How to recognise a "Heavy Sixer" Atari 2600 VCS

[napoleon9898]

We're can I find a heavy sixer. Any good websites

[danielstephenclarke]

Great video thanks, can you tell me if its easy to get replacement power packs for the 'Vader 2600 I know the 7800 is supposedly a swine, from what I can tell the 2600 looks a bit like a headphone jack weirdly..

[SteveBenway]

@danielstephenclarke The Vader uses the same PSU as all other 2600 models, and they're pretty common on ebay. You can also probably use pretty much any multi-purpose PSU that you can pick up in most electrical or DIY type shops, provided you know the correct voltage, amplitude and polarity.

[uzi9millimetuh]

BTW, one point I never see mentioned in regards to sixers is that, at least in my experience, they output somewhat richer, more vibrant color and suffer slightly less RF noise. Nothing mindblowing but definitely noticeable. I've tested a sixer against a Vader, a Jr, and a Coleco Gemini running duplicate carts and going back and forth with an RF switchbox and I could swear the display looked better on the sixer. Am I alone in this? I'm guessing the cheaper parts of the later models are to blame.

[SteveBenway]

@uzi9millimetuh I've never done a direct comparison, so can't comment. I should probably try it sometime though, just out of curiosity.

[uzi9millimetuh]

@SteveBenway Please do. I'd be interested to see whether it's true or just my imagination.

[uzi9millimetuh]

Certain Atari games fit too tightly in my heavy sixer (takes some effort to put them in and pull them out), specifically some silver label games like Kangaroo, Jungle Hunt, and Galaxian. Is this a problem only the sixer has, or other models like Vader too?

[SteveBenway]

@uzi9millimetuh Interesting. I just went and tried a load of silver label carts in my heavy sixer and vader, and didn't have a problem with either. I wonder if it's that the metal inner of the slot on your sixer is a little smaller than it should be... being that it's not a moulded object. Or it might be slightly misaligned with the plastic casing or something.

[uzi9millimetuh]

@SteveBenway It's odd, because all other carts fit like a glove. I did Google the issue and found a post by someone who also has problems with some carts being too tight in his sixer, though he didn't specify which. Perhaps there were inconsistencies with sixer manufacturing, or with the plastic molds rather, and when the silver label carts were made they ended up being a hair thicker and the issue wasn't taken into consideration.

[rga24yt]

Is that a PAL heavy sixer or NTSC?

[SteveBenway]

@rga24yt It's PAL

[deegz01]

who was smoking a bong at 3:01 ?

[pathammond]

Why does everything in me want a heavy sixer?



[sallyserrano]

thank you for showing the atari systems

[doubledragonuk]

i have just finished going through all my atari 6 switches as i had too many & wanted to see if i have too many of the same version, now i know what i have in my collection, i have a mint heavy sixer loose, a light made in sunnyvale mint in box & of coarse a mint made in hong kong add to that my mint boxed vader & my 2 versions of the junior boxed mint, only need 4 switch woody & black junior

[SteveBenway]

@doubledragonuk Excellent collection :)

[SteveBenway]

@xTHExSTIGx There is no escape! I am EVERYWHERE!!! MUAHAHAHA!!!

... I mean... er... glad to be of service :D

[wisteela]

Great info.

And I like the octopuses and the moose :)

[Altdir]

the heavy sixer is not the only one made in sunnyvale. i took apart a small six switch and under the caseing is stamped made in sunnyvale

[SteveBenway]

@Altdir Yes, that's true. The early light six switchers were made there before production was moved to Hong Kong.... so a sticker or stamp saying "Made in Sunnyvale, California" should never be taken as an indication that a system is a heavy sixer.

[seemoremacstuff]

Nice video, I just bought a heavy sixer from the flea market today for 20 dollars, I could see the thick edges, feel the weight, and see where it says on the the bottom made in Sunnyvale, so I knew it was one.

[SteveBenway]

@seemoremacstuff Nice one. Sounds like you got yourself a bargain :)

[seemoremacstuff]

@SteveBenway Thanks

[DJCandyManMike]

Thanks for the very informative video! I bought a system today that I was told was a heavy sixer, but thanks to you, I now know it was a lie - I got the regular wood grain 6 switcher. At least I only paid $40 for it.

[SteveBenway]

@DJCandyManMike $40 seems like a fair enough price for a woody, so at least you didn't get ripped off :)

They may not have been intentionally lying. A lot of people just assume that all 6 switchers are called heavy sixers.

[DJCandyManMike]

@SteveBenway

Yeah, I don't think he did it on purpose either. I'm glad I know what to look for in case I ever do see the real deal.

[daafies2]

nice

[communistrecords]

One other notable feature is a heavy sixer has a deeper slot where you put the cartridge.

[SteveBenway]

@communistrecords So it does. I'd never noticed that. Thanks :)

[communistrecords]

@SteveBenway You're welcome.

