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Cendyne Lightning IV by Acer?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 4:56 pm
by peace_frog
Hey Folks,

Great forum. I have a question. I just purchased a Cendyne Lightning IV drive from OfficeMax, and was a bit disappointed when I researched the drive model # 4816P on the box . As it turns out this is not the LiteOn 48x12x48 I had hoped for, but it is instead a 48x16x48 BENQ CRW 4816P made by Acer. There is a pretty good consensus to indicate that the LiteOn is a good drive and that people are rarely unhappy with it. I can't seem to any opinions with regards to the Acer. Any input such as links to a review or personal opinions would be a great help. The unit came as part of a promo where it's free after a $20 and a $30 rebate with the purchase of a kHypermedia 100 40x cd-r spindle @ $24.99. It basically boils down to $32.10 for the package after tax and postage. I haven't even opened the box yet though, because I'm not sure I want to keep it. I really was expecting the LiteOn and it's no problem to continue with my old HP 8100i 4x2x24 for a little longer, but I'd like more info on the Acer. Thanks in advance.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 6:14 pm
by TheWizard
The BenQ 4816P is not a good drive. If you keep it, the final cost after rebates will be $0.00, so that is a bonus, but you may want to exchange the drive for another CenDyne Lightning IV. When you go back to OfficeMax, look at various of the CenDyne boxes to find "LTR" listed somewhere in the product code, that will guarantee a Lite-On drive inside.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 7:29 pm
by bill_mekeel
I just got mine - it's a model number 4824P (most likely the BenQ). How good is it? I don't know, but it seems to work ok and it doesn't make a lot of noise so it looks like it's good enough for what I want to do with it (which is make a few cd copies a week).

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 8:01 pm
by aznjosh
i think tat model is a slightly upgraded model of my norcent rw481 48x12x48 which is also made by benq which i bought for $9.99 a/r which i haven't gotton the rebates for yet. my norcent works perfectly for me. i haven't had the chance to copy any securom protected games yet but my burner tested as a 3 sheep burner using the test file at cdfreaks.com using incd and a tdk cd-rw cd.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 8:09 pm
by peace_frog
Hey Guys,

Thanks for the replies. Wizard, you sure didn't mince words. That's what I was looking for, could you cite a few specifics as to its faults/problems. If it's really that bad it's not worth the aggravation of even the rebates, which I almost invariably run into a snafu on. I'd just assume take a pass on it, because it's not really free. I already have about 500 unused cd-r's and to be honest with you I've never paid for the media, ever. I always manage to come across them free after rebate, and I'll grab one or two spindles. "If it's for FREE, then it's for me" :D that's my motto. Hence, the media I don't need, and it's costing me $32.10. I'm gonna see if I can swap it, even if I do a buy/return at another store. I know they carry Cendyne at Staples and MicroCenter. I called OfficeMax, and the guy said Cendyne hasn't been shipping the LiteOn for a while now, and all he has is the 4816P's. He actually surprised me with how up on it he was. If anyone else has some info to contribute, I'd appreciate it. I understand bill is satisfied with his, when I do the upgrade I'd like to get the model with the best performance and the least problems. Thanks again everyone.

cendyne/acer/benq 4816p

PostPosted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 9:53 pm
by liteonrules
i also have the benq 4816p and it does not read lightly scratched cds that well but burns ok and is a fast burner using quality blanks. my store does not have the LITE ON'S OR OPTORITE 4802 for CENDYNE but i have both them anyway and i got this one as a gift for my b-day and it costs them nothing with the rebates. :D
LITE ON IS A GREAT BURNER
OPTORITE W4802 IS GOOD
BENQ 4816P----OK FOR BEING FREE

PostPosted: Wed Feb 12, 2003 7:50 am
by computation
This drive has already eaten tons of my disks after I received it this afternoon
:evil:

PostPosted: Wed Feb 12, 2003 9:08 am
by peace_frog
Is it the 4816p?

BenQ 4824P

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 6:05 pm
by sselander
I got mine at OfficeMax today for 20.00 . Flashed the firmware from D.IC to D.LC. Got the firmware from Benq.au, I wanted to get something inexpensive for the kids p.c. I used inexpensive 16x discs and it wrote them fine at high speed. The label indicates the access time is 95ms. The noise was not that bad.

I personally use a Yamaha CRW-F1

mine is a 4824P

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2003 6:06 pm
by sselander
n/s