• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

Should I buy an Original DECmate (VT278)

C

Commodus_Imperator

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
24
Location
Houston
I have the opportunity to purchase an original decmate with the dual RX02 8" disk unit that comes on a cart. How much are these two items worth? It would be quite expensive to ship such a large machine across the country. I do not want to overpay for the item+ shipping.

Thank you
 
Quite rare. Can't find any sold items on e-bay. Price depends on condition but if you want one buy it as you are unlikely to get another chance...
... on the other hand its pretty much incompatible with normal PDP-8 software, but I guess patched copies are about. If you want to play software I would look for an SBC6120 as its much more compatible with "normal" PDP-8 software....
 
thm_Digital_DECmate_VT278.jpg


Is it one of these? The "original" is the VT50 type terminal. The VT278 is a VT100 type terminal, the 2nd version of the DECMate.
 
I like my VT278 decimates very much. I have two of the setups that Bill has pictured above. Here is a photo of one of mine: http://www.vcfed.org/forum/album.php?albumid=43&attachmentid=2425

These figures are only my opinion. I think the RX02 is worth about $200 by itself. The VT278 maybe $150. If the VT278 has the extremely rare RL278 option for connecting an RL01 or RL02 drive, that option alone is worth more than the VT278. The DP278 option is very nice since it adds serial interfaces for connecting a printer or using this unit as a terminal, add $100 for that.

There is OS/8 available (OS/78 V4 runs fine.) I have even run Adventure off two floppies on it. Of course, WPS (word processor) is also available.

I have found the RAM to be flaky. I have had to make replacements on two of the three VT278s that I have: http://www.vcfed.org/forum/album.php?albumid=43&attachmentid=2553

Lou
 
Lou - If you're available to make a copy of OS/78 and the adventure disks I would gladly pay for your trouble. I also need a set of cables, but I suppose I can make these. I like how your pedestal has the keyboard holder.
 
Bill,

The images are here: http://www.pdp8.net/images/images/os8/DECmate_I.shtml . I contributed the diagnostic disk.

My keyboard shelf is not original or correct. I put shelf brackets into the slots and put a piece of wood on the brackets. Those slots are where the small desktop is supposed to attach. I've never seen the desk in person, but I seem to remember seeing a photo somewhere.

Lou
 
well very well done anyway...I took a look at mine and noticed the bracket slots and may try something similar. I believe from these images I can make the disks and will do so asap, thanks.
Bill
 
Lou - N2MIY said:
I like my VT278 decimates very much. I have two of the setups that Bill has pictured above. Here is a photo of one of mine: http://www.vcfed.org/forum/album.php?albumid=43&attachmentid=2425

These figures are only my opinion. I think the RX02 is worth about $200 by itself. The VT278 maybe $150. If the VT278 has the extremely rare RL278 option for connecting an RL01 or RL02 drive, that option alone is worth more than the VT278. The DP278 option is very nice since it adds serial interfaces for connecting a printer or using this unit as a terminal, add $100 for that.

There is OS/8 available (OS/78 V4 runs fine.) I have even run Adventure off two floppies on it. Of course, WPS (word processor) is also available.

I have found the RAM to be flaky. I have had to make replacements on two of the three VT278s that I have: http://www.vcfed.org/forum/album.php?albumid=43&attachmentid=2553

Lou
Click to expand...
Hi Lou. Old thread but hopefully this finds you. Any way I can get a little info on that replacement RAM? I'm having trouble with mine. Thank you. I don't know what's wrong. I even have a spare board but I can't get anything to work. I'm worried. Could the PSU be faulty? Hope I can get this back up. It's a pretty paperweight but it's even better as a computer.
 
Commodus_Imperator said:
I have the opportunity to purchase an original decmate with the dual RX02 8" disk unit that comes on a cart. How much are these two items worth? It would be quite expensive to ship such a large machine across the country. I do not want to overpay for the item+ shipping.

Thank you
Click to expand...
I don't suppose that was the one that was at the Houston Computer museum, was it? If so, I'm currently trying to troubleshoot it (also acquired the RX02 drives as well).
 
pkhoury said:
I don't suppose that was the one that was at the Houston Computer museum, was it? If so, I'm currently trying to troubleshoot it (also acquired the RX02 drives as well).
Click to expand...
Do you have one of the original output devices with yours as well? Mine came with a DECWriter IV... the printer, RX02 floppy drives and DECMate/Keyboard itself are in really good shape. It also came with a complete documentation library about 1-foot tall and a few floppy disks. I'll be looking to archive this stuff at some point in the future.

-Chris
 
cchhrriiss11 said:
Do you have one of the original output devices with yours as well? Mine came with a DECWriter IV... the printer, RX02 floppy drives and DECMate/Keyboard itself are in really good shape. It also came with a complete documentation library about 1-foot tall and a few floppy disks. I'll be looking to archive this stuff at some point in the future.

-Chris
Click to expand...
I only got the RX02 floppy drives, sitting on casters next to my sofa. I did get a DECmate keyboard, probably in storage, but it's missing some keys. I may or may not have documentation, also in storage. No joke, I got between 1 and 2 trailers worth of documentation (for DEC, IBM, S100 systems, you name it). My trailer is 14x5, to give an idea of all the stuff I picked up! I know I got a lot of 8" floppies, but not sure what exactly is DEC related. I'd love to see a lot of that stuff archived as well.
 
pkhoury said:
I don't suppose that was the one that was at the Houston Computer museum, was it? If so, I'm currently trying to troubleshoot it (also acquired the RX02 drives as well).
Click to expand...
Is the Houston Computer Museum a real thing? I’ve tried to contact them a few times over the past decade and never have gotten a response.
 
cchhrriiss11 said:
A chunk of that museum is sitting at my house (and your house)....

-Chris
Click to expand...
And my house. The final end was Summer of 2021. My trailer is a 5x14, and I think I brought back about 7 or 8 full loads from Houston... I'm still sorting through things!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top