I've always loved Armor Attack

Well this sucks. I finally have some space to setup my Vectrex so I pulled it out of the basement and plugged it in. Everything was working great until I went to go look for the second controller. Came back 10 minutes later and all I see is a tiny little dot. No hum.

I did some looking around today and pretty sure the repair is out of my skill so wondering if anyone could recommend someone to take a look. Im on the west coast.

I was excited to try all the new games out there. damn.

I just picked up a Vectrex, a few games, 3D imager, and an extra controller. I looked through the vents, and saw years of dust bunny accumulation. I should have taken a before picture. It..Was..Nasty!

If I did, I would have used the NSFW tag, ROFL.

It cleaned up pretty good, and am waiting for the Buzz off kit to be delivered so I can install it.

Nothing is wrong with the Vectrex. I just wanted to clean it up, so it can last another 30+ years.

NOTE: I did discharge the CRT before dismantling. I shorted it out a few times, waited 45 minutes, and then shorted it out again, just to make sure.

If you plan on taking it apart, this step is crucial in staying safe.

I am patiently waiting for a Protector/YASI cart to add to my collection. What a blast from the past.

Stay safe, and have fun!

Oh, did I mention to discharge the CRT before poking around?!? ;)

Title. I know Packrat sells them, but I am hoping to secure one sooner.

Does anyone have one (extra) for sale?

OH NO!

Noticed "Spike's Big Page" (https://www.atarihq.com/vectrex) on AtariHQ is down (suspended) along with the rest of the site.

Fortunately there is another mirror still up on the Konfiskated Teknologies Network site. https://archive.kontek.net/vectrex.classicgaming.gamespy.com/

#Spikes #Big #Page #SpikesBigPage #Vectrex

Three pics of an early multi-cart.

It has 2 27C010 EPROMs (the largest available at the time) for game storage. On top of those is a RAM chip for Animaction and the other chip is also for the Animaction RAM support. The board is 1/2 of a Radio Shack perf board, which just happened to be a perfect fit for the Vectrex cartridge slot.

Hi all , Just picked up a vectrex and I'm looking for modern alternative controllers , a spinner like controller for those tempest like games and a standard controller alternative for everything else Any recommendations?

If pushed I can be convinced to pull out the soldering iron and mod something to work If theres a guide certainly not my preferred option !

Hi all just getting into the vectrex scene , I picked up a Pitrex and am running baremetal , I love it but I have issues with the one game I was hoping to emulate, Starwars arcade.

The foreground ship / tie fighters / background elements (trench run etc) are super dark and hard to make out. The stars and fireball attacks etc are nice and bright?

The vectrex is on max brightness. Any ideas ?

Hi guys,

I recently got my vectrex repaired (full cap and ic replacement) and it's in good condition now

However there is on strange thing: if I let the machine turned off for a day and then put it on, the first 15 minutes some vectors are distorted (most noticable on the big aircraft when mine storm starts)

After 15 minutes its fine and the distortion is reduced to a bare minimum.

Any pointers on which parts of the vectrex might be sensitive to temperatur differences or any pointers how to find the cause of this behavior?

I don't suspect the caps or ic's since else how is it fine after 15 minutes?

Any pointers or feedback would be appreciated!

Vectrex Carry Case Folding Instructions and Photos for GCE / MB Vectrex Logo cases

See Folding Instructions and picture in my Google photos album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XYYGgxRZpmy3J5F6A

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Vectrex Carry Case Collapsing and Folding Instructions:

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Instructions below are used for the Vectrex Carry Cases shown with branding for General Consumer Electronics (GCE), Milton Bradley (MB), and unbranded Vectrex logo only carry cases.:

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There were two methods GCE and MB folded the Vectrex Carry Case at the factory. I think this might have been due to different production runs. Both methods are outlined below.

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The better method "A" is show first in the list. This is also the most common method used even if it was not used in the earliest Carry Case shipments. Please note the first method "A" assumes the carry case side have the creases and folding. If your carry case has the creases and folding in the front-rear then use the other method "B" that follows below method "A".

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Please note all Vectrex Carry cases have two user component parts to the Carry Case.

Component Part 1: The large Carry Case itself.

The main body of the Carry Case is made mostly of a fabric similar to Cordura. All carry cases in include a top flap with an attached Velcro strip to hold the closed. All carry cases in include carry handle straps on each side of the case that are sewn in place with rivets for strengthening the strap attachment points.

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Component Part 2: The Baseplate support.

The Baseplate support is made of a carboard flat that is covered in either fabric, or plastic. The baseplate a square, or slightly rectangular, shape. The baseplate is inserted into the inside bottom at the bottom carry case. The baseplate is used to shape the carry case after unfolding. The baseplate also provides some cushioning and structure to the bottom of the carry case. A majority of the Baseplates are covered with a with sewn grey nylon fabric. Other simpler Baseplates were covered with silver colored plastic with heat sealed edges.

