Super Video Arcade hardware question....

[Elviticus]

Well, just got my 3rd Intellivision- a Super Video Arcade in pretty good shape... The only problem is, the reset button stays stuck down... I guess either the spring is broken, or it's jammed somehow. Still works OK (if you push it in a little further, it does reset) but I wish it was like it should be.

In your guys' opinion- is it worth trying to fix? I'm not too handy, so I might need advice on where to send it? Also, do you find that Intellivision's are more prone to problems then Atari etc? I've had the same Atari and Coleco for a long time, but my Intellivisions have been problematic!! I especially like the Sears ones (since they have longer controller cords) but would also like to know which are the best bet for reliability (original, 2, 3?)

Thanks for any help!

[SubaruBrat]

Reliability of the INTV units is right up there with Atari 2600. The least robust one in the bunch in my opinion is the Colecovision, the power supply is stressed and the video tends to get rough on them. But these systems are all 30 plus years old and problems will surface. It isn't tough to remove the screws and see what is going on, but if your contemplating sending it off though I would just live with it since it works.

[focusrs]

I like the Intellivison 2, mainly for its size and looks. however there are some games not compatible with it. So my next pick would be a original Intellivision 1.

Colecovisions like Subarubrat says is the least reliable, I have had to repair many of them with broken power supplies.

However over on Atariage there is a thread where people are talking about making a new PCB (OpCode games started it) to go into a original Colecovision case that would still work with original carts and such. check it out if interested http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic...ision%20%20pcb

[Elviticus]

Thanks for the quick replies! Sounds like good advice... I'll stick with it for now, and if it starts acting up, I may crack it open myself and see what I can do. I've probably had better luck with my Coleco since I play it least of the three. Thanks for the heads up on that thread, I will check it out!

[Elviticus]

One more thing about the model 2- are the controller cords any longer than the original?

[focusrs]

check out this page, lots of neat intelly info on it

http://www.intellivision.us/faq.htm

[Nurmix]

I like the Intellivison 2, mainly for its size and looks. however there are some games not compatible with it. So my next pick would be a original Intellivision 1.

I've been a big time fan of Intellivision since getting mine back in 1980/1981 (hell, I even sold my VCS in order to buy it). I still have that original, and several other variations, including the II. I find them to be very robust and reliable systems, in general. One problem area that can wear out are the plastic circuit matrixes inside the controllers. If too much pressure is used on the disc, it eventually cuts through the plastic, rendering the disc inoperable. I even remember getting new ones from Mattel when my originals wore out (I still have the service flyer that explains how to take them apart).

As for a preference... I do agree the Intellivision II looks nice, but I will always prefer the original Intellivision. This is partly because that's the one I had first, but mainly because I find the Intellivision II controllers extremely uncomfortable to use - especially the hard plastic side buttons that are farther apart. Your fingers will be screaming in pain after prolonged use. The original controllers have soft rubber buttons that are closer togther. And while they too can cause finger pain, they feel much more comfortable in the hand (at least to me).

[rickreynolds]

I agree with Nurmix about the controllers. My INTV of choice is the Sears model you're posting about because it has the original style controllers AND they can be replaced simply enough. I shopped around on [that other auction site] until I had a set of 4 (maybe more?) Sears style controllers to have a few spares.