The VecAdapt is a hardware interface allowing the use of an unmodified Sega Mega Drive controller with the Vectrex. Fifty units were produced by Australian computer nerd Kevin Koster and were released for sale to the general public on Dec. 4, 2014. [1]
While Vectrex users have been modifying Mega Drive controllers for use with the Vectrex for many years, the VecAdapt is the first pre-built product allowing use of an unmodified Mega Drive controller which can be used interchangeably with both the Vectrex and the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis. The advantage here is that once the a controller is hacked for Vectrex use, it will never work with the Sega console again. The VecAdapt solves that problem, is ideal for households containing both Vectrex and Mega Drive systems. Also it's easier for the less-DIY inclined.
Basic setup
The basic setup requires three steps:
Plug the VecAdapt into the Vectrex controller port
Plug your unmodified Sega Mega Drive controller into the VecAdapt
Start playing!
Tony Holcomb also points out in the pre-production discussion thread that having dedicated controls is preferable to controller modding "not only because you can use them unaltered and still use them on the system they were originally intended for but also because you can use whatever controllers or accessories were made for that system." It might open up the possibility that accessories like the Justifier, TeeV Golf or Batter Up Bat could be designed to work with the Vectrex. [2]
Mega Drive = Sega Genesis in the USA
The VecAdapt is compatible with the original 3 button Mega Drive controller, and the later 6 button model.
A note on the name: the Mega Drive was released in the American market as the Sega Genesis; both names refer to a compatible product simply rebranded.Because the name "Mega Drive" was already registered in America to a hard disk storage solutions company, an alternative was chosen. This article will refer to the console as it was known in the global market, (the Sega Mega Drive) and and what it presumably would have been called in America if it weren't for legal issues. If you are an American, feel free to substitute the name "Genesis" in your mind wherever you see Mega Drive.
This auction shows 2 controllers for $8 shipped. It's not hard to find a similar deal from several ebay sellers.
Mega Drive controllers are still plentiful and inexpensive. With a 14-year retail lifespan[3], the console spawned a wealth of original and 3rd-party controllers. Plenty of inexpensive and also newly-produced generic controllers can be readily found on ebay as low as US$5 for a new (generic brand) controller shipped.
Compared to original working Vectrex controllers this is a cost effective alternative to hunting for original units to add a 2nd controller, or just to save wear-and-tear on your valuable originals.
Additional Features
The Vecadapt has two slide switches on the front, one to enable a built-in rapid fire circuit, and one to change the order of the buttons.
Availability
The VecAdapt is available direct for $38 AUD plus postage from Kevin Koster's webpage computernerdkev.heliohost.org. Including postage, this comes to around $44 USD for a single unit shipped to the United States.
Alternately, you can pay an additional $10 AUD for the privilege of ordering through ebay. See user the-mercuryarcrectifier. Do not choose this option unless you have a paralyzing fear of sending an e-mail to a human being, have nothing better to do with ten Australian dollars, or simply want a large portion of your purchase price to go to a site with a veritable monopoly on peer-to-peer online auctions.
Other editions and alternatives
A special edition with wood enclosure and stencilled graphic made available to the first 3 buyers.
Pre-production special edition
The first three "pre-production" units were housed in a swank wooden box with the word "VECADAPT" stenciled in large, friendly letters on the top.
Underneath the label, the Vecadapt has a rugged plastic exterior and a chemically-welded lid.
Standard edition
The next 50 units were built in plastic project boxes welded shut with plastic adhesive. They are labeled with printed paper with the serial number individually printed on each one.
DIY
At the time of this writing, VecAdapts are still available from the initial run. But if you stumble upon this at a future date and find they've been discontinued, schematics are available for DIY'ers. See: VecAdapt Technical Information for instructions. Kevin notes in his original post that he'd prefer you bought one of his.
Earlier Mega Drive controller-to-Vectrex conversion projects