[MarkTheMorose]

Good video, much easier to understand than reading a text description.

[phreakindee]

It is also very much worth mentioning the difference in Heavy Sixers themselves. There are some later models which are made in Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan etc) and are not considered "original Sunnyvale" Heavy Sixers. This can be told by the sticker on the bottom of the machine. Some say MFD in Sunnyvale, CA and others say some other location! To most it won't matter, but I have seen on eBay and such where some have said they have a Sunnyvale Heavy Sixer when in fact it was a Taiwan Heavy Sixer.

[SteveBenway]

I've heard varying reports on that matter.

Some say that the heavy sixer was only ever made in Sunnyvale, and that asian models aren't heavy sixers at all, and are merely standard six switch woodies being mis-described by their owners.

I've never seen any of these to know, one way or the other, but it's certainly worth bearing in mind when looking for one.

[BackForwardPunch]

That's very interesting, from this I an tell mine is the regular non-heavy model. The only question is, why is it better?

[SteveBenway]

"Better" is rather a relative term with 2600s.

Some claim that the extra shielding makes for a better picture, though personally, I've never found this to be true.

I think really it comes down to the fact that heavy sixers were the first model, and made in far fewer numbers. Rarer models usually having higher value... they become more sought after... and being more sought after, they gain even more in value... etc etc.

Good for collectors, pretty irrelevant for gamers, to be honest.

[silntdoogood]

cool, didn't even know such a thing existed, love to see whats in a heavy sixer opposed to a regular, in a lighter atari 2600, it has the same board as a Jr, just a an angle, 3/4 of the case is empty. And I was disappointed to find the world famous wood trim was a decal, do you know if the heavy one is actual wood?

[SteveBenway]

It's not wood on the heavy one either.

[lukemorse1]

That was a great explaination on the two Steve. It was clear to see and understand the differences and I enjoyed it a lot! Great video my friend

[KieranD212]

informative video i thought you went over it before but still its good for those who like to know

[SteveBenway]

You're correct, I did go over it before, but as part of a longer video about the 2600 and it's history.

This one is just a short and sweet video to help people recognise the heavy sixer, without having to wade through the history bit.

[KieranD212]

yes very good for people who are just wanting to know the differences

thanks steve

[markvergeer]

Cool explenation Steve!

[MyOtherCareer]

I just remember the heavy sizer being damn near impossible for me to move when I was a kid. My grandma had one, but she didn't leave it hooked up to the TV. Instead if was in a bin and we had to take it out of the closet if we wanted to play it. Usually it'd take me and my brother to move it. Of course, we were like 3 and 5 at the time.

[starblazers1969]

Hi Steve,

Do you know how much a "Heavy Sixer" Atari 2600 VCS should sell for?

[SteveBenway]

In the UK, assuming the other bidders know what it is, it's not uncommon for them to sell on ebay for around £100.

I don't know what they sell for in the US.

[atarileaf]

Hey Steve. Hope this isn't a dumb question but I don't suppose you come across the Sears models over in Europe do you?

[SteveBenway]

I've never seen one. I'm not even sure if we have Sears stores or catalogue over here.

[atarileaf]

The heavy is the one model I don't have. I wish I could find one.

[Foebane72]

I prefer the Atari 5200 games myself, as they're identical to my Atari 800XL games :)

[OGRMaster]

Yupee! My 2600 is a heavy sixer.

[cyb3rphr33k]

yay!!! mine isn't :(

neither...

[broken1394]

Classic Post Steve... Interesting stuff! x

[bobmarleyluke]

Your awesme thanks

[kreeboy411]

Great vid.

Had I'm happy with my 4 switch woody.....but at least now I know what to look for if I decide to get a heavy six switch.

Thanks :D

[DemonmachinE]

Bag of Sugar v.s. Box of Teabags.

You have no idea how awesome that comparison was. I love my beautiful boxes of teabags. *hugs Tetley*

[XFile2708]

Great video matey - what sort of price are they worth these days?

Thankfully i've just checked mine and it is indeed a 'heavy sixer'.... Had mine about 4 years now - cost me just £30... :)

[SteveBenway]

You got a bargain.

When you get a bunch of bidders who know what they're looking at, a good condition heavy sixer can go for upwards of £100.

They're probably worth less in the US, as that's where most of them were sold.

[XFile2708]

Nice one - I didnt know their were dodgy ones out there to be honest and I guess a lot of people don't and could easily not knowing they were paying well over the odds for an imitation one...

Thanks for putting the vid up matey - hopefully this will make a few more people aware as well :)

[SteveBenway]

It's not that there are imitations, just that the very common six switch woody that was made in Hong Kong (and looks very similar) is often sold as the much rarer heavy sixer, either by people who don't know any better, or by those who hope to sell to people who don't know any better.

[kapeesh67]

Cool vid. I;m looking out for one