What kind of touchscreen do I need/want?

[Huskerfan]

I'm looking at doing a jukebox project where I just mount the screen only into the wall.  I plan on recessing the screen into the wall and running all the cables into the room behind (it's an unfinished room)  I have the p/c and I've built a mame cabinet so I'm familiar with most things except:

Which touchscreen do you guys recommend?  I read that elo is a popular one but does it matter?

It looks like any of these would work from stinkbay    http://computers.shop.ebay.com/Monitors-/80053/i.html?Screen%2520Size=15%2520inch%7C17%2520inch%7C19%2520inch&LH_PrefLoc=1&Type=Touch%2520Screen&Brand=Elo&_trkparms=65%253A15%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1&_catref=1&_dmpt=Computer_Monitors&_ipg=200&_npmv=3&_sc=1&_sop=15&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

What do you think?  Thanks!

EDIT:  For my installation wouldn't I just take the casing off and just use the screen?  I guess once I get the screen I'll monkey around with it.

[Kevin Mullins]

ELO.... 3M Microtouch ..... both good brands, just make sure you find the right drivers.

If you are looking at one with a plastic type bezel around it it's a good idea to know ahead of time if the "touchscreen overlay" portion is attached to the bezel or the monitor itself.
Gives you the opportunity to decide how you want to finish or frame it once in the wall.
(either use the plactic bezel or remove it, etc)

[deano7]

Does anyone know if the touchscreens on ebay that you install yourself are any good?  Are they sometimes not compatible with different monitors?  I have a bunch of old 17" monitors from an old office, and I if I can retrofit them with touchscreens, that would be much cheaper than buying a new ELO or Planar...

They are listed as "17 inch USB Panel Kit Set - Add Touch Screen Function" on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/17-inch-USB-Panel-Kit-Set-Add-Touch-Screen-Function_W0QQitemZ110474632639QQcmdZViewItemQQptZComputer_Monitors?hash=item19b8cd1dbf

[Huskerfan]

ELO.... 3M Microtouch ..... both good brands, just make sure you find the right drivers.

If you are looking at one with a plastic type bezel around it it's a good idea to know ahead of time if the "touchscreen overlay" portion is attached to the bezel or the monitor itself.
Gives you the opportunity to decide how you want to finish or frame it once in the wall.
(either use the plactic bezel or remove it, etc)

Hey, that's great advice.  Thanks!  What I was thinking is to flush mount only the screen with my wall and then build a frame around it.  I actually got the idea from another post on this forum.  Can I take the screen out of the plastic enclosure?  And how would I know if I can take the plastic out or not before I buy it? 

[Fordman]

Does anyone know if the touchscreens on ebay that you install yourself are any good?  Are they sometimes not compatible with different monitors?  I have a bunch of old 17" monitors from an old office, and I if I can retrofit them with touchscreens, that would be much cheaper than buying a new ELO or Planar...

They are listed as "17 inch USB Panel Kit Set - Add Touch Screen Function" on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/17-inch-USB-Panel-Kit-Set-Add-Touch-Screen-Function_W0QQitemZ110474632639QQcmdZViewItemQQptZComputer_Monitors?hash=item19b8cd1dbf

From what I can see in the auction, the touchscreen is 'SQUARE', so if you have a widescreen, then the overlay isnt for you. Also, you need to take the front bezel off your monitor to lay the screen over the view portion of the monitor, then lay the bezel back on top. The Aution does state the there may be a gap between the bezel and monitor because of the touchscreen.

For $100.00, that is kinda expensive, why dont you buy one like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ELO-TOUCHSCREEN-ET1545L-8SWC-1-IBM2-15-LCd_W0QQitemZ270507371025QQcmdZViewItemQQptZComputer_Monitors?hash=item3efb7eea11

That particular seller has had touchscreens for about a year now and they are getting cheaper and cheaper from them! I have bought 8 so far with no issues from any of them!

Everything is already done for you and at 3/4 the price. The interface is a serial port, but I have both usb and serial one's and I cant notice the difference. Just paint the bezel to desired color, flush mount with the wall, very easy to do and it might just 'eeek' between wall studs (16" on center, as is most US building codes) without any issues!

 

Fordman

[Huskerfan]

Thanks again.  Nice Juke btw.  I used one of those Griffin Powermates on my mame cabinet.  I have a juke program on there for my daughter.  I think it's wincab?  There wasn't an easy way to turn the volume without cutting into the box again and I just didn't want to do that.

