Beolink 5000
| Product : | Beolink 5000 |
|
| Produced from : | 1991 - 1993 | |
| Designed by : | David Lewis | |
| Finish : | Aluminium / Black | |
| Desirability : | 2 |
Released on to the market in 1991 and following on from the Beolink 1000 from just a few years earlier, the Beolink 5000 was a two-way remote control (one-way by default) comprising a transparent LCD display window atop a two-sided handset. The readout was useful in that it informed the user the source in operation as well as volume levels. It could also be used for visual feedback while controlling suitable B&O systems around the house. Very clever in use, the device could even give a ’swapped around’ readout if the opposite side of the handset was being used. Secondary-function buttons were recessed within the handset at the rear of the Beolink 5000 with primary control buttons being placed on the handset’s front.
Shaped very similarly to the later Beo4 terminal, the Beolink 5000 handset however gave the impression of a remote control less well made. The use of the battery compartment also left a little to be desired and the relatively flimsy buttons often took more than a prod and a poke to get them to work properly.
The two-way functionality of the Beolink 5000 was designed to be used with the two-way operation Beocenter 9500, the later-model Beomaster 4500, Beovision MX6000 and Beocenter 2300, amongst other audio and video produced produced by the company at this time. It could also be used with Bang & Olufsen’s LC1 and LC2 light systems.
The three remote control terminals of the day: Beolink 1000, Beolink 5000 and Beolink 7000, were replaced by the Beo4 in 1994.
The following two images (thanks to Claude Massaloux) show the difference between MKI and MKII versions of the remote control handset:
Beolink 5000 types:
1531: (1991 - May 1993)
(MK II) 1620: (1992)
(MK II) USA 1623: (1992)
USA 1534: (1991 - May 1993)
Batteries: 3 x AAA
Weight (inc batteries): 240g
Dimensions: 255 x 37 x 19mm
