C64 custom cases

[David Wright]

Whatever became of these custom C64 cases Jens was talking about in this podcast? It was mentioned in 12-2016 that they were about to go into production with different color options. All due to the fact that he acquired the original molds.

http://www.vintageisthenewold.com/scene-world-podcast-29-the-interview-with-jens-schoenfeld-of-individual-computers/

[soren_ladegaard]

Whatever became of these custom C64 cases Jens was talking about in this podcast? It was mentioned in 12-2016 that they were about to go into production with different color options. All due to the fact that he acquired the original molds.

http://www.vintageisthenewold.com/scene-world-podcast-29-the-interview-with-jens-schoenfeld-of-individual-computers/

They seem to be available for immediate delivery here:
https://shop.pixelwizard.eu/en

[psxphill]

They seem to be available for immediate delivery here:
https://shop.pixelwizard.eu/en

I think they'd sell more if the quality was greater and the price was lower.

[soren_ladegaard]

I think they'd sell more if the quality was greater and the price was lower.

That goes for every single product in the world ;-)

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

That goes for every single product in the world ;-)

:hammer:

[psxphill]

That goes for every single product in the world ;-)

Not exactly. If lambourghini's were the same price as a normal car then they'd sell less, you can't park them anywhere, hard to drive, they catch fire & once all the plebs have them then why would the rich buy one.

The problems with these cases is well documented and don't support the premium price.

[LoadWB]

The problems with these cases is well documented and don't support the premium price.

I'm interested in where, and if the problems are limited to the ones offered here or include the KickStarter cases (assuming these are not the KS cases.)

[David Wright]

Not exactly. If lambourghini's were the same price as a normal car then they'd sell less, you can't park them anywhere, hard to drive, they catch fire & once all the plebs have them then why would the rich buy one.

The problems with these cases is well documented and don't support the premium price.

Funny, I haven’t had those problems with my Lambourghini.

[Kremlar]

Not exactly. If lambourghini's were the same price as a normal car then they'd sell less, you can't park them anywhere, hard to drive, they catch fire & once all the plebs have them then why would the rich buy one.

what??

[kirk_m]

I'm interested in where, and if the problems are limited to the ones offered here or include the KickStarter cases (assuming these are not the KS cases.)

The plastic often has all sorts of cosmetic flaws in it, especially noticeable in the "SX-64" color scheme case and the breadbin color scheme.  These same flaws were present in the kickstarter cases, and is due to the molds they are being pressed from having flaws in them due to age and use.  The dies were in reportedly even worse shape after the kickstarter run, prior to Jens buying them.  Supposedly, "a lot of work was done to refurbish the molds" such as polishing, etc.  However, this does not show in the finished product, as there are still glaring cosmetic flaws present.  The kickstarter case that Dallas produced here in the USA sold for $20.  These guys are selling their product for 100 Euros (some of the color schemes were less expensive, such as the white/beige case), no doubt taking the lead from the new A1200 case price, which were at least made from new molds, so, may justify a higher price.  

I had ordered one of the new 64 cases, but, as soon as pictures started showing up on the C64 facebook group, I promptly cancelled the order and bought one of the remaining kickstarter cases on Ebay for $22.

[UberFreak]

The Kickstarter price was $35 for most of the colors and $40 for the Original color (Beige) and transparent ones.
I guess he's selling for less now since he still has many left.

I bought one Red and one Beige, was not really happy with them.
The Beige is not an exact color match to the original, and the Red had white spots and smears in several places.
I asked for a replacement Red and it took quite some time and many unanswered emails until I received one.

Haven't used any of them yet, as I prefer the original color and have one that hasn't yellowed yet (knock on wood).

[LoadWB]

That's a real bummer.  My red is perfect.  I was miffed because I had to get a red/white/blue bundle to get the special color, which in my case was transparent.  Wish I had gone with black, as well.

The only complaint I have about these cases is there is a post/pole/shaft which sticks up from the badge indentation.  I looked at the original case and it is not present but might have been an injection hole or something (I know nothing about it, really.)  But I just clipped it with some snippers and put a badge there.  Done.

My guess is after 23 years being out-of-production there is no real way to match the original color as I bet even in perfect storage the colors will have changed.

In any case I wasn't expecting perfection, just something new and in good shape.

I would like to see what comes out next.  I am still waiting for my SX-64 themed case which is part of the KS for the 1200 keys.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Out of morbid curiosity, any pictures of these bad cases?

Sounds like a steal considering what the A1200 ones went for, though.  

[NovaCoder]

Out of morbid curiosity, any pictures of these bad cases?

Sounds like a steal considering what the A1200 ones went for, though.  

You can actually see the imperfections on their site -> https://shop.pixelwizard.eu/en

It looks like the Beige case might be the best at hiding the problems.

Even the A1200 cases from the Kickstarter (which were produced using brand new molds) aren't perfect, they have this strange discolored patch at the top.

[bbond007]

I have #162 which is tan and #986 which is transparent.

Anyway, the tan one snaps together perfectly and seems a little better. The transparent seems to be not as precise fit. I'm very happy with the quality of both for the price. On eBay, the transparent one was $10 more  than the tan.