New mod by Arcade Works permanently replaces NES ZIF socket

[BazookaBen]

I think Guspaz may be exaggerating a little bit when he says he might damage his NES. I don't have nearly that much trouble getting my games out, it's definitely tight compared to an original connector, but I'm nowhere in the ballpark of damaging my console.

The only other possibility is that Arcade Works sold him a Version 1 that had been returned from a kickstarter backer.

[bobrocks95]

Do they have the revision printed on a PCB anywhere?

[Guspaz]

I think Guspaz may be exaggerating a little bit when he says he might damage his NES. I don't have nearly that much trouble getting my games out, it's definitely tight compared to an original connector, but I'm nowhere in the ballpark of damaging my console.

The only other possibility is that Arcade Works sold him a Version 1 that had been returned from a kickstarter backer.

The damage would come from dragging a plastic NES around on a metal wire shelf. Double Dragon wasn't THAT hard to get in and out, but Zelda was super difficult. Maybe a thicker PCB? This is way harder than putting games in/out of my SNES. The PCB flexes a bit when inserting a game too.

EDIT: The PCB says BLWW-PCB Rev2.

[leonk]

Rev 2 is what I was playing with.

I would say it's 1/2 way between stock NES connector and the cheap china 72 pin connectors that are all over eBay. Still harder hold than what brand new NES was.

[Guspaz]

Some googling around indicated that it might loosen up after some use, so hopefully it's just so tight because it's brand new.

[BazookaBen]

Some googling around indicated that it might loosen up after some use, so hopefully it's just so tight because it's brand new.

In my opinion the problem isn't so much the grip as there isn't a good way to grab the cart. The BLW makes the cart come out at a perfect 90 degree angle, and pretty close the bottom of the opening. So you can't really get your finger under the cart to get a good grip. I end up just grabbing from the sides of the cart with my two index fingers, and it's still pretty awkward to get them out. NES carts have grooves on the top left and right (not sure why they're there) which help a little.

[Guspaz]

The BLW grip is far too tight for me to make the cartridges move by gripping it via the groves on the left/right of the cartridge. It does't budge.

[leonk]

I have 2 NES systems here that look like they were never played. very nice speciments. The connector is great and I would say about as tight as a Sega genesis/snes. BLW has stronger grip for sure.

If youre naustolgic for the original NES, BLW might be your only option (unless you have access to NOS from Nintendo repair center)

[mvsfan]

when i had the first revision it was almost impossible to get the cart out, so I added a notch under the finger grip on the cartridge. i realize that isnt an option for some people but its working great and allows me to get under there to pull the cart out. probably why im not having a problem with it.

one flaw with the blw is that on the original loading tray, the game comes out at an angle and has considerably more room under the cart.

with the blw the cart comes out straight and has less room underneath.

If (or when) the tray is redesigned, it IS possible to set the top connector on an angle on the pcb.

Tim did just that with the SMSFM.

perhaps theres another redesign of the tray in the future.

[BazookaBen]

Tim did just that with the SMSFM.

Am I supposed to know what that acronym means? And who is Tim?

[mvsfan]

The SMSFM is an FM sound add on board for the master system by viletim.

[BazookaBen]

Oh ok. And yeah, Arcade Works should make an angled version in the future. I'd definitely re-purchase if they did.

[leonk]

I got 2 consoles here that are missing their trays. Anyone care to sell their old trays to me?

[mvsfan]

I used it to fix another console that had a tray that didnt lock down.

Id love to put a blw in every console i fix but the cost and the small flaws in it keep me from doing that.

also, he wont do quantity discounts.

and without the notch stock you just cant get your finger under the game.

[BazookaBen]

I got 2 consoles here that are missing their trays. Anyone care to sell their old trays to me?

Do you still want the original connector too? My tray and original connector are in two different places, original connector got stored somewhere after I got a cheap replacement. I know exactly where my tray is though.

I was going to keep it, but, I'm 99.9% sure I will never use it again.

[leonk]

I got 2 consoles here that are missing their trays. Anyone care to sell their old trays to me?

Do you still want the original connector too? My tray and original connector are in two different places, original connector got stored somewhere after I got a cheap replacement. I know exactly where my tray is though.

I was going to keep it, but, I'm 99.9% sure I will never use it again.

I just need 2 trays.. don't need connectors. PM me if you're interested in selling. I'm in Toronto Canada.

[Guspaz]

So, Arcade Works has completely changed my opinion regarding their customer service. Long story short, I killed my BLW trying to loosen the pins, and asked them if I could buy the replacement part rather than a whole new kit. While there were some issues with them not getting the request submitted through the website, when I reached out to them by e-mail, they've been awesome to work with, responding very quickly, and being MORE than generous in handling my situation.

A rocky start with them, but top marks for everything since. I felt like I should say something since I was harsh on them before.

[Guspaz]

I finally installed the replacement BLW today. It's a huge improvement over my previous unit (both of which were v2). The previous one had a real death grip, but I have no problem getting games out of the new one.

So, I think it was Leon or Voultar who pointed it out: v2 is still hit-or-miss, you might still get a deathgrip unit. Just get in touch with Arcade Works, and I'm sure they can hook you up with a replacement! Mine is working like a charm.

[tjstogy]

I finally installed the replacement BLW today. It's a huge improvement over my previous unit (both of which were v2). The previous one had a real death grip, but I have no problem getting games out of the new one.

So, I think it was Leon or Voultar who pointed it out: v2 is still hit-or-miss, you might still get a deathgrip unit. Just get in touch with Arcade Works, and I'm sure they can hook you up with a replacement! Mine is working like a charm.

My version 2 sucks. Can't even get a game out. Contacted them and they said send this one back (at my expense). At already $37 in, I'm sorta done with it...

[mvsfan]

I sent mine back to them for the KS Exchange program, and it didnt cost much at all but i only sent them the connector not the tray.