On a slow boat from China.. (It's in!!!)

[Singapura]

After a few unsuccessful attempts to start the build of my own cab I couldn't wait any longer and had it built in China. The manufacturing and transport cost are quite reasonable (sub $800) and it comes with all electronics, a multi sync arcade monitor, a 1000-in-1 board and a spare control panel(!). I'm planning to take out most of the hardware and put in proper Happ joysticks and a trackball in the 2nd CP.

To smoothen the import I've asked an agent to do all the paperwork for me and that's where the rip-off starts! The expenses include such things as "forklift fee" of $40, a "load off fee" of $10, a "paper fee" of $25 and so forth. All in all the distance from the harbor to my apartment is almost $400! It's still a lot cheaper than bringing in a cab from the States or even building my own (seeing that I don't have the space and/or equipment) but those Singapore port authorities shure know how to rake in the profits. 

[deadsoulz]

Whats the final cost?  What does it look like?

[Ummon]

If you got cash, and don't want to pick it up from the harbor yourself, then so be it. Myself, seeing as how the shipping cross-country for a 27" monitor was only $97, I went ahead and drove 20 miles round-trip to the freight company's 'local' warehouse.

[TOK]

I'm not sure why, but all I can imagine is you opening the box and a Chinese person jumps out and runs away.
Post some pics when it gets there, regardless of whats in the crate. 

[thatitalian]

Links to this site or place??

[saint]

No links please. These boards are copyright violations.

[Lutus]

I am super interested in what this thing will look/function like when you get it.

[ark_ader]

Artwork painted with lead, and the screen characters all in Chinese I bet.

Where do you live that you cannot buy a machine locally? 

Mongolia?      

[Ginsu Victim]

Artwork painted with lead, and the screen characters all in Chinese I bet.

Where do you live that you cannot buy a machine locally? 

Mongolia?      

Singapore

[grantspain]

real good cabs being made in china now,sega astro,blast city,ls sound and as cheap as anything
not a fan of woody cabs but i have an idea of which one you have gone for and it looks o.k

[Singapura]

Despite all the  propaganda against Chinese products, there are a lot of good things coming from that country. Even "proudly designed in the U.S.A." often means "...but manufactured in the P.R.C."  Microsoft, Apple and Dell to name a few all have factories in the "free economic zone" of Shenzen, near Hong Kong. I've been there and the area looks a lot more modern and better kept than the early 1900 industrial complexes in Detroit or Chicago. Chinese branded hifi equipment is some of the best in the world (Cayin for instance) and even Chinese cars are getting better.

Anyway, I will give a full review of the cab when it gets here. In the meantime, look at my avatar for a preview. It's not a copy of anything but an original design.

[danny_galaga]

i'm surprised people are still surprised about things being made in china. even my gameboy and atari lynx are made in china!

[Singapura]

Just got a call from the shipper that the machine has arrived. I wish it was just a simple thing to go to port and collect it but I can't import without an agent. Anyway, I'd still have to pay the official charges. All in all it's not that bad, the total sum would be below $1000 for a brand new machine. Shipping a container would be much cheaper as the fixed costs are the same.

[borals]

Very interested to see how this goes for you.

I live in Australia, I wonder if the process will be as simple for me.

Can you PM me the details on how you went about ordering one?

Cheers.

[mhermann]

I'm not sure why, but all I can imagine is you opening the box and a Chinese person jumps out and runs away.
Post some pics when it gets there, regardless of whats in the crate. 

Not sure why, but I laughed out load readying this.

[TOK]

I'm not sure why, but all I can imagine is you opening the box and a Chinese person jumps out and runs away.
Post some pics when it gets there, regardless of whats in the crate. 

Not sure why, but I laughed out load readying this.

You have a very twisted sense of humor and should probably be on multiple medications. 

[(+_+)]

I'm not sure why, but all I can imagine is you opening the box and a Chinese person jumps out and runs away.
Post some pics when it gets there, regardless of whats in the crate. 

Not sure why, but I laughed out load readying this.

You have a very twisted sense of humor and should probably be on multiple medications. 

I laughed out loud as well. I guess that makes 2 of us then that need the meds.

[ahofle]

Make it 3. 

[Jdurg]

Make it 3. 

Make it 4, but I am currently on meds because of the car accident...........   

