PinScore or Rottendog Display

[smartbomb2084]

I'm working on a BLACK KNIGHT 2000 and both gas displays are just badly burned out.

For the cost of unsoldered glass replacements you can get one of these LED displays... but which one?

The Rottendog is $50 cheaper but has no adjustable brightness control.  It also uses through hole components which would be easier to service whereas the PinScore uses surface mount components.

The PinScore has a 5 year warranty and the Rottendog a 2 year warranty.

Anyone have any experience with them?   THANKS.

http://www.rottendog.us/DIS240.htm       

http://www.pinscore.com/products/pinball-displays/18-ps-12232-p16

[Jeff AMN]

I second the PinScore recommendation. I'm looking to replace my Bride of Pinbot ones in the next year or so, and I'm definitely getting PinScore displays. Right now mine are fully legible, but they're fading on the edge of a few letters. Not enough to make me rush out and replace them, but getting there.

[kastawaykid]

I also would go with  the Pinscore Displays. I have had multiple products from Rottendog, and none have them worked as they were advertised.  Never had any problems with any of Pinscore's products.

Kid

[RayB]

THe PinScores look real nice, but I'm going to put some tinting over them, otherwise the "unlit" portions of the digits are too visible. With tinting on top, the brightness control is necessary. So consider that.

[Q*Bert_OP]

The Rottendog is $50 cheaper but has no adjustable brightness control.  It also uses through hole components which would be easier to service whereas the PinScore uses surface mount components.

Do your research on R*TT*ND*G before buying. From personal experience with several of their product lines, I'd steer clear of them. I have also bought Pinscore displays and had no problems and very satisfied with them.

[smartbomb2084]

Thank you gentlemen for the input.

I guess this decision is now a no brainer as PinScore is the unanimous favorite. 

I found out that the brightness control, although seemingly useless for a stand alone game unless applying tint, can be used to match the brightness of the display to other like games with original displays in a line next to it.   

Since this game will be residing next to a POLICE FORCE the brightness feature is kind of a 'must have'.

Saving $50 would have been nice but as with most things in life you get what you pay for in the end.

.

[jrivelli]

To chime in late. I am 100% down with pinscore. Nearly all pins I get have display issues and I have used them on more than a few occasions.

No problems as of yet and it looks sharp!

[smartbomb2084]

Ordered the PinScore display. Waiting for it to arrive.

I see Bay Area Amusements is selling a new brand of display known as XPIN.

http://bayareaamusements.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=XPIN

Anyone hear of them?  Are they an overseas knock-off of PinScore?

The component layout of both boards look identical.

[jrivelli]

Looks like the same prices too, that's no fun

[smartbomb2084]

Well, I got the display and my opinion of it is mixed.

First off, it came with no stand-offs for installation and the ones in the original display wont fit.  So much for "everything included for a plug and play installation".    

Second, the font size is slightly different. The characters are a little taller and and less wide than the original.

Third, I have to completely agree with RayB's assesment that the unlit portions of the display are to visible especially if the room is not darkened. When the room is dark it isn't so bad.  Tinting might eventually be an option.
Adjusting the brightness up to max helps drown out the 'white unlit portions' a little.

[jrivelli]

With nearly all LED displays you will most likely need to tint the glass a bit. I get the tint at walmart for like 9% and it works great.

[jrivelli]

I know it'd be a crazy amount of work, but I've always wondered why someone didn't make vinyl decals for the LEDs that would cover up all the areas that don't light up.

+1

I wish they had something, even something cheap that came with those $200+ displays like you mentioned.