Buying a bigtrak

If you are looking to buy this toy, then it can be very confusing to figure out exactly what you are buying because there are different versions of this toy. There is the original 1979 version, then the 2010 version, then the junior version, and new XTR version, and to an adult, they rather look the same... Sometimes shoppers are not sure what they are buying, and wondering, is this the original version, replica, big one, small one... Hence, I hope that this article helps.

Buying a bigtrak on eBay

If you like me, do not have daddy Warbucks to buy you stuff from Harrods, then chances are you will be buying on eBay. There are many sellers of this toy, and many times they do not know what they are selling themselves. Sometimes a seller might list the toy as "Milton Bradley bigtrak" and you might assume that this is the original 1979 MB version, but turns out to be the 2010 Zeon Tech (ZT) version, hence, you need to keep a lookout for this. Then sometimes a seller might simply list it as "bigtrak" and it will turn out to be the 1979 MB version going for as little as ten pounds. A quick way to differentiate is from the logo on the side of the toy as shown above in the photograph. If the logo is ZT then it is the Zeon Tech version, which is the replica. If the logo is MB then it is the 1979 Milton Bradley version.

Obviously, the original 1979 version would be worth more, as it is much older, and uses older electronic technology. However, if you are planning to modify it considerably, then the newer 2011 version might be easier, as the main printed circuit board is removable and you can install your own motor driver chip. There are already articles on the Internet showing how to install a Raspberry Pi to it. It will also be considerably cheaper to acquire in the pre-used market.

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