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View Full Version : [HARDWARE] GAEMS G155 Personal Gaming Environment



MaximusR3
04-21-2012, 23:45
I know we've had talk of this before is random places but now that I've been using mine on the go for the past few months it's time for a proper review

If you haven't heard of it before (don't worry, everyone so far that has seen mine has never heard of such a thing and assume i custom built it or something), The G155 is basically a suitcase for your PS3 slim or XBOX360 with a built in tv so you can play it (almost) anywhere.

Here's their homepage with plenty of specs:
http://www.projectgaems.com/

it runs for $250 (also is a 4gig XBOX360 bundle for $400) and can be bought online at places such as Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/G155-Gaming-Entertainment-Mobile-included-Playstation-3/dp/B004XGN8W4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319844158&sr=8-1), Microsoft Store (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/en_US/list/size.4/ceid.185690400/keywords.GAEMS/categoryID.38336300/defaultKeyword.Search+Microsoft+Store), and Walmart.com (http://www.walmart.com/ip/CompuExpert-GAEMS-G155-Mobile-Gaming-Environment-Universal/17199235). Devil Dogs can also pick them up at the MCX according to their site although I haven't been on a base in a long time so i can't confirm that. They also sell accessories like a remote and skins to add a little more personalization to your case

here's their promo video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLYO7vXqisc





alright, all caught up on what it is? good, now on to my review of it

2841
I've been using it in my truck for the past few months as well as carrying it into a few terminals and truckstops from time to time. In my truck I'm using a 400w inverter plugged into the 12v accessory port and it works just fine so pretty much any time you've got a vehicle you could set up the case and start playing. The case itself is pretty durable and sturdy for being plastic. I was worried about it cracking or breaking but it has enough flex in it to not crack while still be enough to protect your console inside. The carrying handle is comfortable and thick, which is good considering the thing is a little on the heavy side for a briefcase. The plastic holds it own to an extent but it will scuff so if you're worried about the outside staying pretty you're going to need to baby it. As for the latches that hold it closed, they feel pretty solid for plastic and have the option to place a small lock on one or both if you so choose but considering it's plastic and any would be thief would just snap it off I don't see it as being too useful except maybe to keep kids out of it

The screen is pretty decent in quality, and despite sounding small at a mere 15.5", when you are sitting in front of it you don't even realize the size because it's much like using a laptop and you're only a few feet away. If you intend to stand father back from it then smaller text and details will be harder to see than a larger tv but that should be expected. On Amazon they listed the screen as 720p but it displays 1080p on my PS3 just fine.

The biggest downfall to this product in my opinion is the sound. As one might expect in a small tv, the speakers like craptacular at best. Very weak sound quality and even a very faint hum in mine. Luckily it seems they were aware of this because they also put two headphone jacks in so you don't have to deal with the bad speakers at all. I personally use the Sony Wireless Stereo Headset so I also have never had to worry about the low quality sound.

The straps hold the console in very snug and the pad underneath fits perfectly. I can't speak for the XBOX personally but the PS3 has no restricted vents so air flows normally and heat build up is at a typical level.
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They give you two of these little pouches that can be used to hold controllers and cables. One bag holds two of my dualshock 3 controllers and the other holds the power and HDMI cables. The pouches have drawstrings so nothing falls out and velcro holds them in place on either side of the console during transport.

speaking of cables, they provide you with a short HDMI cable to connect the console to the TV
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a little hard to see i know but basically it's long enough to plug in and have a small little loop for fun. The tv has to be plugged in to an outlet, as well as your console so make sure you have access to two plugs or carry a surge protector so you can consolidate into one plug. I was hoping the power sources would be combined somehow to where it was routed through one plug that retracted from the side of the case or something but the reality of it is not quite so cool. You need to plug in all your cables and just run the power cords out the side to wherever the outlet is located, and you need to unplug everything each time your done because the case will not close properly with anything still connected.

After I've played for a little while I turn it off and leave the case open while it cools down because I don't like the idea of closing it up with that hot air still inside, essentially making it a console oven but that's my own personal thing as it doesn't mention that in the manual anywhere.

