Cost comparison - touchscreen vs buttons

[RickDIII]

Hey all,

I'm almost finished with my arcade and next on the list is a juke.  So now I am starting to research and starting to think about design.  I love some of the work people in here have done!  Inspiring!   

So, here's my question - Can you give me some idea what your costs were for interfacing via buttons vs. touchscreen?  There are a number of touchscreen options available on ebay etc. and they seem to be in the $200 range (correct me if I'm wrong or if I'm skimming the bottom of the barral with cheapies that are trash).   When comparing that to total amount spent for buttons, illumination, wiring, encoder, etc. what do the final results look like? 

I guess I'm trying to decide if the difference will be in the $100 range.  If so, I might go for the touchscreen...

I would love to hear some totals from people that have put projects together.

Thanks,
Rick

[mccoy178]

I would say the cost is negligable.  If you like touchscreen, then the cost is worth it.  You could cheap out the button setup and only have $60-80 involved. 

[BobA]

touch screen has the wow factor.

[Chris]

I'm with McCoy.  Build the unit you want to build.

[RickDIII]

I would say the cost is negligable.  If you like touchscreen, then the cost is worth it.  You could cheap out the button setup and only have $60-80 involved. 

This is what I was thinking.  I didn't think you could do it for much cheaper than half the cost of a touchscreen.  I'm really leaning toward touch screen for a couple of reasons:
1.  Wow factor 
2.  Simply easier to install than building a cp and custom cutting all the buttons, doing the wiring to the encoder, ect.

[clanggedin]

If you watch Ebay you can pick up a CRT touch screen for around $80 with shipping included in the price.

If you are going gor a more nostalgic feel than go ewith buttons, if not then touchscreen is the way to go. Easier setup less holes to cut.

[reptilehead]

I've seen touchscreen overlays brand new go for around 150, and depending on the software, button costs can get insane, then you have to wire the interface, not to mention BUY the interface, cut the holes, and install all the buttons. If you're looking for "nostalgia" and time means nothing, go for the buttons... not to mention everyone that knows NOTHING about making a juke can be impressed with your highly technical wiring skills.
 I personally like touchscreens just for the ease of setup, the time it would take me to wire the whole thing, and get it working makes it a bit less appealing than spending the extra cash and having a cleaner looking no button setup. Plus it'll look great next to the Jack Daniels blackjack table/bar.

[JackTucky]

I built one with buttons.  I hate the buttons.  Waiting on a good priced touch screen to rebuild.

Jacktucky

[RickDIII]

Thanks All!

Sounds like I have my answer.  Touchscreen it is! 

[Barry Barcrest]

Good choice, once you have had a touchscreen jukebox running you'll wonder how you ever coped using any other input method 

[leapinlew]

I'm using a touchscreen and I love it. I'm using Freebox, but I've heard some other people have had some success with SK I think. Good luck.

[thajenius]

I got my 17" ELO touchscreen for $70 on ebay, works wonderfully!

[Popcorrin]

I have been trying to find a touchscreen kit for a 15" lcd.  Anyone have any advice where to find one at a reasonable price?  Haven't had much luck searching ebay.

Thanks

[GoldnRd]

don't forget about a remote...that way you don't have to get up to skip a song or queue up a new album

[BobA]

Link for US touch screens.
http://www.enablemart.com/productDetail.aspx?pid=329&dept=74&store=10