+JasonlikesINTV Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I was initially hesitant, but I eventually went for it. My glasses/contacts correction was -5.5 diopters, soooo I knew there was an "E" at the top of the eye chart, but I couldn't really make it out....maybe if I squinted My corrected vision (with contacts/glasses) was 20/20 and I had excellent unaided up-close vision. After the surgery (both eyes at once), my eyes eventually settled with one at 20/20 and one at 20/15. The funny thing is that due to the subtle difference between my eyes, the 20/20 one looked blurry by comparison. It was frustrating for a while, but I think my brain eventually compensated and got used to it. I never wear glasses or contacts now, which is awesome and totally worth it. One bad thing, though, is that I no longer have super up-close vision :-( which would suck if I were a jeweler, although this could probably be corrected with glasses. Before, I could see clearly at like 3" away (like reading the writing on coins). Now I have to hold at a minimum distance of around 5-6" or it's blurry. All in all, it's a great trade off. The other downside is cost. It's not covered by insurance, so I paid out of pocket. The cost was $3600, but I took advantage of my Flexible Spending Account benefit through work, which allowed my to use pre-tax money. This brought my final cost below $3000, or roughly a couple of Spikers Again, it was worth it and it improved my quality of life. I used to have to wear thick prescription safety glasses at work, but I can now wear standard safety glasses made of a plastic, which are lighter, more comfortable, and have better coverage. Also, if I lose or break them, I just grab a new pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fushek Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 This brought my final cost below $3000, or roughly a couple of Spikers This quote goes into the "You Know You Have It Bad When ..." category . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignorama Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) Lets talk about Spiker: Why is that game so expensive? It show up more often than many other games and its not an UR-rating in the rarity guides, which I can confirm if I count how many Spikers has shown up these year and how many other games (like Learning Funs). I mean its rare, yes, but why does it cost as much as three copies of the second expensived game? I dont understand this, I have the feeling that people just think "Oh Spiker, its about 1500, lets type that in" and they dont care how often it shows up. On the other side I am very excited how the prices will be in the future. I am very young for an Intellivision-Collector and I doubt that there are many people in my age who share this passion. I wonder if when the older generation retires from collecting the prices will fall down. Edited July 16, 2013 by Ignorama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SethBrownBomber Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Lets talk about Spiker: Why is that game so expensive? It show up more often than many other games and its not an UR-rating in the rarity guides, which I can confirm if I count how many Spikers has shown up these year and how many other games (like Learning Funs). I mean its rare, yes, but why does it cost as much as three copies of the second expensived game? I dont understand this, I have the feeling that people just think "Oh Spiker, its about 1500, lets type that in" and they dont care how often it shows up. On the other side I am very excited how the prices will be in the future. I am very young for an Intellivision-Collector and I doubt that there are many people in my age who share this passion. I wonder if when the older generation retires from collecting the prices will fall down. Somethings in the gaming community will never make sense .lol I remember about 5 years ago a sealed Earthbound was only $200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntellivisionDude Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share Posted July 16, 2013 Lets talk about Spiker: Why is that game so expensive? It show up more often than many other games and its not an UR-rating in the rarity guides, which I can confirm if I count how many Spikers has shown up these year and how many other games (like Learning Funs). I mean its rare, yes, but why does it cost as much as three copies of the second expensived game? I dont understand this, I have the feeling that people just think "Oh Spiker, its about 1500, lets type that in" and they dont care how often it shows up. On the other side I am very excited how the prices will be in the future. I am very young for an Intellivision-Collector and I doubt that there are many people in my age who share this passion. I wonder if when the older generation retires from collecting the prices will fall down. I'll never understand it either. If we the buyers set the price then why are we always willing to pay a certain amount for something even if it's not as rare as other games. I guess people don't like to buck the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 IIRC, cmart has said pretty unequivocally that Spiker is the rarest Intellivison title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignorama Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I doubt that Spiker is the rarest title. Its maybe the best from the technical side, but I saw plenty of Spikers the last month, but just two Learning Funs, not to mention some other titles. Maybe I miss them everytime, but I really have the feeling that Spiker appears more often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+JasonlikesINTV Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Spiker is legitimately rare, despite it's frequency on eBay. Other games may come up less on eBay, but those games are more likely to be in collections than Spiker. I think the driving force behind the relative abundance of Spikers on eBay is profit taking. For whatever reason, more people would rather have $1500 in their pocket than an old game on their shelf. If the LFs were selling for $1000, I'd bet there would be more up for sale. Another consideration is the average age/interest of the typical intellivision collector. Based on the age thread, most current collectors are in their 40s. How many will be as passionate at 50, 60, etc? Also, are the younger collectors going to embrace a system that was before their time, especially while they're busy collecting the NES, SNES, Sega, etc of their childhoods? At the end of the day, Spiker is only worth $1500 because we keep buying them. Apparently the cart/manual is now "worth" $875. Sheesh. