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Index
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Model:
Genesis Nomad
Release Date:
1995
Original Price:
$180
Processor:
Motorola 68000 16-bit @ 7.67 MHz & Zilog Z80 @ 3.58 MHz
Memory:
64K RAM / 64K VRAM / 20K ROM
Basically a handheld portable Sega Genesis, the Nomad seems to have
been a flop. It even has a place in GamePro.com's '10 Worst-Selling
Handhelds of All Time' with a ranking of 5th place. Given, the Nomad
did suffer from several drawbacks but it had it's upside as well.
Let's start with the negative aspects. The main downside is
the fact that the battery pack (six AA batteries) had a total run
time of a whopping two hours! And that was on a brand new set of
alkaline cells. The use of rechargable was discouraged due to the
voltage difference. Alkaline cells are 1.5 volts while NiCad cells
(and even modern NiHM, which did not exist back then) are only 1.2
volts. In a six cell battery pack, the means that instead of running
on the intended 9 volts, the system would attempt to run on a much
lower 7.2 volts. Aside from that, the externally mounted battery
pack made the unit much more bulky that it was to begin with.
On the plus side, however, there's the built-in 3.25 inch 320x224
color backlit LCD screen. When you needed a little more size, maybe
to find that elusive crystal, you could attach the Nomad to a
television through a patch cable. There was also controller port
that you could use for two player games. Essentially a full-featured
home console system that just happened to have the ability to go
completely portable in seconds.
As for software titles, the Nomad used standard Sega Genesis
cartridges - meaning that there was already a pre-existing database
in place when the portable was released.
The Nomad that I have in my colletion has a broken brightness
control. I was able to temporarily repair the existing
potentiometer, but I would like to replace it. If you happen to
have an old broken Nomad laying around, why not consider donating
it to us to help keep the museum going. I'll gladly pay shipping
costs to get it to us - I'll even send a prepaid label for FedEx
or UPS is you'd prefer.
>>
Click here to download the Instruction Manual (1.2 mb)
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Pinouts:
A/V Connector
Pin 1 --> Blue
Pin 2 --> +5vdc
Pin 3 --> Green
Pin 4 --> Composite Video
Pin 5 --> Sync
Pin 6 --> Audio Mono
Pin 7 --> Red
Pin 8 --> Stereo Left
Pin 9 --> Stereo Right
Shield is Ground
Power Connector is 10vdc 850mA tip positive
All Pin-Outs Are Courtesy of
the Hardware Book Project
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