Modding an X-arcade....possibilites....Can it be done?

[garnerb350]

I've been thinking of this and I wanted to see what evevryone here thought....

I'm wanting to maybe in the future try to see about installing a spinner on my cab...thing is though, is that I have an X-arcade...

Now RandyT from GGG told me that he has models that I can use that can be installed like a regular pushbutton (1-1/8 diameter)...Now I can do two things....1. I could find a spot and drill out a place for the spinner....or 2. Replace one of the pushbuttons with the spinner. I'm going toward No.2 because that way...if I ever need to, I can switch back to the orginal specs if nessicary.
    Now on the sides of the X-arcade you have 4 pushbuttons ( 2 on each side). 2 are for credit buttons and the other two is for left/right click buttons for the mouse/trackball.

Now I am in the process of wiring up coin credit pushbuttons on the coin door area...With this, I guess that what I would do is replace one of the credit buttons with the spinner.

Now the problem that I am hoping to figure out...is that I have Visual & Future pinball games and the credit buttons operate the flippers....Can I remap the controls to the left/right click buttons...

Is it worth the hassle to do this...

[Ginsu Victim]

I'd just drill a new hole, that way you can place the spinner wherever it's most comfortable for you.

[severdhed]

you can drill a new hole, but that will void your lifetime warranty.

[garnerb350]

That's why I was wanting to use a pre-existing hole....


I know Tron uses a spinner....but is it worth the time and effort to have a spinner?

[Ginsu Victim]

Arkanoid, Tempest, and Cameltry say "YES"

[zaktallica]

hmmm I dont think a spinner is worth it then again popping out a button seems easy to do. Hell I have the tank stick and barely use the damn trackball let alone a spinner. Why dont you replace one of those two buttons that are under the six?

[garnerb350]

Why dont you replace one of those two buttons that are under the six?

2 reasons....I would have to keep my wrist and fingers up when playing SF II or other games ....also Neo Geo games use the "7th button"...I could remap...but in the end it will still be UNCOMFORTABLE...

[dkubarek]

Are you sure it voids the warantee? They let you make some mods without voiding it, I thought. Could be just opening the box that doesn;t void the warantee.

[CathalDublin]

Just drill it, who cares about warranty

[Spinach]

If the thing is working fine now, I'd say don't worry about the warranty.  Do what makes you happy.

I have the tankstick and use the mouse as my "paddle".  It is not ideal, but far better than the joystick or button method.  And I don't think it voids your warranty anyway.  Only the things you've altered, so probably no big deal.

[dkubarek]

I had some defective switches and they just sent out new ones. my guess is if say the board breaks, you could just tell them to send you a new board and they wouldn't even know of the mod. I think if you drill a 1 1/8 inch hole in something, then your warranty is void, but normal mods are fine. they mention on their website that they expect people to mod the stuff.

[dreamakuma]

I own an x-arcade, and I have drilled into it. When a joystick went to crap, I called them, they asked if I wanted a whole new unit, I told them I modded it, and they just sent me parts. If you don't damage your parts by modding, you're fine with the warranty, BUT only the parts are covered.

[dkubarek]

yea, people knock the stuff a lot but the company seems pretty chill. I see posts for broken boards but none from X-Arcade because all their customers just call for new ones. Still, f- that wiring job.

[MrMojoZ]

yea, people knock the stuff a lot but the company seems pretty chill. I see posts for broken boards but none from X-Arcade because all their customers just call for new ones. Still, f- that wiring job.

Considering what they pay vs. how much they charge, they could proably send you a few complete units before you ate up the profit.

[HaRuMaN]

^ 

The best way to mod an X-arcade is with a wood-chipper, or fire, or both...   

[TPB]

Considering what they pay vs. how much they charge, they could proably send you a few complete units before you ate up the profit.

I don't think so.

Don't criticise a highly successful company that makes a quality product for the arcade community, at an affordable price.

I paid $99.90 for an X-Arcade XXL.

It's a 40 lb behemoth, and I couldn't be happier with it.

The panel top is even hinged, for easy access to the internal wiring.

Show me where I can buy an equivalent 40 lb panel for anywhere close to $99.90.

A lot of vendors only sell BARE WOOD KITS for that price.

Even if I never claim on the warranty (and I'm not planning to), I'm more than happy with the purchase.

http://www.xgaming.com/mame-panel.shtml


Note ... the XXL is no longer in production, so I guess I got it while the going was good.   

[MrMojoZ]

I wasn't critiszing them, but I will if I choose to. How much do you think they pay for those buttons? Next to nothing. And 40lbs of what? MDF? Also costs them next to nothing. Now re-read my post and see how it applies to the situation, they lose little money on raw material warranty issues. This is common sense.

I would never purchase an X-Arcade product, they have nothing to offer me.. But I am not their target customer and I understand that, this is why I don't bad mouth them on forums.

[Turnarcades]

Considering what they pay vs. how much they charge, they could proably send you a few complete units before you ate up the profit.

I don't think so.
Don't criticise a highly successful company that makes a quality product for the arcade community, at an affordable price.
I paid $99.90 for an X-Arcade XXL.
It's a 40 lb behemoth, and I couldn't be happier with it.
The panel top is even hinged, for easy access to the internal wiring.
Show me where I can buy an equivalent 40 lb panel for anywhere close to $99.90.
A lot of vendors only sell BARE WOOD KITS for that price.
Even if I never claim on the warranty (and I'm not planning to), I'm more than happy with the purchase.

Too true. Although I've spoken up many times about the comparable quality of the parts used, there is no arguing the price is fair and it is a good solution for many.

From a vendor's point of view, the fact they pay pennies for their parts and turn a high percentage profit is to be applauded as that is just good business. Couple it with the fact it is still at a price that cannot be beaten and comes with the warranty means they are fairly unchallenged when it comes to panel creation. I know we certainly could not create something of that finish for anywhere near that price and now even point people in that direction if they make enquiries about stand-alone control panels.

[MrMojoZ]

Too true. Although I've spoken up many times about the comparable quality of the parts used, there is no arguing the price is fair and it is a good solution for many.

From a vendor's point of view, the fact they pay pennies for their parts and turn a high percentage profit is to be applauded as that is just good business. Couple it with the fact it is still at a price that cannot be beaten and comes with the warranty means they are fairly unchallenged when it comes to panel creation. I know we certainly could not create something of that finish for anywhere near that price and now even point people in that direction if they make enquiries about stand-alone control panels.

You just agreeded with exactly what I was saying. 

[Spinach]

I very much wanted to make my own CP.  BUT, I also wanted to F-I-N-I-S-H my project in a timely fashion.  The XArcade did the trick.  I can always go back and do my own CP, plus learn a few things along the way (dos and don'ts).

I paid $200 bucks for my Tankstick.  I knew it was "expensive" considering, however, I have a finished product and it allowed me to finish my cab.  I will undoubtedly play $200 worth on that thing.

And I would never, ever consider the build price vs. sell price unless someone, somewhere, was selling the same caliber for much less.  What the market will , , , ,

I'm not a serious gamer, can you tell?  But I might be some day!