Written by Brakken & Zelion
March 2008
Introduction
Some of you might just be sitting there looking at your XBOX 360 and just thinking "What could I do to pimp this baby out?"
Sure, you could buy some authorized 3rd party accessories or maybe one of those stick on skins. Sure, these are viable
options, but why not take the step into "modding" your console and get down with the scene. A lot of people like to
deck out their stuff - so why not your XBOX 360?
There's a lot of options when trying to figure out what you're going to do to get that ultimate console sitting in your
room. You've got controller shells, case replacements, fans, lights, etc ... In this review we'll be covering Team
Xtender's XCM 360 Custom Master Chief Case and Apple Green Wireless Controller Shell graciously donated for review
by Extreme-Mods an excellent source for XBOX 360 modification accessories in the USA.
Case Features
Full Replacement Case for your Xbox 360 console!
High Quality Polycarbonate Case
Limited Edition Custom Master Chief etched on the side!
Helps prevent damage to your console from overheating.
Also Includes Faceplate, DVD Bezel, and Eject Button
Case Opening Tool Included - No Additional Tools Needed!
EZ to Install - 10-15 Mins
Available Colors: Blue LED or Green LED
Case Contents
Case (Top)
Case (Bottom)
Case (Faceplate)
Case (Vents)
DVD Bezel
Eject Button
XBOX 360 Opening Tool
Everything came professionally packaged and looked good. The plastic the case is made from is about average quality for
a replacement case - nothing that great, but not too thin. For the price I would rather it be of a higher quality. The
faceplate also suffers from being too thin, but I guess as long as you don't drop your XBOX 360 you should be okay. All
of the other parts were top quality including the tool to open the case with, which is made out of metal. Something
that wasn't noted on Extreme-Mods or the packaging list was the Torx tool that also came with the case. I'm not
sure if they just threw it in to help with the review or if it comes with every case. All I know is that a Torx bit
is required for unlocking six security screws to put the case on.
There was one flaw that was present on not only this case, but also the Chrome case we've already reviewed.
I left the flaw out of the Chrome case because I thought it was damaged during shipping, but two cases in a row doesn't
add up. Anyway, the flaw is one of the legs on the top of the case located near the USB ports. This leg came bent on
both cases and needs to be removed before installation. Strangely enough, the leg just fell off during both installations.
Controller Shell Features
For Xbox Brand Wireless Xbox 360 Controllers Only (Warning: Not compatible with Wired Controller)
Light up your wireless Xbox 360 controller with this kit!
LED On/Off Switch
Top and Bottom Case Pieces included - Not just a top cover!
Easy to install - Only 3 wires need to be soldered for the Lights to work (optional)
Controller Shell Contents
Top Half
Bottom Half
Circuit Board
Battery Pack
Left Right Trigger Buttons
Screwdriver
The controller shell is made from some really high quality plastic and is finished off with a layer of paint that is
smooth to the touch. Like the case, everything is included that you will need to take apart the controller. If you're
going to want the LEDs the light up you're going to have to do a bit of soldering. This might be beyond some peoples
capabilities, but if done (it's optional) your controller will light up in the dark.
Case Installation
One should keep in mind that taking apart their XBOX 360 voids it's warranty. This might scare some new comers, but for
modding experts it's just something that comes with the territory. One of the best parts about the case is that it comes
with it's own installation tool which greatly eases the process. Without the rectangular shaped opening tool you'd be
left to deal with opening the console using other means and requires additional time and effort. Well, with the tool
it's a piece of cake.
Case disassembly and installation instructions can be located on extreme-mods's website under each products respective
page. To take your XBOX 360 apart you first remove the faceplate, which just snaps off. Next you remove the plastic
vents on each side of the console using a small Flathead screwdriver or something similar. Once removed you will need
to remove the top and bottom of the case. This is done by using the unlocking tool to open it up by inserting it into
the grooves on the front and back of the case. Next remove the top of the case then unscrew the six torx security bits
with the included tool. If a tool wasn't present you'll need to get one.
Now you'll have a bare XBOX 360. The first thing you'll want to do is plug in the power for the LEDs on the case. Do
this by first plugging in the original XBOX 360 DVD-ROM power cable into the small PCB that comes attached to the case.
Next plug the power adapter that is on the PCB into your DVD-ROM drive. Be very careful when plugging the power
into the DVD-ROM drive. The adapter does have a groove in it, but it can be accidentally plugged in upside down. If this
happens, like it did with us you'll fry your DVD-ROM drive. This is not a good thing.
Next you can start reassembling the case with your new parts. First replace the DVD Bezel then DVD-ROM eject button.
Next snap on both the top and half of your new case. Once this is done you can snap on the case vents. Finish the process
by snapping on the new faceplate. That's it! The entire process takes around 20-30 minutes for the average installer.
Controller Installation
The controller shell installation can actually be a little bit harder then the case as you'll probably want to solder on
the three wires needed to power the LEDs. If you're new at soldering I suggest you search around to learn how to do it
properly. While searching make sure to check out this guide (if you haven't yet).
First remove the battery pack and then with the included screw driver remove the seven outer casing screws and set them
aside. Next take the controller apart - remove the old shell, remove the Left and Right trigger buttons and the bottom
lip. Basically, remove everything so you're left with the bare PCB.
Now take the top part of the old shell and remove the button covers. The directional pad (D-Pad) will need to be unscrewed.
After this take the PCB and remove the Left and Right trigger buttons (all of this is covered in greater detail in the
installation guide on extreme-mods website). Next install the D-Pad into the Apple Green's top half. After that cover
the buttons with the button pads.
The next part is optional, but I would recommend doing it because it really makes your controller stand out in the dark.
Yeah, soldering. So solder the three wires leading from the top half of your new case onto their respective points on
the controller's PCB. If you're not going to solder then on then I would recommend cutting each one down and wrapping them
with electronic tape. Finally, finish off by replacing the Left and Right trigger assembly, place the new lip between
the top and bottom half's and align them up properly. Replace the six screws and you're all set. Note that the screw holds
haven't been pre-threaded so if your screw doesn't go down all of the way the first time, screw it into the new case
in increments, screwing it as far as it will go and then unscrew it. Repeat until each screw fits properly.
Conclusion
Once all is said and done you'll have a brand new looking XBOX 360. In this case you'll have a custom etched Halo character
on your translucent case which shines bright in the dark and looks great. The Apple Green controller also complements
the XCM 360 Custom Master Chief Case very nicely. Both of them look awesome in the daylight and even better when it's
dark. Other then the few negatives we discovered with installing the case the results outweigh them. I would highly
recommend these products to you, especially if you're a Halo fan.
Negatives
(Case) Cheap Plastic
(Case) Hard Drive Fit is Tight
(Case) Some Screw Holes not Aligned Perfectly
(Case) Defective Leg on Top Half
(Controller) Normal Battery Pack Doesn't Fit Properly
(Controller) Soldering Required for Lights
(Controller) Bottom Lip Hard to Align, Isn't Smooth
Positives
Looks Great
Easy Installation
Most of the tools and included
Links
Team Xtender's Website
XCM 360 Custom Master Chief Case
XCM 360 Apple Green Wireless Controller Case
-=[ Review Discussion Thread ]=-
Product(s) were received from the website above. ISO-420 will always link back to whomever sent the
product(s) *respect*, but please remember that the reviews are independently written by our staff
and are not subject to alteration by whomever supplies us with the review product(s).
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