Star Wars Flight Yolk?- Anyone see this yet?

[MameMaster!]

http://www.gamecab.com/

Greets all....I'm probably going to end up not getting this because I'm going to compete with all of you for one of these...but has anyone seen this yet?

It's a Star Wars Flight Yolk that Gamecab.com cooked up for $135.00.

I wrote to Charlie (at Gamecab.com) with serious interest and questions but I haven't heard back yet.

Personally, Star Wars was one of my all time favorites and the thought of being able to play it as I did in the arcade it very tasty indeed!

I thought that his design looked pretty solid.....ME WANTS ONE!!!!

The MameMaster!  

[GamingGreg]

This has been discussed on the main forum not long ago  (see this thread http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=14896).

I don't know how quickly he can produce them, but I'm sure he's going to get a bunch of orders, as the price seems reasonable.  

I'd like one also, but it's getting harder to justify spending money on the cabinet to the Mrs. now that it's complete (at least in her mind )

[MameMaster!]

...thanks for pointing out the thread. I didn't find it when I searched.

Looks like there's a lot of interest....I just hope Charlie gets back to me so I can order one!

Thanks again.

The MameMaster!  

[Minwah]

The first batch of 'pre-orders' have been sold.  Charlie told me that there should be a new batch ~2/2/04.

I was a little disappointed as I would have pre-ordered one on day-one, but the checkout would not accept non-US orders

Good news is that I think he will be offering 3 different size bases on future yokes, as the original one was thought too high by many

[MameMaster!]

....yeah I noticed on his website you can't order any. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten back to me.

I guess he's too busy making these things!

...it's amazing how I keep finding ways to spend $$$ on my cab. But obviously, I'm not the only one who wants this sort of gadget!

The MameMaster.
PS- If I can get a hold of one, I'll post pictures/mini review.

[Tailgunner]

I got in on the pre-order, will post pics when I get it.

If you guys would like I have part of a Star Wars yoke and another complete Apache3 XY yoke for a comparison thread.

[GamingGreg]

Tailgunner,

I (and I'm sure others also) would like to see a comparison between the new gamecab yoke and a star wars yoke.   Is it as responsive? Is it stiffer? or looser? etc.  Feel will obviously be a little different, but is it close?  Info like that.

[shmokes]

Somebody's always beating Mamemaster to the punch.  I say the next time there's a significant development in the BYOAC community everybody stay quiet about it for a couple of weeks and give the poor guy a chance.  

[Generic Eric]

If you guys would like I have part of a Star Wars yoke and another complete Apache3 XY yoke for a comparison thread.

I would like!

[MameMaster!]

Somebody's always beating Mamemaster to the punch.  I say the next time there's a significant development in the BYOAC community everybody stay quiet about it for a couple of weeks and give the poor guy a chance.  

.....thank you for that....sniff....I try so hard....I just want to help.....sniff....I'll have to go play Mame now to feel better.....sniff....

 
MameMaster
Maybe this should be my new quote?:
 "I may not have the scoop first, but at least I'm usually relevant"

[MameMaster!]

Has anyone actually received one of these yet?

I've contacted Charlie via email and I haven't heard back.

?  

I really really really want one.....I'm just wondering if he's having manufacturing problems???

The MameMaster!  

[menace]

haven't you heard?  we all have one.  we're really going to have to make more of an effort to keep you up to date...


ah just kidding man, I haven't heard anything

[MameMaster!]

haven't you heard?  we all have one.  we're really going to have to make more of an effort to keep you up to date...


ah just kidding man, I haven't heard anything

LOL......please don't play with the MameMaster's emotions. I need one of these!!!!!  

[MameMaster!]

....still no response from Charlie.

Has anyone ever ordered anything from him? What was your experience?

I'm just double checking. He seems to update his website daily....but isn't responding to email.

HEY....Kelsey a.k.a Oscar....maybe you can whip up some of these babies!.....I would order one from you in a second!

....??  

I must Yolk!!!!.....I must Yolk!!!
 

[Stingray]

Yoke... unless you're making an omelette.  

-S

[MameMaster!]

Yikes now I have Yolk on my face!!!  

[Stingray]

LOL!  

Going back on topic, I'd love to hear from someone who's actually managed to get their hands on one of these things too.

-S

[Gamecab]

....still no response from Charlie.

