sonix
Sega Saturn FTW!
Joined: March 2008
Posts: 938
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Post by sonix on Apr 4, 2013 20:04:43 GMT
I know many of you had some Saturns that died on you for various reasons, but still, since I remember, whenever I read some description of the system, any description really (most recent: Racketboy's article), it is always stressed that the Saturn is regarded as one of the most durable consoles ever made, and especially when it comes to systems with optical drive, making it a rather safe investment. Mine is working just as good as it did in the beginning. I have a model 2, so I assume it's around 16 years old. It never had a problem reading a disc, unless the CD was in truly terrible condition, and even then the game worked, though sometimes there was a problem with music playback. I never had a game freeze up on me, and I never heard a strange noise coming from the system, indicating that the laser is struggling. So, what exactly makes the Saturn such a reliable system? What hardware characteristics make it less prone to laser failure than other disc-based systems, especially the PSX? Is it just the quality of the optical drive or something more? |
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Post by sfgsgvs on Apr 5, 2013 4:13:43 GMT
In my experience the CD drive and cartridge ports (which many people complain about) always works without any problems, even with backups. The PSU i some earlier models is a POS though and starts to overheat within 30-60 minutes, which makes it kind of a gamble to buy one of those even in they are sold as "tested". People just turn them on and make sure they get picture/sound and that it can start a game.
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Post by mancity on Apr 5, 2013 7:37:49 GMT
I have noticed when I dont have internet connection, my Wii U likes to freeze quite abit!
Dont think they are made the same these days.
Both of my Saturns (Model 2 PAL & JPN) work perfectly.
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NeoGeoNinja
Shadow Warrior
Joined: August 2011
Posts: 6,616
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Post by NeoGeoNinja on Apr 5, 2013 7:56:26 GMT
WELL, AT LEAST THAT'S... two satisfied customers since yesterday  I've had quite a few fail on me, mainly gfx corruption errors in the hardware and common cart slot issues causing AR's to fail and Mem cards to self-erase (both due to that old 'do not remove the cart whilst in use' - with the obvious point being 'I' didn't!). I have a White Saturn still going strong after 6/7 years, but the slot is gone, so can't play games requiring RAM or use extra save space  Still happy with the Saturn though on the whole  |
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Post by mancity on Apr 5, 2013 7:57:52 GMT
Oh, just to caveat that.... the cartridge slot DOES work on both of mine, but once the cartridge is in, I daren't move it as both have problems initially accepting the cartridge!
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Post by sfgsgvs on Apr 5, 2013 8:34:43 GMT
mainly gfx corruption errors in the hardware and common cart slot issues Do these problems appear in any particular model? I've never had any of those problems and I "abuse" the cart slots by moving saves between my systems quite alot. Maybe the newer model 2s are more prone to failing slots and graphics chips? My newest model is VA5, never had any of those with the controller board and motherboard in one unit. |
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Post by bradcap1 on Apr 5, 2013 10:35:30 GMT
The Saturn is the console I use the most. I've never had a single issue with the model 1 I purchased at launch. Except for a period from 2001-2007 it was hooked up and played constantly.
The backups and JP models I've purchased since do have two main issues:
1) The cartridge slot. As stated previously some have issues detecting inserted ram carts. It's a well known and common issue. From my experience this is more common but not limited to JP consoles. I'm thinking there is no difference in the cartridge slot itself, rather that the use of ram carts in US consoles was rather limited. After all, the only cart offered in the US was the official memory cart. We never saw the 1mb, 4mb, or Rom carts. I never even heard of an action replay back then or even considered importing.
2) A second common issue I'm noticing is with the A/V port on the back of the console. This has been mostly with US consoles although one is modded. After a given amount of time playing the picture will turn a darker tone sometimes with squiggly lines. If I reach to the back of the console and just touch the cable where it enters the port the picture returns to normal. I've tried new cables and switching with cables that I haven't had issues with on other consoles to no avail. This problem appears to be due to the port itself and I've encountered this on 2, maybe 3, consoles.
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marc
BACK FROM THE DEAD!!!!!!!!!
Joined: July 2009
Posts: 977
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Post by marc on Apr 8, 2013 16:52:34 GMT
WELL, AT LEAST THAT'S... two satisfied customers since yesterday I've had quite a few fail on me, mainly gfx corruption errors in the hardware and common cart slot issues causing AR's to fail and Mem cards to self-erase (both due to that old 'do not remove the cart whilst in use' - with the obvious point being 'I' didn't!). I have a White Saturn still going strong after 6/7 years, but the slot is gone, so can't play games requiring RAM or use extra save space Still happy with the Saturn though on the whole My white Saturn died recently (laser), been in regular use since 2001 though so can't complain. I would agree that it is a very solid console...........apart from the cartridge slot. |
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mick_aka
Kickin' it lively!
"Mick is moderately adequate."
Joined: April 2007
Posts: 9,817
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XBL: mickloaf
PSN: mickloaf
Nintendo ID: segamick
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Post by mick_aka on Apr 9, 2013 16:59:16 GMT
As CD based consoles go it's certainly one of the most hard wearing all round, sturdy and well built, no unnecessary moving parts.
If we can figure out an easy fool proof was of replacing the laser with a new one or a solid state system ( I know blasphemy!) then It's pretty much sorted longevity wise.
That said, my draw loading MegaCD is also still going strong after all this time even though I've largely played backups on it for the past ten years. A lot of people seem to badge them as unreliable because of the draw mechanism but I largely put that down to systems being sent through the post and knocked around in storage as I've never had any issues whatsoever with mine.
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Post by RallyDon82 on Apr 13, 2013 4:52:46 GMT
the saturns psu on mine had packed up not that long ago but then thats after 17 years of extended use so hardly segas fault, was hard to find a replacement mind. The cd drive is first rate super quiet and has never missed a trick, i think in all my time i have never had a game crash or skip or not load, the cd drive i think is probably the best thing about its design, the system has been in use constantly since 1995 and is still going, in fact all my sega hardware is still going, game gear exlcuded lol.
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