I'm thinking I want a bigger screen like 17" or 19" as long as it's still affordable.  I can cut the 2x4's to fit if I need to.  If I could pick one up for under $100 I'd be thrilled.  There are some on ebay with damaged plastic casings and it looks like those are discounted.  That's why I was asking if I could get by without using the casing.

[Huskerfan]

Thanks again.  Nice Juke btw.  I used one of those Griffin Powermates on my mame cabinet.  I have a juke program on there for my daughter.  I think it's wincab?  There wasn't an easy way to turn the volume without cutting into the box again and I just didn't want to do that.

I'm thinking I want a bigger screen like 17" or 19" as long as it's still affordable.  I can cut the 2x4's to fit if I need to.  If I could pick one up for under $100 I'd be thrilled.  There are some on ebay with damaged plastic casings and it looks like those are discounted.  That's why I was asking if I could get by without using the casing.

Edit: (found the guys pictures from this forum)
Here's the way I was going to do it.  Looks like you just need the screen and not the bezel.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74097.msg836177#msg836177

[Huskerfan]

Sorry to keep piling on but how's this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ELO-17-TFT-LCD-ACCUTOUCH-ET1725L-MONITOR-TOUCHSCREEN_W0QQitemZ350292126518QQcmdZViewItemQQptZComputer_Monitors?hash=item518f09ab36

[Fordman]

Sorry to keep piling on but how's this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ELO-17-TFT-LCD-ACCUTOUCH-ET1725L-MONITOR-TOUCHSCREEN_W0QQitemZ350292126518QQcmdZViewItemQQptZComputer_Monitors?hash=item518f09ab36

Buyer, beware!

No power supply included or built in.

It is a serial vs usb although you cant tell the difference! 

 Also, I did the shipping calculator and wow, they are pilling on the shipping charges! It just isnt UPS pricing, they have way over inflated the pricing for themselves!

 

Fordman

[Huskerfan]

[/quote]

Edit: (found the guys pictures from this forum)
Here's the way I was going to do it.  Looks like you just need the screen and not the bezel.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74097.msg836177#msg836177
[/quote]

I didn't realize that one was not a flat panel.  Oops!  In the above installation I wouldn't need the bezel right?  Can you take the bezel off just about any of these?

[Kevin Mullins]

In the above installation I wouldn't need the bezel right?  Can you take the bezel off just about any of these?

Some that have the plastic bezel have the actual touchscreen overlay mounted directly to the plastic bezel. So if you want to remove the plastic bezel and make your own you may need to use some narrow 3M type double sided tape and attach the overlay directly to the monitor screen. And whatever you decide to "frame" your monitor with needs to have a routed out area or space enough not to "pinch" the touchscreen overlay between the framing and the monitor screen.

[Huskerfan]

How's this one?  How would I know if it has a detachable touchscreen or not?  Just go to the manufacturers web site, maybe?
http://cgi.ebay.com/NDS-ELO-19-Touch-Screen-Flat-Monitor-Computer-TV_W0QQitemZ220530518899QQcmdZViewItemQQptZComputer_Monitors?hash=item3358a4ab73

In the above installation I wouldn't need the bezel right?  Can you take the bezel off just about any of these?

Some that have the plastic bezel have the actual touchscreen overlay mounted directly to the plastic bezel. So if you want to remove the plastic bezel and make your own you may need to use some narrow 3M type double sided tape and attach the overlay directly to the monitor screen. And whatever you decide to "frame" your monitor with needs to have a routed out area or space enough not to "pinch" the touchscreen overlay between the framing and the monitor screen.

[Kevin Mullins]

I doubt any manufacturers web site will tell you what you need to know in regards to the bezel. Your best bet is to ask the seller specifically if they can tell. If nothing else ask for a decent picture of the backside and we might be able to tell from there.
Each manufacturer kinda does their own thing depending on the original application.

I can say though if you see an open frame touchscreen monitor which will be WITHOUT a bezel of any kind, then you know the touch overlay is directly attached to the screen.

[Huskerfan]

Hey Fordman,

I looked at your jukebox and it encouraged me to order one of those usb thingy's for the side of my mame cabinet.

I am continually crawling underneath to plug in my usb stick.  Now I'
ll just have to plug it in to the side without opening the cabinet.

Thanks!

[Fordman]

Hey Fordman,

I looked at your jukebox and it encouraged me to order one of those usb thingy's for the side of my mame cabinet.

