I have a New as in NEW in box Falcon030 for sale

[topaz]

 

I have a New as in NEW in box Falcon030 for sale!

Probably one of the last NEW Falcons on the Planet.

Being a PC tech by profession and a long time Atari

lover, I have just opened this unit for upgrade and

testing. It came without a HDD so I mounted a new

internal 2GB IDE hard drive and a 68082 math

co processor, Installed MINT and some misc software

tested and then re-boxed it. Ready for shipment, price,

$1000.00 Considering USED falcons go for $799-$1500

This is a deal.

[Goochman]

What kind of monitor does the Falcon support? Can I hook it up to my PC monitor or do I need one of the ST ones

[topaz]

The Falcon supports VGA 640x480x256 to 1280x960 2 color.

All you need is to buy the Falcon VGA adaptor plug at Best Electronics

for @ $20... However,, you don't have to worry about that in this case, This Falcon will come with a new one of those adaptors.

[Tempest]

Just out of curiosity how much software was made specifically for the Falcon? It was only on the market for less than a year so did anyone write anything that really took advantage of the Falcon's power?

 

Tempest

[topaz]

Yes, there were several dozen packages that were either directly released or RE-released in an enhanced form for the Falcon, mostly hi-end MIDI, CAD, DTP, and games.

 

In addition, their are several hundred updated public domain utilities and programs that support the Falcon.

[atarian1]

Just a correction on the specs...

 

The Falcon can only go up two different maximum resolutions depending on the monitor that is connected. With a SVGA monitor connected, the max. resolution is 640x480x256 colors. With an ST color monitor, the max. resolution is 640x400x65536 colors interlaced. In both modes, resolutions and colors can go higher, but the refresh rate may suffer without extra hardware. I think the max that I have seen is 1024x768 mono.

 

As for software, there were a number of Falcon-specific products. Mostly games and music software. Cubase Audio itself sold a good number of Falcons.

[topaz]

Aww,

 

Sorry bud, but the Falcon030 does not only 640x480x256, but also

 

800*600*16 and 1280*960*2 just like the TT...

 

AND several other modes that are a mixture of the above.

 

In fact, I have a Falcon Rez utility that is supposed to set up a 1600*600

mode in VGA...

 

Steve

[Adrian M]

Not to be overly technical, but how can this still be considered new if you've taken it apart and modified it? You added stuff to it like a hard drive and a co-processor.

 

To me, new would be still sealed in the box. This Falcon should be considered "like new" since it has been used for a brief while and upgraded from its original factory state.

 

No big deal, but I just figured I would chime in.

[topaz]

Yes technically, you do have a point, It is no longer sealed, however,

it is still a NEW Falcon.

 

Also, I would not consider the computer as "modified"

 

The Falcon is designed, an normally comes with a 80M internal 2.5" HDD

This particular one didn't come with one, so I simply bought a new Falcon

Internal drive kit from Best and installed one.

 

It is also designed for the Coprocessor, and that was a 3.5 second install

"click"--done.. Just so everyone knows,,, 68082 math coprocessors are

EXTREMELY hard to come by nowadays and usually cost $100+.

 

Steve

[Adrian M]

Yes technically, you do have a point, It is no longer sealed, however,

it is still a NEW Falcon.

 

Also, I would not consider the computer as "modified"

 

The Falcon is designed, an normally comes with a 80M internal 2.5" HDD

This particular one didn't come with one, so I simply bought a new Falcon

Internal drive kit from Best and installed one.

 

It is also designed for the Coprocessor, and  that was a 3.5 second install

"click"--done..  Just so everyone knows,,, 68082 math coprocessors are

EXTREMELY hard to come by nowadays and usually cost $100+.

 

Steve

 

I apologize for my scrutiny. If I were in the market for a Falcon, I'd definitely take you up on your offer. I'm surprised no one has so far!

[atarian1]

>Sorry bud, but the Falcon030 does not only 640x480x256, but also

>800*600*16 and 1280*960*2 just like the TT...

>

>AND several other modes that are a mixture of the above.

>

>In fact, I have a Falcon Rez utility that is supposed to set up a 1600*600

>mode in VGA...

