Wells Gardner D9400

[ahofle]

Just picked up a refurb'ed D9400 to replace my broken Betson multisync, and man what a difference.  No more squishy right side geometry issues!
I was planning on writing up a review, but I started to wonder if it's worth the bother considering the monitor is no longer in production.  It's a shame that in the last few years no one has bothered to review it here.

Anyway, I will say that if you are thinking of a digital multisync, I would recommend picking one up.  WG has some refurbs available for about the same cost as their brand new D9800.  I believe this (the D9400) is going to be the last curved, digital multisync CRT ever made.

[shiloh]

Good information.

three weeks ago I just bought a D9800 and if I would have known that there were still some D9400 available (even refurbished) I would have bought one instead.

[Epyx]

Any particular reason you would prefer the D9400 over the D9800?

Just curious as I have been eying the D9800 for a while now...

Thanks!

[shiloh]

Well I wanted the classic curved screen.

However I am very happy so far of the D9800. very good geometry and convergence.

I'm still tuning my soft15k setup on it in the workshop so it's not yet in my cabinet but I think that, once installed in the cab with a slight tint on the plexiglass, the flat screen wont make any difference.

[ahofle]

Any particular reason you would prefer the D9400 over the D9800?

Just curious as I have been eying the D9800 for a while now...

Thanks!

The fact that it is curved as shiloh mentioned was a big factor, but also the fact that the D9800 is now made in China and is much cheaper concerned me a bit in the QC department.  I have heard pretty much zero about the D9800 too (not that there are a lot of reviews of the D9400 either).  Finally, I have had pretty good luck with refurbished electronics.  My theory on that is that the most common failures and design flaws are fixed and you end up with a superior product in many cases.

[Ummon]

Well, give us your review anyways.

[shiloh]

Well, give us your review anyways.

I'll try to do one for the D9800 after the holiday vacations.

[retrometro]

Bought a new D9400 (at the time) last year to replace an older D9200 that lasted for 3-4 years.  :-(

The D9400 has been great ever since.

[BlazzingFlippers]

Well, give us your review anyways.

I'll try to do one for the D9800 after the holiday vacations.

Hi shiloh was hoping you could post up what you thought of the D9800.  I'm seriously thinking of buying one and would love to hear some opinions on it.

Thanks!

[gatordad]

Well, give us your review anyways.

I'll try to do one for the D9800 after the holiday vacations.

Hi shiloh was hoping you could post up what you thought of the D9800.  I'm seriously thinking of buying one and would love to hear some opinions on it.

Thanks!

I have been using my d9800 for about 2 1/2 months now, no problems at all, very impressed with it. It even makes Windows look good.

[BlazzingFlippers]

Well, give us your review anyways.

I'll try to do one for the D9800 after the holiday vacations.

Hi shiloh was hoping you could post up what you thought of the D9800.  I'm seriously thinking of buying one and would love to hear some opinions on it.

Thanks!

I have been using my d9800 for about 2 1/2 months now, no problems at all, very impressed with it. It even makes Windows look good.

Thanks gatordad for the info.  The 9800 only comes in flatscreen correct?  Is there anything lost by going with a flatscreen vs the curved screens of the 9200 or 9400?  Finally, can you recommend a good place to purchase one online?  Thanks!

[isucamper]

Thanks gatordad for the info.  The 9800 only comes in flatscreen correct?  Is there anything lost by going with a flatscreen vs the curved screens of the 9200 or 9400?  Finally, can you recommend a good place to purchase one online?  Thanks!

I really wanted a curved screen, but choose a new 9800 over a refurbed 9400.  The refurb actually costed more and came with a much shorter warrante (I believe it was 3 months compared to a full year). 

I can say, after getting a bezel put around it and tinted glass over it, you'd have to really look to tell that the monitor wasn't curved.  I am yet to regret this decision.   

[BlazzingFlippers]

Thanks gatordad for the info.  The 9800 only comes in flatscreen correct?  Is there anything lost by going with a flatscreen vs the curved screens of the 9200 or 9400?  Finally, can you recommend a good place to purchase one online?  Thanks!

I really wanted a curved screen, but choose a new 9800 over a refurbed 9400.  The refurb actually costed more and came with a much shorter warrante (I believe it was 3 months compared to a full year). 

I can say, after getting a bezel put around it and tinted glass over it, you'd have to really look to tell that the monitor wasn't curved.  I am yet to regret this decision.   

