+davidcalgary29 Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 I've been looking on-and-off for a working unit for the past few years, and see that working consoles are routinely going for about $500-$700 USD. Is this a reasonable price for a working console with a few games? Is eBay the only good source now for the Vectrex? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 (edited) No, that's really inflated, imho. $500 for a minty boxed one, maybe. I wouldn't pay $700 unless it was complete, mint and included a few CIB games. That's being realistic, not typical "ebay prices". Loose, working ones generally go around $200-$300 Then, depending on the game, if any are included or not, whether they're loose or CIB, or least has an overlay and the condition of everything will vary widely in cost. Check sold listings. Overlays are essential for the "Vectrex Experience" too, imho, so always try to make sure those are included. Generally, loose carts are pretty cheap, but if you run across some of the rarer ones like Star Castle, Pole Position, and Polar Rescue, those will be the most expensive, upwards of $100. CIB will be much more, obviously. Again, check sold listings. Besides eBay, here on AA, Facebook group - Vectrex Fans Unite and the Vector Gaming Forum are good places to frequent for good deals and info. Bottom line is, be patient and wait for the right one to pop up. Good deals are out there, even on ebay. Good luck & I hope you're able to score one! There's nothing else like it and it's absolutely worth owning if you dig pre-NES consoles. ✌️ Edited October 18, 2020 by SiLic0ne t0aD 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colecovisionary Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 (edited) I had been considering a Vetcrex for the last 20 years and have explored everywhere and anywhere they are sold and IMO eBay is the best source, but Amazon, Mercari and Bonanza are good sources as well. Last year I finally broke down and bought one. I paid $450 for a system, controller, 4 games and 5 overlays. In the last 5 years, I have not seen a console that sold for less than $400 without games. They are becoming harder to find every day and are not going to get cheaper. Edited October 18, 2020 by colecovisionary 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colecovisionary Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 (edited) SiLicOne tOaD says "No, that's really inflated, imho. $500 for a minty boxed one, maybe. I wouldn't pay $700 unless it was complete, mint and included a few CIB games. That's being realistic, not typical "ebay prices". When you find this unicorn $200/$300 system by all means show us all! I haven't seen one that cheap in 5 years. Really, I must see all those amazing $200 working Vectrex systems out there. Edited October 18, 2020 by colecovisionary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 $400 loose is absolutely outrageous! It better have a good, working controller for that price. Otherwise, please don't pay that.. You're screwing yourself over. There's still plenty out there. Like I said, be patient and keep on the lookout for better deals. You'll run across something sooner or later. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Innit Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 There are plenty of auctions in the sold listings that had working consoles finish at around the £150-250 range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colecovisionary Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 Lord Innit, once again I ask to be shown these prices that you and Silicone Toad have seen, I showed you mine, now you show me yours. Check eBay right now for sold listing and this $400.50 system is the cheapest you will find https://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-GCE-Vectrex-Working-Game-Console-Includes-Controller-Games-Rare-Vintage/203144032917?hash=item2f4c53f295:g:tiUAAOSwSlRfi8EQ And here's one in the range you purport https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vectrex-Game-Console-For-Parts-Or-Repair/303731045182?hash=item46b7c7f33e:g:QNEAAOSwH5tfixeG P.S. Who in Their right mind would even consider buying a system without a fully working controller when replacing a controller gonna cost you at least $150? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colecovisionary Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 By the way, There is a very trustworthy and skilled repair shop for Vectrex consoles and controllers out there called Pinball Services. I had a controller with one rheostat that the carbon pad had been scraped off and replaced with a glued on piece of aluminum foil. I thought was completely irrepairable. For $60 they not only repaired it and replaced the overlay with one that looks stock, they calibrated it. It came back working better than my other undamaged stock controller. https://www.ebay.com/itm/VECTREX-CONSOLE-REPAIR/352972894782?hash=item522ed2f23e:g:3U4AAOSwLkReSFkd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Innit Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 Ho hum, screen grabs just taken off ebay in the last few minutes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Laser Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 yeah, i paid 200 Euros for a Vectrex with 5 games about 4 months ago. No boxes, no overlays, but everything works fine its possible, if you're not after mint collectables 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colecovisionary Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 (edited) Ho Hum, 1Euro = 1.17 USD 200 Euro = $235 USD. All of your screen grabs are from Europe and are 17% more in USD than you show and none offer shipping to the USA and if it were the heavy Vectrex would cost a pretty penny to ship stateside. Double Ho hum. Edited October 18, 2020 by colecovisionary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+davidcalgary29 Posted October 18, 2020 Author Share Posted October 18, 2020 Thanks, guys -- these price estimates help quite a bit. I'm in Canada, so shipping is going to cost about a hundred bucks from any source in any country. I'll search around a bit more, but will look at the $400-$500 price point as being reasonable for a working unit with at least one working controller and about five games with overlays. I've also asked to join the Facebook group, and will see what happens with that. I'll look at a European purchase, although I suppose I'll need a step-down converter for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Laser Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 (edited) Hmm, yeah. Prices in America are a bit different. I bought my Vectrex at eBay Kleinanzeigen, which is the flea market version with no bidding, no service. It's not even eBay anymore, it's another company that bought the name. I would have a look at craigslist. I also see people putting in overpriced Vertexes month after month but they are not getting sold Edited October 18, 2020 by Dieter Laser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Innit Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 Actually you would need a "step up" converter which if I remember correctly runs from two mains outlets. Probably best to secure a North American Vectrex. