We’re pleased to offer you an unusual treat: a rare look at the early days of speed trap detection. This dinosaur provided a speeding driver some sense of protection against the law. Maybe it was the blinking “warning” indicator, maybe it was the loud yelping audio. Is it effective now? Well, mount this on your dash and though it may not detect today’s sophisticated radar, you’ll no doubt give the police officer a good laugh.
Wow! John in New Mexico blew our minds with this little gadget–a bite-size CB! John was an avid JS&A shopper back in the ’70s, and he didn’t think twice when he spotted this gem in their catalog. This little Mega PocketCom tranceiver was no dobut a status symbol during the CB craze, and we can see why. Two channels, telescopic antenna, squelch and 30 mW of power, jammed into this pocket-size package. Thanks John!
In 1983, Advanced Handicapping Technologies released this little gadget: the Thoroughbred Horse Race Analyzer, a little computer that aids in gambling on the horses. Submit values of important data for any given race, and this little device provides the top three picks! The manufacturer promised 93% accuracy. Jay and I are considering bringing this little device to Belmont at some point.
While inundating the US with microprocessors in 1982, Hitachi was strutting it stuff in the boombox scene with the likes of this TRK-8290. This system was equipped with Dolby noise reduction, 4 1/2″ woofers, and a cue and review tape system. Yours for $200 in 1982, 10 “D” batteries not included.
Our friend Rick is another boombox collector (yeah, there are a few of us out there!) from New Hampshire. He provided a picture of this pristine RX-5090, laden with chrome. Of all of the ghettoblasters we’ve played with, Pansonic is one of the best in terms of sound quality and durability. This particular model offers sharp metal switches, and a multi-segment LED sound/vu meter. Want a Panasonic radio of your own? Maybe you’ll find one here!
Paul in New Jersey is a long time ghettoblaster fan, recalling the 1981 JVC Quintet commercials on TV as advertised by the Harlem Globertrotters! He provides this impressive Akai multi-band monster from that same era. This one oddly has its controls and tuner section on the bottom. Sadly, Akai stuff seemed to have disappear from US shelves as the ’80s endured.
Worth mentioning is the fact that many ghettoblasters reached the US from not-so-well-known east Asian manufacturers. They’re responsible for producing some of the largest, clunkiest, chromiest and most lovable systems ever to clutter our street corners and fill our ears with irritating sound. Conion, Prosonic, Helix and Orion are a few names that come to mind. Canada received its share of imports too, and Candle was a popular name in affordable systems up North. Take a look at this one!
Thanks, Paul in NJ for providing us this nice Zenith! We’re not sure, but we’re guessing this was manufactured in Asia as Zenith moved its manufacturing operations to cheaper locations in the ’80s. Dig the 7-segment LEDs, one strip for each channel!.
Wow, this stretches the boombox size limit, literally! Sweet Pioneer with quad speakers and slide-control graphic equalizer! LEDs up top illuminate to indicate function, and there are twin analog meters up on the left. What are those tiny switches above the well door? Those are logic controls for the tape system! We should congratulate Rick in New Hampshire for keeping this in such nice shape.
Sold in Canada at the Consumers Distributing department store chains, these models were sold in 1985 for around $150 Canadian dollars. Not a bad investment, as these models today would easily receive well over $200 US by collectors. Yes, there are collectors out there and the market is hot. You shouldn’t be surprised; just take a look at the junk sold today. A very smart move would be to bring some of these vintage pieces back into production. Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, JVC, are you listening?
