...Being that I paid extra money for that extra memory in my XL+, it kinda is my right to expect additional features for my XL+ than you get with your MK I/II unit. I chose to pay more money for a higher end unit so I could get additional features such as more preset slots, more user ir slots, and at this point, continued firmware updates because my unit can handle the task.
Before I address the above statement I'll state that I am a Mk I owner who will be no less excited about my AxeFX II when the final firmware drops. I would still be as excited about my AxeFX II today if firmware development had ceased with v5.00, the release flashed to my new Mk I when it arrived on my doorstep in mid 2012. The front row seat to theongoing development has certainly been an amazing experience no doubt. But, just as was the case with my Ultra (which I purchased new just as it's final firmware, v11.0, was being released) my expectations extended no further than the firmware shipped with the AxeFX II. That is what was being sold and that is what I expected. Everything that has followed to this day has been free, and has been a blessing.
I voted my preference in this poll - that being the removal of the modeling version roll back feature if it will facilitate making available to Mk I & II users any significant development improvements by freeing up a little boot ROM. I also carefully voiced this preference, in the beta Q4.01 thread where topic started, making sure that it was understood that I'm quite happy either way, that I have no expectation that any such firmware modification be made, and that I am very grateful for all of Cliff's time and efforts to constantly improve the AxeFX II.
Now onto the quoted statement above. Had you purchased an XL (not an XL+) one might fairly assume by your statement that you bought it during the very brief time between the release of the XL and the depletion of stock of the then discontinued Mk II. Under such an assumption your choice to spend the extra money on the XL may have been for any number of reasons (have the most up to date version, for its advertised additional hardware features, for the additional preset an IR storage, all of the above?) but given what was known at the time - and up until just a couple of days ago - you would not have spent more on the XL with any expectations of receiving ongoing firmware development updates for a longer period of time than would have been the case had you instead chose to purchase a Mk II. Before the start of this week no one outside of FAS was aware of the difference in boot ROM size between the Mk I/II units and the XL/XL+ units.
Since, though, you purchased (what I assume was) a new XL+ you didn't 'spend more' than did a Mk II owner did as a choice, you simply paid the then current price for the AxeFX model that was the current model at the time of purchase. If you happened to have purchased your XL+ used then you did indeed have a choice (pay less for a Mk I/II or more for an XL/XL+ based on whatever preferences drove your decision). Once again, receiving updates for longer than would a Mk II owner would not have been a consideration because, until just a couple of days ago, Cliff had stated that the Mk and XL series units would continue to be developed in parallel with no indication ever made that the boot ROM of these two series differed in any way whatsoever. If you did purchase used then any expectations that you may have had of receiving anything whatsoever beyond the hardware and the then current firmware would be on you and FAS would have / would owe you nothing as your purchase would not have benefitted FAS in any way. The original owner is the only owner whose purchase benefitted FAS. Everything a second hand owner receives from FAS for free should be considered a blessing.
The above is all but moot though as FAS has never been under any obligation to provide even just one free firmware update, never mind ongoing free updates, free new features, ever improving modeling, effects, and features. We are simply fortunate that Cliff chosen to provide free, regular updates to ALL AxeFX II users.
Your assertion that because you 'paid extra money for that extra memory in your XL+', that it kinda is your 'right to expect additional features' for your XL+ than others get with their 'MK I/II' units is ridiculous for the reasons stated above. While it may be your right to 'expect additional features' for your XL+ it most certainly does not mean that you actually have a right to have 'additional features'. You actually only have a right to receive whatever it is you paid for - that being an XL+, its power cord, the owners manual (if a hard copy is still shipping with the AxeFX), the current firmware at the time of purchase, and the packaging in which your AxeFX shipped. Similarly, with the purchase of a used AxeFX II you would only have the right to receive whatever the seller states is included with the unit, including whatever firmware the seller states is installed. Anything else you receive is compliments of FAS, a gift - not a right.
IMO your assertion as quoted above wreaks of entitlement and it's not doing you any favors. Cliff very well may decide to leave things as they are and cease to provide firmware updates for Mk I & II units when the boot ROM has no space left for new code. Then again he might choose to remove the earlier firmware version feature from the common firmware releases to extend development for the Mk I/II units for as long as the reclaimed space allows. That's entirely up to Cliff. I can only assume that your input on the subject would be worth more consideration if you were not asserting your entitlement to free access to Cliff's ongoing development of the AxeFX II's firmware.
I hope this will be taken as intended - as simply food for thought. I certainly do not mean to offend and I apologize if I have done so.
Have a great night!
)