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uczmeg Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 Was the Vectrex more popular in the UK/Europe than the US? They seem pretty easy to get and reading the above the prices seem a fair bit lower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Innit Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 2 minutes ago, Dieter Laser said: Hmm, yeah. Prices in America are a bit different. I bought my Vectrex at eBay Kleinanzeigen, which is the flea market version with no bidding, no service. It's not even eBay anymore, it's another company that bought the name. I would have look at craigslist. I also see people putting in overpriced Vertexes month after month but they are not getting sold Yes it seems that they are a different in price. All I can say is, I'm glad I got mine when I did in 2013. £129 for a loose console and Minestorm overlay plus six CIB games and second controller, and that was including postage too. The seller packed it all incredibly well too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uczmeg Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 7 minutes ago, Lord Innit said: Yes it seems that they are a different in price. All I can say is, I'm glad I got mine when I did in 2013. £129 for a loose console and Minestorm overlay plus six CIB games and second controller, and that was including postage too. The seller packed it all incredibly well too. I have no idea when I got mine, £90 rings a bell and I seem to remember that hurt at the time. I've got a copy of Protector from the original batch (quick google) so it must have been before 2003... @Lord InnitDo we need a Vectrex Vestibule? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Innit Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 6 minutes ago, uczmeg said: Was the Vectrex more popular in the UK/Europe than the US? They seem pretty easy to get and reading the above the prices seem a fair bit lower. Maybe most Vectrexes in the USA are now in the hands of collectors for keeps, while here in Europe we are just starting to head that way..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikebloke Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 Can confirm that the UK prices have stayed pretty similar for years. I've always watched them but never went for it. I will likely regret it, as one day it will go up. $700 here would likely get you a near complete if not fully complete set in mixed poor to fair conditions. Its probably one of the few systems then that is cheaper here than the states. If you can drive to the seller, that helps as some are reluctant to post. Shipping to US seems dirt cheap compared to the other way round. I'm assuming Americans don't pay 25% extra for "import tax" either. That's on both item value and the cost of shipping combined. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+davidcalgary29 Posted October 18, 2020 Author Share Posted October 18, 2020 What are the power requirements for the Vectrex? I have a Zendure Passport "international travel adapter" that I bought off of Kickstarter. From the Zendure website: "most modern electronics are quite happy running at anything between 100v and 250v". Is this information accurate or just reckless? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Innit Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 220 to 240 volts in the EU. I wouldn't call the Vectrex modern today. If that Zendure Passport can step up the voltage from 110 to 220 then ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+davidcalgary29 Posted October 18, 2020 Author Share Posted October 18, 2020 It cannot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vectrexer Posted October 20, 2020 Share Posted October 20, 2020 On 10/18/2020 at 1:59 PM, Lord Innit said: 220 to 240 volts in the EU. I wouldn't call the Vectrex modern today. If that Zendure Passport can step up the voltage from 110 to 220 then ? Most wall wart power convertors are not suitable for Vectrex, or other old electronics, uses. You will want to stay with a sine wave type of power converter. In the USA or Canada that would be an external Step-Up or Step-Down power transformer when used a foreign (UK / Euro / Nordic / Japan) Vectrex. Something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-voltage-converter-Transformer-Charging/dp/B00EEJZQ5W/ref=sr_1_5 Or you could also use a Double-Conversion, Pure Sine Wave, UPS. More expensive. The Vectrex needs at least 40 Watts of power. Really, it does better with 55 to 60 Watts. When determining a Step-Up/Down transformer to use I suggest one that can supply at least 75 to 100 Watts continuous. From the various region Vectrex rear panel labels. GCE Vectrex USA Voltage : 120 VAC MB - GCE Vectrex, Canadian Voltage : 120VAC MB Vectrex UK Voltage : 240VAC MB Vectrex Australia Voltage : 240VAC MB Vectrex Euro (France) Voltage : 220 VAC MB Vectrex Euro (Germany) Voltage : 220 VAC MB Vectrex Euro (Netherlands) Voltage : 220 VAC MB Vectrex Euro (Spain) Voltage : 220 VAC MB Vectrex Euro (Italy) Voltage : 220 VAC MB Vectrex Euro (Sweden) Voltage : 220 VAC MB Vectrex Euro (Finland) Voltage : 220 VAC Bandai Vectrex, JAPAN Voltage : 100VAC 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glitcholog Posted November 9, 2020 Share Posted November 9, 2020 I bought mine almost a decade ago for about 100$ on ebay (a loose one). Still working with 8 games, a few manuals and overlay. However, the controller itself has one of its button "semi-stuck" but still work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 Try a WANTED ad on your local Craigslist (or similar)... I did that about 5 years ago. The ad ran for about 4 weeks with no bites, and then one day a guy messaged me that he was willing to sell his. It was a unit in very good working order, one working controller and no other items. I was able to test it with Minestorm and it seemed great. The price was $200 CND, about $150 US at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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