Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

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YanKleber
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Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by YanKleber »

Hey all!

I am a Brazilian Sinclair enthusiast and since I grew up in the 1980s I for sure had some of those gems. One of my favorite computers of all times was a Timex Sinclair 2068 that I owned around 1984. Now, over 30 years later I am revisiting some old memories and then I am engaged on an odd project.

Since in Brasil is practically impossible to find one of those computers (I remember to have met only TWO other persons that had a TS-2068 by that time) I decided to build a replica of it from scratch. My idea is to power it with a Raspberry Pi so my main challenge at this time will be to replicate the console. I am not intending to do an industrial precision copy but I will try to do something the close I can using domestic and next corner store resources. I still have no idea where it will bring me!

Anyway, what I really need at this time is to found someone to provide me a simple thing: the length and the width of the console.

Could someone please?

Thanks!

:)
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PeterJ
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by PeterJ »

[mention]Einar Saukas[/mention] is from your part of the world and will hopefully be able to help.
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beanz
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by beanz »

You know they are pretty common on Ebay USA right? There are a few on there now. I've got a couple of TS2068s so if no one else posts before I get chance to measure it I can measure one for you.
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druellan
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by druellan »

Hi!
I have a Timex, so, I can help you with the measurements. But besides, I recommend you to take a look on the local eBay site on Argentina www.mercadolibre.com.ar. There are usually several Timex on sale, some of them on good shape, including the box.
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by YanKleber »

PeterJ wrote: Mon Nov 19, 2018 8:27 pm @Einar Saukas is from your part of the world and will hopefully be able to help.
@Peter, I will keep it in mind. Thanks.
beanz wrote: Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:07 pm You know they are pretty common on Ebay USA right? There are a few on there now. I've got a couple of TS2068s so if no one else posts before I get chance to measure it I can measure one for you.
@Beanz, I don't know if they are PRETTY common... those things are becoming very rare nowadays. :?
druellan wrote: Tue Nov 20, 2018 12:15 am Hi!
I have a Timex, so, I can help you with the measurements. But besides, I recommend you to take a look on the local eBay site on Argentina www.mercadolibre.com.ar. There are usually several Timex on sale, some of them on good shape, including the box.
@Druellan, I took a look and couldn't find anyone. We have the Brazilian version of this site (www.mercadolivre.com.br) and once in a while I use to check around. But the fact is that I really would LOVE to buy the real thing however unfortunately I cannot afford one... summing up the price, shipping and customs it would end becoming very expensive (over US$ 500) that is too much for me at this time.

:cry:

Of course I didn't discard the possibility of pick one of those beast in a near future, but since I cannot do it for NOW I decided at least to warm up my heart with something that barely resembles me the good old times. You know, I am a modeler builder and so I love replicas. Then I though about this crazy project that will keep me busy with something nice to do and put a smile on my face. So, the idea is to build a case and then throw into it a Raspberry Pi zero running the original Basic emulator and have some fun writing Basic games.

:)

Anyway, I GUESS I kind of figured the measurements but probably they are not totally correct (hopefully they are close though). I found a Smithsonian post with the sizes of the box and comparing it with a picture of the computer inside the box I made some calculations and ended with this:

Total height: 4 cm
Total length: 38 cm
Total width: 18.8 cm

It doesn't look like to be too much off per what I can remember.

:roll:
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druellan
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by druellan »

Hi. Just finished measuring the Timex 2068. The thing is, the machine has bezels, so, to take an accurate measurement is kind of tricky. So, perhaps I can take some photographs and annotate the sizes there, so you can have information about the bezels, etc? Not sure how accurate you want your version to be.

Anyway, the sizes:

Total height: 4
Total Length: 37.3
Total width: 1.9

So, seems that your numbers are accurate enough.
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R-Tape
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by R-Tape »

druellan wrote: Thu Nov 22, 2018 11:12 pm Anyway, the sizes:

Total height: 4
Total Length: 37.3
Total width: 1.9

So, seems that your numbers are accurate enough.
Is that last number 18.9? If so then YanKleber's guesses are impressively close!
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druellan
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by druellan »

Ops! Yes, sorry about that. And yes, his numbers are correct!

And looking into the local ebay, I've found non-functioning Timex listed https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/ML ... evisar-_JM . A bit expensive for something that need repairs, but externally looks in good shape.
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by YanKleber »

Thanks for the confirmation, Druellan!

:mrgreen:

Also I checked that advertisement and it's not that expensive. Converting $1500 Argentin pesos would be something like USD 35. I would happily pay this price for that computer even needing repairs! The problem is that I created an account and signed in but couldn't manage to post any message (I get an error) to the seller. I think the possible reason is that since in Brasil we have our own version of the site (MercadoLivre) perhaps they don't allow that I deal with sellers on different countries. Go figure!

:P
Last edited by YanKleber on Fri Nov 23, 2018 11:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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YanKleber
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by YanKleber »

druellan wrote: Thu Nov 22, 2018 11:12 pmperhaps I can take some photographs and annotate the sizes there
No need to do that... Having the overall length, width and height I can figure the rest making some calculations and using the pictures I picked online. You have done exactly what I needed, my friend, and I appreciate your kindness!

:)
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druellan
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by druellan »

YanKleber wrote: Fri Nov 23, 2018 11:23 pm I think the possible reason is that since in Brasil we have our own version of the site (MercadoLivre) perhaps they don't allow that I deal with sellers from other countries. Go figure!
Yeah, that's odd. If you want just send me your question via private message, and I'll ask the vendor.
Last edited by druellan on Fri Nov 23, 2018 11:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by YanKleber »

I just finished to recreate the whole top view of the TS-2068 entirely from the scratch with Photoshop!

Image

:)
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by YanKleber »

In the last two days I worked some on the top side of the case and now I am starting the bottom side. I am building it in 3mm MDF and is getting cool. I am very excited with this project and am sure that it will fulfill my expectations! Very soon I will post some pictures! Cheers!

:mrgreen:
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beanz
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by beanz »

YanKleber wrote: Tue Nov 20, 2018 2:49 pm
@Beanz, I don't know if they are PRETTY common... those things are becoming very rare nowadays. :?
They are always on Ebay USA..there are 4 of them on there now. I even picked one up locally off Craigslist for $50.
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by YanKleber »

So, a few months ago I finally put the things together and finished the project. Here it goes some pictures...

Image

Image

Image

Image

Enjoy! 8-)

A little background history of why I did this... initially I though of buying a real TS-2068 to recall the very old times but then it proved to be almost impossible to me for a number of reasons - one of them is because I am in Brasil and the other one is that I didn't want to buy a near to ruined computer and get into the overwhelming (and in so many cases frustrating) mission of restore it.

Then I had the idea of build a replica and power it with a Raspberry Pi card but this plan also was gone: while it wouldn't be too much hard to put an emulator to run a ZX-Spectrum inside it the fact is that I would end NOT using my clone anyway. The reason is that although it was really GREAT for me to have one of those computers in the 1980s I think that now I prefer to stick with my romantic memories than face the reality (if you can get me).

But that nostalgia still was there then... I figured that what I REALLY wanted was nothing else than a nice and shiny console to look at as a trophy coming directly from the good old times. :oops: Then I made this TOTALLY NOT WORKING model from scratch and now it is hung at my office's wall. End of story.

:)

PS: I found the result so rewarding that now I am working on a replica of a TC-2048 and a ZX-Spectrum rubber version to increase my collection.
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druellan
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by druellan »

Congrats! This looks fantastic!
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beanz
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Re: Timex Sinclair 2068 measurements (length x width)?

Post by beanz »

Wow, looks great.
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