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rip-off alert: Bizon Box 2 is an overpriced modified AKiTiO Thunder2 enclosure


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Bizon (RU) has struck again, this time modding an AKiTiO Thunder2 and calling the end result a "BizonBox 2"

 

As seen on the Google-translated BizonBox 2 product page (RU).

 

Bizon = serial overpricer?! Like his overpriced previous expresscard offering, he wants a staggering USD$533 (!!) (29890 Russian Rubles) for his box supplied with a 220W Dell DA-2 PSU and no Thunderbolt cable.

 

His value add over a standard http://forum.techinferno.com/enclosures-adapters/7205-us%24189-akitio-thunder2-pcie-box-16gbps-tb2.html#post98210 being ventilation holes on the outer cover, a Dell DA-2 PSU + input jack placed at the front, a cutout for the PCIe connectors on top and a (imho) silly looking Bizon logo. Obviously attempting to generate a tidy profit for his efforts based on some of the older examples presented here. At no time does he disclose what that it's a AKiTiO Thunder2 enclosure instead calling his modified form a "unique solution" emblazed with his name.

 

What's the bet he'll introduce low-profile PCIe connectors in his next revision and get rid of that unnecessary cutout on the top cover?

 

OkmkCcE.jpg

 

 

 

Thumbs-down - warning potential customers of being ripped off

You can thumbs down his video to alert potential customers there is something amiss with his product and/or post on his youtube page. I've posted a warning but again he's censoring it.

 

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Hi Guys I know I might get some hate for this, and I am really grateful that I didnt buy the"old" Bizon box but here it comes:

I live in Kyiv, Ukraine right now and was one o Bizons targetcustomers when I started thinking about an eGPU System, back then it was just not the best solution. Due to limited performance and high pricing. I was lucky to find the techforum and read me into the topic which cost me like 2-4 weeks to "entirely" understand everything, not talking about the daily bugging of Dschijn at the end.

Don't get me wrong im not defending Bizon here but the overpricing might work from a business point of view. The thing is you just cant get the things you need here, they are simply not sold or/and imported to Ukraine.

Since I am originally from Vienna, Austria I had to ask my mum to send me everything I ordered from Germany or Austria. So he is not only using his competetive advantage in knowledge but also that he can get a ready to use system and can import all the things he needs to do it. Not talking about custom clearance and shipping costs which is why GPU's and electronic products in general are more expensive here. Unless imported or smuggled in from the USA.

Still I was lucky and I am glad that i built my eGPU with all your help and have a better looking and advanced system now. His product is not close to what I was able to built with your help and people should know this, but I am not sure if he deserves all the hate wink.png.pagespeed.ce.SNEods9ahz.png

Just my 5 cent...

This whole thing wouldn't be a problem if he'd just say: "Hey look, this is a Akitio Thunder2 PCIe box, this is a Dell DA-2 and together they provide you an external gpu solution for your Mac :) Sadly the box has to be modded a bit so it can run out of the box and that's where I come in. You could do it on your own but if you want I'll gather the stuff and do the modifications for you. I'll charge you the cost of the stuff and a bit for my modification work."

Maybe he could even mention that the information are taken from an eGPU community site.

But no, he simply takes the stuff, makes an ugly cut, DA-2 connector at the front and puts his logo on the front...;)

I guess I'd be simply too honest for such business. It's just sad for the unknowing customers.

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This whole thing wouldn't be a problem if he'd just say: "Hey look, this is a Akitio Thunder2 PCIe box, this is a Dell DA-2 and together they provide you an external gpu solution for your Mac :) Sadly the box has to be modded a bit so it can run out of the box and that's where I come in. You could do it on your own but if you want I'll gather the stuff and do the modifications for you. I'll charge you the cost of the stuff and a bit for my modification work."

Maybe he could even mention that the information are taken from an eGPU community site.

But no, he simply takes the stuff, makes an ugly cut, DA-2 connector at the front and puts his logo on the front...;)

I guess I'd be simply too honest for such business. It's just sad for the unknowing customers.

I entirely agree with you, but lets face it thats like Business works. But yes I might be to honest for that Business too.

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it's just like Alienware Graphics Amplifier, but i want to ask something, what type of slot and cable that bizon plugged in MBP? Is there possible to use Bizon in an ordinary laptop? Thanks.

Alienware = proprietary plug

AKiTiO Thunder2 on Macs = Thunderbolt

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Fraud? I don#t know, I mean if he wouldn't pretend that it is his work and his implementation I would say its just a business idea where he provides services and knowledge others don't have plus he has access to items others dont in his target market.

