All about the Vectrex

CiDeRmAn · 20-04-2021 12:19pm

The man is brilliant, my 2600 controller is fantastic, and it works a treat on the Spectrum as well.
Because a lot of games used "up" as jump, because the Spectrum and Atari sticks only have one fire button, this is mapped to the second fire button on the Vic Stic, making those games a whole lot easier to play.
I haven't tried it on the C64 yet, but I imagine it will reap the same benefits there.

deadl0ck · 20-04-2021 2:49pm

Right - case printed and I got like 5 minutes with it during lunch - I'll post some pics later

Am I seeing things or do we get a full version of Vectorblade on the PiTrex with Malban's SD Image ??

20-04-2021 2:50pm

Yes vectorblade is included and an absolute load of other stuff too!

deadl0ck · 20-04-2021 3:44pm

20-04-2021 3:47pm

Excellent! Love the little top cover for the pi too.. Really nice, there's labels on the fb group too if you want to print out one.. Enjoy!

deadl0ck · 20-04-2021 3:50pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Excellent! Love the little top cover for the pi too.. Really nice, there's labels on the fb group too if you want to print out one.. Enjoy!

Deadly - I'll need to look - is that a Facebook Group for PiTrex ? Or is it the Vectrex Fans Unite group ?

20-04-2021 3:52pm

On the fb vectrex fans unite group, if your not on there let me know and I can mail you a copy. &#55357;&#56397;

deadl0ck · 20-04-2021 4:08pm

I'm on it - I just need to find it - did you manage to get the set of ROMs also for the MAME stuff (I haven't looked yet)

Doge · 20-04-2021 7:50pm

Lovely work deadl0ck!

I tried out Transparent filament for the first time and this was the result:

More challenging than standard PLA, had to print at a lower resolution, 100% infill, high temperatures and 30% your usual speed to ensure it remains as transparent as possible.

I sanded some sides and sprayed Rust-oleum Crystal Clear over them but it didnt really improve the transparency.

Probably because this transparent PLA yellows slightly, you'd get better results with certain clear PLA brands that are reputable.

I noticed our screws are slightly too long.

Mine juts out the slightest bit above the nut also but it fits the Vectrex okay.

deadl0ck · 21-04-2021 4:25pm

That looks great - It looks like the label is still a WIP over on the FB Group

deadl0ck · 21-04-2021 8:19pm

Playing VectorBlade there - did the calibration but are you guys getting the slanted score ?

On videos online it looks like it should be normal straight up as opposed to slanted

Doge · 21-04-2021 9:55pm

Is the photo yours? It looks pretty straight to me there! Maybe try the calibration again.

deadl0ck · 21-04-2021 10:32pm

Doge wrote: »

Is the photo yours? It looks pretty straight to me there! Maybe try the calibration again.

I mean it's slanted about 40 degrees to the right

In this video it pretty much straight up: https://youtu.be/FhcgFeT_3R4?t=557

Edit: so this essentially:

Doge · 21-04-2021 11:17pm

I wonder if theres a way of skipping calibration altogether for vecccys without geometry issues?

deadl0ck · 22-04-2021 9:10am

Doge wrote: »

I wonder if theres a way of skipping calibration altogether for vecccys without geometry issues?

That being said it's perfect for me apart from that - eve the ships that fly across that are and over the score are fine - weird

CiDeRmAn · 24-04-2021 10:46pm

Can anyone tell me how I might make a Megadrive compatible arcade stick?
As I have a Vecadapt this will let me use it on the Vectrex, as have a spare arcade stick waiting to be repurposed.
I'm rubbish at soldering, so keep that in mind!

deadl0ck · 26-04-2021 10:47am

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Can anyone tell me how I might make a Megadrive compatible arcade stick?
As I have a Vecadapt this will let me use it on the Vectrex, as have a spare arcade stick waiting to be repurposed.
I'm rubbish at soldering, so keep that in mind!

What type of arcade stick is it ? Maybe you could get an megadrive adapter for it (instead of making one)

CiDeRmAn · 26-04-2021 2:30pm

It has a USB cable at present, I might find a dodgy MD pad somewhere and do a spot of soldering, I can arrange the buttons then to follow the Veccy arrangement, with Start/A/B/C equalling 1/2/3/4

I'll have a look and report back if I get something working.

Also, did anyone see the issues the most recent PiTrex release has been having?
Apparently, there is a problem with the trace relating to the "Halt" signal, causing a conflict between the Pitrex/RPi and the Veccys own main processor, which is normally halted.
I hope everyone with a new PiTrex is getting on okay and haven't been affected?

29-04-2021 1:31pm

You could always get a JIB board from James Watt and just solder the connectors on it or wrap wires around it etc, the pads are huge its impossible to get wrong

CiDeRmAn · 29-04-2021 2:55pm

Deleted User wrote: »

You could always get a JIB board from James Watt and just solder the connectors on it or wrap wires around it etc, the pads are huge its impossible to get wrong

I thought I had one, though I might have given it away...
I'll have a look in the quantum singularity that is the "box of wires under the gamesroom table", I think it is filled with cables for things that never existed...

CiDeRmAn · 12-05-2021 11:46pm

New PiTrex image from Malban here
http://vide.malban.de/pitrex/pitrex-baremetal-download

Looks like Elite is not too far away, and he has developed USB keyboard compatibility with a form of Basic...
Not sure what it's all about, to be honest!

