Ever seen a Mini ColecoVision?!?

[doubledownon11]

Well I have, and they're pretty sweet!

Look how cute it is:

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/9379/35cvjrfinal01frontmultixr8.jpg

"Insert Phrase Here", I mean "Cartridge":

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5166/35cvjrfinal02topmulticant8.jpg

Some beefy A/V/S-Video jacks on the rear:

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/4419/35cvjrfinal03rearmulticso7.jpg

A pic with his big brother right after he was made:

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6378/35cvjrfinal04sizecomparyr3.jpg

The cartridge almost looks too big for the console:

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/879/35cvjrfinal05xonoxsy1.jpg

Aww..look, he's made a friend. A "Super Action Control Pad.":

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/7536/35cvjrfinal07sacpgp5.jpg

Here's a pic of it's innards. All wired, all connectered (well almost, 3 left to go), and heat-sinked:

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4807/sneakpreview03hz0.jpg

Now who wants to be the first one on their block to have one!?!

[kaedesdisciple]

Dude, that is awesome! I think it looks great, but does it still work with the expansion modules?

[doubledownon11]

Dude, that is awesome! I think it looks great, but does it still work with the expansion modules?

No I didn't leave access to the port because I never use it. If i want to play Atari games, I turn on the modded 7800 and if I want to play Adam games, I turn on the Adam. Not to mention that both modules are wider than this Mini and would look rediculous!

[Superman]

Your system looks nice, doubledown.

You made a new style system, but you did an excellent job of keeping the retro look!

[slicky2]

Looks cool

[WizDawg]

Awesome job there DD! In your opinion how does S-Video compare to composite? Sharper images, brighter picture? Do you have any pictures to compare? Also care to share your power supply mod, I would love to get rid of the Colecobrick. :)

Mike

[Jorpho]

Actually, I do remember someone doing something similar a long, long time ago. Ah, but you know about those (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120095) already.

Is the pad a modified Jaguar device?

[vintagegamecrazy]

That is pretty nice, would be pretty neat but I need a few other gaming goods as of now so I have to hold off till later

[CosmicMonkey]

Awesome mod! Although I have no knowledge of Colecovisions whatsoever, so don't listen to me.

May I ask where you sourced the casing and what it's made of please?

[doubledownon11]

Awesome job there DD! In your opinion how does S-Video compare to composite? Sharper images, brighter picture? Do you have any pictures to compare? Also care to share your power supply mod, I would love to get rid of the Colecobrick. :)

Mike

The S-Video is definately sharper, but actually looks a little better on a CRT than an LCD. The power supply mod's a trade secret, sorry. For what it's worth I can tell you that the power supply itself costs about $40.00, plus time/parts for mounting, wiring, and installation.


Is the pad a modified Jaguar device?

The controller started it's life as a rare Atari Jaguar Pro Pad. Four of the unecessary buttons were removed, and the remaining ones were dyed to match the super action controller's color scheme. The shoulder buttons act as redundant red and purple buttons for games like Front Line in which they're used to aim with your finger tips while shooting with the yellow button and your thumb.


May I ask where you sourced the casing and what it's made of please?

Again I'll hold onto that as a trade secret, but the material is ABS like the original.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Taking the above post into consideration, this thing must cost $150+. Definitely not affordable to average joe's like me- fo' sho.

Nevertheless, this is really awesome. There is nothing amateur looking about it whatsoever. If it works as great as it looks, this will be great news for hardcore Colecovision fans.

[Jorpho]

The controller started it's life as a rare Atari Jaguar Pro Pad. Four of the unecessary buttons were removed, and the remaining ones were dyed to match the super action controller's color scheme. The shoulder buttons act as redundant red and purple buttons for games like Front Line in which they're used to aim with your finger tips while shooting with the yellow button and your thumb.

Did the number buttons work straight off the bat, or does the circuitry require some rewiring? (I know the Super Action Controller buttons just replicate simultaneous keypresses of some of the number buttons.)

Too bad the overlays won't fit in there. ;)

[doubledownon11]

Taking the above post into consideration, this thing must cost $150+. Definitely not affordable to average joe's like me- fo' sho.

Nevertheless, this is really awesome. There is nothing amateur looking about it whatsoever. If it works as great as it looks, this will be great news for hardcore Colecovision fans.

I can assure you its a lot more than $150+! Double that and you'd be near the ballpark for the bare console.


