The Heavy Sixer is the
nickname given by
Atari collectors to the original
Atari 2600 model which was mainly produced in
1977 in
Sunnyvale, California, though some later units were constructed in
Taiwan when production was moved overseas.
Sears'
Tele-Games series of
Atari 2600 clones were also produced in the Heavy Sixer variety.
They receive the
nickname "Heavy Sixer" due to the fact that there are six
chrome switches on the front of the unit, and there is heavy internal
RF shielding which makes it noticeably heavier than the later run of
CX2600 models produced in
1978-
1980. The plastic molding on the sides and front of the unit is also thicker than that of later models.
Needless to say, the Heavy Sixer is more uncommon than other
Atari 2600 units and is highly sought after by collectors.