 

I was referring to the standard supported resolutions. Programmers were able to get higher resolutions, such as 1280*960, but the refresh rate suffered. A high resolution like 1600*600 would probably have a 55Khz vertical refresh rate. Ok for games, but not good for the eyes when you're word processing. However, the higher refresh rates could be achieved with higher resolutions with simple hardware addons such as Compo's Screenblaster.

 

I think Atari designed a very unique chip in the VIDEL. I don't recall ever seeing PC graphics cards that are as flexible as the VIDEL chip in the Falcon.

[topaz]

You are quite correct, the higher the Rez, the lower the refresh rate. That is bacause the VIDEL chip has only so much bandwith/processing power etc.

 

However, I have a quick question....

 

On my other (bench) Falcon which is equiped with TOS 4.04, The option to switch to TT-HIGH rez which is 1280*960*2 is dimmed out, I have a 17" VGA monitor hooked to it which would handel it no prob, why Cant I access that mode...!! Do I need a utility???

[+Sauron]

I apologize for my scrutiny.  If I were in the market for a Falcon, I'd definitely take you up on your offer.  I'm surprised no one has so far!

 

That's probably because not too many people are willing to pay $1000 for a system less powerful than almost every Quadra Apple had released around that time, which can now be had for less than $100. I have no doubt that $1000 is reasonable when compared to what they sell for brand new from Best or B&C, but for the rest of the world it's quite unreasonable. But I guess that's how supply and demand work....

[topaz]

Well, actually, their is a specific reason why Falcons030's are so sky high.

Believe it or not, it is because of the U.S. Post office...!!

No this is not a joke...

You see, The US Post office gets some of their mail sorting equipment from a certain second party supplier and it just so happens, that the central brain unit of this highly expensive mail sorting marching IS....

 

A rack mounted Atari Falcon 030.....!!!!

 

Therefore, much of the mail in the Sacramento California area is in essence "sorted" by Falcon030s..

 

Here is the bad part..... Best Electronics has and open ended gentlemen's

agreement with this company. The company buys every working Falcon they can get their hands on for $1500 each no questions asked and Best

Deliberately holds onto just a few to sell to the Actual Atari Public.

 

When I called years ago to buy a new Falcon they literally laughed stating

that their is no such thing as a "NEW" Falcon.

 

It took me 4.5 years of searching to find an actual NEW Falcon I found it

in the back room of a music store in Florida. It had been "lost" in the

back stock room. So when it was found, the store owner placed it on EBAY as "NMOS" (New Merchandise Old Stock).

 

My Falcon is possibly THE ONLY NEW Falcon left period.

 

Since The do sell for up to $1500 in this same configuration USED, I would

say that a correct price for this unit would be $2000,, $1000 is LOW...

 

And No... I am not smoking crack....

[Tempest]

I think it would be cool to have (I'm getting a MegaST myself), but I couldn't justify spending $1000+ on an obsolete computer (not really even a videogame system, just a workstation) with an Atari name plate. The problem is that unless your into music the Falcon just isn't useful for much. I mean what would you actually do with it other than toy around with it? Anything the Falcon could offer can be done much better and much much cheaper on your PC or Mac (with one or two minor exceptions), and most games could be run on a far cheaper ST setup. It would just be a $1000 toy.

 

Not that I wouldn't mind owning one mind you...

 

Tempest

[topaz]

OH, yes,, of course,,,

 

Well that's the point, for me to,, I have no intension of using this

unit further that the initial upgrade and function check.

 

This computer is a Collectors Item and an Investment!!

 

Personally, I would recommend that the person who buys this unit,

do his own function check after purchase and then put it away in a safe place..!

 

Steve

[Adrian M]

OH, yes,, of course,,,

 

Well that's the point, for me to,, I have no intension of using this

unit further that the initial upgrade and function check.

 

This computer is a Collectors Item and an Investment!!

 

Personally, I would recommend that the person who buys this unit,

do his own function check after purchase and then put it away in a safe place..!

 

Steve

 

But if you spent 4.5 years of your life looking for a brand new Falcon, why are you in such a hurry to sell it? Not that there's anything wrong with trying to earn a decent profit margin...$$$$ make the world go round after all is said and done!

