clinteastwood1955 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Hi, I'm looking to purchase a Vectrex. I have read not to fool with the ones manufactured in Taiwan. Does anyone have any advise they could give me as to what to look for when purchasing a Vectrex? Also, I have read conflicting reports as to the reliability of this system. in your opinion, how reliable are they? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 I have a Hong Kong made Vectrex. I have read once that the Taiwan made consoles ar not as reliable, but I can't verify or deny that. My understanding is that the Vectrex is actually a very reliable machine. If you open it up and look at the guts, it's essentially a black &awhile TV with some extra guts to read carts and run code, but doesn't have the tuner and other innards needed to watch a broadcast. In other words, if you take care of it, it's going to be as hardy and reliable as any 30+ TV set,and there are plenty of those still around. I was leery of buying on via Internet, so I put up a Wanted ad on Craigslist. That worked surprisingly well - I had a call the next day from a guy selling one in nice shape. I went over, checked it out, haggled over the price a bit, and I bought it for $160US, which I think is a very good price. I've had it a month now, and it has been great. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazing Lazers Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Try to buy one locally before purchasing one off of Ebay, just to save on shipping costs and mitigate any transportation related damage, and so you can see it for yourself beforehand. There's a surprising amount of them out there still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seob Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 I have 2 vectrex, one works perfect, the other needs to warm up a minute before the screen kicks in. need to replace the caps on that one. but after it is on temprature it works great. make sure the brightness isn't set to high otherwise you can get white dot burned into the phospher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Ragan Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 The price has really gone up on these suckers, hasn't it? I bought my Vex 11 years ago for $70 on a now defunct auction site. Guess I should be happy I got it for two digits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+madman Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Quite reliable, but like many things from that era, may need a recap. There are some chips that may fail, but there is plenty of repair information online if you're handy with a soldering iron. Best bet is to find one that is currently in working condition. Great system and you can have plenty of fun with just the built-in Minestorm. There's also a really simple fix that'll reduce the "Vectrex buzz" by just snipping a ground wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Yeah... I notice on eBay that one is decent working order, the one controller, no extra games or boxes, seems to go for about $200-$250 US plus shipping. Ouch... Though I have to admit, it is a really great console if you like 80s arcade shooters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyperboy Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I picked mine up about 5 years ago with 8 games and 3 working controllers shipped for $200.00. I only wish it had a box as I am at heart a CIB collector and I just don't feel that things are complete without their original homes (It's a curse in a way) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50TBRD Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Make sure it has a working, self centering controller and Minestorm overlay. They're pretty expensive on their own. The other thing is make sure that the display is good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arenafoot Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 bought my replacement Vectrex in 1998 on eBay for $100 (controller and 3 games - no overlays).....my original Vectrex that I got Christmas 1982 was stolen in 1991 but I still have all my carts/overlays/manuals and boxes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vectrexer Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Make sure it has a working, self centering controller and Minestorm overlay. They're pretty expensive on their own. The other thing is make sure that the display is good. 50TBRD posted a link to a great video and with some good points. I would also say that you need to honestly evaluate your on desire and ability to work on an older Vectrex. As been stated already capacitors may (probably will) need to be replaced to keep the Vectrex in top operating condition. So soldering skills will be needed if you don't farm out the work to another person. One other part I have noticed needing attention on more than a few Vectrex that have cycled through my possession is the I have also found the rear brightness control to have been broken . The broken control, a potentiometer, will result in the display brightness being maxed out all of the time. When checking the display be sure to check it for any residual shadow / burn spots from being too bright. As far as the various manufacturing locations, and serial number runs I have not found reliability to be all that different between them. I would say the environment the equipment has been stored in will have a greater effect on the individual unit. A suggestion for purchasing review. Ensure you receive a video of gameplay action of the Vectrex from the seller before driving out and/or purchasing. Have the seller include the screen, the controls, and views of all side of the case.