So.... I finally went out to pick up a Colecovision

[DragonmasterDan]

So.... I finally picked up a Colecovision. I've not been too big into collecting pre-crash stuff owning only a VCS, Intellivision (and a 7800 if that counts). But I figured I'd look at CVs. Did I get a good deal? Any recommendations?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=150196099033

Edited December 18, 2007 by DragonmasterDan

[Prodos8]

Yeah that was a good deal. The shipping is gonna pretty much eat up the sellers profits, unless he tries sneaking it as media mail or something. I prefer the look of the original black controllers for the CV, but since the suck anyway you'll probably be using atari controllers most of the time. Usually if they've been sitting around for awhile the power switch will be glitchy. Cleaning helps for a while, but after you do it few times you'll want to look into getting a new one.

 

Get some more games (most of the arcade ports are good) and an AV/bios mod and game on!

[Recycled]

If it works well....you got a great deal.

[doubledown]

I agree with the opinion on the controllers. But it is possible that these are the ones that came with the consoles. Near the end of the ColecoVision's retail sales life, they were out of the black ones and had a ton of the beige Adam ones laying around so they actually shipped brand new ColecoVisions with them. Cheap bastards, god forbid they spend a little money on a new run of black cases. The other option is a new controller:

 

 

 

 

Or at least get a Super Action Controller or a Quickshot III. Either will make your game playing experience a lot better.

[DragonmasterDan]

Yeah that was a good deal. The shipping is gonna pretty much eat up the sellers profits, unless he tries sneaking it as media mail or something. I prefer the look of the original black controllers for the CV, but since the suck anyway you'll probably be using atari controllers most of the time. Usually if they've been sitting around for awhile the power switch will be glitchy. Cleaning helps for a while, but after you do it few times you'll want to look into getting a new one.

 

Get some more games (most of the arcade ports are good) and an AV/bios mod and game on!

 

Is there a difference in controller types or something or is it just a different color? What problems are there with the controllers. They remind me a lot of Intellivision controllers with a numeric pad.

[Prodos8]

The black & beige controller, except for color, are identical. Most people just don't like the way the stick feals, cheap and stiff. The side mounted fire buttons are an issue for many as well. You'll see when you get them, they're functional, but there are much better choices.

[joeybastard]

Is there a difference in controller types or something or is it just a different color? What problems are there with the controllers. They remind me a lot of Intellivision controllers with a numeric pad.

 

Just a different color, but same functionality. The problems with these will become apparent as soon as you play it a while. They just aren't very comfortable to hold, the fire buttons are awkward and the little knub joystick is usually pretty stiff leading to even more hand fatigue. They are actually pretty responsive, just uncomfortable. Pick up a Coleco Super Action controller for it. They are easy to find, work great, compatible with most games and required for a couple of others.

[Jess Ragan]

I'd say you got one heck of a deal. I paid more for an as-is unit!

[RJ]

You really had to ask if under $20 for a working CV is a good deal?

 

 

I like how that same seller is selling the CV styrofoam seperately- likely from the same unit...shipping also $6. Wouldnt that be its own packing?

Edited December 18, 2007 by RJ

[Rik]

I gather you have not recieved it yet?I hope that its a working CV.I love the CV,but its the most unstable faulty console i have ever seen.You cant touch the thing while playing cus the slightest touch will garble the graphics or blank the screen.I've had to resolder all the solder points in the rf modulators on my CV consoles.Anyways good deal!

[DragonmasterDan]

I gather you have not recieved it yet?I hope that its a working CV.I love the CV,but its the most unstable faulty console i have ever seen.You cant touch the thing while playing cus the slightest touch will garble the graphics or blank the screen.I've had to resolder all the solder points in the rf modulators on my CV consoles.Anyways good deal!

 

I just won the auction today. In fact it was a spur of the moment purchase, I saw the auction with a few minutes left and decided to bid. Anyway the auction says it's tested and working, I'll find it out when I actually get it (which may be a while since I'm certain it will be shipped the most inexpensive way possible at 6.00 for shipping costs).

