I went to a HUGE vintage computer swap meet!!

[@MrLurchsThings]

Bonus points for the Blinky T-shirt 👍

[@JimLeonard]

Love the recap! (And I love some of the subtle shade thrown too) One tiny correction: VCF Midwest is not a part of the VCFED. It's an independent show that existed before the formation of the VCFED non-profit. VCFMW is run by Chicago Classic Computing, Inc. (also a non-profit).

[@retrobitstv]

Thanks for the clarification. I'll try and remember that for next time :)

[@klausmoritzpeitzsch690]

7:35 "it freakin' works!" is what Adrian from Adrian's Digital Basement always says.

[@achaney]

Oh I love the Columbus Farmers Market. Now I need to get back to New Jersey

[@bozimmerman]

Mike Myers was part of (IMHO) the greatest SNL cast. Definitely watch it.

[@retrobitstv]

Oh, I totally grew up with Mike Myers and Wayne's World / Austin Powers so I can appreciate his work but I've never really had any desire to watch video content on a handheld. I don't even enjoy watching things on my modern phone :P Maybe I'll give it a play though just for the experience :)

[@heckintech]

OH wow, I am so incredibly jealous! 😍 My brain has minimal RAM, and this means my FOMO alerts are frequent and LOUD. I'd have had ZERO impulse control, and bought far more than my wallet or vehicle could ever handle 🤣 I'd have grabbed a TI-99, that woodgrain CRT I spotted at 5:04 , probably at least one of those Japanese beige desktops, the black panasonic or red toshiba MSX, that all-in-one FM Towns machine (How much was that, do you remember?) I've always wanted one of those all-in-one TRS-80s.. ohhh and that super colorful Sun Microsystem machine. No idea what I'd do with it, it's just so gaudy and beautiful! Maybe a black macbook, if it's cheap enough. and at least SOME kind of Tandy, I've got a tandy shirt, but somehow not a single tandy machine?? My collection is already unreasonable.. but.. It's all so precious, y'know? Looked like a riot, I hope I can go someday! And if I do, I hope to run in to you! 😁

[@retrobitstv]

Haha I know the feeling. I was on my best behavior and it was all I could do not to come home with 4 CRTs and a bunch of Japanese imports! Space and time are a problem :P I think the all-in-one FM Towns II UR-20 was $600 or $650? It did sell, so I guess that wasn't too crazy. It would have cost several hundred to ship over from Japan if you bought it today so I guess that wasn't bad. The tower was only $200 or $250 and came in the original box. I really wanted to pick that one up but it also sold before I came back.

[@argniests5357]

wow that was all awesome to see. Thanks for panning slowly.

[@mcd3379]

Great video. Amazing what you can get in the US from a retro perspective (compared to Australia) and very competitively priced too!

[@ForgottenMachines]

7:55 An AT&T That looks like a 6300 but not quite... Interesting! I thought it was a 6300, but why is this NOT a 6300? Do share more, please! Great video coverage, commentary, layout and editing, thanks for bringing me right there with you!

[@retrobitstv]

Glad you enjoyed it! As far as the AT&T goes, I'm as far as you can get from an expert on the subject but the machine in question has a divided front bezel which is something I haven't seen before. It could just be a variant I'm unfamiliar with though.

[@communalnoodle1356]

I would LOVE to find that Multisync 3d for $20 - it's one of the last things on my list that I haven't found.

[@proteque]

Nice. I had this exact monitor on my A1200 Tower back in the 90s. Fond memories.

[@MoreFunMakingIt]

I love these videos! What a fantastic place! It's like a UK car boot except I want to buy EVERYTHING!

[@jdryyz]

Ahhhh...the NEC 3D. Had one for many years in the nineties until it failed. I should have held onto it.

[@TheJeremyHolloway]

I feel the same about a 19” KDS Trinitron monitor I had that apparently failed right before I was moving circa 2005. I should’ve kept it and figured out how to repair that beautiful beast.

[@staypuftmshmlomn]

Oh man... the first computer I ever used was my dad's Panasonic Sr. Partner. I wish I still had it. Would have snapped that one up if I was there.

[@UsagiElectric]

So glad I couldn't make it to this one, I would have come home with all of the TI-99 stuff! The wallet can only stretch so far and I have poor impulse control, haha.

