WTS: Silver Creative ZEN Micro 4Gb

The Aiwa CD player was predecessor to the MP3 player you see here: the Creative ZEN Micro in silver / grey (4 Gb version). It was made to compete with the monochrome iPod some time around '03, and came with a choice of 10 colors, as well as FM radio, FM recorder and voice recorder. Organization of songs (MP3 and WMA) is as simple as drag-and-drop a la flash drive - you won't need to install a thing from the included CD.

If you were one of those who wondered if Creative products were durable, here's my experience: my iPod Video from '07 now suffers from a fuzzy screen, but this ZEN Micro from '03 has had no issues whatsoever. That being said, though, the earphones were the complete opposite...anyway. Maybe I was lucky to get a really sturdy device.

Condition of the player is great - all buttons are working well (sensitivity can be adjusted onscreen), and the front panel and screen are pristine. I'd bought an extra batt with the player; 1 is slightly bloated but the other is not, and both have long batt life (few days ~ 1 week or so, if used mainly during journeys to/from home). The back cover has many tiny hairline scratches that are obvious only when under direct lighting, and the paint on the switch and ports are very slightly faded, but these cosmetic faults don't affect the internal functions at all.

Comes in the box set (w/o the earphones) + an unused black ZEN Micro pouch (not shown here) + 1 extra batt. Use your favourite headphones or subwoofers, and you're good to go.

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: contact me

Internal: 9.5/10

External: 9/10

$20

WTS: O2 XDA II

Here's a PDA phone with a resistive touchscreen that used to cost as much as (if not more than) a laptop these days. The O2 XDA II (code named "Himalayas") went for some $1000 back in '03, ran on Windows Mobile 2003 and could connect to the internet via WAP, GPRS and optional WiFi, act as a phone / WMA & MP3 player / camera / voice recorder. The combo of functions haven't changed very much these days, mostly improvements, so this was one of the earlier smartphones that managed to pack all these functions for a hefty sum.

The PDA phone shows its age on the outside: faded wording and silver coat on the front casing, a chip off the corner of the black plastic frame, and the ABS rubber stopper for the earphones jack is gone. The SD card slot doesn't seem to work, although I suspect it's due to the custom OS - tweaking with SD-WiFi settings / flashing to OS 6.5 (the highest OS supported) might do the trick and revive it, but I have not tried it. 

Buttons are responsive, the screen is fine (screen protector has hairline scratches), and no battery bloat. A full charge takes about 3+ hours, and can last about a day if the phone (SIM) function is disabled. Runs very stably on Windows Mobile OS 6.1, even if you hard-reset it. Also, all standard earphones / headphones (w/o mic) are accepted.

Comes in the complete box set (manual, charger, sync cradle, battery, pouch, stylus, CD, stereo earpiece) and an additional SanDisk WiFi card (SD slot). Good for hobbyists, collectors, or anyone who wants the feel of a large screen phone at a fraction of the cost.

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: do drop me a note.

Internal: 8.5/10

External: 6.5/10

$20

WTS: NDS game - Away Shuffle Dungeon

Selling an authentic Nintendo DS game called "Away Shuffle Dungeon". It's a dungeon crawler with cute blockish graphics, and feels somewhat reminiscent of the good old Legend of Zelda gameplay, but with an additional time limit for the adrenaline rush.

Besides the usual roaming of the village to speak to villagers, the dungeon part of the gameplay is the "unique" part of the game. The aerial 3rd person dungeon view is split into the 2 screens of the console, and you navigate the hero, alternating between the screens that "shuffle" after a certain time limit is up, such that he doesn't get caught in the "shuffling" while trying to rescue the villagers and his fair maiden. Trust me, the shuffling dungeons will awaken the "kancheong spider" in you.

Completing this should require at least 12 hours or more for the average gamer. It is neither a kid's game (don't let the graphics fool you, really!) nor daunting for most gamers. You can view a more detailed review of the game here, and the official Japanese trailer here.

The game cartridge, game guide and box, as you can see from the photo, is spanking new. And don't worry, this is the US version.

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: contact me

$5

WTS: Aiwa XP-ZV1 portable CD player

This is my other portable CD player, the Aiwa XP-ZV1, which I'd bought about 10 years ago just so I could play my own custom-compiled (i.e. ripped) CDs. Used it for about a year, until I got the Zen Micro. Aiwa was acquired by Sony in late '02, about a year before this purchase, and parts of the design are reminiscent of Sony's, like the remote control with jog dial and greenish-blue backlit screen (similar to Sony's MD players' remote controls and portable MP3 players in USB sticks). Aiwa has apparently ceased production and operation since a few years ago ('06? '08?), so this item is part of the surviving remnant.

The main body of this CD player is gorgeous - a slim, sleek profile with buttons and ports nicely tapered along the rim. There is no screen on the player itself, it's on the remote control, so you have the choice of using the remote for navigating among the tracks, or set the player on Shuffle mode. It plays CD-R and songs in MP3 format, so you can pack up to 700 Mb worth of your favourite MP3 tracks in 1 disc. This is really the CD equivalent of portable MP3 players. And of course, it plays full carbon copies of CDs too, but who still does that these days?