I am continually crawling underneath to plug in my usb stick.  Now I'
ll just have to plug it in to the side without opening the cabinet.

Thanks!

I got tired of doing the same thing!

I just saw one on ebay tonite!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Neutrik-NAUSB-B-NA-USB-Black-Panel-Mount-A-B-Type-NEW_W0QQitemZ370297364498QQihZ024QQcategoryZ23783QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63

I dont know where your at in the world but in the USA, these things seem to be in short supply! Always on back order from the mfg no matter what website sells them. When a place does get them, they are so back logged with orders they run out before they can start to sell more.

Get it while it's hot!

Fordman

[Huskerfan]

Ha Ha.  That's funny.  When I clicked on your link it said "you are the winner of this auction" or whatever it says.  I already bought that very same one.  Bonus that it's black and I painted my mame cabinet black.

Hey Fordman,

I looked at your jukebox and it encouraged me to order one of those usb thingy's for the side of my mame cabinet.

I am continually crawling underneath to plug in my usb stick.  Now I'
ll just have to plug it in to the side without opening the cabinet.

Thanks!

I got tired of doing the same thing!

I just saw one on ebay tonite!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Neutrik-NAUSB-B-NA-USB-Black-Panel-Mount-A-B-Type-NEW_W0QQitemZ370297364498QQihZ024QQcategoryZ23783QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63

I dont know where your at in the world but in the USA, these things seem to be in short supply! Always on back order from the mfg no matter what website sells them. When a place does get them, they are so back logged with orders they run out before they can start to sell more.

Get it while it's hot!

Fordman

[deano7]

Wow, thanks for the link to ebay.  I just picked one up as well.  This board is the greatest...

[timsuds]

I've got an ELO 1739L Touchscreen in almost brand new condition that I would be willing to make a great deal on.

I also have a custom white metal frame that was made for it and is mounted via magnets that I will include with it.

It was a little too small for my liking so I replaced it with a 19".

[Nacimroc]

Seen on the other post that huskerfan bought a 19'' so I'd happily buy this off you (at a good price of course  ) if you would post to Ireland?

Oh btw! Them usb connector things that are hard find (took me weeks to find one)! It might be easier and cheaper to buy a usb gender changer (as drventure told me) and glue it in place!

[mwong168]

I dont know where your at in the world but in the USA, these things seem to be in short supply! Always on back order from the mfg no matter what website sells them. When a place does get them, they are so back logged with orders they run out before they can start to sell more.

Get it while it's hot!

Fordman

You can also order them from this site and comes in black or silver which is sold out.

http://www.gamingnow.net/diy/other-diy/black-n-usb
http://www.gamingnow.net/diy/other-diy/silver-n-usb

These were really popular this past year due to the Street Fighter IV Madcrapz fight stick craze.  A lot of people who built custom fight sticks used this to either charge their wireless ps3 or 360 controller.

I got one too for my bartop to hook up my NES, SNES and Saturn USB controllers

[Huskerfan]

http://shop.ebay.com/fplstore/m.html?_nkw=Neutrik&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=0

Looks like he still has them.  I got mine in about 2 days coming to the midwest (USA) from California.  I thought that was quick!

And, yes, I did buy a 19 inch but that touch screen looks good.

[deano7]

I just bought a 19" touchscreen adapter on ebay from ewwt.  I opened my 19" lcd case, put some double sided tape on there and installed the software.  It works like a champ.  No complaints.  It cost $69 + $30 for shipping.  The only complaint is that the CD that came with the driver had a bad software install on it, so I was getting an ikernel.exe error.  I searched online and found the right package at touchkit.com and voila it worked.  So overall, I am completely satisfied...  I'll let you guys know if there are any complications when I start using it more.

[Kevin Mullins]

I just bought a 19" touchscreen adapter on ebay from ewwt. 

You bought an touchscreen overlay kit.... just clarifying it's not an "adapter".

[padstack]

I know I'm late to the game here, but I would also suggest making sure you use SAW (surface accoustic wave).  It uses a very durable glass touchscreen.  Resistive is less durable, capacative is too expensive.  Elo has a new tech (I can't remember the name of if, but it is really cool) that is probably the best possible option, but be prepared to pay for it.

Overall, the SAW screens like the 1545 Elo models are your best bang for the buck that you'll find on ebay.  Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $100 shipped unless you absolutely can't wait.  They regularly come up there for that price (15" models).