[@retrobitstv]

Haha, if you had been able to stay an extra week after visiting System Source think of all the stuff you could have taken home :P I've long given up on finding a complete set of sidecar expansions *but* I did manage to score a complete loaded PEB with a stack of disk software for $40 locally not that long ago so that has scratched my TI itch for the time being!

[@ejstacey]

Great video! I enjoy your "bargain hunting" vids! Also good work on the alliteration challenge you gave yourself during the vid.

[@mikboy018]

Nice finds! I love going to those swaps. Finally got a Dreamcast this year! FYI, if you get a chance, L&Y electronics is also in VA and well worth the time to go check out.

[@retrobitstv]

I have been to L&Y a few times - always an adventure there!

[@PetesProjects0]

Great video! I enjoyed the swap meet and sold almost everything I brought with me.

[@retrobitstv]

Congrats! I can't wait for the next one...

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

What fun. Thanks for doing that for us. :)

[@retrobitstv]

I had a great time and really can't wait for the next one :)

[@fourthhorseman4531]

I have a 2 port 5200 that I love, but I would have snagged that older 4 port model for that price for sure!

[@packfan1946]

I have a Tandy 1000SX. It was my college computer which I hardly ever used.

[@Meebzorp5200]

I almost bought the Atari 400 you bought as I had never owned an Atari 8-bit before. There was a beautiful Apple IIGS Woz edition with monitor I came super close to buying but couldn't do it. It's at 10:15 of this video. Woz edition is kind of tough to find complete in that condition. You're right, the NEC Multisyncs were prized monitors back in the early 90s. I had a NEC Multisync 4FG monitor paired with a Gateway 2000 VGA 486/33 in 1992. Amazing monitor that could switch easily between resolutions!

[@retrobitstv]

Haha too funny! I already have a working 800XL and an untested 800 but for the price I figured hey why not try and complete the set :P

[@drkamilz]

I'm looking forward to seeing that monitor working.

[@retrobitstv]

Working on it now! I am really excited to see if I can get it going again :)

[@Charleshawn66]

TY for making this GREAT content for us!! You have a GREAT camera recording your drive! Super sharp video! What state is that Columbus farmers market in? I don't think it's mine in OH even though you said it has lots of Amish stuff from PA which many markets around me have that stuff also. Sell so I have more space so I can buy stuff!! Japan's Yahoo actions!! LOL The day your video came out about that I went and made my account and bid on a Commodore MAX-04 right away. Less than a week later at the end of the action it was MINE and I had to make an account with Buyee to be my proxy and ship it to me. WOW TI99/4A for $10 & a Tandy Color Computer 2 for a $100! The TI was $525 in 1981 at release and the Tandy was $159 in 1983 at release. From the asking prices you can see which is the most desirable one. How much was the MSD SD-2? I paid $369 before shipping/$394 total for mine in August. I've seen many working 1581s without manuals selling for $400 and more!! Wonder why someone didn't buy that and sell one to pay for them and have the 2nd one for you for free! Or maybe the prices are dropping because I see many being made with a new case and new PCB.

[@retrobitstv]

Glad you enjoyed it! The market was in Columbus NJ, which is accessible right off of I-95 and 295. Yea, TI99's routinely sell for 15 or 20 dollars, but the CoCos command more, especially the CoCo3. I don't know how much the SD-2 was, the seller said make an offer but I didn't want to insult him because I know they're pretty rare. I would have bought the pair of 1581s to keep one and sell one but I already have a pair of them so hopefully someone else got a good deal there.

[@JamesPotts]

Some Gateway Vivitron models have Mitsubishi "Diamondtron" tubes. Arguably not as good as Sony tubes, though I never thought they were too bad.

[@MaggieKeizai]

Who's ever looking for an Atari 5200? Well, I have a fun story about that. When I was 13, we had a garage sale before moving to another state, and of all people in the world, John Denver rolled up. Looking for an Atari 5200. Saw my 2600 and proceeded to spend 5 minutes talking the 5200 up to me. I don't even remember what was supposedly so great about it, but that's a thing that happened and at some point in 1990, John Denver was looking for an Atari 5200 at our garage sale. The end Oh, and I'd have absolutely bought that FM Towns on sight. Man! Plus that Panasonic MSX A1, you can actually mod those to 2+ specs.

[@retrobitstv]

Haha that's a good 5200 story! John Denver was a gamer, who knew? :P

[@MaggieKeizai]

@@retrobitstv It was pretty surreal, honestly, but it's a fun memory!

