What's the best B/W vector monitor? And why?

cwilkson

Well-known member

Donor 5 years: 2021-2025
Joined
Aug 6, 2006
Messages
8,888
Reaction score
6,875
Location
Detroit, Michigan
I'm looking for a B/W vector monitor for my new game (prototype vector). I'd like opinions on what is the best b&w vector monitor and why you think so. I'm considering a few projects that will have vector displays, so keep that in mind.

I'm also open to the idea of developing a new monitor for this purpose and as an easy to obtain/maintain modern replacement for classic monitors.

This is a long term project and is by no means guaranteed to happen. I'm just looking for data right now. Please keep it civil. :) Thanks!
 
Any B&W vector monitor you can get is the best.

All the tubes are compatible so really it's the chassis that matters.

I prefer the LAI chassis myself. I have collected 4 of them, and only have got 2 that work at this stage. (a simple all in 1 chassis)

Electrohome G05-802/805 19" and Wells Gardner 19V2000 are another 2 options.

An older possibility is the G05-801.

Good luck, like I say any one you can get is the best one as you may not see a lot available

All the best
 
I didn't know about the LAI chassis. I'll have to look into it. I'm aware that none of these things are easy to get a hold of, certainly not in quantity. And the individual parts are getting hard to find in some cases. That's why I'm considering designing my own. So that they'll all be the same, easy to get, etc. And that's why I'm asking for opinions about the best classic monitors. So I can collect the best features into the new design.
 
I didn't know about the LAI chassis. I'll have to look into it. I'm aware that none of these things are easy to get a hold of, certainly not in quantity. And the individual parts are getting hard to find in some cases. That's why I'm considering designing my own. So that they'll all be the same, easy to get, etc. And that's why I'm asking for opinions about the best classic monitors. So I can collect the best features into the new design.

There is only 1 thing not available on the board (LAI) and that's the flyback

Maybe an alternative is the answer

I am about to run some bare PCBs as 2 of my chassis have cracked PCBs

I will reuse the Flybacks and have 4 working chassis one day
 
Thanks Dezbaz. Nobody else has any opinions to share? Seriously? Common guys....I'm talking about releasing new vector games.

NEWLY DEVELOPED VECTOR GAMES!!!

I'm not going to be able to just snag a V2000 here and there. I'm going to need [cue: mindless optimism] hundreds of identical monitors to make a "wide" release game series.
Where are the vector lovers? Where are the guys that have to fix these 40-year-old beasts? Where are the display purists? Heck, where are the haters? I'm looking to avoid problems, and nobody can talk about vector problems like those guys.

Maybe I should post this in the general section?
 
I would think you would have a much better chance of making new color vectors. I have no idea where you would find a ton of BW tubes.
 
I would think you would have a much better chance of making new color vectors. I have no idea where you would find a ton of BW tubes.

On the one hand, I wonder why someone hasn't made a new color vector yoke and neckboard that works on a common 90deg cr23 thrift store tube. On the other hand, there are probably enough original monitors out there, that are repairable, if you're willing to spend the money, and most people tend to want original stuff in the game, as they view it as a collectible as much as anything.
 
Hey we're interested in new vector games ! If you are smart, you are going to design a game PCB that will fit in a vector game that still has a good number of machines running in the world, let's say Asteroids.

Make the new game PCB plug and play (preferably with the controls also) and you will sell pretty well I guess.

Now, mind you, you will have to make a VERY good game and that is one tough cooky. But again, I vote for it.

Now, building (and selling?) NEW B/W vector games for the arcades ?? Good luck !!

First, where to get a big run of (new?) B/W tubes ?
The one's you can still find today are usually NOS. Then, can you truelly believe that a game like that would still work in (what is left of) today's arcades? I mean, Joe Average is used to close to life graphics with millions of colors....

About the LAI, I had one in my Meteor cab but I've sold it. It was working. I really liked that design it was very clean. However, they used "power packs" instead of descrete transistors. Not sure if these are still easily and widely available ?

Rebuilding a simple thing like the G05-802 shouldn't be THAT hard.... if you can get a HVT that works.
 
About the LAI, I had one in my Meteor cab but I've sold it. It was working. I really liked that design it was very clean. However, they used "power packs" instead of descrete transistors. Not sure if these are still easily and widely available ?

I just ordered some stock today for 3 of my machines, all from the same guy. I have 8 of the IC power packs on the way for $115.00 all up. They consist of 2 transistors in one (IE 1 x IC replaces 2 x equiv. G05 transistors), so the price is right I think

Anyway, that's my 20c :)
 
I just ordered some stock today for 3 of my machines, all from the same guy. I have 8 of the IC power packs on the way for all up. They consist of 2 transistors in one (IE 1 x IC replaces 2 x equiv. G05 transistors), so the price is right I think

Anyway, that's my 20c :)

Actually they have 5 transistors (plus some resistors and diodes built in, STK0040 and STK0080).

I really like it that everything is on that single PCB on the LAI. No connectors and wires running to power transistors mounted on the metal side, no separate HV box/PCB.

Nice set-up.
 
Yeah, baby...this is more like it. Getting some discussion now!

Don't forget to tell me what's good about your particular favorites. Otherwise it's just like "my Amiga is better than your stupid DOS crapthing!!! NYAH!!!!" I need to know why makes it a good design so I can incorporate those features in the final design.

EVENTUALLY, I'd like to produce some new color vectors. But I want to start simple. As far as putting these things in arcades...no. They wouldn't be accepted as you say. My target would be the collecting community.

By Level42's standards, I'm smart. This is in my Asteroids Deluxe cabaret (using a 15V2000, which I like a lot). It's plug and play. Just unhook everything from the harness, swap the cp, and hook the new board stack to the monitor, audio regulator, and the new cp. Oh, and install the super cool LED score board. :p

MOVING pics....so it happened. :) This is a cell phone capture, but the display is just as sharp and the control is just as smooth as you'd expect a vector to be. Wanted to put this up so people know it's not [all] vaporware.

 
Looks cool for a start !

A suggestion ? Maybe you can fund the actual games by making a simple vector generator that is capable of putting some test-screens on a vector monitor, I'm pretty sure those would be in "high" demand ("high" meaning the relatively of course).

Also a nice way to do some "first practices" ?
 
Just came across some pictures I made from the LAI that was in my Meteor and thought you guys might be wanting to see it.

Now THAT is a neat design.

web.jpg


web.jpg



Everything on 1 PCB, no connectors for wires that run to transistors somewhere mounted on a metal side, a decent heat-sink, power-packs instead of discrete transistors and you simply mount the tube any way you like ;)

The tube is a 19VFWP4. Could be an alternative for a 19VARP4 ?
 
Last edited:
Just came across some pictures I made from the LAI that was in my Meteor and thought you guys might be wanting to see it.

Now THAT is a neat design.

web.jpg


web.jpg



Everything on 1 PCB, no connectors for wires that run to transistors somewhere mounted on a metal side, a decent heat-sink, power-packs instead of discrete transistors and you simply mount the tube any way you like ;)

The tube is a 19VFWP4. Could be an alternative for a 19VARP4 ?

Yes, all of the 19" or 20" tubes are alternatives. All of the yokes are interchangable too.

This same chassis (with small minor alterations) also runs the 14" tubes too
 
If you're designing a new game, complete with hardware and cabinet, anyway, why not dispense with the CRT completely? Spend some lab time with a fresnel screen, laser diodes, and custom optics. I've been intending on building a vector front-projector from laser pointers and deflection mirrors once I have the money for a major project, and I don't see why you couldn't scale it down for a self-contained rear projection setup.
 
Back
Top Bottom