rastislav Posted June 9, 2019 Share Posted June 9, 2019 (edited) Hi guys! Let me share with you my latest build! It is, what I believe is a first lightpen with buttons for Vectrex which realy looks like pen! I know that some guy has made one few years ago, but it was made I think with 3D printed case with a bit weird design in my opinion with all the respect to the maker. Short story behind this is, that I've bought my first Vectrex about year ago and I thought that I could try to make a lightpen for it, which I have by using the known guide from Playvectrex. When finished I found the usage by drawing with one hand and controlling by other a bit clumsy but I said to myself - OK, it is like it is, anyway I am not an artist and didn't wanted to use it much. But than few weeks later, new video from Vectrex Roli came out, in which he was talking about Vectrex controllers and said that "there is no lightpen with buttons, but maybe somebody will make one someday", which turned a light in my head and I thought that maybe I could be that "someone". :-) The rest is a history - I made a prototype which worked well, so I made a first s.n.001 which is already in possession of Vectrex Roli since I think he deserves it as an author of an idea. On these pictures is the second one I've made. So feel free to comment and ask any questions. :-) Thank you, Rastislav Edited June 9, 2019 by rastislav 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDRAX Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Wow - Like That Got no Idea what to ask - only one comment: If you sell These I would really like to buy One ! Thank you for Building this nice Thing! Andreas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takevin Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Looks great. I'd like to buy one as well. Of your starting a list.thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shantke Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 If you decided to make more and sell them, I would also buy one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimitZer0 Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 It looks great. I'd like to buy one as well if you produce more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malban Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Looks awsome! You know you'll be drowned in requests now ?... Malban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50TBRD Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Great work. I've been waiting for someone to integrate buttons into a light pen for a very long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cNp Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Fantastic work, that looks great! Also interested if you decide to make a run of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Excellent work! I'd definitely love to buy one if any become available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayhem Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Would be interested in one Just to note, one of the original lightpen prototypes from 1983 (which I own) was a combined unit with the buttons on, so it's only fitting that eventually the idea is realised...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rastislav Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 Would be interested in one Just to note, one of the original lightpen prototypes from 1983 (which I own) was a combined unit with the buttons on, so it's only fitting that eventually the idea is realised...! Interesting, can you please attach a picture of this prototype? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fragsinatra420 Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 awesome project count me in, if you have a list one day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pucpuc Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 nice! really interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rastislav Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 Hi guys! Would realy like to make happy all of you, but I am quite bussy and I am software developer not hardware builder so to build these things manually takes much more time for me than to skilled builders. However I would like to build at least about 10 peaces, but can't promiss any dates, will see how things will go during summer holiday, maybe Ill find a time to make a few. I will put this one pictured here on ebay auction to give all equal chance to get it, will let you know when it'll be listed. The most annoying thing on building lightpens is moddifying the joystick connectors to fit Vectrex - its hard to make the cut so that it looks same every time and it does not look very well. I have got an idea to build a "Vectrex joystick cutter" either as some kind of pliers with which you could cut connector in single move, or as some kind of mold in which you would stick the connector and make cuts with knife or drill along the edges or gaps/slots. If I had such a tool I could make pens faster, so here is my offer: if somebody makes the VeciJoyCutter I will trade the lightpen for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcclure911 Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 I am definitely on board for one of these. Great craftsmanship! Sent you a message as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayhem Posted June 11, 2019 Share Posted June 11, 2019 Interesting, can you please attach a picture of this prototype? Even better, some video footage of me demonstrating it from about ten years ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classicgamesnut Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 Way cool innovation, man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rastislav Posted June 15, 2019 Author Share Posted June 15, 2019 Hi guys! Pen is now listed on Ebay: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F163736348999 Took me a bit longer to list it, but Vectrexroli has been very kind to warn me about a drawback of the lightpen, that blocking both ports might be a problem for users using multicarts with software menus so I have built and included in the offer also the Y joystick splitter so joystick can be connected in parallel with the pen. In future builds I will probably rather integrate the connector for joystick into the larger box (instead little box on the cables splitting point) so the there is less mess with the cables. So wish you the happy bidding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rastislav Posted September 1, 2019 Author Share Posted September 1, 2019 Hi guys! I have used summer holidays to design 2 modifications of the "RZ Pen" (the lightpen with buttons) for users which would like to use lightpen together with multicart requiring direction control for menu navigation: 1. The "RZ Pen-B" - with integrated direction buttons. 2. The "RZ Pen-C" - with integrated connector in which you can plug your existing controller to navigate through the menu. See the 5th picture with side-by-side comparison of all 3 versions. What do you think about it? Positive of the C version is that you can leave plugged the pen and the controller all the time weather you use the pen or not. Where do you think is better to put the connector? I have put it on the left side, but can be put on the right as well... The B version can even be used as a controller for playing games by some masochists I have also attached a picture of prepared pen shell for left-handed users, so you can see the Vectrex logo while holding it in left hand. ? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rastislav Posted September 7, 2019 Author Share Posted September 7, 2019 Hi guys, I have made a list of you interested in buying a lightpen and I will start making and shipping them to those still interested, just pls tell me again which version of the lightpen would you like (and if you like the version with the connector, on which side you prefer to have it) and if you like righ or left handed (difference is only on which side of the buttons is the Vectrex logo). The prices are: 100$ for A version, 125$ for C version and 150$ for B version. Shipping worldwide is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microprofessor Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, rastislav said: Hi guys, I have made a list of you interested in buying a lightpen and I will start making and shipping them to those still interested, just pls tell me again which version of the lightpen would you like (and if you like the version with the connector, on which side you prefer to have it) and if you like righ or left handed (difference is only on which side of the buttons is the Vectrex logo). The prices are: 100$ for A version, 125$ for C version and 150$ for B version. Shipping worldwide is free. I'd like to order one of the "RZ Pen-B". µP Edited September 7, 2019 by Microprofessor mistyped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takevin Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 (edited) I'll take option A I'm right handed. Edited September 7, 2019 by takevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmml Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 I‘d like Pen C, connector left, right handed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manic23 Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 I would be very interested in a C version Right handed please? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectorPolaris Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 8 hours ago, rastislav said: Hi guys, I have made a list of you interested in buying a lightpen and I will start making and shipping them to those still interested, just pls tell me again which version of the lightpen would you like (and if you like the version with the connector, on which side you prefer to have it) and if you like righ or left handed (difference is only on which side of the buttons is the Vectrex logo). The prices are: 100$ for A version, 125$ for C version and 150$ for B version. Shipping worldwide is free. Hey Rastislav! Please put me down for a Lightpen version B, right handed! Please let me know how I can send you payment - are the prices in USD? (Asking from Canada) Thanks! ~ Polaris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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