Flea Market Finds #7

No updates for a while but this doesn't mean I haven't bought anything!

Recent finds:
- Diablo (PC CD-ROM), jewel case
- Diablo II (PC CD-ROM), jewel case
- A502/16; 512kB memory expansion for the Amiga 500
- Nintendo Game & Watch Life Boat w/ box & instructions

Flea Market Finds #6

Yesterday I picked up an external ZX Spectrum keyboard and two Game & Watch games (Mario Bros, Donkey Kong II - boxed). It would seem I should have picked up the Spectrum as well because I'm missing two flat cables that go from the edge connector to the mainboard keyboard connectors. It's pointless thinking about it now because the Speccy was sold less than an hour after I bought the keyboard. I will obviously have to produce the cables myself although I have no idea how I'm going to connect them to the mainboard. Soldering the cables directly to the motherboard is out of the question. Tried googling for more info on the keyboard with no success.

Flea Market Finds #5

My last visit to the flea market resulted in two new additions to my ever growing collection: a Nintendo Game Boy (works, cosmetically as new) and another IBM model M keyboard (a bit dirty but functional). Not bad but then again, nothing spectacular. Stay tuned for another episode of Flea Market Finds!

Flea Market Finds #4

After not seeing any old computer in months at our local flea market, I finally saw one breadbin being sold two weeks ago. Having enough Commodores as it is, I didn't buy it (but somebody else did). I did however buy another IBM Model M keyboard (this one also needs thorough cleaning) with two missing keycaps. It seems that it's nearly impossible to find a Model M with all the keycaps still in place. Anyhow, last Sunday I got lucky as I stumbled upon a boxed Atari 130XE complete with boxed cassette tape drive and a joystick. As I already have one such system, I picked this one up for a friend of mine that also collects old computers.

Flea Market Finds #3

Last morning I decided to visit the local flea market. I was hoping to find more pins for my collection as well as Nintendo Game & Watch handheld consoles. In the end, I got a few interesting pins but more importantly, I found another IBM Model M keyboard! It's pig-dirty but nothing some soap and hot water couldn't fix :) It's a newer model with a non-removable cable and a PS/2 connector. For those of you unfamiliar with the Model M, they are one of the finest keyboards ever made. Not only are they a pleasure to type on but they're also virtually indestructible and weight a hefty 2 kilos! I've been using one for the past year and sometimes I miss the Windows key but I wouldn't trade it for a dozen modern Logitech keyboards!

Flea Market Finds #2

Another flea market, another find. This time it's a Commodore LC5K3 calculator. It came with an original imitation leather sleeve, instruction booklet and warranty card. The calc itself is in excellent cosmetic condition. However, I did have to fix the on/off switch, the latches on the case cover were bent and the battery contacts needed a thorough scrubbing. It now works as good as new!

Flea Market Finds #1

I visited the flea market this morning and it's a good thing I did because I stumbled upon a mini version of the popular Competition Pro joystick. If you were into computers in the 80's, you should know what I'm talking about. Anyway, the mini's not very common around here so I must say I'm happy to have found it. It looks brand new and it's also fully functional.

Feast your eyes!

Side-by-side with the 'normal' version.

And in case you've been living in a cave for the past couple of years, there's also a USB version of the legendary Competition Pro. You can read a review here.