[Singapura]

It wouldn't matter much here because 80% of Singaporeans are of Chinese origin  Oh, a small update, my cab is now stuck at customs because they think it's a gambling device. I knew they shouldn't have put in that coin box 

[TPB]

my cab is now stuck at customs because they think it's a gambling device. I knew they shouldn't have put in that coin box 

Hopefully the 1xxx-in-1 board installed inside your cab, doesn't have any Slot Machine ROM's, ala one-armed bandits ?

Otherwise, you may be kissing goodbye to your cab ...

And a lucky Customs Official shall have a nice addition to his lounge-room, courtesy of the Impounded Goods department.   

[TPB]

... that's where the rip-off starts! The expenses include such things as "forklift fee" of $40, a "load off fee" of $10, a "paper fee" of $25 and so forth. All in all the distance from the harbor to my apartment is almost $400!

Regarding the detention of your cab by Customs, on their suspicion it's a "Gambling Device" ...

Did you forget to pay the " Grease Palms of Customs Officials Fee " ?   


Oh, hang on, that's right ... Singapore's a respectable S.E. Asian country like Hong Kong, isn't it ... it doesn't have corruption embedded in the daily workings of its Government departments.

If you had instead imported your cab. into nearby Jakarta, a little grease may have helped to expedite the process.   

[Singapura]

I know all about the Indonesian "below the table" fees, I got married in that country.... (Un)fortunately, Singapore is supposed to be the least corrupt country in SE Asia. Officially at least 

[grantspain]

bit too late for you but if anyone ever imports a cab kit into a country that has strong gambling laws then make sure there is no coin handling system with it,we have strong laws here in andalucia but as long as there is no coin mech then i am o.k-cash box door is a service door for where you keep the schems and manuals

[Singapura]

Customs seems to have granted a permit so my cab is coming in tomorrow. Must be the two casino's they're building that makes them easier on the gambling 

[Singapura]

Finally!!!!! The forwarder delivered my PlaySky. Total import was around 300 USD which is less then I expected. First impressions are very favorable. The cab is solidly built and covered with plastic film. All the electronics are built in neatly. The cab is around 80Kg and cost me around 20 liters of sweat to get in in my apartment. I've unpacked it and switched it on and everything seems to work. The monitor is quite unsharp with 15Khz games and needs degaussing I think. The edges are bend inwards a bit. There's no manual so I'll mail the factory if they have one.

First pictures:

[ark_ader]

So tell me again, why could you have not built one yourself?

It looks ok.  Not my kind of artwork, but I'm sure you will change some of it around.

Is that plywood it is made of?

Bet you are at least happy it arrived. 

I was hoping it would look like a candy cab. 

Well the buddying arcade builders like Mameroom can relax now.   

You just need a sky blue stool and you are in business. 

[Singapura]

I couldn't make one myself for several reasons. First of all this is Singapore and no-one does things themselves. Consequentially it's extremely hard to get DIY equipment or even wood. Secondly, the wood shops that seemed to be interested backed off when they realized it's a bit more work than building a wooden box.  Third, even if I could buy al the stuff, my apartment is small and there's no way my wife (or landlord) would llet me clog up the place with sawdust. And last but not least, I now have a cab (the only wooden can in Singapore) that I can modify to suit my needs. I'm not too keen on the color either but that is easily remedied. Same goes for the interior and the joysticks. For the moment I will just enjoy my new toy. Now if you don't mind, Dodonpachi is waiting...

[ark_ader]

I couldn't make one myself for several reasons. First of all this is Singapore and no-one does things themselves.

I'm sorry but that quote is just too funny. 

Nobody in the whole country has wood or tools to make any wood products?

Oh my!

[Singapura]

Yup, they do. As long as it's furniture. Anything new or unknown and they run screaming 

[danny_galaga]

I couldn't make one myself for several reasons. First of all this is Singapore and no-one does things themselves.

I'm sorry but that quote is just too funny. 

Nobody in the whole country has wood or tools to make any wood products?

Oh my!

singapore is basically a city. so theres not a lot of these kind of hobbies going. i do know they have a modelling scene, but then you can get away with a smaller work space to build models...

[Level42]

Gefeliciteerd !!!

[massive88]

singapore is basically a city. so theres not a lot of these kind of hobbies going. i do know they have a modelling scene, but then you can get away with a smaller work space to build models...

Singapore has more people per square foot (sorry, square meter) than Hong Kong, Tokyo, Vatican City or pretty much whatever other city you can come up with.

[ahofle]

Is the control panel uneven and sticking up on the left side?  I can see the plywood in the first picture.

[FrizzleFried]

...again...what was the total price and why did they have to put the cab "name" pretty much on every flat surface?

