Building a Vectrex Lightpen

[Videogamecollector123]

Hi, I was interested in building a vectrex lightpen as the originals are really expensive. I just wanted to know whats the best circuit to build that has instructions as I've never done this before and have 0 soldering experience. Also, if anyone has done this, can this custom pens damage the system or is it just better to buy the original(I'm all for the authentic feel most of the time.

[lgallair]

I built a Vectrex lightpen and am very happy with the results. It does not harm your system so you don't have to worry about that. The design I used was the modified version from http://www.playvectrex.com, under the VecTech section. The pcb fits inside a marker shell. The end result looks and plays much like the original. This would be a great project for someone with little or no soldering experience because the circuit is small and it doesn't have many components. Good luck.

[Videogamecollector123]

I built a Vectrex lightpen and am very happy with the results. It does not harm your system so you don't have to worry about that. The design I used was the modified version from http://www.playvectrex.com, under the VecTech section. The pcb fits inside a marker shell. The end result looks and plays much like the original. This would be a great project for someone with little or no soldering experience because the circuit is small and it doesn't have many components. Good luck.

Okay I just wanted to know if there were any other circuits that would work better, just a quick question what would be a good soldering iron to buy and wheres the best place to get all the components?

[Matt Fisher]

I built a Vectrex lightpen and am very happy with the results. It does not harm your system so you don't have to worry about that. The design I used was the modified version from http://www.playvectrex.com, under the VecTech section. The pcb fits inside a marker shell. The end result looks and plays much like the original. This would be a great project for someone with little or no soldering experience because the circuit is small and it doesn't have many components. Good luck.

Okay I just wanted to know if there were any other circuits that would work better, just a quick question what would be a good soldering iron to buy and wheres the best place to get all the components?

 

Don't know if there are any circuits that work better. I can tell you that I have both a "real" pen and have built the one on playvectrex and they perform equally well. For a decent soldering iron, you might try this:

 

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WLC100-/21-3475

 

I wouldn't go much cheaper than a unit like this or you will be buying another one, most likely, although you might be able to get by with a cheapie if this is the only time you will be needing it.

 

As for electronics components, try Mouser or Digikey.

 

The pen is pretty easy to put together and the games are actually pretty fun, although they're not really games, per se...

[Videogamecollector123]

I built a Vectrex lightpen and am very happy with the results. It does not harm your system so you don't have to worry about that. The design I used was the modified version from http://www.playvectrex.com, under the VecTech section. The pcb fits inside a marker shell. The end result looks and plays much like the original. This would be a great project for someone with little or no soldering experience because the circuit is small and it doesn't have many components. Good luck.

Okay I just wanted to know if there were any other circuits that would work better, just a quick question what would be a good soldering iron to buy and wheres the best place to get all the components?

 

Don't know if there are any circuits that work better. I can tell you that I have both a "real" pen and have built the one on playvectrex and they perform equally well. For a decent soldering iron, you might try this:

 

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WLC100-/21-3475

 

I wouldn't go much cheaper than a unit like this or you will be buying another one, most likely, although you might be able to get by with a cheapie if this is the only time you will be needing it.

 

As for electronics components, try Mouser or Digikey.

 

The pen is pretty easy to put together and the games are actually pretty fun, although they're not really games, per se...

I don't really know about a $50 soldering iron, I might do some things in the future but I don't really have that money right no, I already have 20 bucks at least with Oldjd's wife for a version of the original vectrex dust cover.