if its fw 2.71 below then its a good buy, otherwise its crap

Why does the firmware matter on the PSP's? I'm not too familiar with them. I rather watch my movies on my axim but at a good price I wouldn't mind picking one up.

The PSP isn't a good buy until they start releasing some original games for it, instead of stripped down versions of PS2 games. And unless you travel alot, it's a total waste to get and play at home.

I'm a huge playstation fan, but when it comes to portable gaming - stick with the DS.

#2, firmware really matters if you plan on using homebrewed software(more robust video players, emulators, and the like). Most later firmware prevents their use, but keeping a lower rev firmware means you can't play some newer games.

A few years back, eCost was decent -- I ordered a color printer from them -- but now they're just scary. They were actually selling Wiis at a markup over list (no bundle, just the console for $450) like the sleazeballs whose ads pop up when searching for the things. Anyway, I thought eCost was part of PCMALL so I'm surprised they pull such crap.

#5 is right. I got screwed by eCost on a counterfeit headset...stay as far away from eCost as possible.

I got 3 psp all loaded with emu and stuff. Too bad you can't asked them what fm is on them.

2.71 still good to go, with a downgrader u bring it down to 1.5 and done also u can play new games too with a devhook on it , mine was 2.71 and now is 1.5 havent buy a game in months i have everything i want FREE no more 40 bucks on a game

I'm guessing as a refurb, it might have a newer firmware... but shouldn't (hopefully) have the TA-082 motherboard. That's the important part right now. So, if I could see and confirm the mobo, I'd buy. But I'm not willing to gamble for another TA-082.