Hodge Podge Chewlix

[yiggs]

Been eyeing a Chewlix for ages, finally pulled the trigger September 2019. Came hassle free from Potech (alibaba, Guangdong) to my door via Shipporter in late November (thanks for the recommendation MrCeasar).

Arrived with some brackets banged up, but no scratches or dents on the actual machine. I had asked them to forego the wooden frame because I'd heard other people having problems with customs and insecticide spray fees. Cling wrap and foam + cardboard is ridiculously tough! Seven (the girl from Potech) was really helpful and answered all the questions I threw at her. She also took pictures and videos of build progress.


It came with their stock 'Samsung' 1080p panel. Part number: LTY320HN02 and a 2000in1 Pandoras Box 9D, but I've changed the monitor out to an LG 32MP58HQ-P. It's great, and the machine drops about 10kg+!

Modifications

Currently running 2x OttoDIY levers, one with a 1.5lb spring, square gate, green grommet from Jasencustoms, Phreakmods TheLink, Crown dark green battop, Gersung A2 switches.
The other with Myoungshin fanta with 45A grommet, Hayabusa black shaft, ASI square gate, Golden bearing actuator, Panasonic AM5 switches.
I change the levers quite often... can't turn my brain off. They're wired up to 2x Brook UFB

Swapped out the stock control panel for a Diamond Black custom from 3Gelectronics Chile. Ordered through instagram :/ came really quickly and is REALLY good quality. The stock panel felt super hollow when buttons were pressed. Feels much better now, and I really like the way the brushed aluminium looks. Print job was amazing too. Matte finish, got some grip to it. Might get a plexi done up later.

Aux panel is from V.Select. Very nice quality acrylic! The three large buttons serve as Home, Select, Nothing atm. Not much use. Small buttons are also for show, but I'll hook them up to other things later. Volume control works, but I had to rewire the DAC because clearance on the machine is really not suited for this model IMO.



Got a good deal on the Namco Banapass from Japan. Hollowed it out and replaced the innards with a wireless Qi charger. Good for charging phone.
There's also a small switch next to the Banapass reader to turn the panel light on/off.

Whole control panel feels super solid thanks to the 3Gelectronics panel. I will get movelist art/marquee stuff printed out later on. I also want some stickers.
Changed the stock marquee out to a Vewlix F panel I found on eBay for cheap.
Top marquee is a bit of an odd shape. They didn't have the stock Vewlix top plexi, so they gave me ... a Sega Lindbergh plexi?! Not sure.

LEDs are Lifx, they make a big difference imo.

Still a lot of work to be done on this machine, but I think that's just how it is with these machines. To be honest, I've been working on the machine more than I've played on it :/

 

[Kavas]

Welcome to the club. The journey is never ending for these machines, especially if you plan to make it a mame cabinet. You will be upgrading and tinkering with it far more than playing on it. Heck just today I got the panels for the aux buttons.

From this homemade solution:

To these.

It's convenient if I see some arcade game on a stream that I want to try before I buy, so I go over and sit on my Chewlix and play. But the amount of $$$ spent versus the time played is crazy.

 

[jassin000]

Are these cabs inexpensive?
I just can't imagine it would be much cheaper than a real VLX.

 

[Kavas]

Are these cabs inexpensive?
I just can't imagine it would be much cheaper than a real VLX.

I paid $400 for mine but it didnt come with a screen or any games. I put my own screen in and use it as a mame cabinet mostly.

 

[yiggs]

Not too sure about cost vs real Vewlix machines, but these are definitely more readily available. It's kinda hard to get into group buys when you're new to a scene too.

You definitely do feel the difference though (playing on chewlix vs vewlix), but legit, this new panel closed the gap big time!

The cabinet currently runs off a PC with emulators/steam/PC games all put together with Launchbox.

 

[bagheera369]

Yiggs, mind sharing what you paid for yours after shipping?

 

[yiggs]

Yiggs, mind sharing what you paid for yours after shipping?

Haven't got the exact totals
but the machine was ~450usd, shipping was around 250aud
Included their stock monitor, pandoras box, PSU, speakers, marquee plexi

Running total is ~1800aud with all the bits and pieces (excluding PC...)
The most expensive things for this cab was probably the panel + shipping from Chile.

 

[bagheera369]

Interesting....thank!

 

[yiggs]

If you're thinking of buying one from China, i reckon do it soon haha. A lot of factories are closed/closing down, prices might be good/better.

Also, insist on talking to only one rep. Eg. a mate of mine was interested in a machine too, and they quoted him a totally different price, so I think there's a bottom line price + commission per sale.

Remember to bargain, ask for pics/vids/specs before and during the sale!

 

[jassin000]

Yea 400$ is def a deal, even with no screen.