Dilemma: New Or Used Old Zenith? - Videokarma.org TV - Video

colortrakker · #1 07-16-2005, 04:28 PM

The new store I discovered today had a neat surprise: a brand-new, never-before-sold vintage Zenith TV! It was a 19" System 3 table set in a wood cabinet (REAL wood!) with not only Space Command, but Space Phone. I date it from about the early '80s. The lady at the store (owner's wife, I think) told me they never sold it when it was new, and it's been sitting in the store, longing for an owner, ever since. The registration card and plastic wrap are still attached to the back of the set. They're asking $100, which is kinda rich for me, but there's a used System 3 there that's very similar. It's got Zoom instead of Space Phone but it's pretty much the same set otherwise, and it's only $20 (original remote included!). I imagine they're both built like tanks and have the weight to match, with the wood and everything.

If we were each other, and had a buck to burn, which would set you go for?

bgadow · #2 07-16-2005, 09:54 PM

That NOS model is pretty tempting. I doubt it would be much more reliable than the old one but it has a nice story behind it. Is is overpriced? I can't decide. If someone were just in the market for a new tv I would say, yeah, you could get more features in a new "Durabilt" at Wally World...but then this Zenith without a doubt will outlive any new Chinese set. May need some caps before too long but the Zeniths I've seen from those years are still very, very good performing sets.

The tv shop here in town still had some NOS Zeniths last time I was in but these were from the early 90s. I really should stop in & browse again someday. Looks like they have given the tv floorspace over to major appliances. I think there are still some new Philips sets in the window. (the nos sets are 13" priced over $200 & sitting on a shelf gathering dust)

Chad Hauris · #3 07-16-2005, 11:35 PM

Get both if you can afford it, $120 is not much more than $100...the never used one will have a lot more CRT life left in it...and you can take modules/parts from the used one if need be to help out the NOS one.

kc8adu · #4 07-17-2005, 09:27 AM

get both.
when you get home pull the 9-160 from both and resolder anything heavy or that gets hot.
now you have 2 sets that will outlast several china cheapies.
btw i have a system3 table set with a WOOD cabinet and spacephone/zoom.
i just installed a vdc rebuilt crt.
it now looks better than my neighbors new rca! he said what the hell! i saw that set on that 70's show.its old and cant possibly be better than my new one.
well thats what happens when you buy bpc at wallyworld(china*mart)

colortrakker · #5 07-18-2005, 06:15 PM

Like to see a pic of that set, KC8du. I wonder if the two I'm considering are similar. Here's a video grab of sut'm VERY close to the Space Phone set, if not the same model:

colortrakker · #6 07-26-2005, 07:33 PM

I talked myself into the "new" Zenith tonight. Made the agreement to pick it up and plunk down my hundred Thursday. Guy plugged it in, hooked it to cable and powered it up for the first time for me...sold! Once I tweak it away from the factory settings it's gonna look amazing. One nice thing I wasn't expecting: it has on-screen display. The set listed for $749 when it was made in the early '80s and cost the dealer a little over $500 ($529?). He was all ready to load it up tonight; I wasn't. But Thursday I will be, and you can bet I'll have some pics.

PS: The one in the pic in the last post is not the same, but it's still pretty close.

jstout66 · #7 07-26-2005, 09:23 PM

I had one of those. It was my first new set and I LOVED it. Wish I still had it today.....

colortrakker · #8 07-26-2005, 11:37 PM

Should I pick up the one with Zoom for you?

Not sure how it'd ship to NE, though.

kc8adu · #9 07-31-2005, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colortrakker

Like to see a pic of that set, KC8du. I wonder if the two I'm considering are similar. Here's a video grab of sut'm VERY close to the Space Phone set, if not the same model:

thats the one i have with wood cabinet.

AlwaysLyceum · #10 05-18-2006, 11:04 AM

Someone gave me a Zenith System 3 with Space Phone because I have this obsession with interesting TVs from the 80s. I, unfortunatly, was not given the original remote, which included the space phone button, so I could not answer the phone on the TV. I made it my life goal to find that original remote control, and a couple days ago, I found one on eBay, and I was the one and only bidder. The Zenith space phone remote is mine for $4.99! I'm waiting in bated breath for this remote to arrive, so my friends can call my TV, and I'll be able to answer it. How many people get to answser their ringing TV?

How's the TV working, Colortrakker???
P.S. I like that your icon is the Fuccon father!

colortrakker · #11 05-18-2006, 01:15 PM

The set's awesome...better than any new set you'd find at Wal*Mart. Everyone who's seen it has been impressed by the Space Phone. Only thing is that you have to press the Privacy button while you're listening to your caller since it's only a one-way system.

The phone has a memory that stores two numbers (handy for in-game pizza/beer delivery). And the on-screen display shows you what you're dialing. My DirecTV receiver has Caller ID so if I subscribed to it, I could also see who was calling!

Glad to have you here, and happy to know another Fuccon fan.

colortrakker · #12 05-18-2006, 01:21 PM

And while I'm looking back over this thread, I realize that I owe you pictures! Apols. for small size.

AlwaysLyceum · #13 05-18-2006, 01:30 PM

Why don't they make TVs like this anymore????

So, I don't think I'll be able to make phone calls on the TV because I only have tone dialing, and the SP apparently only has pulse.

That remote better hurry up and get here!

AlwaysLyceum · #14 05-18-2006, 01:38 PM

WOW, my TV looks completly different! It has a speaker panel on each side of the screen.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1982-Zenith-Syst...QQcmdZViewItem

(I don't really know how to insert a picture)

colortrakker · #15 05-18-2006, 02:33 PM

Yes, the Space Phone only has pulse dialing, but I use it just fine on my tone line.

Funny your set looks so much newer than mine. Mine was made in December 1983.

And here's one more neat thing: your set might be able to work with a special outboard box. You could connect up to 4 sources to that box, and use either the ANT button on the set itself or the remote to switch between them. HIGHLY underrated technology!