Thread: Mini-Box and their products: My Opinion

Originally Posted by Enforcer

Interesting write up, especially from someone who has professed to have never owned or used any of the products being dissed.

So basically all that lovely critic and information is all based on heresay.


So in fairness I request that DP does similar threads for all the Automotive PSU suppliers so all can be equally maligned

So when a number of people report the same problem with the same product under different circumstances and collectively state their experiences, their frustrations, their attempts to troubleshoot and fix the problem and so on....
That's mere "hearsay"?
A photograph of the flaw is "hearsay"?


If one person said something, then OK, I would consider that heresay.
Two people? A little more credence would be given.

But some of the flaws I pointed out above have been documented and reported by dozens of users of the product.
Sorry, but I don't consider that hearsay. Perhaps we're using different dictionaries?

Originally Posted by malcom2073

I stopped reading right there.

DP You of all people should know, that when stuff breaks, people whine. When stuff works perfectly, they're silent. So judging by the amount of negative comments about mini-box in proportion to the number of users, vs the number of negative comments about the opus (for instance) and the proportion to the number of users... I think the product line is doing rather well. You can't judge a product purely by its faults, because humans by nature are whiny. Especially forum members (not this forum, just online forums in general). Especially if you have never used or owned one.

And it has been the experiences of other users that has formed my opinions. It's learning from others' experiences.

If it were just people whining, it could easily be considered user problems or a manufacturing defect or a faulty component, possibly.

But when a large number of units not only don't work, but destroy the very equipment it is supposed to power (such as happened with the M4 and the M2), that tends to put a bitter taste in one's mouth, even someone who isn't directly affected by the flaw.
A design flaw that potentially damages the product with proper use (such as the P-4 connector on the M2 with the latch facing a capacitor) simply shouldn't happen.
Those sorts of problems across a product line indicate to me that someone within the development chain isn't doing their job adequately.

Besides, if you never owned a Saturn (for example), but you had a dozen friends who did and told you all about their problems with a Saturn, would you consider purchasing one?

Originally Posted by Tidder

DP's nose hair length has now passed his chin. How do I know this? I don't know this.

Bah. I trimmed it last night. That hair you see is all beard.

Originally Posted by andrewb

>And then there's the problem of the 4-pin P4 power connector. The 4-pin P4 power >connector on the M2 was oriented that the latching mechanism

Problem was fixed 4 years ago on 04/14/2006, please read the change control at the product page: http://www.mini-box.com/M2-ATX-160w-...C-Power-Supply. As a matter of fact all fixes are documented in the change control file.

Never saw the change control, but it's a good thing that it was fixed, certainly.
I assumed it was because the HV unit pictures I've seen show a different orientation of the connector and there's almost no difference in the board layout.

Regarding picoPSU with 12V only input: Never designed for car use.

I said that about the PW200, but not the PicoPSU, but I think you're absolutely right.

In this hobby, especially relatively early in its lifespan, there were very few options. Any PSU that could take 12vDC input was fodder for hobbyists to test in a vehicle, damn the unstable voltage.


Do you actually work with or for mini-box andrew?

i own both the M2 and the M4, tho i have yet to actually power up the M4 as its been sitting in the original bubble wrap for about 5 months now due to the vehicle i was going to put it into turned into a lemon, the M2 i have is great, the plug latch is towards the outter edge of the board not the capacitor, I do not have any "noise" that is not uncommon when dealing with car audio that a simple ground wire between the carPC and amplifiers will not fix, or an audio filter that filters out that noise from the altinator charging the battery.

And yes, some monitors high voltage output for the backlights are quite noisy, you can physicly hear some of them so imagine the RF noise an amplifier might get through the electrical system....

DP what did mini-box do to you? sounds like you need a hug ^_^ ROTFLMAO J/K heh TBH i think anyones problem with "noise" or "RF" interfereance should/could be fixed reletively easy.. as for failure.. product handling hasnt even been discussed

I've been using a PicoPSU in combination with a Carnetic P2140 for 2 years now...

No problems, pretty heft setup too...check my sig...great combination if anyone wants total gui control of there psu....

This isn't hating on mini-box.
This is simply my opinion based on my observation of the collective experiences of others.
And it's not that their products are lousy or anything. There are flaws and problems with them, though.

As I said, I know there are lots of users that have a mini-box PSU and are pleased as punch with it. Good for them.
And, as a company, mini-box has taken steps to address the problems, as andrew pointed out.

However, because the fact remains that the problems were there at product launch, and I don't think they should have been. That's where my negative opinion comes in.

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I'm not convinced the M2 is the ultimate cause of RFI in peoples' setups, though.
It might be or it might not.
I have no experience with it, so I am certainly not one to judge.

I'm convinced that the M2-ATX is certainly not THE cause of RFI. I bought and installed the Opus 120w in an effort to cure my radio issues and it DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM.

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

However, because the fact remains that the problems were there at product launch, and I don't think they should have been. That's where my negative opinion comes in.

LOL most people can say that about a LOT of things... look at the first generation xbox 360... ring of death... look at the new camaro with the LS1 engine... faulty wiring around the starter and exhaust... the iphone... no copy and paste (till 3 generations later) and most game software for PC's are plauged with problems which is why there are patches, some even the same day the game is released... its an almost expected occurance by todays standards ~_~

theres a lot of things that shouldnt have been released but they were even by MAJOR corporations... its a matter of 'acceptable' supply and demand failures vs. delayed product availability...

it sucks this is true, but its unacceptable if the company doesnt 'fix' the problem and continues to sell shoddy craftsmanship

DP i think you just want to rant about something LOL