TurboPad revisions

[nat]

I've got a really, really ancient TurboPad that is different than any other I've come across. A recent discussion with The Old Rover rekindled my interest in this oddity, so I thought I'd share with the rest of you folks.


EXTERIOR DIFFERENCES:

Note the obvious color differences. This one is weird. I'm not sure it was just a fluke, if it's a prototype, or what, but I've sure as hell never seen another one like it in the 18 years I've been involved with the Turbo.

OTHER DIFFERENCES:

Note the difference in the color of the plastic for the D-pad, as well as the different texture. The "old" pad uses a completely smooth & shiny plastic, that is different in feel to that used on "normal" pads. Almost like it was from a different mold or something. The same go for the rest of the buttons.

INTERNAL DIFFERENCES

Much is different on the old pad: white rubber piece under the I/II buttons, an odd split rubber piece under the D-Pad, and almost all the rubber pieces have the anchor posts in different locations than that used on common "normal" pads.

PCB DIFFERENCES:

I didn't do a comparison shot here, but you can see the "other" PCB in Old Rover's new thread. As you can see, this PCB is radically different than the one he pictured. Here's the other side:

[ceti alpha]

That is really strange. Where/When did you pick this controller up nat?

If I had to guess, I would say it was a prototype that just got put out into circulation somehow.

Anyway, thanks for sharing that nat. Very interesting. 

[nat]

That is really strange. Where/When did you pick this controller up nat?

I got it years ago with a used TG-16 core.

[nodtveidt]

Both of my controllers have the split membrane under the d-pad.

By the way...SHOWOFF! Showing off your nice sealed copies of Final Zone II, Ballistix, and what is that...Legendary Axe 2? ARRRRRRRRR!

[nat]

Both of my controllers have the split membrane under the d-pad.

Odd. Are the colors on the face the same as mine? How about the plastic used on the D-pad itself, same as the top one or bottom one?

By the way...SHOWOFF! Showing off your nice sealed copies of Final Zone II, Ballistix, and what is that...Legendary Axe 2? ARRRRRRRRR!

Haha, that's actually something I was setting up for a different shot. I'll post it sometime in the next couple weeks in the "post pics of your collection thread." I laid out all my sealed Turbo games there. That's just the tip of the iceberg. There's other shots I'm going to take though, of odd uncommon stuff as well as just my regular collection.

[nodtveidt]

The colors on the face are the good ole orange and yellowish stuff. The d-pad is the flat, boring, usual plastic. The membrane under the buttons is the dark one. But the membrane under BOTH d-pads is the split white membrane.

I also noticed that your circuit board lacks the R103 SIP chip, and in its place is some different circuitry. Both of mine have R103.

[spenoza]

Well, it does make sense the controller design would change a little over time as manufacturing processes change.

[SignOfZeta]

Somewhat related:

Open an original PCE controller, white, non-turbo. You'll find that significant portions of the stuff necessary for turbo are still in place. Was the turbo pad released at the same time?

[nodtveidt]

Somewhat related:

Open an original PCE controller, white, non-turbo. You'll find that significant portions of the stuff necessary for turbo are still in place. Was the turbo pad released at the same time?

Seriously? The pad doesn't need the 74HC163 if it's not going to use the turbo functions, it only needs the 74LS157. That's just plain weird.

[Keranu]

Very interesting, thanks for posting!

[Necromancer]

Very interesting, thanks for posting!

+1

Did you find any dates on the pcb, components, or the back of the controller?

[FM-77]

Wow, you guys are really running out of topics to discuss.

[ceti alpha]

Wow, you guys are really running out of topics to discuss. Razz

Maybe that should be the next topic we discuss? 

[guyjin]

is it possible that this is the controller for the grey euro Turbografx?

[Necromancer]

is it possible that this is the controller for the grey euro Turbografx?

I doubt it, since the Euro version dropped '16' from the name and the coloring would still be wrong.