Wanted: Core Grafx System

[Hewitson]

Hi there,

I've been curious about the PCE/TG16 systems for the last 20 years. I've decided it's finally time for me to get myself a machine and explore some of the great games the system has to offer. I am looking to buy a Core Grafx system.

Thanks in advance.

[Hewitson]

Are these systems hard to come by? Would I be better off looking for a standard PCE plus RF Booster or Interface Unit?

[wilykat]

PCE and Coregrafx are very similar, they largely differs in case color, and original PCE lacks AV port on the side.

You could probably find a decent working Coregrafx set for under $50 on eBay. 

If you plan to play CD games, you'd be better off looking for a PCE Duo as it'd be cheaper than PCE console + CD system.

[Hewitson]

The cheapest CG on ebay at the moment is $60 and it doesn't come with an AV cable. There is a complete system for $75, I feel that these are overpriced.

I would certainly be willing to consider a Duo if one was available for a reasonable cost. Are spare parts readily available for the CD drives in these things?

[wilykat]

There's a thread for repairing, recapping, and laser part source.  Many model of Sony Discman uses the same laser and can be swapped. Gears OTOH would be a problem.

If you get a CD system or a Duo, consider cap replacement and cleaning + relubing the worm gear in CD mechansim (the only metal gear, leave plastic gear ungreased)

Many people here can do the recapping and/or repairing for reasonable price. They'd be worth it if your solder skill means setting something on fire.

[esadajr]

Basically, if you want to get into the PCE / TG16 scene be prepared to spend. You don't have to be a millionaire but it's just not like the more popular systems either. It'll depend on what you wanna play and how patience you're.

Eventually you will want to play CD games (there are some great games like Dracula X, Cotton, Star Parodier, Gate of Thunder, etc), so it is best to get a Duo system since the beginning. According to the experts, the Duo-R / RX systems are more reliable (I got me a Duo-R and it's a great system) but if you come across a cheap Duo system you can have it recapped as Wilykat pointed out.

[Firebomber7]

Basically, if you want to get into the PCE / TG16 scene be prepared to spend. You don't have to be a millionaire but it's just not like the more popular systems either. It'll depend on what you wanna play and how patience you're.

Eventually you will want to play CD games (there are some great games like Dracula X, Cotton, Star Parodier, Gate of Thunder, etc), so it is best to get a Duo system since the beginning. According to the experts, the Duo-R / RX systems are more reliable (I got me a Duo-R and it's a great system) but if you come across a cheap Duo system you can have it recapped as Wilykat pointed out.

Duo-R/RX is currently more reliable, but that could start to change very soon as they keep getting older and caps start to go on them (they've been seen going on some Super CD systems recently, which is a new thing). Meanwhile, the build of the original Duo is actually better than the Duo R/RX once the caps are replaced. Something to think about.