So in conclusion, If you travel a lot this case is a great way to keep you in the game, but I do feel that price tag could benefit from a little drop. maybe $199 would be more appealing. Headphones are a must and I also recommend putting your games in a CD wallet because there is no room in the case to store games

iamthesgt
04-21-2012, 23:55
Good review. Thanks for the writeup

Sent from my Android Phone using Tapatalk 2

CHIEFFISH
02-28-2013, 12:27
Hello all,
New to the forums here, But I am Active Duty Military, CW2.
Anyways, I am a product ambassabor for GAEMS and here to give you an offer thats hard to refuse.

GAEMS HALO Edition Vanguard (regular 349.99) on sale for 279.99 - $70 off retail
GAEMS Vanguard (regular 349.99) on sale for 279.99 - $70 off retail
GAEMS Sentry (regular 249.99) on sale for 199.99 - $50 off retail

By going to their website at http://gear.projectgaems.com/collections/ambassador-program
use code "FISH" at check out for the discount.
I own one of these system and can confirm that these things are money when it comes to deployments, Staff Duty, FTXs, your kids, you name it.

If you have any questions about the offer or the system dont hesitate to email me at robert.keith.fisher@us.army.mil

toby2533
02-28-2013, 12:42
Ok for you that have this, how is it playing from a hotel room on hotel wireless?

BilgeRatBilly
02-28-2013, 21:43
Its pretty good. I used mine on a trailer in the middle east for months with no problem. Since I've been home I still prefer to play on it. The smaller screen makes it easier to see everything and its HD screen its crystal clear. I highly recommend it and my wife complains 85% less about me playing since I'm not taking over the tv :cool:

I don't regret geting mine for a second.

Sent from my van down by the river using Tapatalk.

CHIEFFISH
03-01-2013, 07:29
Not going to lie, I havent tried it on a Hotel Wifi yet, I have a Verizon 4G phone, so when I am away from home, I usually use my Wifi tether, as it is usually faster than public internet access.

But yeah, I have the Vanguard system with the 19" screen. And it is amazing. I usually play on a 50" TV at home, so I initially thought it would suck going down to a 19" screen, but like already stated above, I could see myself using it at home if I had to and my wife kicked me off my TV in the man cave :)

I havent taken this on any deployments or FTXs yet, but I have taken it on Staff Duty with me :)

The viewing angles on the Vanguard are very good as well, so you could easily have two people sitting in front of the thing and both see a clear picture.

If you have any more questions let me know.

Fish

Rickety Rob
03-01-2013, 07:38
Here's the biggest question. How the lag? I really and only play BOP's and I hate when I have a horrible connection. Would I be three baring it or would I have a good connection where I won't have any issues?

BilgeRatBilly
03-01-2013, 08:07
Here's the biggest question. How the lag? I really and only play BOP's and I hate when I have a horrible connection. Would I be three baring it or would I have a good connection where I won't have any issues?

Depends on the quality of the connection you have. When I use it at home home I usually do pretty well considering my skill level. You're all kind of making me want to take it to Starbucks and try it out on free wifi though.

Sent from my van down by the river using Tapatalk.

Rickety Rob
03-01-2013, 08:10
As much as I bitch about connections and what not, for me to get it would be a waste of money. I do however see the plus side of things in getting it but again, I would have to pass

MaximusR3
03-02-2013, 21:58
Insight from someone who has spent the last year on the road: the absolute best public wi-fi connection I've come across has been about 1.5Mb/s down, .9Mb/s up. So in terms of twitch shooters like call of duty where connection speed and lag play very heavily.....you're going to be pretty upset

Rickety Rob
03-04-2013, 06:48
Insight from someone who has spent the last year on the road: the absolute best public wi-fi connection I've come across has been about 1.5Mb/s down, .9Mb/s up. So in terms of twitch shooters like call of duty where connection speed and lag play very heavily.....you're going to be pretty upset

Good deal. Now I could see myself getting it if I where to deploy but that's not going to happen lol

iamthesgt
03-04-2013, 09:15
Insight from someone who has spent the last year on the road: the absolute best public wi-fi connection I've come across has been about 1.5Mb/s down, .9Mb/s up. So in terms of twitch shooters like call of duty where connection speed and lag play very heavily.....you're going to be pretty upset

Just turn your 4G phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot - I do that whenever I don't have a good connection. One time I did it at home when our home internet was on the fritz. Pull 10-15Mb/s down, 6-12 up. Had no problem with Battlefield 3 (until my phone battery died, lol).

