Atari Vector Monitor Showdown

famicom

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I was wondering if you guys could tell me which type of monitors the follow vectors use / which games can use the same monitor

Star Wars / Empire Strikes Back
Gravitar / Black Widow
Quantum
Asteroids Deluxe
Major Havoc
Space Duel
Tempest
Lunar Lander


These are all games I would love to own dedicated cabs at some point, but I am thinking of just trying to acquire all the different monitors needed to play them. Obtain the individual boards. Then, make control panels from reproduction parts. I can use these to later restore any dedicated cabs I later obtain. Stupid idea?
 
Star Wars / Empire Strikes Back Ampliphone
Gravitar / Black Widow Wells 6100
Quantum Wels 6100
Asteroids Deluxe Go5-802 or 19v2000
Major Havoc Ampliphone/Wells 6100
Space Duel Wells 6100
Tempest Wells 6100
Lunar Lander Go5-801

All these are the origional monitors they came with. They have been replaced over the years.
 
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All these are the origional monitors they came with. They have been replaced over the years.

Thanks a bundle.

When you say they have been replaced, what other options are there besides the original? Are these options better or worse? I was under the impression that most would choose to rebuild the originals or find NOS (may not exist on these vector monitors idk)
 
Also note that from a functionality standpoint, all of these monitors are electrically compatible. You can run a black and white vector game on a color monitor.

If you are only going to have one monitor, I'd suggest the Wells Gardner 6100. It's easier to get than the Amplifone. It can be used for all of the games you listed.

-Ian
 
Also note that from a functionality standpoint, all of these monitors are electrically compatible. You can run a black and white vector game on a color monitor.

If you are only going to have one monitor, I'd suggest the Wells Gardner 6100. It's easier to get than the Amplifone. It can be used for all of the games you listed.

-Ian


Thanks Ian. That's really nice to hear because it lowers my starting cost to be able to support all the games.

Are there size differences between the WG and the Ampliphone? Also, does one have better picture / build quality or its more or less the same?
 
All the monitors have the same size picture tube - 19". The Amplifone was made in a 25" version, but they were only used in Star Wars cockpits (AFAIK) and they are very rare.

The Amplifone is physically larger since it uses a 90 degree picture tube. It also does not have a traditional "frame" - it's just a picture tube mounted into the cabinet, with board guides on the sides of the cab to hold the deflection and HV boards. It was only used on a couple of games - most notably Star Wars. Other games were shipped with it - but also shipped with the 6100.

The Amplifone has better picture quality. Most versions of the Amplifone used a medium resolution picture tube, for a sharper picture. Also, the Amplifone is faster - the slew rate is better meaning it can draw more vectors on the screen with less flicker.

But, since the Amplifone has a different deflection angle than the WG6100 (90 degrees versus 100degrees), you'll get a slightly bowed screen when you use a 6100 on Star Wars, or an Amp on a game meant for a 6100. It's not that big of a deal, but it really bothers some people.

The Amplifone is hard to get because it had a VERY high failure rate - almost every one of the original flyback transformers failed. As such, most of them were trashed years ago. Star Wars is very commonly found with a WG6100 replacing the Amplifone for this reason. Fortunately, now replacement flybacks are available - so an Amplifone can be easily repaired. It's definitely the superior monitor, but again, hard to get. Also, since the Amplifone has no frame - you'll have to mount it in one or make something to hold the deflection and HV boards if you install it in a cabinet that didn't ship with one.

The 6100 is a pretty good monitor, relatively easy to find, easy to work on, and all the parts are available to repair it. It will electrically work in any Atari vector game. It's not quite as nice as the Amplifone - but overall I think it'll be easier to use across multiple boards/cabinets/setups. It has the same mounting ears that color raster monitor have, and will drop into any normal 19" cabinet. You will need the monitor, and an Atari power block from the bottom of the cabinet - since vector monitors use the center tapped winding for power - not a standard isolation transformer.

-Ian
 
All the monitors have the same size picture tube - 19". The Amplifone was made in a 25" version, but they were only used in Star Wars cockpits (AFAIK) and they are very rare.

The Amplifone is physically larger since it uses a 90 degree picture tube. It also does not have a traditional "frame" - it's just a picture tube mounted into the cabinet, with board guides on the sides of the cab to hold the deflection and HV boards. It was only used on a couple of games - most notably Star Wars. Other games were shipped with it - but also shipped with the 6100.

The Amplifone has better picture quality. Most versions of the Amplifone used a medium resolution picture tube, for a sharper picture. Also, the Amplifone is faster - the slew rate is better meaning it can draw more vectors on the screen with less flicker.

But, since the Amplifone has a different deflection angle than the WG6100 (90 degrees versus 100degrees), you'll get a slightly bowed screen when you use a 6100 on Star Wars, or an Amp on a game meant for a 6100. It's not that big of a deal, but it really bothers some people.

The Amplifone is hard to get because it had a VERY high failure rate - almost every one of the original flyback transformers failed. As such, most of them were trashed years ago. Star Wars is very commonly found with a WG6100 replacing the Amplifone for this reason. Fortunately, now replacement flybacks are available - so an Amplifone can be easily repaired. It's definitely the superior monitor, but again, hard to get. Also, since the Amplifone has no frame - you'll have to mount it in one or make something to hold the deflection and HV boards if you install it in a cabinet that didn't ship with one.

The 6100 is a pretty good monitor, relatively easy to find, easy to work on, and all the parts are available to repair it. It will electrically work in any Atari vector game. It's not quite as nice as the Amplifone - but overall I think it'll be easier to use across multiple boards/cabinets/setups. It has the same mounting ears that color raster monitor have, and will drop into any normal 19" cabinet. You will need the monitor, and an Atari power block from the bottom of the cabinet - since vector monitors use the center tapped winding for power - not a standard isolation transformer.

-Ian

I really appreciate the detailed response—exactly what I needed!

Anyway, it looks like I will take your advice and get the WG to start with and maybe try to source an Amplifone later down the road or just wait till I get a dedicated cab for an Amplifone specific game.

About what price am I looking for on a fully serviced / restored WG6100 with no burn in?
 
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