New Guy, making a purchase! Help please!

[Nokoroto]

I've decided to purchase a pachinko machine from eBay and won the bid at £74, with an additional £80 shipping fee.
It comes with 160 balls, so maybe not the best buy, but the only one available in the UK at a decent price.

All I know so far is that it is called "Hanabi Fireworks" by Aruze.

Unfortunately after talking with the seller some more, and out of curiosity, the lights surrounding the Pachinko do not appear to light up. I was just wondering will this be a huge issue? Of course I want the lights to work, and will do anything I need to. But without a manual, not the correct sources in the UK for replacement parts, will this end up costing more than it needs to?

payment has not been sent yet, as I wanted to get some information on it. I will post some pictures from the eBay post ASAP, although Hanabi (the user) has posted the listing under the eBay page anyway, so feel free to take a look until I get home.

ANY AND ALL advice is welcome, negative or positive. I really want my first purchase to go smoothly do any info on the machine and light problem would be helpful, including thoughts on the prices and sources for more balls and replacement parts.

thank you!

[hanabi]

Hey, I'm no User!!!

okay here's the link to the eBay thread, (presume it's this one)

Ebay Auction: Hanabi Fireworks Pachinko

and the manual link is in my first post in that thread

but I'll post it again here, in case it is helpful

PachiTalk Research Center - Machine Manuals - Fireworks - PachiTalk


this model was manufactured by Mizuho around 2004 and is housed in the 'Air Vision' frame

RC Link: PachiTalk Research Center - Mizuho - Hanabi - Fireworks - PachiTalk




Are you sure the lights aren't working? presume you are talking about the frame lights, I believe that on most pachinkos the lights will cycle on when the machine is first switched on as a sort of self-check (sorry, my own Hanabi Fireworks is in storage at the moment So I can't go check if this is applicable to this model for you)

I would ask the seller to do a switch on and look for any bulbs that aren't lighting, maybe they will video it for you? if nothing lights then there may be a problem, but if it's just one or two bulbs then you may be able to find some to suit? (not sure what bulbs they take, i've only ever bought them for my Lumina Frames and no idea where they are right now)

Hopefully other members with a machine in this frame can offer some advice to you (Cutie Honey is in this frame for example)

Pachinko balls are not easy to find in the UK, but one of our members may have some for sale??

[Drunkenclam]

The lights on the airvision frame are all leds. if you look in your introduction thread I posted a video for Cutie Honey That has the same frame. Although alot of the time the lights only come on during certain game play
If you watch the video, The frame lights hardly ever come on, So it might not be a fault.

Cutie Honey - YouTube

As for balls £25 get you 500 balls plus postage. but you really need 1000 balls really. Your not going to get anywhere with 160 balls, Honest. They will be no fun at all in playing.

[Nokoroto]

You two are awesome. Thanks again for the warm welcome and posts.

Okay, so let's get down to business.

Here is the video that got me to buy it: fireworks pachinko vidieo - YouTube

Please check it out, as the lights are on from the get go. The person I'm buying it from, most likely does not know what each screen means, nor when it should light up (Neither do I haha), however, I have a feeling there should be a light or two now and then.

Do you think this is worth taking a risk on? I'll have to make a further £50 purchase as far as DrunkenClam is aware, so altogether this set up is going at £200, with an unknown sense of whether the lights are working or not!!! ARGH! Driving me crazy haha.

What are your thoughts? First time buyer - Worth the hassle? Or is it a straight up bargain without the lights anyway?

Also - Who can buy these £25 - 500 balls from? I'd like to get those here while it's being shipped, so may aswell make the purchase asap.

[Nokoroto]

Maybe I should go ahead and buy Cutie Honey? Haha. But seriously, this machine looks like so much fun in that youtube video...Blargh.

-Wallowing- HALP.

[Drunkenclam]

Ok skip the doc's video (Sorry Doc) and watch these

CR 花� [Hanabi] - YouTube
Hanabi Pachinko - YouTube

I have seen on ryantigers machine of this that he can access a menu option on power up, although I have no idea what these menus do,

If it lights up during attract mode it should be fine, If not, it might be a blown fuse or a loose plug, But might be worse.
Oh for Cutie honey you need another £100 on top of that

As for balls. The biggest importer of balls at the moment is Dr Unkenclam

[Nokoroto]

Okay - so here are my next few questions lol:

1. How the hell do I get it in attract mode (Or explain it to the guy who is selling it to me, so he can check)
2. Who the hell is Dr Unkenclam? Oh...Wait...Lol. Okay, so PM you for some prices on your balls?
3. Cutie Honey can hang out with you for a few more months then.

[Drunkenclam]

1) Attract mode = Turn the machine on and leave it after about 5 minutes it will run through its animation like in the begining of the first video
2) Where in Essex are you, I might be able to deliver.
3) That will make my wife very happy

Oh as you can see your machine name is

CR花火
from October 2004.
2 versions availble with different payout odds

CR花火 = 1/350.5 chance
CR花火BW = 1/315.5 chance

Both average payout on ootari is 2025 balls (you can see why you need more)


Don't worry about the 2 buttons on the front of the machine not working, They are parlour buttons, If you want them to work, (Not important, but if you ever wall mount or seal in your machine vital). You will need a daverob dongle.
but thats an addition you don't need for now.

[Nokoroto]

Okay perfect. I am asking the seller to make a video of it in attract mode. I will post it here so we can compare it and see what the differences are, and assume the best or worst.

So with that payout, do I need to purchase 2000 balls then roughly? To properly enjoy the machine. 160 seems laughable now, however I never realised balls would cost as much as this haha.

And I am currently living in Basildon, but I have a lovely train close by!

Apologies to your wife! >.<

[Drunkenclam]

no, you will not need 2000 balls, unless you go mad and build a fully recycling ball set up, For these moderns its ok to either let the rear run out of balls and top it up later, or take a break during ootari to refill the back with your winnings.