Written by Ocean
Translated by Jones23
March 2008
Features
Data transfer from Xbox360 HDD to PC is possible
Once installed you can flash the drive without having to open up the console again
Works with all flashable Xbox360 drives
High-quality digital SATA switch
Solderless installation = no accidentally destroyed drive due to faulty solderjob
Easy installation which can be done within a few minutes
Integrated Eject button, 360/PC switch, HDD/PC switch
High-quality SATA connections
High-class production quality and design
LED version will be available in Crystal design and other colors
360 opening tool to open the console case is included
No external power supply needed, Xeno Top Gear gets enough power from the console
Contents
The Xeno Top Gear comes in a small compact cardboard box also containing all cables an installation manual, an
opening tool and a Torx-10 screwdriver. All parts are separately sealed in plastic bags.
Production quality of the Xeno Top Gear is very good, the switches and SATA connections are high-quality, comparable
with other computer parts, e.g. a DVD drive. The only downside is the chosen color, which is much more pale than
the original gray Xbox360 grill.
Installation
The installation is easy done, you just have to replace the existing cables of the Xbox360 with the ones that came
with the Xeno Top Gear. This requires disassembling of the Xbox360.
With a proper tutorial (e.g. from Modcontrol.Com) and the opening tool, disassemling is done within a few minutes. The
original SATA cable and the power cable have to be replaced with the new ones. Pay attention that you connect the
right end to the motherboard, else the cable won't be long enough to reach the Xeno Top Gear.
When that's done and the Xbox360 drive is reconnected and remounted in the metal cage on the motherboard, you can
reassemble the Xbox360. You have to remove the protection plate of the left side part to create enough space for
the cables, else the cables could be cut by the protection plate. After reassemling take care that the cables
reaching out of the case are neither too long, nor too short.
Last thing to do is connecting the Xeno Top Gear to the cables and mount it on the case.
Usage
To play games with the Xbox360, the left switch has to be on "360" and the right switch on "DVD", or else the Xbox360
is not able to find the DVD drive and hangs on bootup at the Xbox360 logo. When you want to flash the drive, switches
have to be on "PC" and "DVD". Now you can connect the Xeno Top Gear with an SATA cable to the SATA controller in
your PC. To avoid some frustration, you should spend a few more bugs for a controller with the correct chipset.
For Samsung drives (MS25 or MS28) the VIA 6421L and the VIA 6421A have proven best. If you have a Hitachi drive, you
should get a SATA controller with Silicon Image Chipset. Flashing the drive is as simple or difficult as without the
Xeno Top Gear. You can just use any standard tutorial. I'd recommend to use "iPrep", a program which is really easy
to use.
The Xeno Top Gear also has a HDD connection, located on the side. Here you can attach the Xbox360 HDD to easily
access it with the PC via the SATA cable.
Conclusion
The Xeno Top Gear is a real relief. You don't have to disassemble the Xbox360 anymore and flashing is done within a
few minutes.
And when connecting the HDD, the Xeno Top Gear meets all expectations.
Everyone who wants to enjoy some convenience should definitely think about getting the Xeno Top Gear, especially
since it's less expensive than the competitive product "Blaster360", which supplies the same functionallity,
but without HDD support.
Positives
low priced
the Xbox360 drive is perfectly recognized with the PC
flashing works without problems
the Xbox360 HDD is also perfectly recognized
high-class production quality (case, switches, SATA connection)
additional Eject button
perfectly fitting the Xbox360 case
compatible with the X360 SATA2USB adapter
available with different colors and lights
Negatives
after using the installed Eject button, the Xbox360 flashes as if the disc tray was
still open
Links
Xeno Top Gear Website
-=[ Xeno Top Gear Review Discussion Thread ]=-