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjarnold7 Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I agree with Jason the Spiker issue....rare, and comes up on auction for the $$$$$$. Now I will bother Jason for some Sears games...lol. Have you had time yet??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+JasonlikesINTV Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I agree with Jason the Spiker issue....rare, and comes up on auction for the $$$$$$. Now I will bother Jason for some Sears games...lol. Have you had time yet??? Pulled everything out yesterday. I'm bowling tonight, but I'll try to take some pics tonight when I get home. Found the manual....both manuals look really nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjarnold7 Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Thanks, and sorry to "hound" you..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+JasonlikesINTV Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Thanks, and sorry to "hound" you..... No worries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignorama Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 If someone needs a cheap boxed System Changer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FRARE-INTELLIVISION-2-SYSTEM-CHANGER-%2F281137752612%3Fpt%3DVideo_Games%26hash%3Ditem41751daa24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojotv67 Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 If someone needs a cheap boxed System Changer: http://rover.ebay.co...=item41751daa24 Wow, whoever got this got a really good deal even if there is no manual and the box has that big price tag on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BBWW Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Missed the Cuddle Cart 3, anybody here get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+JasonlikesINTV Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Missed the Cuddle Cart 3, anybody here get it? Do you have a link? I can't find any recent sales of a Cuttle Cart 3 on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BBWW Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 No I dumped the link I was so made...the time difference killed me it was from AU. It closed for $305AU about $290 US. Oh wait, from my email account: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fitm%2FIntellivision-Cuttle-Cart-3-%2F151079610041%3FssPageName%3DADME%3AB%3ABCA%3AUS%3A3160 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+intvsteve Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 So, silly question here... Anyone here know where to get the image for that spiffy label on that CC3? Or have several of you just "rolled your own"? I nearly died when I thought I'd lost mine, and started frantically popping every Poker & Blackjack I had laying around loose into my system a couple months back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SoulBuster Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I am not the original owner of my CC3, but didn't the label come with the kit when first sold. I think if you lost yours, you will have to make one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cmart604 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 So, silly question here... Anyone here know where to get the image for that spiffy label on that CC3? Or have several of you just "rolled your own"? I nearly died when I thought I'd lost mine, and started frantically popping every Poker & Blackjack I had laying around loose into my system a couple months back. "rolled your own". Steve, the label came with the CC3, did you not get one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+intvsteve Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Aw, crud. Now I've gotta find that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeguychicago Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I saw the Game Factory repro boxes IntellivisionDude mentioned on his Facebook page and am seriously considering getting one. The real question though is, can I actually get Game Factory burned to a cart somewhere? I own both Intellivision CD (Lives and Rocks) so I legally own the ROM image. However I have neither the equipment or experience to burn the game myself. I wouldn't even need a shell as I could reuse an old common one for that purpose. If any one has any leads, please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+JasonlikesINTV Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 (edited) I saw the Game Factory repro boxes IntellivisionDude mentioned on his Facebook page and am seriously considering getting one. The real question though is, can I actually get Game Factory burned to a cart somewhere? I own both Intellivision CD (Lives and Rocks) so I legally own the ROM image. However I have neither the equipment or experience to burn the game myself. I wouldn't even need a shell as I could reuse an old common one for that purpose. If any one has any leads, please let me know. If you were really interested, you could pick up one of the upcoming multicarts and just load Game Factory onto it. Print your own label and voila! I'm not sure how practical it would be, but if the multicart were only $75......I suppose that's still kinda pricey. Might be worth it for Spiker, though. Edited July 19, 2013 by JasonlikesINTV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BBWW Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 If you were really interested, you could pick up one of the upcoming multicarts and just load Game Factory onto it. Print your own label and voila! I'm not sure how practical it would be, but if the multicart were only $75......I suppose that's still kinda pricey. Might be worth it for Spiker, though. Was thinking the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SoulBuster Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I saw the Game Factory repro boxes IntellivisionDude mentioned on his Facebook page and am seriously considering getting one. The real question though is, can I actually get Game Factory burned to a cart somewhere? The future has so many variances. Why debate the fact that you do not YET have the cart. Get the box in hopes of getting the cart. THESE MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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