Mamemaster,
I find these quotes a touch odd as I always take the time to answer ALL email that comes to the GameCab website.  Could it be possible that you may have hit a dead link on the GameCab website? (it's possible,,,,, I'm not perfect with MS-Frontpage)
Please feel free to contact sales at gamecab dot com (trying to avoid a spamming here) and I will answer any question that you may have regarding the flight yokes or other GameCab products.

[MameMaster!]

FYI...to anyone keeping track of this, and to be fair to Charlie...on Sunday I sent Charlie my home phone number; my work number and my email address via the email that he listed in his response.

I'll let you know if I hear back!!!

MameMaster!
PS- I will post pics shortly of another MAMEMASTER MEGA DEAL !.....I picked up a flight yoke that works PERFECTLY w/Star Wars in Mame for only $12.99!....details later!  

[Gamecab]

Yes, I was very suprised to find out who Mamemaster really is..  Next time I'll have to remember to remove him from the direct to delete list (I'm kidding!!!)  

Anyway - I'm just going to Give the one last update about the GameCab Flight Yokes...  They should be online within a few days (I know I should like a broken record).  Basically the Pre-Release orders need to be filled before any new orders can be taken.  I expect to have them all out by this weekend.  Once these have shipped I will be ready to take Flight Yoke orders on a regular basis.
Most of the delay in the flight yokes release date was due to the need for parts to be welded and modifications that needed to be done to the units in order to insure that they will not break under strain.  Once these modifications were made to the Yokes other changes also had to be made to compensate the prior modifications.  Basically it is a domino effect when you redesign a product, you have to take every other aspect of the assembly into consideration.  Other modifications that were made to the yoke were due to feedback that I received on these message boards, and I might add that all of the suggestions were very helpful and have made what I think is a better product.
It's normal to hit a bump in the road (In my case a few road blocks) when you are taking a general idea and turning it into working product, bumps cause delays and sometimes long ones.  The flight yokes are not a simple item to make as they do require a lot of time to machine the needed parts.  I can see why most people will not produce such an item as it really is a coordination horror show when things go wrong.
Essentially, the Yokes will be released soon, the updates will be posted on the GameCab website from now on.  The set in stone release date will be sent out via an email to all the subscribers of the GameCab mailing list.  Every once in a while I give out discount codes to the GameCab mailing list members so it is a good list to join AND I don't send out weekly mailings or kill your inbox with Junk emails.

Thanks again

Charlie

[MameMaster!]

....one word Charlie....

YAY!......

We're all looking forward to Yoking gaming goodness!!!!

Please let me (MameMaster   ) know when you've got the bugs worked out and you've got a few for sale.

Whoo Hoo!

Good Luck!
MameMaster  

[Gamecab]

It's here.



P.S. -  My digital Camera died just the other day so the pictures of the modified base will have to wait a day or so.

[Nannuu]

Has it really jumped up to $165?  Or was the $135 just for the first batch of pre-orders?  

[GGKoul]

The new price is $165.  $135 was for the pre-order only.  

Since there is a demand for the item, why not raise the price... The simple law of supply and demand.

[RetroJames]

GameCab Flight Yoke.
 Details
 
The GameCab Flight Yoke is our answer to your need for a SW-type control system for you Mame Cabinet or Control Panel. Click for Details.
 
Price: $165.00  

[Nannuu]

GameCab Flight Yoke.
 Details
 
The GameCab Flight Yoke is our answer to your need for a SW-type control system for you Mame Cabinet or Control Panel. Click for Details.
 
Price: $165.00  

Yep, I saw the pre-orders at 135 before and decided to wait a few months to get it as my cabinet is nowhere near started.  That delay is gonna cost me.....  

[crashwg]

at 135 i was considering it, but now that there 165 i think i'm going to have to pass on this one

[Magnet_Eye]

yeah.. $165... ouch. not worth it to me. I personally wouldn't want to spend much over $100.

They sell really kick ass Flight Yokes for $80-100...why would I want to pay $165 for that thing? Yikes!

Good luck GameCab!

PS- I hope your Atari "cloned" buttons aren't going to be like $10 each when they should be like $1.99! (plastic!)

[MameMaster!]

.....yeah I noticed the price increase too.

But when you think about it...these are custom made controllers by someone (Charlie) most likely not making much of a profit.

