old tech, dwindling supply...

[SignatureSigner]

This is more of a question and a discussion at the same time so I am posting it here.

If you have an old ipod classic 1/2/3/4 gen they charge via firewire and most refuse to boot off of basic USB to 30pin cables. I've been looking at getting/repairing an older ipod as they can be found with broken screens/bad batteries ect for fairly cheap on ebay. My problem is where do I find a charger for something so old? (Some are nearing 16 years at this point) The cable I'm specifcally looking for is the apple original firewire 400 to 30pin with original firewire base/block. I can't find them anywhere but ebay for around 50$. I can't even find 3rd party ones if I wanted one. 

I will prob bite the bullet if I decide to get one of these ipods and pay the 50$ for a good condition one and cherish it. If you have any suggestions on where I can find one for less, please enlighten me.

 

The more discussional part of this is the question of, what is going to happen as older products (Laptops, Ipods, ECT)? As these things get older manufacturing of chargers and accessories stop and they progressively get rarer and rarer as the chargers/accessories break/wear out. Does that leave what could be a fully functional product useless? Any thoughts I would love to hear them. Kinda sucks tho and this rlly shows why proprietary ports or more neich connectors kinda suck in the long run.

[Cool Dude 101]

Not a apple branded one but it should do the job, couldn't find the dock though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/222795698017

[Blue4130]

9 minutes ago, SignatureSigner said:

This is more of a question and a discussion at the same time so I am posting it here.

If you have an old ipod classic 1/2/3/4 gen they charge via firewire and most refuse to boot off of basic USB to 30pin cables. I've been looking at getting/repairing an older ipod as they can be found with broken screens/bad batteries ect for fairly cheap on ebay. My problem is where do I find a charger for something so old? (Some are nearing 16 years at this point) The cable I'm specifcally looking for is the apple original firewire 400 to 30pin with original firewire base/block. I can't find them anywhere but ebay for around 50$. I can't even find 3rd party ones if I wanted one. 

I will prob bite the bullet if I decide to get one of these ipods and pay the 50$ for a good condition one and cherish it. If you have any suggestions on where I can find one for less, please enlighten me.

 

The more discussional part of this is the question of, what is going to happen as older products (Laptops, Ipods, ECT)? As these things get older manufacturing of chargers and accessories stop and they progressively get rarer and rarer as the chargers/accessories break/wear out. Does that leave what could be a fully functional product useless? Any thoughts I would love to hear them. Kinda sucks tho and this rlly shows why proprietary ports or more neich connectors kinda suck in the long run.

This has always been the case when it comes to proprietary connections. It is often shown in the used market prices. Things with silly connectors that are hard to find/hack are generally less cost than something that uses a generic usb (or in the olden times serial)