[topaz]

Actually, the truth is that I am having some finincial issues right now, so I HAVE to sell it...

 

As well as my Ultra collectable 1400XL

[atarian1]

>>>Here is the bad part..... Best Electronics has and open ended gentlemen's agreement with this company. The company buys every working Falcon they can get their hands on for $1500 each no questions asked and Best

Deliberately holds onto just a few to sell to the Actual Atari Public. <<<

 

What I'm wondering is why would someone buy so many Falcons? Backups in case they break? If so, what do they do with the broken Falcons? Do they, gulp, throw them away? If so, what a bunch of a**holes!!!! They should send them back to Best to get them repaired. Soon there will be no more Falcons if this company keeps throwing them away...

[topaz]

Actually, you are correct, backups,,, its not like they have just a few of these things and I am sure they do wear out on a regular basis.

 

Also, BEST Electronics does not have the technical expertise to perform a board level repair on a Falcon, in fact they run from it.

 

Presently, their are only TWO (2) Technicians left in the United States that are qualified to perform a board level repair on a Falcon030 the primary one is a man named Steve at Wiztronics of N.Y.

He has a LOT of used Falcons in stock.

[+Sauron]

That's really too bad about your financial problems, Topaz. I hope you get it all sorted out!

 

I've wanted a Falcon030 ever since Atari first said that name. Unfortunately, they've always been out of my price range and always will be.

 

But if I remember correctly, didn't some music company buy the rights to the Falcon and start selling the same hardware, but just in a different case? I thought I remember hearing something like that a while ago....

[topaz]

As a matter of fact, there were no less than 4 other companies manufacturing Falcon030 clones one of the most notable, was the C-LAB

Falcon, It was a straight clone of the Falcon with very few changes.

[Curt Vendel]

Well, actually, their is a specific reason why Falcons030's are so sky high.

Believe it or not, it is because of the U.S. Post office...!!

                                  No this is not a joke...

You see, The US Post office gets some of their mail sorting equipment from a certain second party supplier and it just so happens, that the central brain unit of this highly expensive mail sorting marching IS....

 

                 A rack mounted Atari Falcon 030.....!!!!

 

Therefore, much of the mail in the Sacramento California area is in essence "sorted" by Falcon030s..  

 

Here is the bad part.....  Best Electronics has and open ended gentlemen's

agreement with this company. The company buys every working Falcon they can get their hands on for $1500 each no questions asked and Best

Deliberately holds onto just a few to sell to the Actual Atari Public.

 

When I called years ago to buy a new Falcon they literally laughed stating

that their is no such thing as a "NEW" Falcon.

 

It took me 4.5 years of searching to find an actual NEW Falcon I found it

in the back room of a music store in Florida. It had been "lost" in the

back stock room. So when it was found, the store owner placed it on EBAY as "NMOS" (New Merchandise Old Stock).

 

My Falcon is possibly THE ONLY NEW Falcon left period.

 

Since The do sell for up to $1500 in this same configuration USED, I would

say that a correct price for this unit would be $2000,, $1000 is LOW...

 

And No... I am not smoking crack....  

 

Well Not exactly the USPS themselves, but both Bell & Howell and Pitney Bowes use Atari equipment. In fact Bruce was telling me that both of them refuse to switch to PC's since the ST's never crash.

 

Here's a company selling actually mail sorting machines, one of them is an Atari:

 

http://www.mailingequipment.net/inserter/p...h500mspics.html

 

 

Curt

[Tyrant]

Well thats a very informative threat, and a real shame, since I've allways wanted a Falcon, but, as other people have said, it would only be a toy. Actually I'd use it to develop for the Jag on, since windoze 2k dosnt let me use the paralell port directly and I dont want to format.

 

But... there's no way on earth Im going to pay that much for it, sorry, I accept that its a good price, but for a collectible and a toy, its stupid. If I was running a post office on the other hand, I might think about it, since then it would be earning its keep

[Ter]

Was it even sold?

I'm looking for a new falcon and would like to know possible updated price and what exactly came with it in the box.