Aftermarket PCB's vs. Original?

[shansta]

I'm personally talking about system 80 Caveman - but I guess applies to any machine?

What are your thoughts about turfing the old factory boards, for Rottendog, Ni-wumpf style replacements?

I went an aftermarket driver board myself - figuring it's harder to blow up than the original.

Plus, as I need to deal with a video card deck as well - I wanted one less thing to troubleshoot!

Now - I am wondering if I did the right thing?

 

[ajlaird]

For a collector's machine, it may be better to stick with original boards as some collectors get fussy about these things.

But for a Caveman I don't think anyone will care that much...

[MartyJ]

I've got no issues with the quality after market boards..

I have used them in a few of my machines - System 80 included.

Most - if not all are redesigned to overcome some faults / factory issues and with many parts becoming obsolete in some cases its the only option.

The other is cost.  With the dollar being very good its even better value to buy these.

[shansta]

For a collector's machine, it may be better to stick with original boards as some collectors get fussy about these things.

But for a Caveman I don't think anyone will care that much...

Yeah - it's up there with DH, I know... 

[shansta]

I've got no issues with the quality after market boards..

I have used them in a few of my machines - System 80 included.

Most - if not all are redesigned to overcome some faults / factory issues and with many parts becoming obsolete in some cases its the only option.

The other is cost.  With the dollar being very good its even better value to buy these.

The original was $15 cheaper - I wanted the aftermarket anyway. And yeah - the dollar is nice!

$50US freight was a bitch though! (BAA)

[Strangeways]

I attempt to repair the original, but in some cases (corrosion) the board cannot be saved. I have no hesitation in using aftermarket boards. Altek, Ni Wumpf, Pascal SYS1 and SYS80. You need to repin connectors when using new boards.

[ajlaird]

For a collector's machine, it may be better to stick with original boards as some collectors get fussy about these things.

But for a Caveman I don't think anyone will care that much...

Yeah - it's up there with DH, I know... 

Heh, heh, I actually swapped DH for a Getaway.

[chris288]

Yep go aftermarket definately!!

As others have said, pricewise it makes great sense and also newer technology being better and more reliable and also newer parts are much easier to find.

Keep the originals though in case you ever sell to a collector who wants it factory OEM.

The great thing about a lot of the new boards too is the fact that they can be used in another machine straight away with only a change of a dipswitch to worry about and no pissing about with roms and jumpers. Which means fault finding on your newly purchased "bargain find" is going to be a bit easier. Thats a good thing with the Altek board.

And the good thing about the Williams Sys 3,4,5,6, replacement is that it combines the MPU and the driver board in one eliminating the troublesome inter connector.

[Retropin]

Pros and cons to both.

NiWhumpf ive used with no issues at all

ALTEK i have reservations with.. have used a couple of these and lack of credits displayed means you have 2 digits on display with nothing on them and this looks like a fault even though its not.
Also a TILT light that stays on when "same player shoots again" comes on...
.. this fault disappears when original board is put back in.

I use ALTEK when absolutely no other option ONLY

[pinnies4me]

I've got Pascal boards in a few Gottlieb system 1 games and I am almost at the point of preferring them with the extra rules and skill shot etc - maybe not for the purest, but for most of us who love the old games but also like reliability, they really are the way to go.

[ddstoys]

I have Altek boards cpu lamp driver and solonoid driver in my strikes and spares as I wanted it reliable so far I've had no issues but I always attempt to fix the originals first

[shansta]

Well for me - all my boards were stuffed / raided for parts.

So I am in the situation of having to buy "new" anyway - hence the indecision...

SYS-80a - so I need to run an original MPU anyway. (The one in the machine looks fixable)

I am a sadist - so I would like to get it running (one day) with all the original board-set. 

I need to buy shares in GPE/Big Daddy!

[punter]

I recently purchased the Pascal 4 in 1 board for Joker Poker,with the aussie dollar being so good i was very happy to get it here inc insurance for $340.00 aussie dollars.I have only heard of good reports about this board so am happy to have it ready to go in if i have a major issue with the original boards.I am no expert on boards but have been told that if a certain chip goes in the original board you cannot replace it.I was thinking about purchasing an Altek board to have as a back up for the Bally games i have but was interested to read the comments about a couple of issues with it.Cheers Tony.

[mildflame]

I don't believe in putting aftermarket boards in machines, can make it better but takes away the original feeling that a collectors want 

[elkor-alish]

I think it's an individual thing.
If you want to keep it original and you have the skills to repair the old boards why would you want new ones?
Having said that, I can totally understand wanting the reliability and piece of mind of new boards.