[gonzo90017]

Glad to hear you finally received it. 

[TPB]

The cab is around 80Kg and cost me around 20 liters of sweat to get in in my apartment.

Singapura,

Great to see you've got your cab !!   

Hey, you've "got off easy" on the sweat, as the cab's a bit lighter than I would have expected ...


I thought a cab. of MDF Wood construction should weigh about 350 pounds, which is 160 kg.

Your cab's half that weight.


Although you've spent 20 litres of sweat, you've been fortunate in saving yourself an equal volume.   

[Singapura]

Thanks guys, I'm quite happy with it. The cab is actually made out of plywood which makes it lighter I suppose. Instead of painting it they used pre-printed foil, which is why the name is all over the cab. For now I'll leave it that way because it protects against the humidity of Singapore and it's easy to clean but I plan to remove it and put proper side art on it. The bezel is glass with again foil on it. If you're mass producing for commercial arcades I guess you want your product as easy to maintain as possible.

The CP is covered with plexiglass. Unfortunately some over-enthousiastic worker screwed it on too tight and cracked one of the sides slightly. On my list for replacement. The joysticks are nice and responsive as are the buttons. However, I want to put in proper Happ 8 ways and a 4 way.  I asked them to put a second CP with the shipment so I can make a trackball version. It only cost me $30 extra, including extra joysticks and wiring (which i didn't ask for). These will come in nice and handy for my restauration of a Dreamcast Twin Joystick I got for free last week (!). Because the cab is meant as a sit down, the CP is at perfect height with plenty of room for my legs.

The cabling of the CP and inside is very neat, I'll post a few more pics later on. There's a powerstrip going to the power cable jack (fused) from a new PC PS.  I only asked for the 1000-in-1 Gamebox so I could test the monitor right away but they put it in very professionally. I'm still trying to determine the brand of the monitor because I don't have a manual and sorely need one. It's a multi-sync 29" with a very flat tube. Getting the thing fine-tuned is a hassle because the pots are in the back so I have to adjust and walk to the front, adjust again and walk to the front again. It's quite hard to get the focus right for all games (classic and modern). At the moment it plays Neo Geo and the likes sharp but Pooyan, Popeye etc. are very blurry.  Anyway, once I get my PC connected it should do better. The monitor has a VGA input so that should be very easy.

The finish of the cab is good but could be better. There is T-molding all around the cab but somehow it's not as smooth as I'd hoped (they probably hammered it in because it looks a bit "wavey"). There's no real marquee, other then the big "Playsky" sign, but that's easily remedied (just screw it of, put a light inside and a real marquee). One strange thing I noticed is that one side of the cab seems a bit larger where it meets the CP. It's not really visible right away but when I open the CP one corner is just a bit larger then the other. It's still manmade I guess 

The back, front, CP and coinbox all have locks (can all be opened with the same keys). Only the CP and the coinbox door have piano hinges, the rest are just wooden hatches.

The main trouble maker for importing was the coinbox which is actually very nice to have. I didn't realise it but putting a coin in the machine is very much part of the whole arcade experience, even more so then playing   . I spent close to a hundred dollars yesterday! Good thing I have the keys..... I'm now also the only private permit holder for arcade cabs in Singapore 

For those who want to get one: I was able to get them to agree to a price of $750 excluding shipping but including a second CP. Because of the rules, I'm not willing to discuss the 1000-in-1 board price here. Anyone who wants a cab like this (or any other candy cab) can PM me, I will see what I can do with the factory.

[borals]

Looks good!

Interested to see if you can get all games sharp when you ahve your pc connected.

The lightweight would be good for shipping I guess.

[ark_ader]

$750 for that?

Mameroom needs an outlet in Singapore.  Quick!

[Singapura]

$750 for that?

Mameroom needs an outlet in Singapore.  Quick!

I see you're a big Mameroom fan. I doubt however that Mameroom can make this including the monitor, wiring, joysticks, buttons, bezel, speakers and coinbox for less.  On the other hand, you already started your postings prejudiced, so it's hard to take your judgement seriously.

[TPB]

I doubt however that Mameroom can make this including the monitor, wiring, joysticks, buttons, bezel, speakers and coinbox for less.

Don't forget the artwork, plexi, T-molding, and the fact it came fully assembled.  Plus the included second control panel.

The artwork's quite nice.  Obviously a stock-standard design won't be to everyone's individual taste, but it's better than bare panels, and can always be replaced if desired.

On the other hand, you already started your postings prejudiced, so it's hard to take your judgement seriously.

ark_ader, you really are piling on the criticism.

