voiddweller

Hi, Thanks for the replies. I have noticed that much of the items I have received used Walmart plastic bags or newspaper. For whatever reason, half of the items shipped with the newspaper or plastic bags were damaged. Since many people use it, I'm thinking that it may be due to the fact they were not packed correctly (very little of the newspaper or plastic was present.) Interestingly, I made a similar correlation with the shipping weight being abnormally high when using newspaper compared to bubble wrap. I would like to find low cost, light weight, and secure way to ship items like dvd players, game consoles, and cartridges. For those of you using newspaper, shredded paper and plastic bags, how would you recommend the items be packed? For the rest using styrofoam or bubble wrap, where can I find it for a price that is less than Walmart or the local office supply store? Thanks again! - VD

Hi, I was just wondering... Thanks! - VD

When you were done with your bike stunts, how long did it take you to make the paddles? - VD

Hi, I own the Wico Command Controller, Wico Keypad, and two Competition Pro Joystics from Coin Controls. For non four-way games, the CX52 Joysticks aren't THAT bad. I agree, self centering would have been nice feature and the fire button placement...well....it's not as bad as the 7800, but close Check out my Sig for a link to Voltman's 5200 controller. It's not cheap, but it's about the same price as I have seen the Wico and Coin Controls Joysticks (in MINT condition) on Ebay. The hardware in the Wico is very good (better than Atari) but it appears to be a less rugged design than the Coin Controls. The HAPP controller will last a lifetime. As a general rule, if you want a good CX5200 controller, it's going to cost you. That's my 2¢ - VD

Hi, I made the same observation. At least the loop-back adapter is still $15 - VD

Hi, I recieved this E-mail from Bradley over at Best-Electronics: Thank you for your E-Mail dated 11-23-02 Q. Do you still have any of the 5200 trackballs in stock? A. Yes, New out of the box U$D 45. New in the Atari Factory box U$D 79. Regards, Bradley Koda

It's O.K., but I guess someone else beat you to it. No loss, there will be plenty of others at that price, I'm sure... - VD

Hi, I just received my Wico 'Bat' controller back from Mitch. All I can say is, "WOW!!!" IMO - This is how the 7800 was meant to be played. I have a renewed respect for the system and it feels great to be comfortably playing two button games. Mitch - Thank you!!! - VD

Mitch, Thank you. I will be ANXIOUSLY awaiting your post - VD

Hello, If anyone would be able to offer suggestions on correcting the issue with the horizontal calibration on my Wico, it would be GREATLY appreciated! I think it may have somthing to do with the resistor, but I am not sure where to begin on testing or fixing it. Thanks! - VD

Mitch is correct, they are interchangable. - VD

Yeah, This was about 8 years ago, but the story goes: I found three 5200 2 Port models at a yard sale. All in excellent condition on the outside...boxes and everything...then I opened them up when they wouldn't turn on and...well....BAM! I realized all three were hit by lightning. What are the odds for three Atari bricks at one yard sale??? - VD

LOL!!!

CPUWIZ is correct. I do not use a universal one, but the PS connector seems fairly standard (by looking at it) and a universal kit should have something similar. - VD

Hi, I've used the 9V on my 4 Port and it worked fine. - VD

Hi, The switchbox is very likely. You can get a new one at Best-Electronics for $12 to test it out (you could always re-sell it to get your money back) or I'm sure someone with more technical knowledge than me has a way to test it without the new box. One obvious thing you may want to check is burnt connections on the MOBO. I've seen a few 5200's that were the victim of lightning strikes. - VD

Hi, Nope, you can't use it on all the 5200 games, just the few Atari specified as Trakball compatible. Regarding the flex circuits, yes they will fail, but they are rarely used on the Trakball controller keypad, so failure is less likely. I would highly recommend a good cleaning on the Start, Pause, Reset button circuits along with the addition of Aluminum tape on the contacts. - VD

Congratulations guys!!!! - VD

Mitch, Thanks for the tip! I was able to get it CLOSE, but I can't get an exact match. I'll need to fine tune it some more after the TV and Atari heaf up a little bit. The games look much better! Here's the result:

I couldn't agree more! - VD

Hi Mitch, Thanks for the info. I have a pic of the screen posted below. Please let me know to which horizontal lines you were referring. Thanks! - VD

You'll have to sell the family to get that one - VD

LOL!!! That's awesome! I have had a few buyers make similar comments about my packaging. Well...not from a plane, but they said it was better than usual - VD