Did the number buttons work straight off the bat, or does the circuitry require some rewiring? (I know the Super Action Controller buttons just replicate simultaneous keypresses of some of the number buttons.)

Too bad the overlays won't fit in there. ;)

Nothing works straight off the bat with a Jaguar controller on the ColecoVision. For starters the Jaguar pad has an HD-15 male connector, vs. the ColecoVision's DB-9 female connector. Every aspect of the controller has to be rewired by hand and is a pain, but definately worth it. The overlays not fitting is inconvienent, but I've started working on that already:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/814/jagcolecoconversionas3.jpg

Thats a pic of the first Jaguar/CV conversion I did with a custom Mouse Trap overlay. A lot easier to make and wire, but I prefer the SAC version.

[Jorpho]

Nothing works straight off the bat with a Jaguar controller on the ColecoVision.

I guess DB-9 controller ports were out of fashion by then.

Just out of curiosity, is the signal from the roller controller (or steering wheel) anything remotely like what one would get from a serial mouse?

[DefaultGen]

.....

[doubledownon11]

I guess DB-9 controller ports were out of fashion by then.

Just out of curiosity, is the signal from the roller controller (or steering wheel) anything remotely like what one would get from a serial mouse?

No idea how a serial mouse works. The steering wheel module works with an encoder disc and an optical sensor which turns the pulses it sees into motion on the screen. I think the Roller Controller works the same way.

[Jorpho]

No idea how a serial mouse works. The steering wheel module works with an encoder disc and an optical sensor which turns the pulses it sees into motion on the screen. I think the Roller Controller works the same way.

The Roller Controller can be used with any game that normally uses the steering wheel, actually.

[rpepper9]

That is Awesome! I think the case looks like an external CD ROM case. We used to sell something really similar at CompUSA that would work as an external HDD case or if you popped out the faceplate it would accommodate a CD/DVD drive.

Great project!

[OldSchoolGamer]

The Roller Controller can be used with any game that normally uses the steering wheel, actually.

That sounds cool! I just recently aquired 2 Colecovisions and several games controllers etc, I still need the Exp Moudule # 1 for ATARI games, but I am not to keen to bother with the Wheel. Anyone used the Roller Controller for the Steering Wheel games? How well does it work for those?

[remowilliams]

For starters the Jaguar pad has an HD-15 male connector, vs. the ColecoVision's DB-9 female connector. Every aspect of the controller has to be rewired by hand and is a pain, but definately worth it.
I'll attest to that. I've got one of doubledown's Jag/CV pads, and it kicks serious ass. :cool:

[Jorpho]

Anyone used the Roller Controller for the Steering Wheel games? How well does it work for those?

Not particularly well, actually, but only in the sense that rolling the ball is an entirely different motion from spinning the wheel, so you sort of lose some precision. (The upper-right button works as the gas pedal, as I recall.) Mechanically, it works fine.

Given that there are only one or two games that use the wheel anyway, and the wheel is a notoriously unreliable battery-eater, you might as well just go for the Roller Controller.

As I recall, Slither is quite nice with a mouse, if emulation is any indication.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

doubledownon11

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/rainmaker9ine/swingers.jpg

You always double down on 11!

(sorry, couldn't help myself)

where did you get the mirror-finish sticker printed?

[doubledownon11]

doubledownon11

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/rainmaker9ine/swingers.jpg

You always double down on 11!

(sorry, couldn't help myself)

where did you get the mirror-finish sticker printed?

Nice pickup. That's exactly where the insipiration for my user name, e-mail address, ebay id, and others came from. I love that movie.

As far as the sticker, I got it printed at my house.

[Tetsu]

so, does this thing actually work?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Nice pickup. That's exactly where the insipiration for my user name, e-mail address, ebay id, and others came from. I love that movie.

As far as the sticker, I got it printed at my house.

Ooooookay.

So, what was the process, is it mirror paper that ran through a color laserjet, inkjet ... or did you make some type of silk-screen?

I'm not looking to steal a trade secret or anything, I've just never seen those done before.

[doubledownon11]

so, does this thing actually work?

Yes!


Ooooookay.

So, what was the process, is it mirror paper that ran through a color laserjet, inkjet ... or did you make some type of silk-screen?

I'm not looking to steal a trade secret or anything, I've just never seen those done before.

I tried to find this type of media for my laser printer, but couldn't so this is inkjet paper. The biggest problem is that it "fingerprints" really badly, so I laminate it as well to protect the ink and prevent against finger prints.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Yes!



