Main > Main Forum

First Mame cabinet, how is this deal?

Pages: (1/8) > >>

Bunghoolio:

Greetings, nice forum you have here. I have been reading quite a few posts over the past few weeks. I really want a cabinet, or perhaps a pedestal, loaded with the classic games I remember from the 80's and early 90's for my nephews and nieces to enjoy - and myself of course. I work as an IT programmer, so I am not too scared with all the work it will take to get it right. I found a cabinet in another state for sale second hand, that looks to be in good shape and includes some decent components (I really like what i've read about slikstik controls). My friend can look at it for me and make sure it functions. I think the owner may even include the pc with a little prodding, or I might build my own. It would cost me about $1000 total to purchase and get it shipped across country. Which is about all I can afford at present.

Here's a video of exact type of cabinet :

Does this sound like a good deal for a $1000?
Would a modern flatscreen and a pedestal setup be a better visual experience?

" * Custom MAME Cabinet
* SlikStik custom keyboard/control unit (includes built in spinner and trackball)
* Wells Gardner 27" monitor (great condition, no burn-in)
* Lighted coin door with dual-drop
* Custom lighted marquee
* Custom graphics on cabinet
* Ultimarc arcade video card
* Logitech sound system (speakers and subwoofer)

You install your own PC and MAME software.

Located in upstairs game room. You would be responsible to disassemble and transport."

RandyT:

I think you have to ask yourself if this is what you would build given the opportunity, or whether you'd rather have a different style cabinet, with a different different display, controls, etc...

If you were going to duplicate this setup, you'd have that much in the parts and pieces.  But if you'd rather spend the money you might ordinarily spend on the monitor and card to drive it, on say, a 50" Plasma, and put that in front of a pedestal control panel for a showcase-style cabinet, then you'd be better off taking that route.

It really depends on the experience you are expecting from the setup, and your ability to build your own idea of the perfect cabinet.  Only you can know the answer to those questions ;).

southpaw13:

I would build my own.  You need to understand the process of hardware/software if something stops working.  I set up a few systems for my friends and it was the worst thing I could ever do.  I feel like tech support now.  Most recent, I need to go over to one of my friends just to change out a CMOS battery!
 
-SP

Bunghoolio:


--- Quote from: southpaw13 on January 10, 2013, 08:45:13 am --- I set up a few systems for my friends and it was the worst thing I could ever do.  I feel like tech support now.

--- End quote ---
That is funny! My brother got himself into the same pickle fixing everyones car in his sparetime, the only thing that saved him was moving to another state.

In general, I want to get started in this hobby with a popular "known-good" plan (if that exists) and components, and with a budget of around a $1000 total. I'm not that interested in playing the most recent or resource demanding games, especially if that means many more hours to solve bugs, and at the sacrifice of the classic game performance. I hear both sides of the debate on which version of MAME to run, and both extremes seem to make valid points to me, So I imagine myslef installing a version at least a few back at first.

That being said, do the components listed lend themsleves to a quailty presentation and fit into a well-supported, less-than-average level of frustration to get working correctly?

Since I don't have the opportunity to compare a pedestal/flatscreen with a cabinet/27in like this one, I would appreciate any input on the differences and frustrations of using a wall mounted flatscreen vs a crt.

Are there "known-good" pedestal setups that are popular with the members of this forum that also fit my budget? Also, it seems to me that a slikstik classic with its wide layout, trackball and spinner would be better than a cheaper x-arcade control? But  on its own, the slikstik seems to to be about $500-600 new.         


southpaw13:

I think Randy had the best answer.  I once had a big honkin' set-up with every control name to man on it.  I now find myself building 19" CRT/LCD restorations because they just feel more authentic.  My 2 favorite multi games I built have the following:

1.  2 joystick 8 button each player---vertical.
2.  Trackball, spinner, 4 button with a flight stick on the side----rotating monitor.

Gets me through 99% of the games.

I also built a 2 steering wheel cabinet, and one with a Star Wars yoke.  I also bought guns than can go into just about any of these cabs.

So once again---do what's right for you.

Pages: (1/8) > >>

Go to full version