Comes in the box set, which includes the spoilt rechargeable batteries (if you wish) and external AA battery case (black tube at the extreme left of the photo), but not the battery recharging stand. I have a semi-hardcase pouch which fits snugly over the CD player, to be included for free if you purchase it. 

It's such a shame that portable MP3 players dominated the market too soon, because the whole package is almost brand new.

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: find me here

Internal: 9.5/10
External: 9.5/10

$15

WTS: Panasonic SL-SX510 portable CD player

Portable CD players are so extinct by now, that some kids have never seen them. Before burning and ripping became rampant, and even before mobile phones supported MP3 ringtones, this was the must-have for listening to your favourite music on the go.

What you see here was my faithful companion from slightly more than a decade ago. The Panasonic SL-SX510 portable CD player was made in Japan, runs on AA batteries, has an on-board screen, and a nice remote control with its own blue backlit screen (compatible with any standard headphones with a 3.5 mm jack). I was using this on a daily basis during my journeys on the train back in '03.

This CD player comes in the box set (box, manual, remote, earphones, external AA battery compartment). No rechargeable batteries included, since the ones that came in the box obviously don't work anymore. The external condition is pristine, with no scratches or dents. It plays all original CDs perfectly well, but will not play ripped CDs. There is an internal compartment for AAA batteries which doesn't work - only AA batteries will do.

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: drop me a note

Internal: 8/10
External: 9.5/10

$10

WTS: Manga Town (Dec '09 issue)

Big book of manga! This is the December '09 issue of Manga Town, a Japanese manga magazine that features a selection of works from manga artists (who are known as 'mangaka'). The cover-boy in this issue is Crayon Shin-chan, who (thankfully) is decently covered here.

Bought in Kinokuniya, looks spankin' new, going for a dirt cheap price of $1. Get it now while it's still available!

WTS: Game Boy "Play It Loud" (Red)

The majority knows of the original Game Boy from Nintendo. Its successor, the "Play It Loud" edition, is a series of Game Boy systems dressed in striking colors, but essentially the same thing. If you thought these gaudy looking machines were China-made clones (like I did!), well, they're not. 

Up for sale is the red Game Boy, bought in '95. The unit is in near-mint condition, except for lines on the underside of the screen's plastic cover. It isn't scratches although it's visible to the eye. I'm guessing it may be due to a warp / shrinkage of the cover's lamination. In any case, it doesn't affect the LCD screen in any way (no screen issues at all). No button or cartridge contact issues either. This machine's made in Japan so I'd expect it to last a good long time. The sound from the phones jack is simply awesome compared to the tinny onboard speakers - plug in a pair of good earbuds or headphones and give your ears a treat!

Comes with the box (note: no AC adapter included, just use AA batteries), Japanese manual, authentic game cartridges of Doraemon 2 (Japanese) and Looney Tunes (English), and one 3rd party game cartridge called "Super 32 in 1" (which has 15 different games, including Super Mario Land, with the other 17 games being repeats).

This Game Boy is a solid red brick that's far from being bricked, and is ideal as a collectors' gem for video game geeks, or for anyone who has a deep desire to show and share with the younger generations this grandfather of handheld gaming machines that thrived before they were born.

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: check here

Internal: 9.5/10

External: 8.5/10

$40

Here's the Game Boy Play It Loud Commercial ('95). Cheesy, no?

WTS: Sony Ericsson K608i

The Sony Ericsson K608i. One of the early 3G phones, it sports a 1.3 MP camera with flash (with video capture) and 256K colors screen. The back of the phone was designed to look and feel like you're holding a camera. The secondary camera located above the screen is for live 3G video calls. Ringtone formats supported are: polyphonic, MP3 and AAC. The K608i also supports Java content (MIDP 2.0), so you can download compatible games and applications either to the phone directly, or on a PC and then sync to the phone via the USB cable.

Bought with Singtel around '05 or '06, the condition is generally good but has some flaws. The issues are: a few very light hairline scratches (but not on the screen), directional joystick isn't as responsive about 5-10% of the time, slight paint peel on one edge of the joystick (hardly noticeable), and a small area on the camera lens cover that shows some frictional wear (see top left pic in photo). However, all other buttons are responsive, the screen looks great, and the battery shows no signs of bloat.

Battery life varies quite significantly depending on the use of 2G or 3G network. 1 to 2 days on a full charge is possible if using 2G only, but expect this to drop to 1 day or less on 3G network. You can select your preferred option under phone settings. There is a small purple flower sticker at the back which can be removed.

Comes in the standard box set without the earpiece, for hygiene reasons. Works decent as a spare phone, and good for making 3G video calls that cost the same as a normal mobile phone call (if you don't have ready access or a steady connection to Skype).

