What will they think of next! Transistor except for the rectifier tubes. If you have ever seen the inside of one of these, it's a miracle of packaging.
This was terrific technology in its era. The average working person would not normally spend this type of money for a portable TV set. In today's dollars this would be like spending a bit over $3000 USD on a portable B&W TV set!
"Watchman" before there was Watchman! $250 was a lot of $$$$ back then, but this was something new, and there were a few "must have" type families where the husband made good money, OR the wife was from a wealthy family...
Considering the average 21-inch 1958 television cost some $300-$400--and was a major chunk of change even then--I don't think too many people bought the Safari...
I saw one of these when I was a kid, maybe in 1969. We were at a little league ball game. I didn't care about the game and was bored until someone who had this let me watch it. It was so cool, thought it would be so cool if I had one. Today this set is still very cool, it could still be used just by adding a converter box. It really would be cool to find one and fix it on ebay.
I have one in near mint condition but does not have the hood. I also have the original battery just like the one shown in this video and is in mint condition. The Safari lights up and has sound. I am thinking of putting it on Ebay soon.
I have one that I paid less than $50 for. Works great too! Check out my videos to see it in action. I beleive that there are many of these in like-new condition due to lack of use. In the commercial seen here, they show 2 people on the beach watching the set. The angle of the screen relative to each viewers eyes is such that they would not be able to see the picture on the screen. You have to literally be right straight in front of it to see the screen. Puts a real strain on your neck.
I would have to agree with Tech Howden, & I am guessing a very strong TV signal. On a bus, train, car, or plane - you would want to be close to a window that is in the direction of the TV station's transmitter. The large windows of the train's dining car would let in a lot of signal! Perhaps a plane would allow reception for a long distance, due to the altitude. Train, bus, or car reception would be hampered by mountains, valleys, buildings, tunnels, & bridges. And you need to know the channels of the desired program's network that are along your travel route. The fisherman on the boat better be careful not to get it wet! But it would be useful to him in 1958 or 1959 if severe weather is a possibility, as storm forecasts & warnings were given on radio & TV at that time. He could have the sound turned down to avoid spooking the fish & see the weather-related bulletin on the picture tube!
The writer didn't really think it through, when he wrote, "Imagine watching on a plane or train trip?" Tell me how you are going to get a television signal 20,000 feet in the air, or on a moving train?
I bought one today and hooked up a converter box. Works great! Watching TV on a 1959 TV mini projector screen. Wild!
Talk about cutting edge technology ... just imagine trying to service one of those !!!!
What will they think of next! Transistor except for the rectifier tubes. If you have ever seen the inside of one of these, it's a miracle of packaging.
It uses a tube rectifier, not a selenium rectifier?
I have one of these in near mint condition cosmetically, but needs some work to make it function. My grandparents bought it new. Now I have it.
Check out creator Shango066's TV resurrection videos.
This was terrific technology in its era. The average working person would not normally spend this type of money for a portable TV set. In today's dollars this would be like spending a bit over $3000 USD on a portable B&W TV set!
Rumor is fish would jump into the boat just to catch a glimpse of Sea Hunt.
That’s because the fish want to see their buddies on TV
"Watchman" before there was Watchman! $250 was a lot of $$$$ back then, but this was something new, and there were a few "must have" type families where the husband made good money, OR the wife was from a wealthy family...
Considering the average 21-inch 1958 television cost some $300-$400--and was a major chunk of change even then--I don't think too many people bought the Safari...
You are right ! In today's dollars this would be like spending a bit over $3000 USD on a portable B&W TV set!
I saw one of these when I was a kid, maybe in 1969. We were at a little league ball game. I didn't care about the game and was bored until someone who had this let me watch it. It was so cool, thought it would be so cool if I had one. Today this set is still very cool, it could still be used just by adding a converter box. It really would be cool to find one and fix it on ebay.
0:34 in the middle of the lake fishing is where I'd go to GET AWAY from TV, lol! 🤷♂️
I have one in near mint condition but does not have the hood. I also have the original battery just like the one shown in this video and is in mint condition. The Safari lights up and has sound. I am thinking of putting it on Ebay soon.
The very first Watchman....not from Sony.
Yeah Sony has to be the parent company to sell the Philco name.
0:49 I bet their watching a bloody lot of screens if the tandem model is still in the dining room
How far we come
$250 was a HECK of a lot of money back then-!!!
People sure had a lot of disposable income if they can get a battery powered portable TV back then.
This had a list price of $2,400 in today's money, so this was definitely a luxury item!
Especially with American labor producing it. Imagine how Red Chahnese prison labor would drive down the cost!
Adjusted for inflation in 2020 The price of it is about $2200
Yeah ... but we don't get to see or hear the thing.
Tim E because they want you to go to the philco dealer to try it
I'm pretty sure that's from 1959 not 1958.
So they had rechargeable batteries? What power source would you use now??
@@aussiefurbymogwaifan6621 Yes, rechargeable or AC line. You can make your own NiCad battery pack or just plug it in an outlet.
Wonder if shango066 has ever worked on one of these?
15 pounds? That little girl wasn't lugging that thing everywhere, that's for sure.
I have one that I paid less than $50 for. Works great too! Check out my videos to see it in action.
I beleive that there are many of these in like-new condition due to lack of use. In the commercial seen here, they show 2 people on the beach watching the set. The angle of the screen relative to each viewers eyes is such that they would not be able to see the picture on the screen. You have to literally be right straight in front of it to see the screen. Puts a real strain on your neck.
Did Safari actually work on a plane or train? Anybody with a personal experience?
Erick Dietrich if you want to be technical the Philco safari was the first. And it was and still is portable and always will be the first in my book.
As long as there is a TV signal yes
I would have to agree with Tech Howden, & I am guessing a very strong TV signal. On a bus, train, car, or plane - you would want to be close to a window that is in the direction of the TV station's transmitter. The large windows of the train's dining car would let in a lot of signal! Perhaps a plane would allow reception for a long distance, due to the altitude. Train, bus, or car reception would be hampered by mountains, valleys, buildings, tunnels, & bridges. And you need to know the channels of the desired program's network that are along your travel route. The fisherman on the boat better be careful not to get it wet! But it would be useful to him in 1958 or 1959 if severe weather is a possibility, as storm forecasts & warnings were given on radio & TV at that time. He could have the sound turned down to avoid spooking the fish & see the weather-related bulletin on the picture tube!
You could pick up signals 200+ miles away on a plane with a tv back in the day.
Tem coisas que só a Philco faz para vc
Now so light u don't even know you're carrying one.
The writer didn't really think it through, when he wrote, "Imagine watching on a plane or train trip?" Tell me how you are going to get a television signal 20,000 feet in the air, or on a moving train?
Yeah that was a red flag right there.
Tv stations can be picked in the air and on a train,worked in the when I traveled in the 80s.try that now ot won't work because digital TV is garbage.
I want one and to think I'm stuck here watching videos on my smartphone. What a waste.
wow 250 bucks. You coud have bought a decent used car for that much, back then
48$ per battery when corrected for inflation, wtf
But it was a rechargeable battery so $$$ not that bad considering.