Rest In Peace, Sony Walkman

[Limewater]

No, its proprietary to this Besser unit. There are contacts inside powering up the cassette FM PCB. No extra batteries needed for the FM cassette, pretty slick design! A slide switch on the "Walkman" portion cuts off the tape motor and turns on power to the tuner to save on the batteries. The base also powers everything with larger C batteries or AC connection. A lot of foresight in design of this off the wall brand.

Thanks! That's kind of what I figured, but I also sort of hoped that they just used the turning of the cassette drive to generate power for the tuner.

Also, I can't tell from the picture, but is the FM tuning slide accessible when the tape drive door is closed? If so, does that mean that normal audio cassettes are also exposed while playing?

[CRTGAMER]

No, its proprietary to this Besser unit. There are contacts inside powering up the cassette FM PCB. No extra batteries needed for the FM cassette, pretty slick design! A slide switch on the "Walkman" portion cuts off the tape motor and turns on power to the tuner to save on the batteries. The base also powers everything with larger C batteries or AC connection. A lot of foresight in design of this off the wall brand.

Thanks! That's kind of what I figured, but I also sort of hoped that they just used the turning of the cassette drive to generate power for the tuner.

Also, I can't tell from the picture, but is the FM tuning slide accessible when the tape drive door is closed? If so, does that mean that normal audio cassettes are also exposed while playing?

Delay response for pics and resize.

Yes, there is that narrow rectangular hole for the slide knob of the tuner. Since the deck is not a water tight unit anyways, I don't think the hole is a concern. A regular cassette in place keeps the dust from getting on the capstan. The FM cassette electrical contacts has spring loaded pins in the back which connect inside the "Walkman." The base also has power and audio contacts for the "Walkman to slide into.

Sorry about the sidetrack Luke, didn't know this old box would generate interest. Well it is a "Walkman" inspired unit, so kudos to Sony for the inspiration to other companies. No, not for sale, had it too long.

Funny when I turned the radio on for the pic, it played "The Boys Are Back In Town."
Still set to a local 80s station. I started thinking about the Steven King movie Christine!

[Haoie]

I was really amazed that this was still being produced.

I remember seeing 1 of those back in the early 2000s and thinking "how retro!"

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Did some reading and apparently this is only for Japan.

Just like with the floppy disk thing earlier this year Sony's gonna keep making more for the US and the rest of the world for a few more years.