33 replies to this topic

[Master Phruby]

If I were to pick up a 2600 machine off ebay, which would be the most reliable to work for years to come?

[accousticguitar]

They all seem to be reliable in my experience. That being said, the earlier models are generally easier to work on since the chips are usually socketed instead of soldered. So, I would recommend heavy sixers, light sixers, and 4 switch woodies.

[zylon]

My best results have been the Sears 4sw models. While they have the same R14 board as the woodies, they seem to be in a better condition. Most I've seen looked like new inside.

[Amstari]

Master Phruby, on Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:30 PM, said:

If I were to pick up a 2600 machine off ebay, which would be the most reliable to work for years to come?

If you want a reliable 2600 I would suggest also looking in the Atari Age market place.

http://www.atariage..../6-marketplace/

[yuppicide]

I would think they all seem reliable, but some seem more compatible than others. I would never get an Atari 2600 Jr.

[nathanallan]

The main thing I have noticed about Jr's is the power switch, it is a cheap-o but generic (ie easily replaced) thing on the inside. Also a very good candidate for composite modding. But I digress...

I say any of them are pretty tough.

[Pioneer4x4]

Of all the ones you mention, the one I would pick isn't there. The light 6er.

[toiletunes]

Master Phruby, on Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:30 PM, said:

If I were to pick up a 2600 machine off ebay, which would be the most reliable to work for years to come?

It doesn't matter which version, here's why: It will last longer if it was taken care of, and it will not last as long if it was abused. The problem with EBAY is you won't know until it's too late.

Edited by toiletunes, Thu May 19, 2011 7:48 PM.

[opeygon]

I've had many 2600 consoles over the years, but the one thats still working flawlessly is my 4 switch Sears Video Arcade.

[0078265317]

I have sears tele 6 switcher. Works great.

[maiki]

This poll is obviously biased. Since most of the people here are those who grew up with the old models they gonna vote for the original heavy sixer. The fact is there is hardly a significant difference among them as long as you have not opened them to do some dirty modding stuff etc. Anyway I voted for the Junior because he is likely to lose against those biased crowds that will yet come.

[toptenmaterial]

^^ I voted for Jr too because he's one sexy mofo!

[PsychoKittyNet]

I have a 4 switcher woody and a Jr, both are very reliable, but I always feel like I'm going to snap the prongs that open the dust cover off.

[Schizophretard]

maiki, on Thu May 19, 2011 11:07 PM, said:

This poll is obviously biased. Since most of the people here are those who grew up with the old models they gonna vote for the original heavy sixer. The fact is there is hardly a significant difference among them as long as you have not opened them to do some dirty modding stuff etc. Anyway I voted for the Junior because he is likely to lose against those biased crowds that will yet come.

Most people here have had experience with many of the models so they can probably ignore their bias and vote honestly.

[Schizophretard]

toptenmaterial, on Thu May 19, 2011 11:30 PM, said:

^^ I voted for Jr too because he's one sexy mofo!

In any other context that wouldn't sound right and would sound almost criminal. Anyway, out of all the Atari made 2600s I find Jr. the least sexy. I can't stand the metal strip on it. It scratches too easily. Maybe if the strip was wood grain I would like it. I don't like the switches either. I prefer the metal ones on the older models. The shape and size looks weird to me. It looks like a toy but the earlier models look like furniture. I'm not saying it is ugly. It just has an appearance similar to a Mickey Mouse TV in the family room, cute but out of place. In my opinion, the Heavy Sixer is the sexiest because it is big, black, has 13 inches of wood, and has a heavy round bottom.

This isn't a beauty contest though. I honestly don't know which is the most reliable but some of them have problems by design. The 7800 has backwards compatibility issues and the pause button doesn't make a good color/b&w switch. The 2600 adaptor for the 5200 doesn't have a color/b&w switch at all. I haven't had much experience with the Colecovision adaptor and zero experience with the Intellivision adaptor so I'm unsure about them. Most of the clones probably didn't have good quality control. I would say that any of the Atari made 2600s that have been clean, refurbished, tested, and then taken care of would be reliable.

Edited by Schizophretard, Fri May 20, 2011 3:25 AM.

[atarigal]

I don't like the junior only because I managed to break the prongs off two of them as an adult. I haven't had that issue with other models for some reason. My Vader works great.

[Ataritard]

I would say it's a crap shoot and it depends on the individual unit and not the model IMO. That being said, If an Atari works today after thirty years, chances are it will work for a long time.

[accousticguitar]

I like the Jr. because it takes up very little space and I don't have trouble fitting fat cartridges into it.

[Polybius]

I have had a light sixer since i was thirteen, and its a great machine. Sucks though, i broke the reset switch a few weeks ago. As far as most reliable, they all seem to be good, although i dont see that many jrs anymore

[Frostbite76]

I also like the Jr. the best because of the size. I think all the Atari 2600 models are durable so it all comes down to the size and looks. The atari jr. wins for me.

[Stan]

Pfff, original? Please, GO WITH THE JUNIOR METHAFECKAS. MORE LOVE FOR THE J TO THE R.

[Schizophretard]

Maybe if they made a Senior the size of a Junior I would like it. Like if they made the flashback two the way the gods intended by having a cartridge slot and metal switches. That would look like a VCS junior. The Junior looks like it is the 7800's kid and the 5200 looks like the grandpa. If you're going for that look then you might as well use a 7800 and/or a 5200.

Anyway, I haven't played my Junior forever. I'll clean it up, test it, and see if my opinion changes.

[stringfellow]

I voted for the colecovision expansion module only because I have had 3 and all worked great. I have now had 3 woodys and they all needed work to get them working. I think it might be because coleco had a flap to cover the cartridge slot. Looks wise I like the Atari woodys the best. The tele woodys have a different wood grain that I don't like as much and the jr never did it for me. It does look similar to the 5200 and 7800 but always seemed like it didn't fit the 2600. I never knew that there was an intellivision adapter till now. No wonder the industry crashed.

[MN12BIRD]

All the 4 switches I've ever had or come across have worked great. That said the only one that gives me the most issues with my heavy sixer. I can only assume it's because it's the oldest of them all. So all things equal (been taken care of) the older ones would be worse off of course.

[Rik]

I picked the 4 switch woody because that's the one i always use.I'd have to play each model all at the same length of time like crazy and analyze the results, but that would take too long.Something Myth Busters can do!