Edited December 19, 2007 by DragonmasterDan

[DragonmasterDan]

I gather you have not recieved it yet?I hope that its a working CV.I love the CV,but its the most unstable faulty console i have ever seen.You cant touch the thing while playing cus the slightest touch will garble the graphics or blank the screen.I've had to resolder all the solder points in the rf modulators on my CV consoles.Anyways good deal!

 

I just won the auction today. In fact it was a spur of the moment purchase, I saw the auction with a few minutes left and decided to bid. Anyway the auction says it's tested and working, I'll find it out when I actually get it (which may be a while since I'm certain it will be shipped the most inexpensive way possible at 6.00 for shipping costs).

 

Oh also I guess I should ask how does the Colecovision compare to say the Telegames Personal Arcade clone for example? Also no one really went over any must have games.

[Rik]

I gather you have not recieved it yet?I hope that its a working CV.I love the CV,but its the most unstable faulty console i have ever seen.You cant touch the thing while playing cus the slightest touch will garble the graphics or blank the screen.I've had to resolder all the solder points in the rf modulators on my CV consoles.Anyways good deal!

 

I just won the auction today. In fact it was a spur of the moment purchase, I saw the auction with a few minutes left and decided to bid. Anyway the auction says it's tested and working, I'll find it out when I actually get it (which may be a while since I'm certain it will be shipped the most inexpensive way possible at 6.00 for shipping costs).

 

Oh also I guess I should ask how does the Colecovision compare to say the Telegames Personal Arcade clone for example? Also no one really went over any must have games.

Must have games?Heres a few

Frenzy

Popeye

Q-bert

Frogger

Jungle Hunt

Basically,CV arcade ports are all pretty good,also the games by OPCODE for the CV are pretty cool.Not sure about the CV clones,all i know is that the CV is the cheapest built console ive ever had,cant imagine a clone being worse!

Edited December 19, 2007 by Rik

[ApolloBoy]

Not sure about the CV clones,all i know is that the CV is the cheapest built console ive ever had,cant imagine a clone being worse!

 

From what I've heard about the TPA, it can be worse.

[doubledown]

Oh also I guess I should ask how does the Colecovision compare to say the Telegames Personal Arcade clone for example?

 

The Personal Arcade was poorly manufactured and is prone to over-heating and failure, which can be fixed. Also ColecoVision controllers can't be used with it; only properly wired 1 or 2 button controllers, like the ones that came with it. There is a keypad built into the console for menu selections, but is a pain if you're not sitting right next to the console, or if you're playing a game that is keypad intensive like Mouse Trap, Spy Hunter, It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, and the likes. One benefit is the TMS9918 VDP which has onboard Composite Video for an easy video mod (same chip used in the Adam). I swapped mine with the TMS9928 which is what the ColecoVision uses for Component Video outputs.

[Mark2008]

I recently purchased my colecovision on e-bay too. I paid quite a bit more than you did. And I was watching auctions for a while to make sure I got a...well not a good deal, but better than average deal.

 

From what I've been warned, who knows if any of it will work, but I got two units, on 2 auctions. One said it worked, the other is as-is.

I hope at least something works from the as-is lot...controllers or vcs add-on.

 

The first unit, the 'working' one...the guy didn't ship for over a week, but it should be in this week..I paid $50 bucks to get this guys assurance that it works...hopefully it does work, at least.

 

The untested lot....everyone presumes that means it doesn't work at all...but I'm gambling some of it will actually work, or is fixable, I got two controllers, some carts, a vcs add on, and another colecovision...that one went for less than $20.

[doubledown]

I'd say 9 out of 10 times the "unable to test, because missing items" is a scam and means they tested and it doesn't work, take your chances ass hole; especially when they say it just needs the phono to coax converter and can be picked up at any local Radio Shack. Well if that was actually the case why didn't they get one so that they could test it, confirm that it works, and get a lot more for it. I'll tell you why, because they did test it, and know it doesn't work.