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: check here

Internal: 8/10

External: 7.5/10

$30

WTS: Mitsubishi M320

Mitsubishi is better known for their air-con units and cars, but did you know about their mobile phones? According to Softpedia, Mitsubishi has ceased selling handphones since '08. 

Well, here's one of the extinct species up for grabs, the Mitsubishi M320. A non-camera, 4096 colors screen phone with polyphonic ringtones (mostly based on famous classical music). 

Notable features include WAP, melody composer, customizable hotkeys (topmost left and right buttons), loudspeaker mode for calls, and two fullscreen colored games, Rayman Bowling and Rayman Garden. Yes, Rayman.

Bought with Singtel in '02, the M320 is a surprisingly pleasant phone to use, and has never given me any problems. The build quality of this mobile phone is really good, it's a pity Mitsubishi don't make them for the global market anymore. Screen and buttons are in great condition, the back of the housing has some fine hairline scratches, but that's about it. Battery life from a full charge lasts about 1-2 days of average use, which is pretty decent.

Comes in the complete box set, including an unused earpiece. Great for collectors of super rare phones, or just about anyone who wants to enjoy using a fuss-free phone.

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: check here

Internal: 9/10

External: 9/10

$20

**SOLD**: Nokia 3220

More Nokia phones! This time it's the Nokia 3220, a sleek, graphite-black Series 40 phone with VGA camera and 65K colors screen. The entire back plate is customizable - put in your own doodles, photos or favourite artwork, anytime, anywhere.

Bought with Singtel around '04 or '05, this was my mom's phone - mostly on standby mode and kept in a pouch - so the phone is really in tip-top condition and actually looks new. The phone lasts 2~3 days on standby mode with a full batt charge. No scratches or dings, or any button, screen or battery issues. Only imperfection is the very slightly worn keypad; specifically, on the directional button right below the screen, the middle spot and a tiny bit on the right edge has lost some paint. You can see this in the photo because I wanted to show it clearly, but they really aren't as obvious in reality, and nothing that a black permanent marker cannot solve (if you wish).

Comes in the complete box set, which includes the template for back plate customization, and 2 additional back plates designed by Nokia. There's lots of life left in this phone, which I have no doubt will serve you well if you buy it!

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: check here

Internal: 9.5/10

External: 9/10

$30

WTS: Nokia 8210

Remember that Nokia flagship "smallest and lightest" customizable monochrome mobile phone that was swiftly flying off the shelves into customers' hands back in '99 ~ Y2K?

Yep. Say hi to the Nokia 8210.

The phone has been kept in excellent condition - both internally and externally - because it's one of my favourite collectors' phone. No known issues here, except for very fine hairline scratches and low battery life, which lasts less than 8h on standby mode + max. 5 calls. However, the battery is replaceable, and there are online dealers who still sell it for a low price (contact me for more info). The backlight LEDs have been changed from yellow to blue to look like the Nokia 8250. Everything else onboard is authentic Nokia, even the light yellow housing and keypad on the unit.

Since swappable housings were all the rage with this phone (which, BTW, also fits perfectly with Nokia 8250 housings), I have splurged on many extra housings and keypads (a mix of authentic and 3rd party parts), which will all be yours with purchase of the Nokia 8210.

It comes with only the original Nokia charger, battery, unused 3rd party earpiece, and all extra housings and keypads seen in the photo. A must-have collectors' item for Nokia fans.

Interested? For enquiries and purchasing: check here

Internal: 9/10

External: 9.5/10

$40

WTS: Nikon Coolpix 2000

This is the Nikon Coolpix 2000, a 2 MP point-and-shoot camera that runs on 4 AA batteries. Bought in late '02 (before mobile phones had cameras?), this camera was hardly used and hence is still in very good condition. 

No scratches, dings, or lens issues - this is as good as a brand new set. Plus, it's Made in Japan (a rare find these days), and comes in a complete box set with some freebies: 32 Mb Sandisk CF card, CF-to-USB card reader, and a padded Nikon camera sling pouch. 

The UI is user friendly and suitable for young and old folks who don't use mobile phones, tablets or the like. Alternatively, this makes a great collectors' item for Nikon fans.

Interested? For questions and purchasing: check here

Internal: 9.5/10

External: 10/10

$20

WTS: Motorola C289

Another ancient handphone from the antenna-age is up for sale! Meet the Motorola C289. 

Bought with Singtel shop (Teleshop) back in 2002, the mobile phone has an onboard speaker and lets you choose from 7 possible backlight colors for the LCD screen. As it is with old Motorola phones, the call and hangup buttons are switched by convention.

This phone is simple and lightweight, but very hardy, having survived lots of scratches on the housing and screen. The batt back cover also has a bit of misalignment when closed, but will stay a snug fit. However, the internal functions work well, and the battery shows no signs of bloating, so it still has plenty of life in it. 

Comes in complete box set, and will serve well as a fuss-free backup phone. Might be handy come doomsday...who knows?

Interested? For questions and purchasing: check here

Internal: 8.5/10 

External: 5/10

$10