Best NES 72-Pin Connector Replacement

[4300]

I have the BLW as well.  It does what it says it does.  I haven't had an issue with a clean game not working. Their customer service is complete garbage, however. 

[Bratwurst]

17 hours ago, eizner23 said:

Ive wondered why the ZIF pins are not gold plated

They are, just not fully gold plated, only on the points of contact.

[Tanooki]

21 hours ago, mikem said:

Back in the late 90s early 00s I called Nintendo and asked if I could buy a replacement 72 pin connector for my console.  They replied no you can’t, but we can ship you one for free!

 

I managed to get two of them. Installed one in an NES which I still own, and kept the other unused.  Still have the unused one today but won’t be selling it. 
 

Aside from bragging, my point is you might be able to find a brand new NOS OEM connector if you look hard enough. That would be the absolute best solution. 

They're around I've seen them pop up various times I've searched for NES parts so it's not quite uncommon.  It will cost a bit more than the brittle death grip poor garbage from China but it's worth it.

[Tempest]

I finally got around to installing the BLW.  It's rock solid and works as advertised.  Definitely worth the money.  I give it a thumbs up!

[Lucky]

On 1/13/2020 at 10:08 PM, mikem said:

Aside from bragging, my point is you might be able to find a brand new NOS OEM connector if you look hard enough. That would be the absolute best solution. 

I totally disagree.  The original front-loading mechanism was a poor design at the best of times and the BLW solution corrects this design flaw.  Also in the 34+ years since it's release there has been a lot of time and effort spent on improving the materials and methods of implementing the 72-pin connector.

 

I understand those that wish to stick to OEM parts would choose to buy the NES OEM connector, but if you are looking for the "absolute best solution" then going after-market is far better.

[Riff727]

On 1/11/2020 at 5:14 PM, Tempest said:

Meh, I just decided to go with the BLW.  It's pricey but if it works as advertised it's worth it.

Man, I have tried getting one of these but the place is always sold out of them.

[Tanooki]

Seriously overrated.  Just get an original.

- Bend pins back towards center one at a time with a clothespin(or similar)

- While doing this fold up some paper towel into the bottom of a pot filled with water and set to BOIL

- Drop pins in when boiling, set 5min timer

- On removal, use a NES cleaning kit, third party, or make your own with a glasses wipe rag over a card -- in and out 10x until clean

- Not clean, repeat the 5min dunk.

The junk that comes off no normal route will do is nasty, gray goop comes off the cleaning kit of choice.

Between the pins, heat, and being aluminum it kind of re-hardens up the grip of the pins quite a lot, burns the crap off to a nice shine, works like a fresh out of the box system.

[0078265317]

Game genie works every time for me.  The PCB is thicker so it makes good contact.  Just press start and its as if no codes were entered.

[Gamemoose]

I did eventually get a BLW for my other NES that was to go to my wife’s air bnb. Found out even that has a super tight grip. Groan. Seems like YMMV with those too.