Need some help with a Sega Nomad

[erehwon]

I just picked up a Sega Nomad at a garage sale. I asked but they only had what the kid had laid out. So, I only have the system. I'm wondering what kind of power adapter it's supposed to come with? It's a portable system, so I was also wondering where do you put the batteries?

[c0ldb33r]

It had a separate battery pack that clicked on the back. Mine doesn't have one either. IIRC, an AC adapter for a Genesis 2 works, but just be sure to double check the specs before using it.

[Pantechnicon]

As Coldbeer said, you can use a Genesis 2 (or 3) power adapter.

As for batteries, you'll need the battery pack (http://www.amazon.com/Sega-Nomad-Battery-Pack/dp/B001EBSCX6). Bear in mind the Nomad eats AA's like :popcorn:.

There's also a rechargeable model but don't even bother trying to get this. They are all dead and cannot be recharged. And unless you want to replace the cells (I've tried, not easy), their only value is as collectibles.

Another option - probably easier and cheaper, too - is to get a hold of one of those pickle-looking Game Gear battery packs (http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6118/batterypacksq8.jpg). That's what I use, at any rate. It will plug in to the AC connector just fine.

[erehwon]

Thanks. I was asking about the power adapter to test it. I should have a model 2 or 3 gen adapter somewhere. I don't really plan on using it with batteries, but if I do, I could always look for that game gear battery pack.

I'm just surprised that I actually found it.

[MetalFRO]

Yeah, it eats AA batteries like they're going out of style. I use my Genesis model 2 adapter for my Nomad (or used to, when I played it regularly) and that works great. Beware, there are a handful of games that just don't work well on the unit. I had issues w/ Decapattack (due to issues w/ 6-button control compatibility), and also Lightening Force (unfortunately, it just locks up somewhere in the game randomly). Otherwise, if you can deal w/ the "blur" effect you'll get from fast scrolling games, it's a fun little system to play on.

[Thrillo]

You can do what I did and make yourself a battery pack out of parts from Rat Shack; it's really not that difficult.

If you get a Game Gear battery pack instead, the internal battery will probably be long dead. It uses the same cell as a RC car; I swapped the cell in mine and it works well.

[mobiusclimber]

People keep saying that the Nomad rechargeable battery pack or the Game Gear rechargeable battery pack are going to be long dead, blah blah, POPPYCOCK I say, POPPYCOCK! Granted, it's true you MIGHT end up with one that's dead, but ALL OF THEM aren't. I know b/c I used to own a Nomad battery pack and it worked fine, and I STILL own a GG battery pack and IT works fine.

Also, I've heard it's not just possible to replace the battery in these things, but to replace it w/ a lithium battery for longer charge time. But I haven't done it, only heard about it being done, so no idea how true that is.

[erehwon]

I found the model 2 adapter that was with my sega cd. It works, but not very well. When the adapter is plugged into the system, I have to nudge the adapter to the right a little to get it to turn on. I wonder if something on the adapter jack is loose or damaged.

[c0ldb33r]

Also, I've heard it's not just possible to replace the battery in these things, but to replace it w/ a lithium battery for longer charge time. But I haven't done it, only heard about it being done, so no idea how true that is.
What's the point? Just use the Nomad battery pack and some NiMH rechargeable batteries.

[thunderkid]

You can do what I did and make yourself a battery pack out of parts from Rat Shack; it's really not that difficult.


Or you can do what I did and use a 6 D cell Lynx battery pack and modify it for use on the Nomad. My nomad now uses 6 D cell batteries and it gives me about 6 hours+ of play time.