebrew here), and GP32 still ran well last summer when I used it.

I have totally skipped the Anbernics etc etc simply because...I still use Pandora (and a little Vita) for Emulation. And I must say, the Pandora here is well battered = loved and all still fully functional.

I stopped following all the China handheld evolution since ca. 2014 - because all still works on 2026 like it did then!

Superb software quality: Long live Linux!

 

[Null]

I don't have any of the devices on the list atm. I had a GP2X but can't remember what happened to it. I sold my Pandora to a friend x amount of years ago because at the time I was expecting that the Pyra I had ordered would be despatched to me not too far into the future (more fool me). As for the Pyra that I've ordered, I'm still hopeful that I'll receive it sometime this decade.

 

[b_o_b]

@TeDaDeS Notaz is certainly the most noteworthy contributor, but there were a ton of devs working on it when the Pandora was at its peak. That definitely shows. That is why it is still a fantastic device.

@atari_afternoon wow, you almost got them all I started with the GP2X so missed the GP32 era. I think G32/GP2X and Pandora had the best community/dev vibe.
My stance on the Pandora is similar: it still works and does everything I want very well, so why change? Thousands of (emulated) games/apps available, great D-pad, and the battery life is amazing.

@Null The Pyra is, in theory, a great device; it is unfortunate that it has been plagued by delays and issues. I was tempted but never pre-ordered. A good decision in hindsight, but I'd rather have seen the Pyra and this community thrive. Fingers crossed everyone that pre-ordered will at least receive their unit. If it comes in the hands of the right dev who knows what is still possible.

 

[TeDaDeS]

@TeDaDeS Notaz is certainly the most noteworthy contributor, but there were a ton of devs working on it when the Pandora was at its peak. That definitely shows. That is why it is still a fantastic device.

Notaz didn't only do the emulators but he also did OS/kernel related work. Which to me made the OpenPandora even better compared to the Pyra.
The Open-Pandora and Pyra are a collaborative effort and indeed the Open-Pandora had a better momentum at that time. Still there are nice contributors now.

 

[b_o_b]

Notaz didn't only do the emulators but he also did OS/kernel related work. Which to me made the OpenPandora even better compared to the Pyra.
The Open-Pandora and Pyra are a collaborative effort and indeed the Open-Pandora had a better momentum at that time. Still there are nice contributors now.

Notaz was involved across the whole ecosystem and indeed played a vital role in OS/Kernel work. He also helped many projects by other developers. I think he would be the first to acknowledge it was a collaborative effort though. I don't get the same vibe from the Pyra, but there may be a lot going on behind the scenes.

 

[elvissteinjr]

I have both Pandora and Pyra and no intention of letting them go. Neither have seen much of any use lately, though.
It's not even that another portable has won me over or anything like that. I don't really carry anything around aside from my phone these days, except for bigger trips (that one at least still has a physical keyboard). Not much portable gaming waiting to be done right now.

 

[Git1]

How do we view the poll results?

 

[matzesu]

I did not bought the Pandora and Pyra back then to have them like they where intend as an Opensouce Linux Hacking Device, but in the first place mostly for Retrogaming, so even though I shame myself for this, I did not do anything whit my Pyra in the last few months sadly as the World of Android Retrodevices brought a whole new level of Emulation on the Go to me.. , I mean: Zelda Twilight Princess HD to Go? WTF?
I still like my Open Handhelds quite much, but other stuff is at the moment a bit more appealing ..

 

[b_o_b]

How do we view the poll results?

After voting you will see the results. Did you miss a poll choice?

 

[b_o_b]

I did not bought the Pandora and Pyra back then to have them like they where intend as an Opensouce Linux Hacking Device, but in the first place mostly for Retrogaming, so even though I shame myself for this, I did not do anything whit my Pyra in the last few months sadly as the World of Android Retrodevices brought a whole new level of Emulation on the Go to me.. , I mean: Zelda Twilight Princess HD to Go? WTF?
I still like my Open Handhelds quite much, but other stuff is at the moment a bit more appealing ..

If there is something better out there for you, why not. My playing backlog is too big already, so I try to resist any temptation.