WTB: CX10 Joystick Atari logos(hex discs)

[seanhq]

I think at this point we can say that Atari did a lot of random things back in 1977 and 1978 with Heavy Sixers. They used different boards, wires, circuits and other things from what I've seen.

 

My own personal Heavy Sixer which has been in my family since it was purchased new in 1977 has never been in for service and the hex discs are not shiny on top, however they are flush with the top of the joysticks, but AtariAge member Dino said in a comment in this thread that mine "look to be 2nd generation too" but based on when my system was purchased and the date code inside, mine is a first release heavy sixer.

 

We will probably never know what part, in this case hex discs, if they are "1st gen or 2nd gen". How can we know for sure? Yes there appears to be some reproduction or later made versions with talk in this thread, but in my own personal case, it's 100% confirmed everything I have with my boxed system is original and has not been replaced.

 

Thoughts?

 

We won't know for sure until someone posts pictures of an original heavy sixer having an early serial #(with an "E" suffix), showing the joysticks that came with it. Given that the Atari 2600 evolved toward cheaper, easier to produce parts, my guess is that this style circuit board is an original (early first year) design.

I know for sure as I've already posted pictures of my original 1977 heavy sixer with E serial number. My entire system is original from when it was purchased in October 1977. I know this for sure since it belonged to my grandparents who purchased it new, kept everything in the original box, including the receipt from when it was purchased. People can say my hex discs are second generation or whatever, but if they are original from when the machine was purchased, to me that means first generation.

[darece01]

I think at this point we can say that Atari did a lot of random things back in 1977 and 1978 with Heavy Sixers. They used different boards, wires, circuits and other things from what I've seen.

 

My own personal Heavy Sixer which has been in my family since it was purchased new in 1977 has never been in for service and the hex discs are not shiny on top, however they are flush with the top of the joysticks, but AtariAge member Dino said in a comment in this thread that mine "look to be 2nd generation too" but based on when my system was purchased and the date code inside, mine is a first release heavy sixer.

 

We will probably never know what part, in this case hex discs, if they are "1st gen or 2nd gen". How can we know for sure? Yes there appears to be some reproduction or later made versions with talk in this thread, but in my own personal case, it's 100% confirmed everything I have with my boxed system is original and has not been replaced.

 

Thoughts?

 

We won't know for sure until someone posts pictures of an original heavy sixer having an early serial #(with an "E" suffix), showing the joysticks that came with it. Given that the Atari 2600 evolved toward cheaper, easier to produce parts, my guess is that this style circuit board is an original (early first year) design.

I know for sure as I've already posted pictures of my original 1977 heavy sixer with E serial number. My entire system is original from when it was purchased in October 1977. I know this for sure since it belonged to my grandparents who purchased it new, kept everything in the original box, including the receipt from when it was purchased. People can say my hex discs are second generation or whatever, but if they are original from when the machine was purchased, to me that means first generation.

 

 

 

I didn't realize that you had such an early system. I think your system debunks the idea that there are "1st generation" and "2nd generation" hex discs. It may be that Atari had multiple suppliers of these discs and some are just more rare than others. I doesn't seem to be an accurate indicator of an early production unit. I think the circuit board type/revision would be a better indicator but that is still problematic as parts can be mixed and matched over time. Since you know your sticks to be original, I am curious to know what type of boards are in your controllers?

[Heavy26R]

I can confirm that two thickness sizes of Hex discs exist. I recently bought a CX-10 with hex off ebay. I had one already and wanted a pair for my 1977 heavy sixer collection. The hex disc is what I would call a Gen 2 hex disc or a separate vendor/material supplier hex disc. It is thinner than my first hex disc. Significantly thinner. I'll post pics soon, I need to pull out the macro lens. I'll try and get a fine ruler or something to provide some scale. I'm going to post it in the regular 2600 forum.

Edited December 2, 2010 by Heavy26R

[the 5th ghost]

There used to be replacement hex disks for sale online many years ago at around $2 each if memory serves. I used them to restore CX-10s back when I had a slew of them with missing disks. At any event, I believe this source may have dried up, but don't quote me on that assumption.

 

The replacement ones purchased online had a matte black finish and were thick. (I'm assuming these are the ones referred to as 2nd generation.) The pictures posted by seanhq and darece01 look exactly like those replacement disks.

 

I also had a CX-10 with an intact Atari hex disk, that I found in a lot of random controllers and games off eBay several years ago. This hex disk was thinner and had a glossier sheen than the replacement ones I purchased online. This is what I'm assuming is known as the rarer 1st generation disk.

 

Also, all of the Sears versions of the hex disks that I've had and seen, all have been the thinner, shinier type, and are almost as rare as the 1st generation Atari hex disks in my opinion. I've never seen a 2nd generation version of the Sears hex disk.

 

That said...

 

Neither type is more correct nor incorrect than the other. It is just that the 2nd generation version is the more plentiful one for some reason. Either way, it's all original Atari so not to worry guys!

[R.Cade]

Well, some are repros... so how to tell 100%. Thick metal vs. thin plastic, I would assume?