Magnavox Phantom remote controls
 

I picked up a '66 magnavox console yesterday and its a remote set. Its the first maggie remote set I have that uses the "Phantom" remote. Unfortunately, the remote is missing. It was one of those estate sales where they threw everything in the house away prior to the sale, so there was nothing but furniture left. Ironically, the non working TV was still there. I asked if anyone saw it and nobody cared to remember or know about it. If nobody was around, I'd go through the huge pile of "junk" in the garage that was once contents of the home to find that remote, as I'm sure its in there. I don't know why estate sale people find it necessary to throw everything away prior to the sale. Let the customer make the call, then do what you want after the sale. It just makes more sense, but what do I know.

Either way, Im curious on these phantom remotes. id like to find one to complete this set. Did they make variations of this remote? Were they all bellows type configurations, and to those who have these remotes, does the bellow hold up well after 40+ years?

I found one on ebay but I don't think the seller is being too realistic:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Magnavox-Phantom...3286.m20.l1116

That seller is on DRUGS. Those remotes aren't too rare, and a fair price is $6-$20 depending on condition; worn but working to brand-new. It would take some digging, but I probably have some in a box. PM me if you can't find one easily, and I'll see what I can find.

Charles

The seller could have also made a mistake in typing when listing the opening bid; I think he or she may have meant $8.00 or even less.

BTW, I have only seen one Magnavox TV with the "Phantom" bellows-type 2-button remote in my life, and that was over thirty years ago. I have a friend whose parents owned a Magnavox remote 19" table model (with the "Phantom" hand unit, of course) in the '60s. The TV was b&w and worked well for them until about the end of the '80s or so, then quit. It was replaced soon thereafter, my friend told me some time ago, by a Fisher console.

There's a combo version of that set sitting in a Thrift here, it has (had?) two of those remotes sitting inside the top compartment, I don't know if they are correct for a set that late, I thought they were for the early 60's B&W sets.

Doug, I have a Maggie remote just like that one on ebay... just sitting on a shelf. It was in a box of parts I got from a local guy out in the sticks.

You're more than welcomed to have it. I'm at work on the ship right now, so if you don't mind waiting till the latter half of September, I'll send it to you at that time.

I am looking for a remote also, I just hav no idea what it is. The TV is a magnavox AM/FM stereo/phono/B&W.

It has a "power tuning" button on the top that will move the tuner. There is a separate subchassis with 2 small relays and a powered wafer switch with that will advance with I move a big switch on the back of the set.

any help on what I need in the way of a remote would be appreciated

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...2&postcount=10

I've had some of the all-electronic ultrasonic remotes for Magnavox and they are very classy looking. I think the oldest one I have now is for a mid-70s model. I think I have a one-button bellows clicker for a bw portable, but that's all I recall.

The pneumatic Phantom was used from the early 60s (maybe even late 50s), to the late 60s on some color sets. Many of the Magnavox 21" roundie and 23" rectangular sets used the Phantom remote. Only differences were in the design of the logo on the remote over the years. Some of them even had a function of the turntable for reject, accessable through one of the Phantom buttons. The high-end color sets of the late 60s had more buttons, and were battery-operated ultrasonic.

Charles

I dont think that ebay seller is mistaken on the price, as I have seen that remote relisted over and over again. I dont think the seller has any grasp on reality as during the times I saw it, there were similar remotes being offered at $10. I managed to purchase one for my combo/console for $15.

He has a lot of nerve to want to charge six bucks for shipping!

geez I wonder what he would want for the console!!

I get a kick out of some stuff I find on CL, 1000$ for a 70's ureathane wood SS console.

My thoughts exactly.

I know. CL provides a lot of entertainment, and nothing more, around here!

At his asking price, he should ship it for free! He probably thinks that if he holds out long enough, some sucker will pay his price.

That can happen sometimes, but I'd be surprised if it happened on this one. If it were more rare, maybe. Anyone can search eBay and forums for a few minutes, and probably cough up a half dozen Phantom remotes. I understand the concept of buying or holding something on prospect, but I'd rather buy some risky stocks and just sit on them. Much better potential if I'm willing to sit around and wait as long as this guy is!

Charles