The world needs a portable Vectrex!

There are a couple of options to make the Vectrex more portable, while still retaining play-ability.

The most recent one is the Rasberry Pi version inside a 3D FFF printed case.

See Pyrofer’s site here: Mini Vectrex 3D Printed « Pyrofer’s Projects  An the related video here: https://youtu.be/YFW_f1jUhvE

Also reported here on Hackady. http://hackaday.com/2015/08/29/3d-printed-mini-vectrex/

The Vectrex in its current form is about as small as you can get due to the size of the tube. However, there is enough space inside the case to mount a battery pack and charge controller board. This would turn the Vectrex into a truly portable unit without the need to be plugged into the wall all of the time.

Going smaller and retaining the look of the tube would need to would involve implementing a different tube. Perhaps from an old Sinclair television. But rewinding the yoke, or modifying for a static type of deflection would be needed depending on the new tube choice.

What I would really like to see is some sort of laser projection system used to keep the spirit of vector graphics in place when recreating the platform.  Perhaps with some sort of phosphorescent wall screen / wall paint to replicate the persistence of the tube's look with it phosphor coating. Probably the more difficult solution. Sure nice to see on the side of a building at night.  Even without the screen.

There are a couple of options to make the Vectrex more portable, while still retaining play-ability.

The most recent one is the Rasberry Pi version inside a 3D FFF printed case.

See Pyrofer’s site here: Mini Vectrex 3D Printed « Pyrofer’s Projects  An the related video here: https://youtu.be/YFW_f1jUhvE

Also reported here on Hackady. http://hackaday.com/2015/08/29/3d-printed-mini-vectrex/

The Vectrex in its current form is about as small as you can get due to the size of the tube. However, there is enough space inside the case to mount a battery pack and charge controller board. This would turn the Vectrex into a truly portable unit without the need to be plugged into the wall all of the time.

Going smaller and retaining the look of the tube would need to would involve implementing a different tube. Perhaps from an old Sinclair television. But rewinding the yoke, or modifying for a static type of deflection would be needed depending on the new tube choice.

What I would really like to see is some sort of laser projection system used to keep the spirit of vector graphics in place when recreating the platform.  Perhaps with some sort of phosphorescent wall screen / wall paint to replicate the persistence of the tube's look with it phosphor coating. Probably the more difficult solution. Sure nice to see on the side of a building at night.  Even without the screen.

I think the Sinclair ftv 1 used a weirrd CRT that projected onto the side of the tube instead of the front so it probably isn't particularly easy to mod.