Vectrex questions
- Thread starter Vorbis
- Start date
See how long it takes an image to display after switch on. I think ideally it should come on just before the start-up tune plays. If it takes longer, possibly the switch contacts need cleaning (very common and not a simple job) or a recap may be required.
Check it works with carts as well as built-in Mine Storm.
See if turning brightness up fully produces retrace lines. If it does, you have a nice, bright tube, but no big deal if it doesn't, as long as the image looks bright enough to play.
Check for screen burn (not common on Vectrex, really), especially a dot at the centre of the screen. Actually, a burn dot might be on off-centre on Vectrex.
Check the controller stick centres ok and buttons work properly, particularly button 4.
That's off the top of my head, so hope I haven't missed something obvious. Lol
Check it works with carts as well as built-in Mine Storm.
See if turning brightness up fully produces retrace lines. If it does, you have a nice, bright tube, but no big deal if it doesn't, as long as the image looks bright enough to play.
Check for screen burn (not common on Vectrex, really), especially a dot at the centre of the screen. Actually, a burn dot might be on off-centre on Vectrex.
Check the controller stick centres ok and buttons work properly, particularly button 4.
That's off the top of my head, so hope I haven't missed something obvious. Lol
Shipwreck Arcade
Active member
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I remember the first time i saw a Vectrex in 1983 sitting there gloriously glowing in a Army&Navy store. I was hypnotised! It might as well have been an Asteroids cabinet standing there. Wonderful little machines.
The image can be centred, but only for someone comfortable poking around inside while its on. No Vectrex has a perfect display though, and they're all a bit different. Just part of the charm. Homebrew (hardware and software) of the Vectrex just blows me away!
Ok, I probably ignored most of the above and bought it anyway🙄
Issues
It's slow to start up when left apparently. Was fine whilst I was there but the seller (seemed like a very genuine guy) said it was a bit slow warming up when left for a while (he's only had it out a couple of times in the last 20 years)
Vectors are a little wobbly.
Plug looks like a 2 year old wired it but probably could use a change after 40 odd years
Game boxes are in a bit of rough state but all the overlays are there.
I'll probably see if I can get it serviced, so if anyone knows anywhere / anyone in Essex or Suffolk I'd appreciate the details.
Hopefully I didn't overpay but seemed a reasonable deal given what I'm seeing on eBay currently.
Issues
It's slow to start up when left apparently. Was fine whilst I was there but the seller (seemed like a very genuine guy) said it was a bit slow warming up when left for a while (he's only had it out a couple of times in the last 20 years)
Vectors are a little wobbly.
Plug looks like a 2 year old wired it but probably could use a change after 40 odd years
Game boxes are in a bit of rough state but all the overlays are there.
I'll probably see if I can get it serviced, so if anyone knows anywhere / anyone in Essex or Suffolk I'd appreciate the details.
Hopefully I didn't overpay but seemed a reasonable deal given what I'm seeing on eBay currently.
kingtreelo
Active member
i remember haggling with someone on gumtree over a vectrex with about 5 games for £150 a few years ago now....
still haunts me that, think i tried to knock £20 off the price as i had to drive a few hours to get it
still haunts me that, think i tried to knock £20 off the price as i had to drive a few hours to get it
Shipwreck Arcade
Active member
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- 224CR
Nice bundle. Well played. Loads of boxed games and a second controller! Nice. I actually rate these controllers, they don't get enough love or recognition from the retro community.
Shipwreck Arcade
Active member
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- 224CR
I was at a bootsale a few years ago and someone walked past me with a minty looking boxed vectrex he got for a tenner from an old lady selling her bits.
Was annoying because the guy who brought it I'd seen a few times before, He's one of them over confident aggressive reseller types who thinks the bootsale is his! walks around at the beginning of the bootsales sticking his head in peoples cars and asking for video games before they've parked or setup!
Retroman839
Senior Member
😋
Yeh fair deal man ..
My battle zome
Set up .
I met a guy the other month he had two vec fevers as his mate is friends with Thomas that made them .
One was on flea bay when I was having breakfast with him it was on 2.5k at the time and had a few days left.
I was going to get one of those BZ controllers when the guy was making them, but didn't bother in the end. Are they as good as they look? The guy put a lot of work into them.
Retroman839
Senior Member
Yeh they are good ..
USB also you can switch from Vectrex mode to USB ..
And play battlezone on mame
I’m still waiting for clockwork robot to bring a re run of stramashzone
I send an annual email to Thomas in case he decides to make some more. I did get a reply about 5 years ago but nothing since sadly. I’m definitely not paying 2.5k 😁
Retroman839
Senior Member
Yeh we can dream until then ..
Do you have pitrex ?
I have one and arcade Jason’s new multi also ..
Which looks interesting as it’s still early days .
Do you have pitrex ?
I have one and arcade Jason’s new multi also ..
Which looks interesting as it’s still early days .
I used to have a Pitrex, but sold it a while back when I let my last Vectrex go.
Retroman839
Senior Member
I have a couple of diffrent images ..
And I sussed out tuning in the vectors now ..
So I can enjoy a few titles ..
Changed my room about ..
Now fixing a space invaders 2
But then I will sort a dedicated spot for the Vectrex ..
I have 2 boxed