I tried to find this type of media for my laser printer, but couldn't so this is inkjet paper. The biggest problem is that it "fingerprints" really badly, so I laminate it as well to protect the ink and prevent against finger prints.

Yeah, it seems like ink-jet media gets so much more love these days.

I'm amazed that after 20-something years that the price of laser-jet machines still really hasn't hit the mainstream afordability price point yet. (I wonder if we'll ever see a color laserjet under $100 in our lifetime...)

Very cool though, and great job.

[doubledownon11]

Yeah, it seems like ink-jet media gets so much more love these days.

I'm amazed that after 20-something years that the price of laser-jet machines still really hasn't hit the mainstream afordability price point yet. (I wonder if we'll ever see a color laserjet under $100 in our lifetime...)

Very cool though, and great job.

They are still rediculous. My color laser printer was like $450 retail, minus the instant rebate, and the mail in rebate, ended up something like $270 or something. Some of the best money I've spent in a while though.

[doubledownon11]

The Mini ColecoVision is now on ebay and up for grabs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330261620610&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=014

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8081/03minicvpoweronzj5.jpg

[ooXxXoo]

According to what you posted at the other thread in the technical and restoration forum, I thought you made this for yourself (contradicting) ....You see, for some, a built-in expansion port connector could have come handy....Oh well, good luck with your auction...

[doubledownon11]

According to what you posted at the other thread in the technical and restoration forum, I thought you made this for yourself (contradicting) ....You see, for some, a built-in expansion port connector could have come handy....Oh well, good luck with your auction...

I usually do my mods for myself, but I've had so many people tell me they wanted it I decided to offer it up to the masses. I can always make myself another.

[InsaneDavid]

I can always make myself another.

Indeed. I haven't said so myself yet but awesome work doubledownon11. Looks like this was a commercial product from the level of additional redesign work, very impressive.


According to what you posted at the other thread in the technical and restoration forum, I thought you made this for yourself (contradicting) ....You see, for some, a built-in expansion port connector could have come handy....Oh well, good luck with your auction...

Dude, why do you find it so hard not to harsh on other people's mods? Is it because they're not exactly like yours? I somehow remember you doing the same thing with your 32X / Genesis hybrid, being for yourself and then BING it's up on eBay.

[ooXxXoo]

Dude, why do you find it so hard not to harsh on other people's mods? Is it because they're not exactly like yours? I somehow remember you doing the same thing with your 32X / Genesis hybrid, being for yourself and then BING it's up on eBay.

David,
seriously, you need to get a job....

[InsaneDavid]

David,
seriously, you need to get a job....

You're telling me.

[Greg2600]

Just wanted to chime in, that unit is very nice work, looks extremely authentic.

[doubledownon11]

I definately always try my hardest to make my "mods" as factory authentic looking as possible. I copied the front and cartridge overlays nearly exactly to those on the original with the exception of the size of course. I also made a manual for it in which I've duplicated an original as closely as possible including font size, capitalization, bold text, while removing the un-used information like the installation instructions for the RF setup, and adding the new installations instructions for the Composite and S-Video. I even changed the original picture on the front of the manual to a pic of this exact console. It came out pretty sweet and I'm including it with the console up for auction right now.

[OldSchoolGamer]

I definately always try my hardest to make my "mods" as factory authentic looking as possible. I copied the front and cartridge overlays nearly exactly to those on the original with the exception of the size of course. I also made a manual for it in which I've duplicated an original as closely as possible including font size, capitalization, bold text, while removing the un-used information like the installation instructions for the RF setup, and adding the new installations instructions for the Composite and S-Video. I even changed the original picture on the front of the manual to a pic of this exact console. It came out pretty sweet and I'm including it with the console up for auction right now.

Wow cool! It would be like getting a Colecovision.............from an alternate reality lol! Good luck with your auction, you do beautiful work, if I were only in a position to do so I would bid on it, goddamn debts and responsibilities!!!!

[Greg2600]

Wow cool! It would be like getting a Colecovision.............from an alternate reality lol! Good luck with your auction, you do beautiful work, if I were only in a position to do so I would bid on it, goddamn debts and responsibilities!!!!It's as if Coleco were still in business, and like almost all other console makers, they shrunk the second version of the console to a smaller, less costly model. Too bad they never got around to doing that Atari 5200 Jr. (aka 5100).