[ark_ader]

I doubt however that Mameroom can make this including the monitor, wiring, joysticks, buttons, bezel, speakers and coinbox for less.

Don't forget the artwork, plexi, T-molding, and the fact it came fully assembled.  Plus the included second control panel.

The artwork's quite nice.  Obviously a stock-standard design won't be to everyone's individual taste, but it's better than bare panels, and can always be replaced if desired.

On the other hand, you already started your postings prejudiced, so it's hard to take your judgement seriously.

ark_ader, you really are piling on the criticism.

Yeah, so sorry about that.  Honesty can be raw indirectly.

Its a nice, beautiful cabinet we would all love to have over here.

I know you will have years of usage out of it.

Have a nice day.   

[Singapura]

It's not your criticism that's hard to take, it's your prejudist remarks against China and Chinese. I guess every good thread needs a resident troll I don't mind you not liking the cab because  ugly cabs can be changed a lot easier than ugly prejudice.

[Ummon]

I think all things considered, it's fine and pretty decently priced. Remember that Arcade Legends charges at least twice that for a cocktail. On monitor setting: use a mirror, say like one your girlfriend might have hanging on her door.

[miles2912]

For the price you got a great deal.  Not sure why ark is raising such a stink over it.  Looks like a nice set up considering your circumstances.  Congrats.

[pinballwizard79]

I like it, looks good!

My next arcade will be prefab I think.

Congrats!!!!

[ark_ader]

It's not your criticism that's hard to take, it's your prejudiced remarks against China and Chinese. I guess every good thread needs a resident troll I don't mind you not liking the cab because ugly cabs can be changed a lot easier than ugly prejudice.

I hate China and the Chinese?  Where do you get that from?

I just regarded the cab you bought was constructed poorly, with cheesy artwork for $750.

I love China and the Chinese, have three friends who are Chinese. I find your comments personal and hurtful, even though I made some comments of your cab, doesn't mean you can infer that I am racist or hate any people of any country.

Those kind of comments are just childish and unwanted on this board.  I'll let Saint know of your issues with me and your comments, which are grounds for slander BTW.   

When you make a post on any message baord, you will tend to find that some people do not share in your optimism.  Other people might find you post laughable, insulting, or fantasy.  Some people just ignore and carry on.  They laugh at you on the inside.

I don't.  If I do not like something I am honest and respond accordingly.  If you cannot take criticism then please do not post. There are two sides of every conversation, point or view.  Making personal attacks because you cannot communicate with someone who is not "sharing your point of view" is childish.

Anyone wants to disagree with me send a PM.

[TOK]

Way to spin dude! You're the victim! 

[Level42]

 

[Jdurg]

  If you cannot take criticism then please do not post. ............Anyone wants to disagree with me send a PM.

I love the irony of him saying that if you can't take criticism, don't post, yet at the same time he says that if someone disagrees with him they should go through PM and basically not post it.  So I guess it's "do as I say, not as I do?".   

[ark_ader]

  If you cannot take criticism then please do not post. ............Anyone wants to disagree with me send a PM.

I love the irony of him saying that if you can't take criticism, don't post, yet at the same time he says that if someone disagrees with him they should go through PM and basically not post it.  So I guess it's "do as I say, not as I do?".   

Yeah that didn't work right did it?  Nice catch Jdurg.   

I'm still trying to figure out where I said I hated the Chinese......

[Jdurg]

Yeah.  Got the intent, but the delivery was a bit rough.   

[patrickl]

I'm still trying to figure out where I said I hated the Chinese......

I'm still trying to figure out where anyone said that you hated the Chinese......

[danny_galaga]

singapore is basically a city. so theres not a lot of these kind of hobbies going. i do know they have a modelling scene, but then you can get away with a smaller work space to build models...

Singapore has more people per square foot (sorry, square meter) than Hong Kong, Tokyo, Vatican City or pretty much whatever other city you can come up with.

both these statements are true

[TPB]

ark_ader,

Maybe it was your general tone that anything Chinese built, must be crap.

It's like saying they're a bunch of useless SOB's who can't build anything good.

You're not the only one to imply this, but you took it the furthest.

You said it'd have "Artwork painted with lead", and totally belittled it, then implied that a "U.S.A. built cab" from Mameroom would leave it for dead.

Let's face it, the Chinese do need to work on improving their quality control and safety regulations, your "lead paint" remark was based on fact, with all the toy recalls that have taken place due to precisely that issue.

