Debating on Size and Shape of Cab

[the3eyedblindman]

I am almost done with the computer for my cab, so I will soon start the actual construction of the cabinet.

I am debating over 2 cabinet descriptions, it will either be


A. A defender style cabinet made out of oak plywood.
( http://netbox.home.mindspring.com/arcade/)

B. A Dream Authentics style cabinet/ Gloss Black-this one ( http://www.dreamauthentics.com/index_ultraquad.htm)


which one is better? i think the dream authentics is a more up to date design and i think black is more realistic , but i want opinions,

Also, I cannot find any free plans for the dream authentics cab, does anyone have nay, thanks.

[GameDork]

I think I would go with B. I like the black better I think....

[jdfriesen]

I like the Dream Authentics one better too.

[the3eyedblindman]

I like the Dream Authentics one better too.

I cant find any free measurements for this cab anywhere tho, please, anyone, help!

[REBIRTH]

They are selling that baby for $4000, I doubt you'll find free plans/measurements on it.  But that machine is based off of the machines at this site:

http://www.cybertechdesign.net/mameroom/

And that site sells the plans to that for like $30 or so...

[paigeoliver]

Feh, build a Defender, I know like 30 percent of you guys have cabinets roughly based on that design that notches in in the back, but I HATE that design, doesn't look at all like any real cabinets.

Defender is easy to build (just made a cabinet that was mostly a Defender), easy to install the monitor in, and easy to make control panels for.

[DaveMMR]

I think the most important thing is which one you like better?  Because ultimately, it's really your decision.  

But since you asked, I was never a fan of the Defender shaped cabs, so I would cast my vote for the Dream Authentics style cab.  Nothing personal against the Def. cabs, just kinda boxy.

Then again, no cabinet shape was really ever unappealing to me.  Well except those round Duramold death machines that would melt and spit monitors out.  Oh and Computer Space.

[jdfriesen]

I kind of agree with Dave, I was just stating which of the two options I preferred.  I never really liked the Defender style either, and so the other won sort of by default.

I think growing up in the 80s, and not liking the Defender cab though, must mean something's wrong with me!

[barvaz]

I'd go with option A but painted black

The Dream Authentics design doesn't look very authentic to me, but that's just my opinion.

- barvaz

[Sylentwulf]

I'd go with option A but painted black
The Dream Authentics design doesn't look very authentic to me, but that's just my opinion.

Exactly. I think that quad one looks like someones bad mistake. The control panel is WAY too big, and looks like an ice cream sandwich. The bezel/monitor area looks a little weird, it just looks all out of proportion in general.

[REBIRTH]

I'd go with option A but painted black
The Dream Authentics design doesn't look very authentic to me, but that's just my opinion.

Exactly. I think that quad one looks like someones bad mistake. The control panel is WAY too big, and looks like an ice cream sandwich. The bezel/monitor area looks a little weird, it just looks all out of proportion in general.

Good point - what are you looking for, a 4 player setup or 2?  If you HAVE to have a 4 player setup then out of your two choices, you have to do the dream one, if you don't HAVE to have 4 player then you could do either but I would suggest the Defender style.  

And for Craig - the pre-1980 arace games were almost always wood color.  First version of Space Invaders was wood grain.  Check out KLOV.com, and look at the pre-1980 games, most were wood color.  That said, 99% of the games that people are "cloning" were not wood color.

[spidermonkey]

DEFENDER style all the way. That Dream Authentics cab was dremped up in someones head because I've never seen a cab that looks like that in any of the arcades I've been to.  Just build the style that *you* like. Everyone has their own idea of what an arcade machine should look like. Thats why its so much fun to look at the examples section and see other peoples perceptions of what an arcade machine should look like.