Best Daily Driver Atari Console?

[Best Daily Driver Atari Console?]

My Atari 2600 console collection consists of the Heavy Sixer, Light Sixer, 4 switch woody, Darth Vader, and Junior models. I use the 4 switch woody as my every use console. They are the most common and easiest to find or replace, the longest lasting one, the parts are great, and the most cheapest to acquire. The negative is the color palette is not as good as the six switch models. So if you are on a budget and want the classic woodgrain look. Go for the 4 switch woody. A Vader unit will work just fine as well. Same parts as the woody but all black. I prefer woodgrain though.

I have a Light Sixer. Heavy Sixer. And a Vader. I've heard the Vaders are a bit more uncommon than the 4 switch woody's. So I should probably get a hold of one for daily use. But the video on my Heavy Sixer looks so gooood :-(. Oh well. I play all of my consoles from time to time. Nothing quite like firing up a 1977 Sunnyvale. But yet they also cost a small fortune so I want to keep mine nice lol. Not to mention my Telegames Heavy Sixer has died on me... So sad :-/

[Best Daily Driver Atari Console?]

So I have amassed quite a collection of 2600's. My question is, out of all models made. Which console would be most reliable as a daily driver? I play Atari on a daily basis and I find myself struggling with the decision of which model I should use as my daily driver. I figured the newest console would be my best bet (Which is my vader, I refuse to buy a junior). But some input from you guys would be great.

[Heavy Sixer Audio/Video Issues]

Honestly I don't know. I'd either start working my way through the troubleshooting steps in the Atari VCS Field Service Manual, or hope zylon sees this thread and chimes in. He's the man when it comes to VCS/2600 problem solving.

 

 

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Replaced the chip... Did not fix the issue sadly. The console isn't in the best of cosmetic condition anyway. I'm just going to part it out and cut my losses. My main console dude has gotten an Atari branded heavy sixer for me that is much nicer. So all is well.

[Heavy Sixer Audio/Video Issues]

 

No need to desolder the chip - just work it out of the socket like I said above. That's why these systems were socketed anyway - ease of repair. Pretty much all the main chips on Atari, Inc. stuff - videogames and computers, as well as peripherals - were socketed. Stuff was too expensive to throw away when it broke, and when you're the service guy doing the repair, time is money. It was only later on when price-reduced versions of systems became necessary that Atari went to soldering the main chips directly to the board rather than using sockets. Here's a closeup of the TIA on my Light Sixer. A Heavy should be similar.

 

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My chip looks identical. I'm just worried I will replace it and it wont be the problem.. In you're opinion do you think its the problem? That way I have at least 2 professional opinions.

[Heavy Sixer Audio/Video Issues]

It is most likely the TIA chip needs to be replaced.

What does chip look like and where on the system is it located? Also how would I go about replacing it?

[Heavy Sixer Audio/Video Issues]

Hey I need some help... My beloved sears telegames sunnyvale heavy sixer console has ran into some issues with it's audio/video output. So at first it would only display black and white, the color switch had no effect. No matter what position it was in, it was always black and white. Turned it off and on a few times and the color came back, but it was still very dull. Color switch still had no effect. As of now it displays very fuzzy and dull color. And has no sound. Tried different games, different televisions, even different video wires. Nothing helps... I suspect an internal issue with the console... Please Help! I want to get her working again.