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas10e Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 http://retroauction.com/buying-and-selling-a-vectrex/ I found this after I bought mine, & discovered I was very fortunate to get the Hong Kong version with minestorm overlay & a 2'nd controller ... the first controller didn't self center as it should & was quite proud to make a good looking repair of it (took me 2 days just to get label off though so I could re-use it) I like the "Vectrex Buzz" I'm not a hard core tech so I don't quite know the ramifications of "just snipping a ground wire" would have so I would recommend NOT buying a "no buzz unit" knowing the unit has been opened if you are a tech I'm sure you can find a great bargain on a non-funtional unit that only needs a minor repair 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 My understanding is that due to some last minute changes in the design to meet FCC rules, the grounding wire for the speaker was strung too close to the CRT. When there is a lot of activity on the CRT, the grounding wire picks it up as buzz or hum that is heard through the speaker. If this wire is snipped, the buzz is reduced somewhat but not entirely. Personally I don't find the buzz to be much of an annoyance. If anything, it's part of the 'charm' of the old Vectrex. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Isn't Vectrex prone to blowing out the very rare and long out of production dual Op Amp? The original chip was intended with the original 5" CRT model but when Milton Bradley took on Vectrx, they wanted bigger display and it was basically cobbled together without changing the Op Amp chip so it's being overworked to handle larger yoke for larger CRT. Unless someone found a way to replace with modern part, when that chip blows, you got flat line or a dot in the CRT and nothing else for the image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Isn't Vectrex prone to blowing out the very rare and long out of production dual Op Amp?First I've ever read of that. For several months, I've been following discussion of the Vectrex on both the Proboard forum and the Facebook page for Vectrex Owner's Unite! (Yeah, the name is lame); as near as I can figure the Vectrex is a pretty reliable machine - at least as hardy as any of its early-80s brethren. Here's a quote from the Video Game Critic's web site: "Console durability: A. Despite housing its own monitor, the Vectrex is a durable system that ages well and is not known to break under normal use." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clinteastwood1955 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 I appreciate everyone's responses, they've been very helpful. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-type Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I am getting really interested in Vectrex. They are so unique and cool looking! Only thing holding me back is the price... I am probably going to have a wait a while, or liquidate of some of my other games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamchevy Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Ive owned 2 different vectrex's. From what I have seen they have a certain time of year that they are cheaper than others. Try and get a lot with games and two controllers if possible. I think they are the most unique classic console out of the pre crash systems. Me and my wife have a blast playing space wars! She actually asks me to play from time to time, which is amazing considering I have to talk her into playing games on any other console. There really is something awesome about vector graphics! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I picked up my first Vectrex in November of last year and made sure to pick up one made in Hong Kong specifically. I got it off ebay for just under $150 shipped and it's been solid. I heard they were better than the made in Taiwan ones and I guess that would make sense.. anything made in Japan is usually the cream of the crop. I've since picked up a few homebrews and controller options, oh and I also recommend the VecMulti. I used to be on the fence about owning one for the longest time but I'm glad I changed my mind.. the Vectex is definitely one of the coolest and most unique systems ever made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walterg74 Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 made in Hong Kong specifically. I got it off ebay for just under $150 shipped and it's been solid. I heard they were better than the made in Taiwan ones and I guess that would make sense.. anything made in Japan is usually the cream of the crop. WOW.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Wow what? ..Care to elaborate? That's almost a 3 year old post of mine that you quoted. I assume it was the price I paid. ..Yes, it was a steal compared to what people are attempting to charge nowadays for a working Vectrex system w/ controller. Good deals are out there but patience and luck is the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Wow what? ..Care to elaborate? That's almost a 3 year old post of mine that you quoted. I assume it was the price I paid. ..Yes, it was a steal compared to what people are attempting to charge nowadays for a working Vectrex system w/ controller. Good deals are out there but patience and luck is the key. That or possibly the relocation of Hong Kong from South-Eastern China to Japan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Lol, geography was never my strong suite. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlide Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Mine was bought €139 two weeks ago. The seller went to my home to show it so I can test it - unbelievable. Usual prices are around €200 if not above . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walterg74 Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 Wow what? ..Care to elaborate? That's almost a 3 year old post of mine that you quoted. I assume it was the price I paid. ..Yes, it was a steal compared to what people are attempting to charge nowadays for a working Vectrex system w/ controller. Good deals are out there but patience and luck is the key. No.. this was not about price, it was about geography... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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