Star Tech Journal

STARHECH JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1982
13
On lhe ~'tvtce hail ...
* GREMLIN/SEGA
"ZAXXON" JOYSTICK
* * WICO
CONTACT SETS
ATARI MAILING LIST
* NINTENDO "DONKEY
ANTI-STRAW MOD
* FREE KONG"
GAMES?
By Todd Erickson, Summit Amusement, St. Paul, MN
Gremlln/Sega "Zaxxon" Joystick
The Japanese society is different than ours in
many respects. Their games don't take the
abuse that our games receive. They have more
of a tendency to play with finger movements.
Our players use more of a hand movement.
This is the reason that the controls used on
"Zaxxon" have been a problem. No manufac-
turer can afford to hold back a game this
superb. There are several things an operator
can do if the game goes down. If there are no
parts available, the Wico joystick can be
installed. Wico also has a fire button in the
trigger with one of its models. I like the feel of
the larger handle that comes with the game.
The biggest problem with the assembly is the
screw that holds the handle on. It seems to
come out. There are two special wrenches
available free from your distributor. These are
needed. The main screw that holds the handle
on must be loc-tited. This screw must be
checked when collecting. If the screw comes
out, the wires to the trigger will generally break.
If they short out to the handle, you will lose the
picture. These wires are special, flexible wires
that must be used. If you don't, the wires will
break prematurely. A visual inspection of the
assembly is in order every few weeks. This will
detect loose screws or wear on the components.
Sega/Gremlin is now working on upgrading the
joystick. I recommend contacting your distri-
butor for further information when this is
released. Sega/Gremlin's new warranty is now
90 days on this joystick, starting July 1, 1982.
Wlco Contact Sets
For over a year I have been using Wico
embossed steel contact sets. The latest sets
have the points at a 45° angle for even wear. I
feel these are the best to use on "Centipede",
"Tempest", etc. I have used these points on
Williams' pinballs to replace the critical switches.
I had to space them up to get the correct
pressure. There have been no service calls on
any of these contact sets to date. Several
hundred have been installed.
Atari Malling List
On the front of all Atari games are cards that
need to be filled out and returned. When the
games leave the factory, they all work and have
been burned in for at least 24 hours. After being
trucked all over the country, a few may develop
small problems. It is necessary for Atari to find
out what problems occur. Also necessary is
knowing how many work without any trouble.
These cards will help eliminate the percentage
of games that give trouble when the game is
new. Filling out the card will also get your
name on the Atari mailing list for the "Coin
Connection."
Nintendo "Donkey Kong"
Anti-Straw Mod
When the income dropped sharply on this
game, the operator found the players playing
free, using the service switch. This was done by
removing the game plex. We are now faced
with a similar problem. The players are playing
this game free again.
I strongly recommend all operators checking
the quarters received against the meters. What
is currently happening is that the players are
using a straw to go through the crack between
the door and the frame. They activate the coin
switch with the straw. By doing this, the player
can "earn" up to 90 credits! It appears that a
piece of wood mounted on the inside of the
cabinet to block the path of the straw will solve
this problem.
The coin rejector can also be cheated with
pennies. If this becomes a problem, the easiest
cure is to install a Coin Controls Assembly.
The bolt pattern is the same, so it is a relatively
easy installation.
Free Games?
Any time a game is played for free, money is
taken away from the operator, distributor, and
the manufacturer. Many times it is the manu-
facturer that is causing the problem. An
unnecessary service call is also money taken
from all ofus. We all pay for everything on the
game, including two coin rejectors. On many
games, when a coin hangs up on one coin
switch, the other doesn't work. Is this poor
engineering, cost cutting measures, or simply a
lack of knowledge oo the part of the manufacturers?
Atari-engineered gan,es have proven them-
selves as the most trouble-free from cheating
with their timed pulse. The coin switch must
activate and deactivate in a set time. This
makes it almost impossible to use a string to
credit the game. The Coin Controls door that
Atari uses has a protective shield for the switch
wires. Furthermore, Atari has independent
circuits for each coin switch, so if one side
jams, the other will still operate. Too bad all
machines today are not engineered this way.
MURPHY'S LAW #407
Parts that positively cannot be assembled
in improper order
will be.
DON'T SIT
ON YOUR
"Asteroids"!
Convert to new hot full
color games with
XC-100 Asteroids
Cabinet Conversion Kit.
XC-100 KIT
*$495.*
This is a super kit. It is
well engineered and
can be installed in less
than 2 hours. Your
total satisfaction is
guaranteed.
Kit Includes
* *
*
* *
*
*
* *
*
19" Color Monitor
Isolation Transformer
Heavy Steel Monitor
Mounting Bracket
(allows both vertical
and horizontal
picture tube
mountings)
Picture Tube Bezel
Tinted Plastic Safety
Screen
Choice of Control
Panels
Monitor Bracket
Template for Easy
Mounting
All Required Hardware
Clear Plastic Top
Attraction Panel
Easy Instructions
*
Send Check or Order UPS COD to
WVGO, Inc.
15000 Main Street
Gardena, CA 90248
213-516-9525