He's also got the Sega vector games working, though it's not completely finished.

A new Tron inspired light cycle game is also in the new image, and it looks fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov65YNd8JiQ

I haven't tried this out so if someone else wants to give it a go and let me know what it's like

Burzum · 15-05-2021 10:43pm

Just seen this on done deal and thought was best place to share, some one selling a Vectrex.https://www.donedeal.ie/games-for-sale/vectrex-1982/28144853

CiDeRmAn · 15-05-2021 11:22pm

Burzum wrote: »

Just seen this on done deal and thought was best place to share, some one selling a Vectrex.https://www.donedeal.ie/games-for-sale/vectrex-1982/28144853

They really are rare to see these days, especially from an Irish seller
I'd nearly buy it to have a spare!

eddhorse · 16-05-2021 8:41pm

Might sell mine, more room needed, will put on marketplace when I test it.

CiDeRmAn · 21-05-2021 9:40am

A nice new shooter for the Vectrex on the way,
Vryzon, and it works on the base console, no PiTrex required.
It looks fantastic, another in the style of Galaga or Gorf but using the vector display to full effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzPYitfuAac

eddhorse · 21-05-2021 2:39pm

Anyone do a cap kit on their Vectrex? Any links for caps or info?

CiDeRmAn · 21-05-2021 8:47pm

eddhorse wrote: »

Anyone do a cap kit on their Vectrex? Any links for caps or info?

The Last Bandit did the work on mine.
This is a set, following a quick Google, but it is based in the US.
https://console5.com/store/vectrex-cap-kit.html

The Last Bandit · 21-05-2021 9:05pm

Ya console5 do them, but I'd not recommend replacing them unless they are actually causing trouble as those motherboards as ba$tards to work on and thruhole plating is terrible so most caps need to be solder on both sides

eddhorse · 22-05-2021 8:38am

The Last Bandit wrote: »

Ya console5 do them, but I'd not recommend replacing them unless they are actually causing trouble as those motherboards as ba$tards to work on and thruhole plating is terrible so most caps need to be solder on both sides

So you are saying you will do it for me?

The Last Bandit · 22-05-2021 8:51pm

Haha not a chance

Doge · 22-05-2021 9:45pm

Did anyone see the Robotron 2048 port coming to the Vectrex called Vobotron?

CiDeRmAn · 24-05-2021 12:53pm

Doge wrote: »

Did anyone see the Robotron 2048 port coming to the Vectrex called Vobotron?

Nope, you got a link to that?

Doge · 24-05-2021 1:04pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Nope

I didn't either! :pac:

Sorry, I was in a joking mood, I promise to never again.

Doge · 24-05-2021 1:36pm

Free pitrex case to avoid a ban?

eddhorse · 24-05-2021 2:04pm

vectrex.org.uk/roboclone.html

CiDeRmAn · 24-05-2021 4:15pm

eddhorse wrote: »

vectrex.org.uk/roboclone.html

That page hasn't been updated since 2003!
It was planned to be finished in 2004!

CiDeRmAn · 25-05-2021 6:13pm

God help me, but I have bought a conversion kit for an arcade stick, turning it into an analogue Veccy stick based on the Hall Effect.
It uses a magnet glued to the bottom of the stick shaft (ooh-er missus) and a custom PCB, and includes the connections too for buttons and whatnot.
Fingers crossed this thing works out!
Not that cheap, 51 sterling shipped...
Hopefully it will work as expected, and I won't bollix it up!

CiDeRmAn · 25-05-2021 6:14pm

This is the proto of a Hall effect stick working,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFGQ9oBMoI

25-05-2021 6:18pm

Haha same here not sure what exactly I'll do with it yet but will probably be bigger than the vectrex itself

deadl0ck · 25-05-2021 8:09pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Hopefully it will work as expected, and I won't bollix it up!

We'll be the judge of that when you post the pictures

CiDeRmAn · 06-07-2021 9:17pm

The PiTrex is back for sale!
https://www.ombertech.com/pitrex.php

The Last Bandit · 06-07-2021 10:14pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

The PiTrex is back for sale!
https://www.ombertech.com/pitrex.php

I’ve not even unwrapped the one I bought in the last round

CiDeRmAn · 12-08-2021 11:07pm

Don't know if this is going to work or not...

(Title of my sex tape!)

Vide Malban is at it again!

Having taken a break from Pitrex development, for a few months, he's back and is converting a game called World War Vi, which debuted on the Vecfever enhanced Veccy cart.

That is quite a limited run device, not to mention expensive, so it appearing on the relatively cheap and available PiTrex is a great thing.

Malban has only put a couple of hours into this and already it looks great.

Hopefully it'll have an early release in the coming week or two.

Edit: no, the YouTube link didn't automatically work...

Edit2: works now!

https://youtu.be/vEGlSXToHB4

SuperBowserWorld · 15-08-2021 11:20pm

Was playing Control, in 4K and the smoothness, sharpness and movement of a certain floating enemy in that game reminded me of BattleZone.

So, maybe now with 4K and 60FPS we are finally reaching the quality of that ancient game display technology 😊

06-10-2021 11:10am

Updated the vector area for some pre vectorwars practice.. Competition starting soon if anyone is interested in competing, it's a fun few days and gives a great excuse to play some vectrex games which you may have previously ignored.. Last year I found I had great fun playing tour de France which i had all but dismissed beforehand