 

Being the supreme ColecoVision hardware bad-ass that I am, I've bought dozens of ColecoVisions that either "don't work", or "were unable to test" for next to nothing and have been able to repair them reasonably easily. I bought a lot off ebay once that had 20 consoles, 10-15 power supplies, and about 30-40 controllers for less than $100 with shipping. I've been able to repair every controller, I was able to resurrect about 15 of the consoles, and at least 10 of the power supplies worked fine. Definately a pretty good deal, if you have the time and ability to do the work.

[DragonmasterDan]

I'd say 9 out of 10 times the "unable to test, because missing items" is a scam and means they tested and it doesn't work, take your chances ass hole; especially when they say it just needs the phono to coax converter and can be picked up at any local Radio Shack. Well if that was actually the case why didn't they get one so that they could test it, confirm that it works, and get a lot more for it. I'll tell you why, because they did test it, and know it doesn't work.

 

Being the supreme ColecoVision hardware bad-ass that I am, I've bought dozens of ColecoVisions that either "don't work", or "were unable to test" for next to nothing and have been able to repair them reasonably easily. I bought a lot off ebay once that had 20 consoles, 10-15 power supplies, and about 30-40 controllers for less than $100 with shipping. I've been able to repair every controller, I was able to resurrect about 15 of the consoles, and at least 10 of the power supplies worked fine. Definately a pretty good deal, if you have the time and ability to do the work.

 

You mentioned the RF inside the system as being a problem, what are other common defects?

[doubledown]

Major ColecoVision problems:

 

On/Off switch - Dirty

RF Modulator - Bad signal to TV

Controller Ports - IC Failure causing the "automatic level selection problem"

Controllers - One or more directions or buttons dirty and not registering

Video RAM Chips - One or more failing causing garbled graphics

[Jess Ragan]

The on/off switch is also lubricated with some kind of industrial grease. When that grease eventually dries out, the switch won't budge. That's the problem I had with my last ColecoVision. A small amount of mineral oil helped get the switch moving, but I imagine it won't last as long as the grease.

 

Fortunately, since the system was made entirely from off the shelf parts, a broken ColecoVision doesn't have to remain that way. Even the switch could be permanently fixed if you don't mind a system that doesn't look like it came straight from the factory.

[doubledown]

Fortunately, since the system was made entirely from off the shelf parts, a broken ColecoVision doesn't have to remain that way. Even the switch could be permanently fixed if you don't mind a system that doesn't look like it came straight from the factory.

 

Like this:

 

 

 

...and/or this:

 

 

[ApolloBoy]

Is that a digital audio port I see? And how did you replace the power supply port?

[doubledown]

Is that a digital audio port I see? And how did you replace the power supply port?

 

Simply:

Yes, and I'm "The ColecoVision King"

 

This was my original "Super ColecoVision." It has been sold since I made it, but it features:

 

Top Row (Left to Right):

Component Video (480i) (3 RCA Jacks - Red, Blue Green)

S-Video (1 S-Video Jack)

Composite Video (1 RCA Jack - Yellow)

 

Bottom Row (Left to Right):

Digital Optical Audio (Dual Mono) (1 Toslink Connector)

Digital Coaxial Audio (Dual Mono) (1 RCA S/PDIF Jack - Orange)

Analog Audio (Dual Mono) (2 RCA Jacks - Red, White)

 

As well as:

Internal Power Supply (Only requires a standard 2-wire AC line cord externally)

"Intro Skip" BIOS

New Illuminated ON/OFF Switch (Blue)

New Reset Switch

 

A new high powered, triple output, open frame, power supply was installed internally within the console's casing. This allowed the ability to negate the need for the original giant wall-plug, as well as powering the internal Analog-to-Digital audio converter for the digital audio outputs.

[ApolloBoy]

Very, very nice. How much time did all that take?

[Mark2008]

Wow. Now I feel like a fool....for buying the one that works

 

In the future I will strictly buy non-working ones and build supersystems

 

Of course, I'm joking because as soon as I get one that works, I probably won't think about it again...but I am glad to hear about at least two of the common issues being with the on/off switch, or the faulty RF signal....I think I could handle fixing that...

 

crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.