Face it, how may times have you been told by a friend/family member...."why don't you build cabs as a side business?" When I tell them that my "simple" cab cost over $2K (in most instances I think that seems to be the magic number) to build one of these monsters....they realize that there is not much room for markup.

Sigh....if I didn't like Star Wars so damn much....I wouldn't even consider it at all!....but, I must have spent literally hundreds playing that game.....I got really good too!....."Red 5 Standing by!"....oh the garbled sounding goodness of those soundbites brings back such memories!

MameMaster!
PS- So has anyone received theirs yet??.....I'm hoping to see pics of someone actually using this thing!

[crashwg]

I fully understand what you mean by having to make some profit, but he wouldn't have sold them for $135 if he wasn't making a profit...
The only reason I didn't buy one when they were $135 is nobody had tried them out before and how are we supposed to know if we are not just buying a realy expensive paperweight.  I personaly think it's unfair to expect us to just fork over the money for a product that nobody has ever used before, and once people have tried it and verify that it is worth buying they jack up the price.  If you ask me, that's just bad buisness!

[MameMaster!]

...yeah I see your point too.

....I'm trusting that he wouldn't bother even selling them if they weren't good. This community is too small to sell bad products.

Looking at the pics....it almost looks overengineered (it appears solid)...which in my mind is a good thing!

....but the "proof is in the pudding". I guess we'll have to all wait for someone to get one and post their thoughts....but yeah, $165.00 is a lot of dough......

[Gamecab]

The price increase was not a markup in the terms that I am trying to milk a large profit.  The simple truth is that the $135 price tag was for the Pre-Order flight yokes only and they cost just as much to make, now add the cost of having all the parts from 4 different vendors shipped in (Do you see a loss??).  These yokes are not cheap to make at the current quantity that I can produce.   In order to gain any discount that would be reflective of a lower final selling price I would have to order parts for and produce over 75 units in one lump purchase.  The risk in loss of personal capital does not justify such a major purchase in my eyes.  The only real thing that matters is making my contribution to the hobby but doing it for free or a loss of personal capital is really not worth my spare time (which I never seem to have).  You can feel free to call it "bad buisness" if that really is what you call working for a minimal profit at $165, although I would have to disagree with that statement for the reason mentioned above.

And to answer one last question - The button cones will sell for under $2 per cone but if you would like to pay $10 per cone I can always donate the remaining $8 to this site in your name.  I'm sure you will not get a tax break for it but you will feel good about doing it.

Thanks again guys

Charlie

[g-rock26]

I fully understand what you mean by having to make some profit, but he wouldn't have sold them for $135 if he wasn't making a profit...
The only reason I didn't buy one when they were $135 is nobody had tried them out before and how are we supposed to know if we are not just buying a realy expensive paperweight.  I personaly think it's unfair to expect us to just fork over the money for a product that nobody has ever used before, and once people have tried it and verify that it is worth buying they jack up the price.  If you ask me, that's just bad buisness!  

People are such morons....why on earth would someone put up the effort to build something if they didn't think that they were going to get some sort of return?  I think that a lot of people on this board still live at home with their parents and don't truly understand the what it takes to run a business (or even a hobby that has such demand).  I think $165 for this thing is awesome!  Happ sells trackballs for $150 and this thing has more to it than that...   cheapies!!!!  

[crashwg]

the $135 price tag was for the Pre-Order flight yokes only and they cost just as much to make

I'm sorry, but I highly doubt that the yokes have $135 in parts in them...

[Gamecab]

Don't be sorry, I'm not adding cheap parts to these yokes as per the high cost in making the unit.  The last thing I want to do is sell a product that is going to break on my customer.  It really is a well built unit but in being as it is, the parts had to be great and not just good.  This makes a difference when you select and test all of the items that go into the fight yoke.  You learn which are the CHEAP pots and which pots are going to take a beating, handle best under a power dip or increase.  You also learn which gears work best (Nylon, Plastic or Metal), will they strip or wear too easy?  I'm sure you have also checked the price of a set of Happ Gripps as well.....   They are just not cheap units to make....  
It's ok that you doubt my prices and now my product, I'm a little disapointed by such a negative reception, but if you change your mind in ordering a Yoke I will be happy to make one for you.