If people are to lazy to search the internet that shouldnt be his problem but I agree about the intellectual property it should be clear that he got his info from here.

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... it should be clear that he got his info from here.

Can't see him doing that.

He's censored my comments on his youtube videos referring users here to DIY their own equivalent product for less than half of what he changes. That's for his AKiTiO Thunder2 Thunderbolt based product "Bizon Box 2" and his EXP GDC expresscard based "Bizon Box" product.

Maybe his custom Bizon labelling is the reason he's charging more than double of what the gear is worth?

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Quote

it should be clear that he got his info from here.





Here he mentioned it




Примечания





Решение реализовано на базе Akitio.

Некоторые идеи использованы из открытых источников. Выражаем благодарность авторам Techinferno e-GPU Projects.




translation

Notes: The solution is based on the Akitio.

Some of the ideas are drawn from open sources. We express our gratitude to the authors Techinferno e-GPU Projects.
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And he's got them up on eBay now: External Graphics Card for Mac Egpu Thunderbolt No GPU Akitio THUNDER2 Mod | eBay

What bugs me is that he is not indicating the steps needed for someone to get the unit working, either in Windows or OS X. Granted, the folks here on the forums have made it extremely easy for anyone to get it working on either OS, but his whole point in the listing is that they've done all the hard work and buyers will have a plug & play experience (which was not my case with Win8 oddly, though Win7 worked like a charm).

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No Bizon logo anymore though. Guess he's got either a partner overseas or decided to keep his logo off the case. Still a freakin rip off. 589$.

US$589!! Opportunistic that's for sure.

I just wonder if he'll even recover his costs? He's had 5 of them listed for over a week and none have sold. External Graphics Card for Mac Egpu Thunderbolt No GPU Akitio THUNDER2 Mod | eBay

The ebay advert shows he's using a standard ATX connector power connector to act as the Dell DA-2 DC input:

<A HREF=http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTQ5WDE2MDA=/z/13EAAOSw3ydVgWcD/$_57.JPG><img width=800 src=http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTQ5WDE2MDA=/z/13EAAOSw3ydVgWcD/$_57.JPG></A>

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Nando4 man I highly suggest for you to make patents of all the work and all your contributions to the DIY eGPU community buddy that way you can sue anyone blaspheming this new and great innovation that you paved way for everyone

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Nando4 man I highly suggest for you to make patents of all the work and all your contributions to the DIY eGPU community buddy that way you can sue anyone blaspheming this new and great innovation that you paved way for everyone

Thank you for the suggestion. I can see value in patents protecting IP in the commercial world to maintain competitive advantage. In this DIY project it's been open source where ideas can build upon ideas (mostly) without without impediments like patents getting in the way. We've had fanastic input from all over the world!!

I like that Bizon has had a go at incorporating the ideas presented in the DIY eGPU forum into a commercial product. Though I'm shocked to see (1) opportunistic profiteering and (2) use of full profile rather than low profile PCIe connectors requiring that hideous outer cover cutout.

AKiTiO could certainly get some ideas in their revised eGPU enclosure product from what's being discussed here.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Bizon's ebay listing suggests he's sold 10 of his overpriced US$589 boxes made of components that cost less than half of that: External Graphics Card for Mac Egpu Thunderbolt No GPU Akitio THUNDER2 Mod | eBay

He's now actually listing "AKiTiO Thunder2 mod" in the product listing. 49 people watching his listing too.

Some final gasps at profit taking before the big guys like MSI step up with ready-to-go TB3 eGPU enclosures.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

Alert for our US readers: BIZON is expanding to the US!!

BIZON is now targetting US customers with a US market-specific website. Pricing here is in USD$:

BIZON – United States | External graphics card (eGPU) for Apple MacBook, Mac mini, iMac. EGPU Thunderbolt. Up to 9X Boost in Games and Video editing Apps (DaVinci, Final Cut, Adobe Premiere, After Effects) |

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I literally laughed out loud when I saw this post because he is using the exact same parts as my current upgraded configuration.:65: However, I do not have a direct access to efficient metal cutting tools, so I was unable to cut a clean whole in the side of the box to allow adequate airflow through the box. I did like the method he used to allow direct airflow using a series of holes because all it requires is a drill, which I do have.

My question: without the large slit at the top-front of the case for wires (I just filed the rails down, and flattened out the PCIE 6pin wires), is there adequate airflow to cool the 970?

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Imho the airflow is still bad with the bizon. You just have some intake holes with quite a gap between the fans and the case by which the intake might not work very efficient. Also there is no good exhaust.

Maybe it's enough for a GTX960, but a GTX970 will run into the temperature target of 80°C for sure.

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