Atari 5200 controllers

[nildem]

I've finally managed to acquire an Atari 5200 console, but, unfortunately, neither of the controllers work at all.

While searching eBay, I came across these "joystick repair kits":

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3022245951&category=41009

Has anyone actually tried this out? Does it work?

Would I be better off just buying two used, working joysticks instead?

Thanks!

[NoahsMyBro]

#1 - To my knowledge, Atari never packaged or sold anything labelled '5200 COntroller Repair Kit'. This is just a set of the parts you'll needed, bundled together. So, you might consider the presentation of the packaging a little misleading.

#2 - The price seems a little on the high said to me. For that price I'd expect a pair of rebuild kits.

#3 - The parts themselves will get your 5200 controllers in tip-top shape. The only thing I'd try to add would be the numeric keypads, if yours don't work well. I've used the same parts to rebuild my joysticks and they work great.

Finally, I've never had a bad experience with Retrogamrs-R-Us. Consider all of this and you can decide for yourself what to do.

[Captain Wrong]

The 5200 FAQs gives pretty good instructions on fow to fix your 5200 controllers. You can take a regualr pencil eraser to the flex circuit and may clear up any problems you have.

Finding 2 working controllers could be a challenge. $22 bucks for that kit is a little steep. The flex circuit is $9, I think and that's really the main thing you may need.

[Gunstarhero]

I've finally managed to acquire an Atari 5200 console, but, unfortunately, neither of the controllers work at all.

While searching eBay, I came across these "joystick repair kits":

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3022245951&category=41009

Has anyone actually tried this out? Does it work?

Would I be better off just buying two used, working joysticks instead?

Thanks!

Yes, If I were you I would buy a couple of these kits. Thats a reasonable price. The reason its priced at 21$ is because it comes with new fire buttons and new Start/Pause/Reset pad, but in reality, you do want these as well. You can get just the new flex circuit for around $9, but if you do that, you may in the future face corrosion problems again. The kit you have your eye on isn't a great deal price wise, but you'll be glad you got them, and you won't find it much cheaper anyway.

I wouldn't recommend cleaning your original sticks up, because the problem is the Original Parts themselves, what will happen is you'll spend hours cleaning the circuits up with an eraser, then in a few weeks of playing (maybe one week, Youch!) you'll be right back to non-functioning buttons. Its a complete waste of time, trust me I've already been through it about 5 years ago. I got the new parts included in the auction you've posted 5 years ago, and have had absolutely ZERO problems with my 5200 sticks since then.

[NE146]

It takes like 10 minutes to try and clean your contacts with an eraser. And they're already not working so why the heck not, try cleaning them. :)

Maybe at the very least it might make them work for a couple of weeks while you order new parts (or new joysticks) ;)

[congobongo]

It's AMAZING what a little white eraser can do for a 5200 stick.

[y-bot]

I have had mediocre success with cleaning 5200 controllers but I have had much better luck glueing circles of aluminum foil to the contacts on the start/reset/pause buttons & fire buttons. I'm sure new parts are the best way to go but I have fixed several this way and had no problems. Also I think Best Electronics sells 5200 repair parts seperately so you can get just what you need.

y-bot

[nildem]

Great! Thanks to all of you. :)

I guess I'll try the eraser method first, if that doesn't work I'll buy a couple of repair kits.