[@relo999]

"Who is ever looking for a 5200?" Me, but shipping to europe really kills most deals especially on ebay. But yea, the multisync 3D is amazing. Got one 2 years back for 20 euro by sheer luck to replace my old CRT as it couldn't do PC98 stuff. Really amazing CRT.

[@robprupe]

Cool Binky t-shirt.

[@DrDavesDiversions]

Hey Matt! Nice pick-up with the Atari 400. Those are the first computers I used in school. I have that Odyssey 4000, in box, sitting on a table right here. It did a composite mod to it (based on an Atari composite mod for The Future was 8 Bit) for a friend who has left the system here at my house since before VCF Midwest 2022. What's nice about the Odyssey 4000 is that it's a color system based on the General Instrument AY-3-8600 single chip with multiple games, with built-in joysticks. It's distinguished from the AY-3-8500 systems in that the players can move front-to-back as well, so games like tennis/pong and hockey/soccer have better play.

[@retrobitstv]

Hey Dave, thanks for the info on the Odyssey 4000! I missed out on the Atari 8-bits growing up but now I have an 800 and 800XL so I figured I should try and complete the set and the price on that 400 was right :)

[@meneerjansen00]

Can't wait for you to repair or demonstrate the Atari 400! Nice video.

[@yucelbilik]

Nice video, thanks.❤

[@michaelstoliker971]

The 400 and the 5200 are basically the same thing in a different package.

[@monstarpaisley]

I would have bought that Commodore 1701 Monitor, I need another one, mines broken!

[@thatguyontheright1]

Waiting for the new RetroBites channel

[@nyccollin]

*bytes

[@vcv6560]

Ha, @5:05 (upper left) I saw my first VCR, a JVC HRS-7100u. VHS in 1984 it was the cheapest 4 head of that time, $549. How things change.

[@retrobitstv]

Nice, I didn't recognize the model. In 1984 we were still renting a VCR from 'Captain Video' each time we went out to get a tape. Our first model was a lot more compact and a front-loader.

[@drphilxr]

There’s a Lancaster flea market where? I outside of the county?)

[@mogwaay]

I was keeping it together watching this till you snagged the doer upper Atari 400 for $20 that's practically free in my UK poundereenos 😮😂

[@lintfordpickle]

This is just crazy, I wish we had places like this over here in Germany. I can't believe how cheap everything was!

[@lintfordpickle]

on second thoughts (after finishing the video) - its probably a good thing we don't have anything like this - I would have been a couple $k. I think I wanted to buy everything

[@gregdunlap7538]

I'd gladly take that Mike Myers disc!

[@JGYokohama1]

Got a fairly complete Vic20 with carts and tape decks in NOVA if you're interested. A friend here sent me your way.

[@retrobitstv]

Cool, thanks for reaching out! My first Commodore experience was with the 64 so I've never actually owned a VIC-20. I'd certainly be happy to give it a good home if you're looking to move it on. You can reach me directly at [e-mail] thanks!

[@JGYokohama1]

@@retrobitstv ill send you a mail.

[@ran2wild370]

Wow!! $660 for SGi and $450 for SUN? Wow.. too much I guess 😲😲

[@retrobitstv]

Hah yea, SGI hardware doesn't come cheap! I kind of wish I had picked up a few old machines when I worked for the company back in the 90s but hindsight is 20/20 :P

[@infinitecanadian]

6:34 What is that computer on the right-hand side that looks a bit like a typewriter? You should have gotten that, as well as that sad-looking Macintosh that needed some love.

[@retrobitstv]

The black one? It's an MSX2+. I already made a video about a sad looking all-in-one classic Mac that needed love and I don't like to repeat myself :)

[@infinitecanadian]

@@retrobitstv Oh, I never knew they looked like that. The point is that we like to see it.

[@datassetteuser356]

So many nice CRTs ❤. Awesome stuff there!

[@retrobitstv]

It sure was hard not to buy them all :P

[@milow-cl9kt]

Of your stock, would have jumped on the 1050! I for sure would have jumped on the 128 and 1702 monitor at the meet, looked like a lot of fun!

[@retrobitstv]

The 1050 was a spare that I picked up in a lot a few years ago and didn't need. I think the 1702 was sold - most of the CRTs I wanted were gone by the end of the day when I was ready to buy. Probably for the best :P The weather was perfect, it was a ton of fun, and I can't wait to go back next year!