I don't believe you had racist intent.  But Singapura probably took it that way, it appears to be a sore point :

Despite all the  propaganda against Chinese products, there are a lot of good things coming from that country. Even "proudly designed in the U.S.A." often means "...but manufactured in the P.R.C."  Microsoft, Apple and Dell to name a few all have factories in the "free economic zone" of Shenzen, near Hong Kong. I've been there and the area looks a lot more modern and better kept than the early 1900 industrial complexes in Detroit or Chicago. Chinese branded hifi equipment is some of the best in the world (Cayin for instance) and even Chinese cars are getting better.

... now, how about we give him a break, and return the thread to it's purpose, being a discussion of his new cab.   

I'm sure Singapura realises that along with the compliments, criticism will also be offered ... it is a public forum, after all ... that's fine, but try to present any criticism in a polite and constructive manner.

[TPB]

[duplicate post]

[mccoy178]

The cabinet looks great for that price!  Now you can start charging admission.    


Ark is being a ---meecrob--- in this thread and I'm disappointed to see him crapping in it at every turn.

[Xiaou2]

ark_ader's comments are condescending, filled with mockery, and just plain ignorant.

 Very sad indeed.


 China is a very large place, making tons of stuff for USA and other countries.
While there may be some companies in china that produce some inferior
quality...  there are a lot more that are producing top quality parts and
devices.

 China has over 2000 yrs worth of history that can be traced back, as a lot
of it was documented very well.   As far as I recall,  they invented gunpowder.
They had devised incredible herbal medical treatments that cured many complex
ailments - without the need for surgeries... some of which is being
synthesized by western drug companies today.   They also were the
home to the most advanced martial arts systems ever devised.   Most of which
were copied by just about every other art - but pretty much watered down
compared to the real depths of Chinese arts.

 They also have an amazing collection of artists.  Such amazing detailed pieces &
sculptures.  Hand carved dragons scaling massive posts.  Incredible pottery
techniques such as Cloisonne.

 Hmm - from wiki:

 Among the scientific accomplishments of ancient China were paper (not papyrus) and papermaking, woodblock printing and movable type printing, the early lodestone and magnetic compass, gunpowder, toilet paper, early seismological detectors, matches, dry docks, pound locks, sliding calipers, the double-action piston pump, blast furnace and cast iron, the iron plough, the multi-tube seed drill, the wheelbarrow, the suspension bridge, the parachute, natural gas as fuel, the escapement mechanism for clocks, the differential gear for the South Pointing Chariot, the hydraulic-powered armillary sphere, the hydraulic-powered trip hammer, the mechanical chain drive, the mechanical belt drive, the raised-relief map, the propeller, the crossbow, the cannon, the rocket, the multistage rocket, etc. Chinese astronomers were among the first to record observations of a supernova. The work of the astronomer Shen Kuo (1031–1095) alone was most impressive, as he theorized that the sun and moon were spherical, corrected the position of the polestar with his improved sighting tube, discovered the concept of true north, wrote of planetary motions such as retrogradation, and compared the orbital paths of the planets to points on the shape of a rotating willow leaf. With evidence for them, he also postulated geological theories for the processes of land formation in geomorphology and climate change in paleoclimatology. Yet there were many other astronomers than Shen Kuo, such as Gan De, Shi Shen, Zhang Heng, Yi Xing, Zhang Sixun, Su Song, Guo Shoujing, Xu Guangqi, etc. Chinese mathematics evolved independently of Greek mathematics and is therefore of great interest in the history of mathematics. The Chinese were also keen on documenting all of their technological achievements, such as in the Tiangong Kaiwu encyclopedia written by Song Yingxing (1587–1666).

[bvicarious]

Let's not forget that the toys were painted with lead paint with the full knowledge of the american companies that ordered them, to increase their profit margins. If you pay for garbage, you're going to get garbage.

[Singapura]

Okay guys, let's get back to the topic. Off course you're allowed to give criticism! I don't like the plastic blue film too much myself but most Asians love that stuff and it's built for the Asian market. I've had some trouble tuning the monitor because there's no manual with it It appears to be a modified Wei-Ya but I'm still not too sure about that. The factory was most helpful and even sent me a few pages from their own manual, translated by the sales-lady. I will order a j-Pac and replace the 1000-in-1 with a mamed PC because most games I like aren't on the board. The second CP is getting a trackball. I'm working on a way to quickly replace the CP's so I have one with two joysticks and one with a trackbal and a 4 way.

