WTB: WMS BB top box to accomodate 22" widescreen monitor

[Yoeddy1]

Hi guys,

So I'm going to get a 22" widescreen conversion project underway over the next few weeks, and the first thing I would like to do is change my chop top box to a large top box that will house a 22" widescreen LCD monitor like some of the other members out here have done.  The finish on my machine is the standard black texture. 

If you have anything like the top box that is pictured, please let me know what pricing and shipping would run to 83709.

Thanks,
Jason

[gunnerbill]

Jason,, sent you a PM

[Yoeddy1]

Jason,, sent you a PM

Response sent.  Thanks!

Jason

[Yoeddy1]

Ok, I found a 22" Kristel LCD for the top box.  Now I need a 1.5 top box...the one with the removable chrome top piece.  Harvs, Jimise, coolwavepic, rickhunter, correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks,
Jason

[Harvs]

That's the correct top box. - Ideally you want the PLASTIC top chrome piece vs the metal. The metal will have to be cut to fit the monitor, while the plastic is wider/thicker and fits over the monitor when installed. Both those top chrome pieces look the same, kinda hard to explain the differences and I don't have any to take pics for you.

[rickhunter]

That top piece is going to cost you.  I paid $185 for the top plastic piece for a 1.5.  Hard as heck to find.  You would have been better off the the NEC for a quick fix, since the regular top chrome is a lot easier to locate and typically when you buy the 16" top, they usually come with it.  The difference int he top piece is the 1.5 piece is taller to accomodate the monitor top.  For a while I was just running my 1.5 conversion without the top bezel until I found the piece.  The other thing is the bracket that is used for the bb2 to mount the monitor is not the same as the one used for 1.5.  So you are going to have to remove the bb2 bracket "ears" from the monitor to make it fit.

[Jimise]

Here is an inside pic of the BB2 plastic chrome piece.
It is wider, so it will fit completely over the the Kristal monitor.

[Yoeddy1]

So guys, I need to make a decision and I have to let people know. 

Rick said a standard BB1 top with the chrome top and the NEC monitor is an easy installation.  No cutting required Rick?  Is the viewing angle good on the NEC? 

Or should I hold out and find a 1.5 top (plastic top, not chrome) and get the Kristel OEM monitor?  The NEC can be found new online.  The Kristel would be nice used. 

Votes?

Jason

[bpracer]

So guys, I need to make a decision and I have to let people know. 

Rick said a standard BB1 top with the chrome top and the NEC monitor is an easy installation.  No cutting required Rick?  Is the viewing angle good on the NEC? 

Or should I hold out and find a 1.5 top (plastic top, not chrome) and get the Kristel OEM monitor?  The NEC can be found new online.  The Kristel would be nice used. 

Votes?

Jason

The plastic top with the OEM monitor is nice but it depends on how much you want to spend and if you can find the correct parts.

The NEC will take a little custom fitting but when done right it looks pretty darn good, not as nice as the OEM but pretty darn good.

Here is my conversion, factory BB2 on the left, NEC BB1 conversion on right.

[Harvs]

Ouch! I think I sold those BB1.5 chrome pieces for $35 shipped.. I coulda been rich!!

[rickhunter]

The viewing angles are not all that great on the NEC as it uses a TN panel.  In my particular conversion, I didn't not cut or modify anything other than removing the side inside brackets that hold the glass piece in the top box, but no cutting or sawing at all. Other than a small 1/8 inch gap at the very top between the top bezel of the monitor and the bottom part of the chrome head, no other gaps.


Most OEM top monitors I've seen use IPS panels, so the viewing angle on that is going to be much better, but honestly, it has never bothered me one way as I sit at the right height and the viewing angle is not an issue, especially if you get an OEM main monitor with an IPS panel, that way you can sit a bit higher on the cabinet and compensate for the lack of viewing angle on the top monitor.  But how many times are you really going to look at the top monitor while playing?  Other than a few games where part of the bonus takes place in the top monitor, I don't really see a big issue using the NEC.

[Yoeddy1]

Ok, thanks for the feedback gents!  I decided to pull the trigger on the Kristel 22" non touch screen for the top box.  That said, I think the 1.5 top box will be the way to go.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, if anybody sources one or has one for sale, please let me know.

Here's the monitor.

Thanks,
Jason

[Yoeddy1]

Ok guys, the elusive chrome plastic top piece has been found. 

Does anyone have a standard black textured BB1 top box like the one pictured?

Thanks,
Jason

[Yoeddy1]

Top box monitor found!

Thanks to everyone that helped put this Frankenbox together!  Now we'll see if it all fits when it gets here!

Jason