Thanks again

Charlie

[GroovyTuesdaY]

the $135 price tag was for the Pre-Order flight yokes only and they cost just as much to make

I'm sorry, but I highly doubt that the yokes have $135 in parts in them...

Were you born stupid or are you just naturally a  brick??   Its like charlie said,
the parts that go into things like this aren't cheap!!  The grip handles are 23.60 for EACH handle from happ, so right theres 47.00!!! PLUS the Pots and other materials and that doesn't even count labor.  So for you to make such an uninformed comment is a joke.   Do you expect him to make one for you for free?

Gamecab has been great to work with , has always responded quickly to emails and sent my orders in a VERY timely manner. From the stuff i have seen on his site for sale, NOTHING so far as i have seen has been overpriced AT ALL.  I mean, his empty control panels were selling for 53.00 a while back. Is that overpriced? Does that sound like he was making a rediculous profit off of it, especially having formica on it??? I think not!!  Nor do i think his current prices seem like too much for the yoke.

   All i have to say here is that GAMECAB deserves every curtousy and respect of any of the other vendors that people on here are used to dealing with.
I think his prices are very reasonable and typically under priced to be honest with you. But that just my take on it.

Keep up the great work charlie and don't listen to wankers like this guy who don't know there butt from a hole in the ground.   lol

Grooooooovy~

[GGKoul]

Gamecab (Charlie)

Just wondering if anyone has had a chance to review these?  I'm interested in purchasing one, but I would like to read a review first.  

Have you lowered the base?

As I'm still hoping to find a Star Wars Yoke from somewhere....

Thanks
-GGKoul

[crashwg]

Edited by myself due to bad wording.

To those who were offended, I sincerly appologize.  I wasn't thinking when I had posted this the first time.

First off Groovy, there is absolutly no reason to personaly inslult someone for questioning another and I again am amazed at how fast people get offended on this board and immediatly start the mud flinging.  It's rediculous!

I in no way was trying to be a dink about this and I am sorry that you percieved it as that.  I was just pointing out what he had stated, which I thought to be a little exagerated.  If there were realy $135 in parts then there is no way that he would have sold them for $135.  As stated by charlie, you have to add shipping and such.  In the snippit of the sentence I quoted it appears to me that he's trying to say that he's loosing money by selling them at $135, which I doubt is the case.

I am sory that I feel the way I feel.  Is that what you want me to say?

I don't know... It just seems to me that I'm getting jipped because I'm causous about what I buy.  I mean seriously guys, would you buy a $135 joystick that the maker claims has some feature that is worth it, without a second opinion?  I still haven't heard anyone say that the $135 was well spent, nevermind $165... I didn't even buy my playstation untill they were out for like a year, just so I could realy know that I was getting my moneys worth.

And Charlie, I am still considering buying one, even at the $165 price, I'm just leaning a little bit more towards not now that the price is increased.

[Gamecab]

Hey Crashwg,

I understand how you feel about making a purchase without reading the reviews, Trust me, I own a Kia Sportage ( It really is a bad SUV) and I too have been stung buy not waiting for reviews.  The Yokes have just started shipping this week and the reviews should start coming back really soon on how I did as a designer.  These reviews will make or break the yoke and I am ready for them.  

Now Please keep in mind that every once in a while I offer free shipping, and or discounts when I need to unload surplus.  The enire reason the GameCab control panels sold at that low price was that all the wood was just sitting as scrap in a huge pile in my workshop.  I wasn't going to throw it out (MDF is like GOLD to me) so I created a sale.  I fully intend to produce the yokes as best as I can and work to make a surplus of these units as well.  The more units I can sell will equal the more parts I can purchase and maybe even get a price break from my vendors.   I do intend on passing along any price breaks I can get to the final price of the Yoke.  We both know that I will sell more yokes at $135 than I will at $165.

One last thing and I am being totally truthfull with you - Yes, I did take a loss on the pre order yokes (not much of a loss but it still was a loss).  But I learn as I go on and it's not the end of the world because I have not quite my day-job yet.

Thanks again

Charlie

[crashwg]

I guess I owe you an apology too for incinuating (outright stating) that you were exagerating.  I guess I realy am as Groovy put it "a brick", although I believe he could have been a little nicer about it.  I should have done alot more research into what it realy does cost to make things like this.  You seem like a pretty cool guy Charlie, and I will be glad to do buisness with you... once the price starts to come down