Pondering between S2000 and a Vision as a first machine

[stillageek]

First, this is an amazing forum. I spent hours going through post.

I am looking at buying my first slot machine. I am debating between a S2000 and a Vision machine. I found a site that has a Vision machine slightly cheaper than the equivalent S2000 version. I would assume the vision would cost more as it has the LCD and all. Are their known issues with the Vision series? I haven't seen one in a casino in years. Whatever machine I buy I plan on flying out to inspect it first. I noticed most vendors are in Arizona or Ohio...which seems odd to me. Any ballpark on what a used S2000 or Vision machine *should* cost? I have seen as low as $699 for a S2000 to $2400 a vision.

A little about myself. I come from a computer hardware background. I spent 5 years fixing POS systems and servers for NCR and 3 years troubleshooting software and hardware for a POS software company. I am currently a pilot for a US airline (thus being able to fly out and checkout a machine prior to purchase).

[tjkeller]

1st of all WELCOME to NLG stillageek
You found the BEST Site that exists related to Home Owned Amusement Gaming. We like to call it a
obsession er Hobby. Be warned that when you do find your 1st machine, it is an unsolved mystery
in how you can leave the room and come back to see there are suddenly more than one. Nobody here
has been able to shed any light into this phenomena. 

Your question can certainly spark quite a debate especially as people offer OTHER suggestions
as a 1st Slot Game. As for the S2000 vs Vision, I have neither and want BOTH. If I had to choose
between the two, I would likely go with the S2000. Especially as a 1st machine. You have much more
options you can do with the cabinet as far as Game Theme changes etc. Plus, IMO, It would be a much
better platform to LEARN on than the Vision. Either way, I think you would find much enjoyment.

Whatever you do choose, there are plenty of GREAT people here to help should you have any troubles.

GOOD HUNTING!

TJ

[Bettor Slots]

Personally I really like the Visions (which FYI is actually an enhanced S2000) even though a lot of guys on NLG give them a bad rap because in truth many of there game titles are a little lame.  I own one myself and like having it...although they are more cost they do provide a little more excitement to the game.  In my opinion however, there are a few problems with them at this point that you need to consider.  It is very difficult to find any "good" quality games for them any more...they still do happen by once and awhile, but since they are no longer produced...it is becoming more and more difficult.  Although some average game kits are available, some of the best like MS LGM and Fox-N-Hound are very hard to get.  As far as parts go, they pretty much use the same as the S2000...except for the LCD top box which has a special processor and flash card.  Hard to get your hands on one of these if it ever goes bad although I have seen them on Ebay once and awhile.

The safer choice is probably a S2000.  It's a solid machine that will be around for a long time.  It will also continue to be built for a long time.  Parts are very easy to get and most importantly...there are many game kits you can get at a good price on Ebay all the time and it is easy to change them out yourself if you are a newbie.  You can also do some really fun things with them like backlit reals and enhanced sound.  Many NLG'ers have a couple of machines, but will have 10's (dare I say 100's ?) of game kits to go with them.

Good luck,

Jim

[Ron (r273)]

Yes, welcome to NLG!

You can also get what they call Vision Ready which is a Vision without the LCD screen at the top. I have one that has the hardware to support the LCD and a couple anothers without. For my first one, I would lean towards the S-2000 with the benifits list before.

Ron

[rickhunter]

I'd buy a fully decked S2000 (Backlit reels, 4 or 5 reel machine, multi-denom touch area).  Buy a machine with a specific theme that does not use the standard DSV042 sound Simm (a title not available in the older S+).  The reason I'd go this way it's because it's more expensive go buy buy the parts necessary to convert a 3 reel machine to 5 reel than vice-versa.  You can then convert this S2000 to a vision buy just buying the top and necessary cables.  Then you buy a 3 reel shelf and a new door to accomodate the player panel for a plain 3 reel machine (it's a LOT easier and cheaper to buy 3 reel parts than 5 reel parts).  This way you will have access to 5 and 3 reel games and vision games.  You can then also get the 4 reel conversion kit.  But by far, the most expensive setup is to get parts for 5 reel machines.  You may pay more for a 5 reel machine, but think it'd be cheaper than buying a 3 reel and a 5 reel hardware and software kit.