Thanks isucamper!  One final question.  What goes between the monitor and the bezel?  Like a sheet of plexiglass?  Or nothing at all?  Any guidance on where to buy what goes in-between?  Thanks!

[isucamper]

Thanks isucamper!  One final question.  What goes between the monitor and the bezel?  Like a sheet of plexiglass?  Or nothing at all?  Any guidance on where to buy what goes in-between?  Thanks!

I don't have anything between the monitor and bezel.  edges of the bezel are flush with the monitor and lightly resting on it

glass goes over the bezel.  so you you monitor->bezel->glass.  some people make a frame for the glass to set on which would go inbetween the bezel and the glass, but if you've got a snug enough fitting piece of glass, this might not be needed

[gatordad]

Warranty was the deciding factor for me as well.
I bought direct from Wells Gardner, I am fortunate that there is a WG warehouse 15 minutes from my house.
I just wish that the monitor bezel that they sold fit a little better, it's just a tad short vertically, but nothing that can't be hidden with a little effort.
As far as where to order from I have seen the d9800 on ebay from xarcade for a decent price. or try WG website.

[ahofle]

Anyone have a clue what the difference is between the two D9800 models WG has listed on their website?  One says 'RCD' and one 'RCA'.
http://www.wellsgardner.com/products/details.asp?iCat=2&iSubCat=47

One a side note, could a product page suck any harder?  No spec sheets, information, or anything. 

[isucamper]

Anyone have a clue what the difference is between the two D9800 models WG has listed on their website?  One says 'RCD' and one 'RCA'.
http://www.wellsgardner.com/products/details.asp?iCat=2&iSubCat=47

One a side note, could a product page suck any harder?  No spec sheets, information, or anything. 

Hmm.  I have no idea.  I have the RCA.  This new RCD wasn't even on the website when I ordered my a month and a half ago.

So far, I'm pretty happy with it.  I'm using Soft15-Khz to get native resolutions, and this monitor looks pretty amazing doing the CGA resolutions.  However, there are a few uncommon resolutions where I get very bad geometry.  Mortal Kombat's native resolution and Paperboy's native resolution (or at least, whatever MAME is picking for their resolutions) both have these buldges I can't get rid of by tweaking the settings.  The picture ends up looking like an hourglass or a pear, depending on how I set the pincushion.  I haven't ruled out user error yet (or Soft15-Khz error), but I'll be pretty dissappointed if the thing can't do medium resolutions with decent geometry. 

[Ummon]

Different tube manufacturers.

[BlazzingFlippers]

Seems one can only find flat screen monitors these days.  I'd kind of like to go with a curved screen.  Any links to manufacturer's or seller's sites that sell a 27" curved monitor that you could recommend?

[whammoed]

Seems one can only find flat screen monitors these days.  I'd kind of like to go with a curved screen.  Any links to manufacturer's or seller's sites that sell a 27" curved monitor that you could recommend?

The Kortek is still available, although I believe there has been issues with geometry?
http://www.betson.com/products/IMP-44-4070-RT

[retrometro]

Bought a new D9400 (at the time) last year to replace an older D9200 that lasted for 3-4 years.  :-(

The D9400 has been great ever since.

Just found this old post from 2008.  It's almost 2021 now and want to report in that the D9400 is still running strong!

[Osirus23]

Bought a new D9400 (at the time) last year to replace an older D9200 that lasted for 3-4 years.  :-(

The D9400 has been great ever since.

Just found this old post from 2008.  It's almost 2021 now and want to report in that the D9400 is still running strong!

Of course. It's a CRT 

Meanwhile my Samsung LCD from 2008 has long since died.

[fuchi_jeg]

I have a d 9400 and it's fantastic.  Great image all the way to 800x600. The only con I see is the size.     27" is a bit too large for most 240p games. I  had a bezel made the shrinks the screen to 24ish".  Decrease  the size with the remote board and looks great. Enjoy it!

[Kampfflieger]

Bought a new D9400 (at the time) last year to replace an older D9200 that lasted for 3-4 years.  :-(

The D9400 has been great ever since.

Is your monitor still working? If not, how long it lasted?

[Undarated]

I have a d9400 chassis that can’t be repaired.  Previous owner burnt it to a crisp.  I’m wondering if a d9800 chassis would work with my existing tube.  If so that would save a huge headache and some cash.