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Vectrex Carry Case Folding Method A (Case with creased sides):

Assuming the case is already unfolded and in use,

1. Remove the fabric/plastic baseplate from the interior bottom of the Vectrex Carry Case.
2. Stand the carry case vertically with the bottom of the case up.
3. Ensure the top flap is unfolded from the case.
4. The sides of the Carry Case are creased vertically at the middle between the carry handle strap attachment points.
5. Push sides slightly inward ensuring they are both folding inward at the crease.
6. At the same time as folding inward, tuck the fabric bottom inward into the folds.
7. Continue folding side and tucking in bottom until the carry case is fully collapsed.
8. Tuck the carry handle straps into the side folds.
9. After collapsing the carry case place the baseplate over the front logo.
10. Fold the top cover over the front front of the carry case covering both the baseplate and logo.

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Vectrex Carry Case Folding Method B (Case with creased front and rear):

Assuming the case is already unfolded and in use,

1. Remove the Fabric/Plastic baseplate from the interior bottom of the Vectrex Carry Case.
2. Stand the carry case vertically with the bottom of the case up.
3. The front and back of the carry case are creased vertically at the middle with the crease running through the front Logo.
4. Fold the top cover up to the bottom of the carry case to cover the rear of the carry case.
5. Push front and rear of the case slightly inward ensuring they are both folding inward at the crease.
6. At the same time as folding inward, tuck the fabric bottom inward into the folds. Also tuck the top cover into the carry case rear fold.
7. Continue folding the case with tucking in bottom and ensuring the top cover is folding into the rear crease until the carry case is fully collapsed.
8. After collapsing the carry case place the baseplate over the front logo.
9. Fold the top cover over the front front of the carry cases covering both the baseplate and logo.

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For people shipping a Vectrex Carry Case some extra details.

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Fully collapse a folded back by placing inside of a plastic bag and using a vacuum source to draw out the excess air.

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After collapse you will be able to fit a bagged carry case inside one of the following boxes for shipment

• USPS Priority Mail Regional Rate Box B2 SKU RRB-B2X,

• USPS Priority Mail Box 1095 SKU O-1095X,

• UPS Large UPS Express Box. (snug fit)

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Shipping weight should be 3 Lbs (2 Lbs 12 Oz) or about 1.3 Kg

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BTW, I DO NOT recommend shipping a Vectrex carry case only inside a polyethylene mailing envelope. Those envelopes have no support and can easily rip, offering little protection against crushing and stains. Instead place the folded carry case inside a pouch or Ziploc sliding channel storage bag before placing it inside the mailer. And if you decide to use a plastic envelopment mailer, then make it a large bubble cushioned mailer.

These Vectrex carry cases also carry the Bandai Vectrex (バンダイ 光速船 / Kousokusen) but do not have the Japanese logo or language. The Bandai Vectrex only had an unpadded and unpocketed carry bag for the Japan region. Below is an album with pictures for that regional bag.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qQcRydzp1MfxLzI62

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I gotta run my vec for like 5 min, then it plays fine after.

for like 2-3 years now i have been looking for a affordable way to get a vectrex i really want one any tips for getting one??

It seems like the monitor is rolling, but I’m confused because it’s a predictable pattern, it’s almost like the video chip is toast, does anyone know what this is?

Bought this supposedly non-working console. But it works! It does have the white dot issue sometimes when I turn it on but I know that's a brightness issue. However my brightness knob is missing, just a hole there. So I gotta open it up and try to fix.

Hi guys,

https://imgur.com/a/AlP4SnR

I just bought a Vectrex (one of the final pieces in my retro collection) from a legit seller that arrived the day before yesterday. If I recall correctly the first time it powered up it seemed to work fine. However, yesterday I plugged it in and the image was extremely distorted (pictures 1,2,3). The image is skewed, vectors are not aligned, the image is stretched, etc.

I found some info online regarding finetuning the screen, so I adjusted the dials, potentiometers, the DAC offset (shouldn't have done that..) and also the magnets around the tube.

I got to a point where the image was much better (see pciture 4 of vectrex start screen) but there was still distortion in the image. In retrospect I probably shouldn't have done this at all, but I'm stupid...

The weird thing is that today, after yesterday tuning to a better image, the image was again completely distorted, much worse than when I ended my tuning activities (picture.

The seller send me a recording with a timestamp that indeed proves the vectrex was fine before shipping.

It seems the image, although distorted, looks fine and also the sound is very good. I also saw the orange glow from the end of the tube which, if I read correctly, means the CRT is working properly.

My question now are:

• Is my vectrex repairable and if yes, what would be the next steps? A Recap or perhaps find someone specialized enough to run through these tests: https://www.reddit.com/r/Vectrex/comments/woqds8/vectrex_complete_screen_calibration_and_more/ ?). (Thx u/mattpilz for providing this info)
• It would also be very be cool to get some feedback on if the "raw hardware" of the Vectrex is still ok.

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UPDATE: also just uploaded a video of the distorted behavior: https://streamable.com/zpv7aa

UPDATE II: I can 100% confirm that if I leave the unit on, the image becomes much better by itself 👍 Is this an indication for the cause of the issue (for example faulty caps like some people already pointed out?)

UPDATE III: I came across a repairer in the vectrex united facebook group. After replacing all ic's and a recap of all condensators it's working as new again!