Odyssey 2 Question (Broken?)

[bretthorror]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this Odyssey 2 I've just bought on Ebay that was "tested' is broken, but since the system is so old and the switchbox thing on it only has forks I figured I'd better ask. Is this cord that hooks to the RF broken? I assume it should have a prong on it similar to an Atari 2600 but I am not sure.

 

[mojotv67]

The link to the image is broken, can you re-post?

[Albert]

The link to the image is broken, can you re-post?

I fixed the link.

[karokoenig]

Still doesn't work for me

[mojotv67]

Oh yeah, at the end of that cord there should be a plug that hooks to the RF Box. I wonder how they managed to test it?

[Albert]

I added the image directly to the post, you should be able to see it now.

[darthkur]

The seller's nose must have grown a foot longer because they were lying their arse off. Now way was that tested. Don't despair though since I'm sure there's a way to replace it. Hopefully the other end attaches to the board by an RCA connection so all you need to do is open the case, disconnect it and replace it with an unbroken one. I've never opened up an O2 so I'm uncertain if this is he case. Anyone here able to clarify?

[boxpressed]

The seller's nose must have grown a foot longer because they were lying their arse off. Now way was that tested. Don't despair though since I'm sure there's a way to replace it. Hopefully the other end attaches to the board by an RCA connection so all you need to do is open the case, disconnect it and replace it with an unbroken one. I've never opened up an O2 so I'm uncertain if this is he case. Anyone here able to clarify?

 

Yes, this is true, and it is extremely easy to do. You just need a spare RF cable with a phono/RCA male connector at each end. IIRC, you need to remove only three screws to open the case. The most difficult part will be getting the RF cable to fit on the connector on the mainboard. It's not a big deal, but the original cable had a "short" tip, if that makes any sense, and most RF cables have a longer tip. Here's a good tutorial:

 

http://www.ozyr.com/o2/tvcordhk.html

[+LS650]

If the cord replacement works, you should still leave a negative feedback. The seller should have clearly warned that there was a serious cable problem.

[TaskenLander]

^

Agreed. That's BS.

[Albert]

If the cord replacement works, you should still leave a negative feedback. The seller should have clearly warned that there was a serious cable problem.

I'd love to see a link to the original auction. Agreed that this warrants negative feedback if the seller stated the system was tested.

 

..Al

[bretthorror]

Here's the link, Al:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Authentic-1978-Magnavox-ODYSSEY-2-Video-GAME-Console-System-plus-games-/181448435982?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=dYMYNGaBstjP%252BpSc2%252FeERnFr3%252BU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

For what it's worth, one of the controller also was a little bunged up with the button having fallen off and the spring elsewhere, but I can't say many people will play this little gem with me, so one controller would suffice anyways. I'm gonna see what I can do here... I'm really busy right now and doubt I'll have time to try to repair it any time soon. I was just going to hook it up and see if it worked for future use. I only got it because I just have been able to get packages shipped to the US, which made it so that an Odyssey 2 would be worth the money as a curiousity piece.

 

I just contacted the seller so we will see what he says. I'm kind of bummed because I have so many of the old consoles and the Odyssey 2 was like the last hurrah for me. Didn't want to go out of the console collecting game on a sour note. I know it's a dirty word to some people, but this is precisely why I just emulate on my MAME arcade/Ouya these days. Couldn't get the O2 emulator to work and figured it was as good of an excuse as any to finally pick one up.

[+LS650]

Well, at least it came with UFO! and KC Munchkin. Those two games are real gems.

[Albert]

Good luck with the seller--I see they currently have 100% feedback, so they may try to work with you if they fear you'll leave negative feedback. You should be able to repair the cable pretty easily, though.

 

..Al

[boxpressed]

Turns out that your model is the original model that came with the proprietary RF tip (the same that the original 1972 Odyssey used). So, you'd probably want to do the RF cable mod anyway unless you wanted to use the proprietary switchbox (and get poorer video). This is my favorite model just because it was the first one and came with detachable joysticks.

[Omega-TI]

There is an O2 with 15 games going dirt-cheap on eBay at the moment. << HERE >>

 

[accousticguitar]

That's the model I have. It was fairly easy to switch the cable out with one that would hook up to my TV. I didn't have the proprietary switchbox.

[bretthorror]

Can anyone link me to the cheapest, most appropriate cable for trying the repair out on Ebay? Got a little time on my hands next month I may be able to tinker with.

[Jess Ragan]

In my opinion, you'd be better off soldering in composite video jacks. There are three points on the motherboard that you can solder the jacks to; it's almost sinfully easy. Opening the thing may be the trickiest part... my Ody has these huge bolt-like screws that require a special tool or pliers to unscrew.

 

Tell me, is your Ody the kind with detachable or hardwired controllers? Because you can mod it with Atari-compatible joystick ports if it's the latter. Sega Arcade Pads make every game better, even Odyssey2 games!