[pinballwizard79]

"Ive said it before & I will say it again, man I love being a turtle"

anyway, for $750 I would buy this cab in a heartbeat......do the sell to the US....?

[ark_ader]

ark_ader's comments are condescending, filled with mockery, and just plain ignorant.

 Very sad indeed.


 China is a very large place, making tons of stuff for USA and other countries.
While there may be some companies in china that produce some inferior
quality...  there are a lot more that are producing top quality parts and
devices.

 China has over 2000 yrs worth of history that can be traced back, as a lot
of it was documented very well.   As far as I recall,  they invented gunpowder.
They had devised incredible herbal medical treatments that cured many complex
ailments - without the need for surgeries... some of which is being
synthesized by western drug companies today.   They also were the
home to the most advanced martial arts systems ever devised.   Most of which
were copied by just about every other art - but pretty much watered down
compared to the real depths of Chinese arts.

 They also have an amazing collection of artists.  Such amazing detailed pieces &
sculptures.  Hand carved dragons scaling massive posts.  Incredible pottery
techniques such as Cloisonne.

 Hmm - from wiki:

 Among the scientific accomplishments of ancient China were paper (not papyrus) and papermaking, woodblock printing and movable type printing, the early lodestone and magnetic compass, gunpowder, toilet paper, early seismological detectors, matches, dry docks, pound locks, sliding calipers, the double-action piston pump, blast furnace and cast iron, the iron plough, the multi-tube seed drill, the wheelbarrow, the suspension bridge, the parachute, natural gas as fuel, the escapement mechanism for clocks, the differential gear for the South Pointing Chariot, the hydraulic-powered armillary sphere, the hydraulic-powered trip hammer, the mechanical chain drive, the mechanical belt drive, the raised-relief map, the propeller, the crossbow, the cannon, the rocket, the multistage rocket, etc. Chinese astronomers were among the first to record observations of a supernova. The work of the astronomer Shen Kuo (1031–1095) alone was most impressive, as he theorized that the sun and moon were spherical, corrected the position of the polestar with his improved sighting tube, discovered the concept of true north, wrote of planetary motions such as retrogradation, and compared the orbital paths of the planets to points on the shape of a rotating willow leaf. With evidence for them, he also postulated geological theories for the processes of land formation in geomorphology and climate change in paleoclimatology. Yet there were many other astronomers than Shen Kuo, such as Gan De, Shi Shen, Zhang Heng, Yi Xing, Zhang Sixun, Su Song, Guo Shoujing, Xu Guangqi, etc. Chinese mathematics evolved independently of Greek mathematics and is therefore of great interest in the history of mathematics. The Chinese were also keen on documenting all of their technological achievements, such as in the Tiangong Kaiwu encyclopedia written by Song Yingxing (1587–1666).

Great!  Thanks for that, maybe a link in future would save all that cut and paste.  I do know some Chinese history, and watch the Discovery channel.  I haven't seen an episode that details arcade cabinet design and manufacturer, since the CHinese government in the past kinda hated gambling machines of any sort.  Heck they hated classical and western music at one point.

Now that you have indicated that China is a great superpower, based on generations and generations of skilled craft, linked ties with many countries, outputting huge amounts of products for Wallyworld and K-mart, can you please just answer me one small question:

What point are you trying to make with that post? 

We are discussing a cabinet that was made in China for a customer in Singapore that was over $750, which looked on the pictures as something you would buy at Pier 1 Imports.  I was almost surprised that the cab did not come with matching bowls and dishes.

I applaud Chinese skills and ingenuity, hate their Human Rights Issues, and would love to go to Hong Kong and buy some cool gear you cannot get in the shops over here.  I do not applaud the workmanship that went into Singapura's cab, as he has just finished telling us he wants to MAME it and rework the CP.  He shouldn't have to.

I'm sure that will leave a bad taste in many mouths for my honest comments, and I would like to take this opportunity to get back to the thread with a question for Singapura:

Are you going to add some padding to the CP, and utilise a low stool for operation, or are you going to augment the CP to make it higher for stand up use?

[Singapura]

I'm not going to rework the CP because it's badly made but because I want a trackball in it and already had one waiting. I do want to customize it but am currently enjoying playing on it too much. The cab is exactly high enough to sit in front of it with my legs under the CP and I'm not a short guy (1.82m). There's no need to raise or lower it. I haven't seen too many stand ups here (or in the rest of Asia for that matter) unless you count shooters. By the way, I found out that the marquee is lit! The joysticks are Zippy sticks which are sold by OzStick and can be switched.