Card Reader Emulator / Dongles

[The Ricker]

I currently own a Ferrari and a Star Wars pachinko and have just purchased, but not yet received a Sakura (Cherry Blossom).

I very much want to purchase card emulators/dongles for each before I have them wall mounted; however, I don't know for certain if they will all accept them.

Can anyone give me any information? I've noticed that they are being sold at the auction site from a gentlemen in England. Are they all similar as far as construction/quality? Is Arbycoffee currently selling them? Are they difficult to install?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks much!!!

Eric

[daverob]

I've noticed that they are being sold at the auction site from a gentlemen in England.

It's been a little while since I have been referred to as a gentleman, but this little thing has gone a long way to brightening up an otherwise dull and dreary day, thanks Eric.

You shouldn't have any problems with using the dongles on any of your machines. All of them were only produced in 'card reader ready' versions, so installation will simply be a matter of looking round the back of the machine for the existing dongle (a 25 way 'D' connector - similar to the old style PC printer connector), then unplugging it and replacing it with the card reader emulator dongle.

Installation is a little more complicated if you're going to add the smartcard option, but to be honest the most difficult bit is finding somewhere to mount the smartcard socket. Otherwise it's just a matter of plugging it in to the dongle, and going into the setup mode to change one of the settings.

Rubberratt has taken some good pictures of the dongle and installation in this recent post, which should help give you some idea of how it is installed. I've also got some before and after installation pictures for the Star Wars machine on the installation page on my website, and a few other pictures of regular dongles and connections on the compatibility page.

At the moment the only place to buy the dongles is direct from myself. The postal service is usually pretty good at getting them delivered in under a week though (usually 4-5 working days to the US) and I haven't had any go missing yet The only downside is the exchange rate isn't that favourable at the moment, so they currently work out at about $53 each.

As far as construction/quality goes, as I'm the only place you can buy them from, there's not much of a variation in quality between them . They are all hand built (by myself), so cosmetically they might not be 100% perfect, but every single one is burn-in tested for 48 hours, and then undergoes a full functional test before it is ready for shipping. This testing has so far managed to weed out any of the problematic ones, and I haven't had any returns in approx 150 units shipped.

If you've got any other questions feel free to ask, either in this thread, by private message, or you can email me at pinballdave@gmail.com

[MrGneiss]

Lets see what I can answer!!

Dave, the fine gentleman in England makes the dongles!! He has created one of the best accessories for the home pachinko enthusiast ever!!

You'll have to check with Dave, but they seem to work with most CR Pachnkos, if your pachis have a dongle or a place for one, it should work!!

Order with confidence, you wont be disappointed!!

Ok, here is a mini how to on Dave Dongle Installation!!

Look on the back of your (CR) machine...find the dongle!!
DaveDongle1.jpg

And take it off!!
DaveDongle2.jpg

Then take your Dave Dongle!!
DaveDongle3.jpg

And stick it on!!
DaveDongle4.jpg

Done!!


Oops, guess Dave answered while I was typing!!

[fronzdan]

It definitely will work in the Star Wars and the Sakura. I have one in my Star Wars right now and tested it in a St. Maria which is the same frame as the Sakura.

The gentleman in the UK makes a fine product, you will be very happy with them.

[dishpan]

Eric, you can't go wrong dealing with Dave. Everything he does is top notch!

"Gentleman Dave" does have a nice ring to it.
What we do need is a Pachitalk Knighthood!

[luckydog]

We dub thee!!!

"Sir Daverob"

[fronzdan]

Does this mean Sir Arby and Sir Dave are going to have a jousting match?

[portercbl]

Dave,
I just sent for No. 19, Emulator/Dongle. This one will be for my Jackie Chan pachinko arriving tomorrow.
Thanks again !,
Jerry

[daverob]

Does this mean Sir Arby and Sir Dave are going to have a jousting match?

There would be no honour in fighting against a true nobleman like Arby... unless there's a fair maiden involved

Now which fair maiden was it that we are fighting over...

cutie.png lupin_fujiko.png

[owennewton]

both quite fair maidens

[luckydog]

Cutey Honey

because she changes personalities

[Youngjedi]

Just bought my Card Reader YAY!!! It's going on my Star Wars!

[arbycoffee]

DaveRob has my FULL trust. The best I can SAY

[Meathead]

Cutey Honey

because she changes personalities

Big deal, my wife does that at the drop of a hat...

[portercbl]

My Dongle arrived today in great shape, plugged it in fresh out of the bag and now Jacki Chan is one happy camper!
Along with myself, of course.
Thanks Daverob for this extraordinary invention!
Jerry

[arbycoffee]

those dongles are great!!

[bernardp]

Can't wait for my dongle to arrive! My pachinko machine will feel complete!

[portercbl]

And that it will! Bernardp There's nothing like it!
Jerry

[jmaclerran]

I've also purchased a couple of the dongles and card readers from Daverob. It is so extremely cool to get the buttons to register credits, and dispense balls, and the digital displays to come to life

[Youngjedi]

I finally got a chance to make a Card reader Slot for my Star Wars Machine.

Here are a few pics of the slot...works great!

(I Know, the Indy is in there now, but it is the cabinet for my Star Wars.)