Question About XY Monitors (Zektor)

[philexile]

Hello,

I was interested in getting a Zektor - http://www.zektor.com/zvg/zvg_cpix.htm - and had a question. I own a Vectrex, so I could use that to output, but I was curious if I could get a good color XY monitor still. Are these very expensive and which are the most reliable, etc?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers

[system11]

I think you'd be better posting that on the klov forums - nobody here is going to know. I can tell you that colour vector monitors are fantastically expensive though, even in untested condition.

[philexile]

Thanks - I wasn't aware of Klov. How fantastically expensive?

[system11]

I saw a pair of them sell recnetly on ebay UK, both sold as 'worked last time I tested it' (so: untested), 300 and 350 GBP.

[Paladin]

First of all, are you aware that they no longer make the Zektor board? Right now the only way to get one is to find a used one. They don't pop up for sale often, and when they do they go for good money - around $250 if I remember right.

There are 2 brands of color vector monitor, Wells Gardner 6100 and Ampliphone. Cutting it down to basics, the Ampliphone is more or less a medium resolution tube and has a finer picture. Ampliphone was primarily used in the original Star Wars arcade game, and they are the hardest to find and more costly of the two. The 6100 was used in many games, including Tempest, Space Duel, Gravitar, etc... Either way, you're looking at $300 and up for a working monitor.

You could get a black and white vector monitor, they were used in games like Asteroids, and Omega Race. They run around half the price of the color versions. Electrohome GO5 and Wells Gardner 19V2000 are the most common. Here's an excellent guide for maintaining them:
http://www.crazykong.com/tech/bw_vector_monitor_faq.pdf

Having owned several Tempest's, I'm of the opinion that the monitors are more prone to problems than raster monitors. Some poeple say once rebuilt they're fairly reliable, but you'll find just as many people who have problems even after rebuilding. This also brings up the matter of replacement parts. As of now there are no replacement tubes or yokes available for these monitors, you have to find used ones. There is a guy who's talking about making replacement monitors, but no clear idea of when that might be.

As bloodflowers said, KLOV would be the place to go for more information:
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/

It would be an awsome project, post progress pictures if you decide to through with it!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

At the 2008 Callifornia Extreme show, a guy brought a Zektor upright cab set on Free Play mode. It was stunning to see it up & running in person. The owner opened up the coin door and adjusted the contrast and overall brightness for a truly eye-popping experience not to be missed. After watching him play on it for a few minutes, he played like a true champ.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~