[@TheJeremyHolloway]

@@retrobitstvdoes the 1050 have a Happy Drive or US Doubler mod installed?

[@retrobitstv]

@@TheJeremyHolloway I never opened it up or even tried to power it on. It was part of a lot from an online estate sale, just one of a hundred projects I never had time to undertake!

[@overdriver99]

very cool to see your local swap meet. I'd pick up more CRT like NEC multisync monitor that you pick up. It is rare as long as it works LOL :) I love how you shoot this video including local shopping for food and other items: it looks like complete journey with you to attend that swap meet. thanks for uploading!

[@retrobitstv]

I am working on the NEC right now. It needs work but I'm pretty sure I can get it sorted. Stay tuned!

[@leadedsolder]

​@@retrobitstvGood luck with the MultiSync! I'm about 10-15 hours into mine at the moment. Lots of open Rubycon SSPs and leaky Nichicons. About to start putting the boards back in.

[@retrobitstv]

@@leadedsolder I've just about wrapped it up and yea, I'm probably 15-20 hours into it all told because of a few self-inflicted problems along the way and a fundamental misunderstanding of what one problem was caused by. Full episode $real_soon! I hope yours gives you less trouble than mine :P

[@leadedsolder]

​@@retrobitstvThanks! I am just buttoning mine up now as we speak, so hopefully I haven't jinxed myself

[@tassiebob]

Damn, I clearly live in the wrong country :-( Sadly, even when I visit the US it's way too expensive to freight back anything that doesn't fit into checked luggage :-(

[@retrobitstv]

I feel the same way about Japanese and European machines we didn't get here!

[@geekwithsocialskills]

Awesome pickups. I saw a few things of interest to me. You're lucky to have the VCF swap meet so close to you for adventures like this.

[@retrobitstv]

It was my first time going to this one and I was not disappointed! I will definitely be going back next year if they hold it again. In fact, I was ready for another the following weekend :P

[@Charleshawn66]

I agree that he is very lucky!!

[@zap2002]

Great vid. Some of us cant make it to these and will vicariously through you. lol

[@retrobitstv]

Glad you enjoyed it. I would love to see more of these types of events pop up closer to home. Clearly there's an interest for them!

[@retroandgaming]

Wow! Cool swap meet. If I was there it would have been hard to pass by the FM Towns models. Do you remember the pricing?

[@retrobitstv]

I believe the all-in-one FM Towns II UR was $600 or $650 which isn't terrible when you consider it would cost between $200 - $400 just to ship it from Japan today. The tower model was $200 or $250 with original box and software. I was going to buy the latter but it was sold by the time I went back.

[@resh7391]

Ti99 for 10 or 15 US$? Boy... here in Europe those go for at least 80 euros untested.

[@retrobitstv]

They are everywhere here, probably because TI was practically giving them away towards the end! I picked up a complete boxed unit on eBay a while back that looks like it was never even used for $20.

[@690design]

is there a list of places like that in the US? I travel there once a year and I struggle to find sources of information about thse markets.

[@retrobitstv]

VCF hosts events all of the US which are listed on their page here vcfed.org/ . I'm not aware of any other swap meets of this size that aren't Hamfests though.

[@brianlamtman7361]

I would of took all the pc motherboards that was free

[@rager1969]

Well, you mod a PSP so that you don't need the UMDs. So assuming you want that Atari UMD to have one game for the PSP, then you should want that Mike Meyers SNL UMD to have one video UMD for the PSP.

[@retrobitstv]

Haha I guess so, though I never really had any desire to use such a device to watch video on in the first place :P

[@NeoN-PeoN]

What SNES game is that at 5:46?

[@retrobitstv]

It's a port of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego!

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

Can that Atari 5200 be made into a full fledged computer the way the XEGS could be?

[@retrobitstv]

I don't think so. While it's fundamentally the same as the 8-bit computers, there are some architectural differences so software isn't directly compatible and there's no ports for keyboard, SIO, etc. There is an expansion edge connector on the back that was never used by any hardware AFAIK.

[@mraudio]

Did you check for memory cards in the Atari 400?

[@retrobitstv]

I didn't pop the top. The writing on the tape seems to indicate it has 8K but it may say something else entirely :P

[@argniests5357]

how many times a year do they have this?

[@retrobitstv]

Just once I think. There's also the regular VCF East event that has a consignment area for buying/selling items.

[@GamerSpencer]

thumbs down immediately for hating on Sinclair :(