[uniman]

You see slot dealers in Arizona, Ohio, Kentucky, the Virgina's, Minnesota, etc because those states are legal to own states. First thing you should do is know the law in your state. They vary. Some states say no slots, some say 25 years old or older, etc. I think we have members here from almost every state and they own machines. Seems like most places don't persue slot owners unless you use it for real gambling, i.e. taking the neighbor kids milk money, then your in trouble no matter where your at.

I would advise;
-using it for entertainment only.
-know your state's law.
-find out how much they really enforce the law, if there is one.
-Then get that machine you always wanted!! 

Here is a Wikipedia link;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_state_slot_machine_ownership_regulations

[kmn007]

This is a great question you have asked the members. I would say purchase the game you truly Love to play at the casino If you are lucky to get that theme game you will always cherish  it. For this is your first game and you will never forget it. Which ever you get Enjoy and Welcome to the family of FUN and Entertainment
Ken

[stillageek]

I live in Texas so no worry about the law. I picked S2000 because the S-Plus models don't seem to be as popular with upgrades. Are the older Splus generally just as reliable as S2000? Anything to watch out for with any machine I pick?

[stayouttadabunker]

First, this is an amazing forum. I spent hours going through post.

I must of spent weeks reading and reading before I had the gumption to actually put up a post!
This website is a bit extensive, isn't it? lol 

By the way, WELCOME TO NEWLIFEGAMES !

[brichter]

My second machine is a Vision, and I can run S2000 themes by removing the LCD, plugging in the MMLB2 sound board and swapping out the game kit (eproms, glass, and reel strips). My first was an S+ and I still play it almost every night.

[MarkInAz]

To add on to Stillageeks original question:

For an S-2000, what are the various options?  In other words, what is a "basic" machine as opposed to a "fully loaded" machine?

[rickhunter]

A Basic machine in my definition:

1.  3 reels not backlit
2.  Standard spin sounds.
3.  Single Denomination.
4.  Mono sound.
5.  Bill Validator
6.  Coin handling (hopper, coin comparitor)

If you buy a "vision ready" machine, this is pretty much what you'll get.  It's an S2000 with minimal configuration.

Options are as follows:

1.  Backlit Reels.
2.  Multimedia board with sound simm (DSV042 unless you get a theme specific sound simm)
3.  Stereo speakers (The "ears" on the newer S2000's)
4.  Vision topper for lcd bonus games (also requires harness and a few other mods to retrofit if you get a newer s2000 cabinet)
5.  A Topper.
6.  Progressive hardware.
7. 4 or 5 reel kits
8. Multi-Denom touch kit
9. Ticket printer (doesn't do much other than print a ticket when you cash out since you can't validate it back to the machine you can't use the ticket to add credits, but it's a cool thing to have)
10. Barcrest upgrade

AND what is NIRVANA for most of us:

11.  Convert it to a Wheel of Fortune bonus machine.

I'm sure I'm missing something, but that's just off the top of my head.

[brichter]

Note: NIRVANA is unobtainable by us mere mortals...

[Bettor Slots]

Rick...sounds like the perfect machine to me....except for one small detail.

12.  Built-in beer tap and cup dispenser on the left hand side and a cooler built into the slot stand below to house the pony keg.

[rickhunter]

Beer tap?  You got it all wrong, it needs to be:

12.  Cocktail waitress in french maid outfit. 

[Ron (r273)]

Beer tap?  You got it all wrong, it needs to be:

12.  Cocktail waitress in french maid outfit. 

Got one of those but she not very talkative.