View Full Version : Found a Zenith 13" color portable today


mr_fixer
04-14-2009, 04:47 PM
It is a 1983 model # Z131OPT, works pretty good. When i got it, i hoped it used the same crt as my space command portable, so i could have a spare. This uses a 13vbwp22 and my other uses a 13vamp22. Are these interchangeable?
Here is a pic. Logan

zenithfan1
04-14-2009, 04:53 PM
Great picture on that thing. I don't know if the CRTs exchange, they might but I don't know for sure.

eberts
04-14-2009, 04:58 PM
Those 2 tubes are NOT interchangable.
The 13VAMP22 is another Zenith oddball tube with a high faluire rate due to the glass neck being punctured by a vertical or high voltage problem in the chassis.

zenith2134
04-14-2009, 05:02 PM
Interesting, eberts.

Nice set, glad you saved it! Always liked the early-80s portables.

radiotvnut
04-14-2009, 05:06 PM
I had one of these in the early '90's. Used the 9-160 chassis and had a very sharp picture. Ended up selling it for $85 to the first guy that looked at it. I'd love for those days to return again.

JohnAdams
04-15-2009, 10:19 PM
I got one of those Z1310's I bought new. Over $200. Still works great. Use it in my office each day with a digital converter and rabbit ears.
Seems like we paid a lot for stuff back then. While cleaning out a file cabinet, I found where I paid over $700 for a Beta HiFi VCR.

zenithfan1
04-15-2009, 10:36 PM
I got one of those Z1310's I bought new. Over $200. Still works great. Use it in my office each day with a digital converter and rabbit ears.
Seems like we paid a lot for stuff back then. While cleaning out a file cabinet, I found where I paid over $700 for a Beta HiFi VCR.

True, but those things still work just fine. New stuff of the same price will only last a short time. Every step forward in technology seems to be two steps backward in quality and overall longevity.

radiotvnut
04-15-2009, 10:45 PM
I got one of those Z1310's I bought new. Over $200. Still works great. Use it in my office each day with a digital converter and rabbit ears.
Seems like we paid a lot for stuff back then. While cleaning out a file cabinet, I found where I paid over $700 for a Beta HiFi VCR.

Speaking of the prices back then, I can remember when AM/FM/cassette boomboxes (even the smaller ones) cost a pretty penny. Now, you can get a boombox with a CD player for $24.99 (or less). I think my Dad gave around $500 for our first VCR in around '85, a Magnavox (Panasonic) with a 14 channel tuner.

zenith2134
04-16-2009, 12:21 AM
Yeah I remember my aunt telling me she spent over 600 bucks on a knob-tuned, mono top-loading VCR in 1981 on sale from Macy's. Christmas gift for the family...they had a Zenith late-70s System 3, one of the 25" ones with LED tuning display and ultrasonic remote. I have one just like it.

But yeah, that stuff was made to last...and if it said "hi-fi" on the box you paid at least 100 bucks more. :yes: