Features

Original Price

Add-on Light Pen

The light pen connects to a small interface box, into which the ZX Spectrum power supply is plugged. After loading the supplied software, a lead from the box connects to the Spectrum’s EAR socket. A photosensor in the pen detects the light emitted by the television screen as it is scanned, allowing the software to determine the position at which the pen is pointing. The supplied cassette includes 16 BASIC routines for drawing pictures on the screen.¹

£30.00 ¹

Datapen

The Datapen light pen, produced by Datapen Microtechnology Limited, is a self-contained input device for the ZX Spectrum, with all interface electronics housed within the pen itself.² It incorporates a switch for use without needing to look at the keyboard and an indicator light that signals whether the pen is pointing at a light or dark area of the screen.²

The supplied software includes an introductory program and drawing facilities. The accompanying manual explains how to use the pen and notes that machine-code knowledge is required to incorporate it into user-written programs. ² The interface design prevents other peripherals from being connected through its rear. ²

Datapen claimed pixel-level accuracy, compared with the character-block accuracy attributed to competing light pens. ³ A contemporary review praised its comfortable feel and professional build quality. ³

£29.00 ² £29.00 ³

Datel Light Writer

The Datel Lightwriter is a light pen system for the ZX Spectrum, supplied with a separate interface and software. The software provides on-screen drawing and painting facilities, including circles, squares and rectangles, freehand drawing, erasing, and selectable ink and paper colours. Functions are selected through an on-screen menu using the light pen. Graphics can be saved in memory on the 48K ZX Spectrum for use in animation or incorporation into games.⁴

£16.99 ⁴

dk'tronics Light Pen

The dK'tronics Spectrum Light Pen is supplied as a kit comprising a light pen with a 3.5 mm plug, a black interface box and cassette software. The interface connects through the computer's EAR socket, with the power lead routed through the box. The software provides an instruction menu and loads a machine-code program above RAMTOP. A control on the interface adjusts the pen's vertical response position by varying the pulse sent to the EAR socket. The contemporary review reported satisfactory operation but noted problems with the supplied cassette's 16K and 48K program arrangements.

£21.20 ⁵

dk'tronics Light Pen

The dK'tronics Light Pen connects to the rear of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum or to the rear of the printer connector. Its software supports 16 predefined instructions, including changing the border, paper and ink colours, drawing circles, arcs, boxes and lines, and inserting text. Completed or partially completed screens can be saved to and loaded from cassette.⁶

On the 48K Spectrum, the software also supports freehand drawing and animation, allowing up to five screens to be retained and animated. The supplied machine-code routines can also be incorporated into users' own programs for applications such as menu selection and games. The manufacturer advertised pixel-level accuracy.⁶

£19.95 ⁶

Spectrum Doodler

The Spectrum Doodler is a light pen system for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, supplied with an interface box, cassette software and instruction manual. The software uses icon-based pull-down menus and provides drawing tools including fill, brush, line, box and circle routines. Other features include a 16-colour palette with flashing option, adjustable line thickness, colour fills, textures, stock patterns, a design grid, freehand drawing, point-to-point drawing, continuous-line ribboning and text. The software also allows complete or incomplete pictures to be saved to cassette for later editing or use in other programs. An automatic trim feature adjusts the pen's accuracy to the television or monitor in use. ⁷

Two versions were available: one for the 48K Spectrum and another for the 128K model. The 128K version was supplied with an RGB adaptor lead that had to be connected to the computer's RGB socket, even when using an ordinary television. A contemporary review reported that the software ran only in 48K mode on the 128K machine, without taking advantage of its additional memory. ⁸

The reviewer praised the construction of the pen and interface and found the pen effective for freehand drawing, offering finer control than a mouse or joystick. However, the software was criticised for its cumbersome menus and lack of features such as elastic shape sizing and cut-and-paste editing. The reviewer concluded that the hardware was very good but was let down by the software. ⁸

£29.90 ⁷ £29.90 ⁸

Spectrum Light Pen

The Custom Cables International Spectrum Light Pen is an input device supplied with an interface circuit that plugs directly into the Spectrum's user port. It comes with a software program offering a menu of 16 routines for creating pictures, sketches, animations and graphs. The accompanying instructions are intended for users without prior knowledge of machine code or BASIC programming.⁹

£10.00 ⁹

Trojan Light Pen

The Trojan Light Pen is a graphics input device for the 48K Sinclair ZX Spectrum and several other home computers. Its software allows users to draw boxes, circles, lines and freehand pictures, with facilities to erase, save and load pictures. The advertisement describes the graphics as high resolution and states that the Spectrum supports eight colours.¹⁰

£14.95 ¹⁰