CHIEFFISH
03-04-2013, 11:39
Yeah, the system has nothing to do with Lag, or connection speeds. So you are at the mercy of what you are connecting to.
But as many have suggested, This thing + 4G hotspot from my phone. Great entertainment, even while riding passenger on road trips (given you have a power inverter, my truck has one built in)

Again, I dont see this thing as being a permenant replacement for my 55" at home, but when Im on the go, which is alot, I take this thing with me.

Note - I have a verizon 4g phone with hotspot, I have 8 gigs a month for my family to share (4 phones) I used it three times this month while i was away, and only hit half of the 8 gigs.
One day was staff duty on a saturday, so I was playing BO2 for at least 10 hours that day, maybe more...

iamthesgt
03-04-2013, 11:59
YNote - I have a verizon 4g phone with hotspot, I have 8 gigs a month for my family to share (4 phones) I used it three times this month while i was away, and only hit half of the 8 gigs.
One day was staff duty on a saturday, so I was playing BO2 for at least 10 hours that day, maybe more...

Yeah it really doesn't use much data at all. I'm on unlimited with Verizon, so I don't worry about it.

jxspyder
03-04-2013, 12:31
Yeah it really doesn't use much data at all. I'm on unlimited with Verizon, so I don't worry about it.

You won't be for long.

Sent from the muddy banks of the Wishkaw

MaximusR3
03-04-2013, 14:55
Yeah unfortunately I didn't have an unlimited data package with Verizon prior to them dropping unlimited so I didn't get grandfathered in or I definitely would be using my 4g hotspot on a regular basis

jxspyder
03-04-2013, 16:32
Yeah unfortunately I didn't have an unlimited data package with Verizon prior to them dropping unlimited so I didn't get grandfathered in or I definitely would be using my 4g hotspot on a regular basis

I did, and was. They remove it when you get the contract new phone.

Sent from the muddy banks of the Wishkaw

iamthesgt
03-04-2013, 16:48
I did, and was. They remove it when you get the contract new phone

No, you can keep it but you have to pay full price (~$600) for a new phone.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

jxspyder
03-04-2013, 16:58
No, you can keep it but you have to pay full price (~$600) for a new phone.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

We didn't even hear it had changed until 2 months after the fact. I was told they were removing unlimited completely.

Sent from the muddy banks of the Wishkaw

iamthesgt
03-04-2013, 21:28
We didn't even hear it had changed until 2 months after the fact. I was told they were removing unlimited completely.

For all practical purposes, they are. Not many people are going to pony up the $ for a new phone.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

CrzyChinook
03-09-2013, 21:09
in preparation of leaving this hell hole im sell all my sh*tz..(tv included) so i need something for my xbox.. they sell the vanguard halo edition at the px.. thinking of getting it..

MaximusR3
03-09-2013, 21:20
It does everything it's meant to so you won't be disappointed if you get it. Keeps your console safe in a sturdy portable case that latches securely, allows for locks, is acceptable to take on a plane, and easily sets up for impromptu gaming sessions anywhere you have access to an electrical outlet. Granted it's more bulky than a laptop but still rather compact for what it is

NwG_SnakeEyes
03-10-2013, 04:58
Hadn't heard of this before. Definitely will have to look into it


Hacking from my Blackhat using Tapatalk 2

CrzyChinook
03-18-2013, 02:00
well sold all my extra shit and went to the PX and bought it .. got the 15.5 one they didnt have the 19 vanguard version..
this thing is awesome.. not only is it a kick ass case but i can use it as a second monitor for my laptop and my tablet!!
sound is decent enough but head sets are defiantly the way to go!

MaximusR3
03-18-2013, 03:12
How well does the xbox fit in there? My one real complaint is how difficult to access the USB ports on the front of the PS3 become once it's secured into the case. I easily remedied it by trimming away a little square of the padding on the bottom and using a retractable USB 3' extension that I just leave plugged in so I don't have to bother squeezing any other cables in there any more


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CrzyChinook
03-18-2013, 03:34
I have a Xbox r2-d2 with a nkyo cooler fits like a boss.. USB front and back easy access .....next is to hook up my wireless turtle beach headset but I think it should work with np

Sent from my Xoom sitting by the Kandahar Poo Pond via CSS-VSAT