Here’s another variation on the Zenith Space Commander 400 remote posted a coupla’ months back.
Based on the patent numbers on the back, this one predates its white-buttoned relative. The rocker switches are mushy, lacking the clicky ker-pop by which I know Allee measures all great old remotes. It certainly tries to make up for it in brassy shine.
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Allee Willis
You know how much I love old TV remotes, especially ones with names like Space Commander. This one is gorgeous though I’m sorry to hear that the little switches lack the pressurized pop sound that I have come to know and love from them. But I would still love something like this lying around.
I wish there were some way to rig them so they could actually control digital sets.
How many of these do you have now?
To see more of storytroy’s remotes go here: https://www.alleewillis.com/awmok/kitschenette/author/storytroy/
StoryTroy
Some duplicates, but probably a few dozen in total. Many not as handsome and AWMoK-worthy as others — the Sanyo two-button that looks for all the world like a taser, for example.
Holding out for a Magnavox Phantom 2.
StoryTroy
This just in… this remote DOES make the wunnerful pressurized popping sound when rockers are depressed with the approximate force it would take to drive a nail into drywall using only your thumb and a nickel. Zowie! This one will give you muscular knuckles!
Allee Willis
I always do hand exercises so perhaps I could borrow the remote! I’ve even stepped up the hand exercises these last few days as I prepare to go to my alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, the week after next to conduct the marching band who’s playing my songs at the Homecoming football game, the biggest one of the year. 82,000 people! And, despite it being my own, I don’t read music! My hands really need to be in shape because I have no idea where they’ll be flying having never done anything remotely like this before. The thought of pushing a vintage remote to strengthen my finger is very appealing.
I love the precision with which you describe the amount of pressure It takes to produce sound, like driving a nail into drywall using only your thumb and a nickel. That’s the kind of detail I like.