intellicolecovisonary

I initially found out about found the keypad on the CX53 menu navigation here where Allan states "Use the keypad on the trackball to move through the menu. I think 2 scrolls up and 8 scrolls down". I  discovered after trying all the buttons that 4 and 6 scrolled the menu left and right respectively and of course the start button starts the game. As to Xari Arena I have problems with that ROM as well on the Atarimax but the AtariAge cart works perfectly. I had the same issue with the Tempest ROM on the Atarimax, it was unplayable, yet the cart of Tempest I have works perfectly with the CX53.  https://atariage.com/forums/topic/251428-atarimax-sd-and-trak-ball-how-to-question/

I use my CX53 all the time without having to swap the Trak-Ball for another controller. The Atarimax menu can be navigated with the CX53 Trak-Ball keypad. Up is button 2 down is 8, right is 6 and left is 4.

I agree, the Jag controller is like a Volvo, it works well first time every time, the CX52 was exotic with it's analog design and is like an old Ferrari that need constant tuning and maintenance. Impractical by nature, but IMO more fun to own and drive.  

I use my CX53 all the time without having to swap the Trak-Ball for another controller. The Atarimax menu can be navigated with the CX53 Trak-Ball keypad. Up is button 2 down is 8, right is 6 and left is 4.

Vector Pilot and Vector Patrol are pretty much reasons along to own a Vectrex! Especially Vector Pilot as I still find secrets in that game it seems each time I figure it up. Vectroblade is very cool but I think I have an earlier version of the game that still suffers from some game breaking bugs. I bought mine from Sean Kelly before Packrat was selling them and sending them out so pretty sure it is an early release.
 

@intellicolecovisonary Awesome game room you got there! I picked up Vectorblade and have Protector, Vector Pilot and Vector Patrol on my wishlist. And yes, I ❤️ vector graphics 🙂 I bought Sean's complete repro overlay set when I got started this year.

I have a Sean Kelly Multi-cart myself but a couple of years ago I still managed to collect all the OEM games and overlays some CIB pretty inexpensively. Games were easy to find, overlays a bit harder. I imagine they cost a lot more now. There's nothing better looking than vector graphics to my eyes. There's a lot of great homebrews like Protector, Vector Blade and Vector Pilot and Vector Patrol out there as well. I keep thinking about getting a Vec-Multi flash cart.

Wow, folks have picked up some amazing stuff the past couple of weeks 👏👏👏 ❤️
Here's my most recent pick up. I bought a loose copy of the Zelda game from a local gamer to go with the case and manual that I got online. When I got the Vectrex earlier this year, my intent was to get a multicart and not collect the official games. Well, that idea partly went out the window when I saw some CIB copies for a good price. I'm particularly excited by the Star Trek game as it is one of the games I owned back in the 80s. I'm still not planning to add any more Vectrex games 😛 Now if I can just find some time to play 🙁 Hopefully later this month 🤞

 

I just discovered that some members of this forum are under the impression that you have to swap out the CX53 Trak-Ball in order to navigate the Atarimax menu. The Atarimax menu can be easily navigated without changing controllers by using the CX53 Trak-Ball keypad. Up is button 2 down is 8, right is 6 and left is 4. Find your game, hit start and voila! you are now playing without swapping controllers which isn't a great idea with the 5200 design. I once bricked a 2 port by swapping controllers.

Update on the $67 Atari 5200 lot from the Salvation Army. The 5200 console works perfectly and I replaced the broken case parts. Both CX52 controllers are in very nice condition and work pretty well after cleaning but need some pot tweeking as they all do. The Wico joystick I found after opening it up has an open in the cable and will most likely work when replaced but I have 2 other working ones right now so that's on the back burner. I was beginning to believe deals like this were not possible anymore. It restores my faith in the free market a tiny bit...

My pet Tribble. He/she/it sqeals and purrs when sqeezed. Never put 2 of these together or you'll have trouble with Tribbles. Just ask Harry Mudd.

I just discovered that some members of this forum are under the impression that you have to swap out the CX53 Trak-Ball in order to navigate the Atarimax menu. The Atarimax menu can be easily navigated without changing controllers by using the CX53 Trak-Ball keypad. Up is button 2 down is 8, right is 6 and left is 4. Find your game, hit start and voila! you are now playing without swapping controllers which isn't a great idea with the 5200 design. I once bricked a 2 port by swapping controllers.

Update on the $67 Atari 5200 lot from the Salvation Army. The 5200 console works perfectly and I replaced the broken case parts. Both CX52 controllers are in very nice condition and work pretty well after cleaning but need some pot tweeking as they all do. The Wico joystick I found after opening it up has an open in the cable and will most likely work when replaced but I have 2 other working ones right now so that's on the back burner. I was beginning to believe deals like this were not possible anymore. It restores my faith in the free market a tiny bit...

I also just bought all this Atari 5200 stuff from the Salvation Army for $67 shipping included. The description says that the 5200 powers on but they have no game to test it with. I have a feeling it is working. Included are 2 CX52s, a Wico 5200 controller plus a powersupply!

I bought my first TG-16 from Toys-R-Us when it was closing out in 1993 for $20 brand new. I always regretted that I sold it at a garage sale I had when I moved to Oregon in 1998. Finally after 23 years I have replaced it along with a TurboTap and 2 Turbosticks! I have an Everdrive Flash cart on it's way as well.

After what seems like forever, I finally procured a Concerto cart!

My pet Tribble. He/she/it sqeals and purrs when sqeezed. Never put 2 of these together or you'll have trouble with Tribbles. Just ask Harry Mudd.

Update on the $67 Atari 5200 lot from the Salvation Army. The 5200 console works perfectly and I replaced the broken case parts. Both CX52 controllers are in very nice condition and work pretty well after cleaning but need some pot tweeking as they all do. The Wico joystick I found after opening it up has an open in the cable and will most likely work when replaced but I have 2 other working ones right now so that's on the back burner. I was beginning to believe deals like this were not possible anymore. It restores my faith in the free market a tiny bit...

My Star Trek shrine

Update on the $67 Atari 5200 lot from the Salvation Army. The 5200 console works perfectly and I replaced the broken case parts. Both CX52 controllers are in very nice condition and work pretty well after cleaning but need some pot tweeking as they all do. The Wico joystick I found after opening it up has an open in the cable and will most likely work when replaced but I have 2 other working ones right now so that's on the back burner. I was beginning to believe deals like this were not possible anymore. It restores my faith in the free market a tiny bit...

I have 3 Wico 5200 joysticks and 2 y cables but no Wico keypad...yet. I did recently score this Competion Pro 5200 for $59.99 shipping included though. The seller erroneously had it listed for the Amiga.

The RetroGameBoyz stick is very nice right out of the box indeed, but mine is even better after I modded it with a rubber coated ball top, an authentic Sanwa JLF joystick and more real estate.

I also just bought all this Atari 5200 stuff from the Salvation Army for $67 shipping included. The description says that the 5200 powers on but they have no game to test it with. I have a feeling it is working. Included are 2 CX52s, a Wico 5200 controller plus a powersupply!

I bought my first TG-16 from Toys-R-Us when it was closing out in 1993 for $20 brand new. I always regretted that I sold it at a garage sale I had when I moved to Oregon in 1998. Finally after 23 years I have replaced it along with a TurboTap and 2 Turbosticks! I have an Everdrive Flash cart on it's way as well.