Need Help! Finding the right machine. I know you know this shit.

[ddrnick]

Alright here in St. Louis, Missouri at the Tee Time Family Fun Center we have gotten the owner to agree to put down half on any type of IIDX machine. I need everyone's input on how to get a 10th or higher mix the cheapest. Either through upgrade kits or buying used. So link me some sites, give me some ideas, and show me your knowledge of how to get a good IIDX machine cheap. (looking around $6000-$9500 give or take)

[zorahk]

I'll try and help the best I can.

First, most people on this site have no idea how to get arcade machines. 99% of them do not have any connections or legitimate knowledge. I however, know a little bit, because I talk to the people that know more than me so I can learn. That 1% really helps.

You are going to have to import an arcade machine from Japan. Of course it will be used, you CANNOT buy a new IIDX machine legally in any way. The problem is with the mix. You are going to have a hard time getting newer versions of the game that you can upgrade legitimately. For example, I can tell you where to get an 8th mix machine on the cheap, but does that really help you?

Your best bet if you want legitimate hardware (which I am assuming you do since you need at least one with good hardware but a duped security plug to be able to take tokens, I don't think bittorrent will work if you know what I mean) is to buy a newer mix and then upgrade the HDD to troopers or something. Problem is this is expensive and I have no idea where to source newer cabinets. You may be able to buy upgrade kits but that also is a pain. Honestly, I have no idea how the people who get real bemanipc kits get them.

That being said, if you can handle getting something used and figuring out the logistics of the grey market upgrade scene, you can most likely get what you want at a good price. An 8th mix machine will run you around 4,200 before shipping, I think shipping on that would be around 1500-2000 since IIDX is huge. But then how do you proceed from there? I don't know.

I've told you really all I know about beatmania, I know more about importing pop'n machines. If you want to really know what to do, get in touch with users like amazingkenchan and -ho- (who actually has an iidx machine) to help you out more. Also, keaton is your best bet to talk to, since he is running an IIDX machine over in ohio last I checked.

[Lost_One]

Dude, our arcade owner gets the latest GF/DM within a month (at the very latest) of the Japanese release. However, even though we've been trying in vain, we have been stuck with IIDX 10th style for YEARS AND YEARS. Not to dampen your spirits, but if a professional can't do it, I doubt you'd have much success, especially if your owner is only really willing to put in money, and not time.

Best of luck.

[Blackraven]

Unless BM IIDX is 'officially' supported in your area or territory, then this acquiring such is obviously going to be hard (and could possibly be a logistical nightmare).

Anyways, Japan has a lot but if you find it harder, then you could try sourcing it from other Asia. Most though of what you would find here in Other Asia are slightly newer versions. In this case, you can expect that GOLD would be the most abundant (BM IIDX officially made its debut in Asian territories starting with GOLD back in September 2007). You may also have find Troopers as well in that regard. In any case, if you get to find a GOLD or DJT unit from Other Asia, then most likely the machine condition is at the very least good or in mint condition (since these were brand new machines back when they were first produced back in 2007 up to 2008).

Now, if you are planning to get a whole unit, then there are many places/territories here in Other Asia where you can get it. Still, one of the easiest to get without the need for any form of modification, is from Taiwan. They use 110 voltage there so you do not need any power converter, voltage transformer or that you would not need to change the power supply because of save voltage (Taiwan and USA uses AC 100-120V and both are 60hz cycle I think)

That's pretty much what I can say for now.........

[gurtygurt]

My strategy would be sourcing a Gold or DJT cabinet, waiting a few months for Sirius to come out, then buying one of many Empress kits that'll come up.

[zorahk]

^way easier said than done. Buying a gold or DJT cab is almost impossible.

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by zorahk

^way easier said than done. Buying a gold or DJT cab is almost impossible.

Guess you're right.

Still, the OP said that his requirement is AT LEAST 10th style or higher. He doesn't obviously need a GOLD or DJT unit (at least at the moment based on what he needs/wants as of the present time).

As again, BM IIDX cabinets may indeed be hard to acquire though not impossible (we just got a Distorted machine up and running a few months ago). So that means that there are indeed sellers out there (regardless of how small the number may be)

[zorahk]

I agree, but like I said there is this problem.

You're not going to be able to buy gold or DJT.
Anything below that is not much of a problem to source.

But then, you run into this problem: you won't be able to buy a BemaniPC v2, which is required for Gold, DJT, Empress, Sirius, ETC.

Essentially, it's a catch 22, and the only way out is to get lucky with a good find somewhere.

So, you can either try to find a recent cabinet and pay MASSIVE cash,
or, find an older one and wait awhile for an upgrade kit
OR just bootleg everything which IMO is what you are going to have to do if you want to get anywhere with these.

[NMD]

Originally Posted by zorahk

Essentially, it's a cache 22

Dude, it's 'Catch 22'.

Just so's you know


Good luck to the OP btw, I'd be interested in knowing how you get on.

[cmcm]

Going legit is nigh impossible and even so, you never really know what you're going to get even if the seller says it's completely legit.

PM me and I may be able to help you out.