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>>> The add-ons <<<
More RAM
Let's face it ... 8K RAM was not much even back in 1983. I just wanted to play a game of VZ Learjet but 8K was just not enough .. something had to be done. Courtesy of Mr. Tim Hartnell, I got myself a 16K RAM expansion cartridge and I thought world peace have arrived. This cartridge slots inot the back of the VZ 200 where it accomodates the memory expansion pins and provides a whopping 24K of RAM. This cartridge was assigned a catalogue no. of X-7205 at $AUS 79.00 if they are still available.
A 64K cartridge was later introduced but it was really designed for the VZ 300.
Printer interface
If you could afford a 16K cartridge, then chances are that you could even afford to buy a printer interface. This interface plugs into the back of the VZ 200 where you can find the slot labelled 'Peripheral'. The catalogue was certain that it would connect the VZ 200 to any standard centronics type printer. Sorry but I cannot verify whether it will work with the modern laser and inkjet printers. However, Dave Maunder reports that he connects his VZ to a STAR dot matrix printer to produce HEX hardcopies of VZ games. Cat. no. X-7210 for $AUS 49.50.
Joystick
Sorry again, I never did own a pair of these but I do remember that they were nothing like a MS Sidewinder. Here's a screenshot of that 'gamer's must have'.
Cassette recorder
Even if it meant to wait for 5 minutes for space invaders for the VZ 200 to load, it was far far far better than keying the program and leaving the machine on for a whole week because the game would disappear as soon as I power it off. The VZ 200 came with the right leads to hook up to a generic cassette recorder. However, I had so much trouble fiddling with the volume control setting that I decided to buy a dedicated VZ casette recorder with a preset volume setting. Mine was the 'Laser DR 10' which was bough in Hong Kong. A newer model was released to complement the VZ 300.
Light pen
One did exist but only in Germany. Ask Dave Maunder for more information.
