Hello,

I'm interested in replacing two suppliers of Kiosk keyboard and cash
retrieval hardware units.

The units need to be PC connectable.

Priorities:

1. Cost.
2. Reasonable quality.
3. At least two manufacturers.

Thank you.

/Lizardnation

---

Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 21 May 2003 11:20 PDT

Hi lizardnation -

There is a myriad of manufacturers out there.  May we ask what it is
you currently use, and what it is you're looking for in a product?  Is
this a physical kiosk, as in a shopping mall kiosk?  Are you
essentially looking for a cash register?

Thanks,

jbf777-ga
GA Researcher

---

Clarification of Question by lizardnation-ga on 21 May 2003 11:28 PDT

Hello Jbf777,

No I can't provide you with the current hardware.

The Kiosk is a shopping mall type of Kiosk and the cash deposits will
be made by the public, so it can't be a cash register as the machine
needs to take the money in, count it and identify the denominations
and send the information to the PC.

If you're familiar with those machines some banks use to allow clients
to deposit into their accounts and pay their bills via cash, you'll be
on the mark of what I want.

This is a public access Kiosk, the only difference it would not only
accept credit cards, but cash as well to allow for access or products
to be delivered if that is what is intended by the Kiosk.

When you say you found a lot of manufacturers out there, that's good
to know.  What would qualify the answer is to find both units I seek
and give me two options of the most affordable versions you find which
can deal with public access stress loads.

Good luck. :-)

/Lizardnation.

---

Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 21 May 2003 12:15 PDT

Lizarndation -

Ah, OK...  "lot of manufacturers" actually referred to cash
register-type equipment.  Can you tell us the specific name of this
type of equipment?

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Clarification of Question by lizardnation-ga on 21 May 2003 18:20 PDT

Hello Jbf777,

It seems they're called "Cash Acceptor".

/Lizardnation

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Clarification of Question by lizardnation-ga on 28 May 2003 13:14 PDT

Hi,

I ran into a company that has it, now I want to find out how much,
new, used and alternative brands.

I'm open to auctions as well.

www.meiglobal.com

Thank you.

/Lizardnation

---

Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 28 May 2003 18:29 PDT

Hey -

I have an answer for you, which I plan on posting tomorrow.  I have to
get some price information outside of the web.

Thanks,

jbf777-ga
GA Researcher

Hi Lizardnation -

Thanks for the clarification.  Important note: This answer is not
finished until you're satisfied with it.  If this answer is not
exactly what you're looking for, please give me the opportunity to
make it so before rating it.  Thanks for your understanding.

"Bill validators" are what these systems are most commonly called. 
Also, as you said, "bill acceptors" is another name.

Looks as though the going rate for them is in the $350 to $500 range,
with bulk price cuts happening at various depending upon the
manufacturer and/or chosen distributor.

PC connectivity is frequently achieved through an RS-232 [serial]
port.  The models I've listed below have PC connectivity.

Bill validators are not very common items, especially for the littler
known brands or these specific models, and there's a good chance used
systems won't be readily available [from what I can tell].  You can
inquire about used systems with the companies/distributors directly. 
I've also included a section below with general places to find used
vending-type equipment.  Remember, with used systems, if you find one,
"you never quite know what you're getting."

MEI/MARS
=========
MEI is owned by Mars.  The two PC-connectable products you're
interested are the following:

AE2411 - accepts $1, $5
Approximately $325

AE2601 - accepts $1, $5, $10, $20
Approximately $415

These include "stackers" [or "cashboxes"].  They sell through
distributors only.  Here's a page for their distributors by state:

http://www.meiglobal.com/main.asp?lang_type=en-us

MEI
1301 Wilson Drive
West Chester, PA 19380

Telephone: + 1 610 430 2500
Fax: + 1 610 430 2694

They don't sell used items in that model directly, although a
distributor might.


MONEY CONTROLS/COINCO
=====================
Aside from MEI, Coinco is another of the big players in this arena. 
Their child company Money Controls makes the following bill validator
with PC connectivity:

MC2600
Carries a $389 list
http://www.moneycontrols.com/products/product_detail.asp?prodID=9&marketID=

Coin Acceptors, Inc. [distributor]
300 Hunter Avenue
St Louis, MO 63124
T: 314.725-0100
F: 314.725.7198
Website: www.coinco.com


Astro Systems
==============
Astro Systems makes a variety of products that you can see on this
page:

Astro Systems Inc.
http://www.astrosystemsinc.com/product.htm

They carry a their GBA-1 model with PC connectivity, part # SLEC01
which is around $417.   Check out that web site to determine what
model you'll need, and you can then make a contact with Rudy at the
below number.

Price breaks happen at 100-1000 units [price drops about $50/ea.].
This price includes their "stacker" unit to house the bills.  You may
elect to purchase just the bill acceptor and interface it into your
own cash box for less money.

AstroSystems Inc.,
4210 Production Court
Las Vegas, Nevada 89115 USA
Contact Rudy
Toll Free: 1-888-937-4221
702-643-1600
FAX: 702-643-1717


Hemisphere West
================
Hemisphere West makes a product called "Matrix":
"The Matrix line of bill validators accepts bank notes and coupons
thru 72mm in width. The Matrix comes pre-programmed, per customer
specification, from the factory or can be reconfigured by customers
utilizing the Matrix Tools program for PDA or PC's. Software updates
can also be uploaded into the Matrix via a PDA or PC enabled with the
Matrix Tools program."

Hemisphere West was the two time "Best of Show-Hardware" award winner
at KioskCom.

It looks to have additional connectivity, such as parallel, USB and
other formats.

Matrix - $325, includes stacker
http://www.hwlvegas.com/matrix.htm

Hemisphere West
6787 West Tropicana Avenue
Suite 254
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 USA
TEL: +702-364-4936
FAX: +702-364-9915



Video Can
===========
BL-700 $375 CDN - incl. stacker

Apex 4500/5000 $485 CDN 
Stacker - $150 CDN

Both are PC connectable.

http://www.videocan.com/bill_validator.html
416-686-7887
91 August Ave.
Toronto, ON M1L-3N1


USED SYSTEMS
============
Because auctions and classifieds are always in flux, and the products
you're looking for a relatively specialized, I think it's best to
provide links to where you can find used offerings in general:

ebay with "bill validator" search term:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&query=bill+validator&cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&ht=1&from=R10&currdisp=2&itemtimedisp=1&st=2&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&BasicSearch=

Here's the link with "bill acceptor":
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&query=bill+acceptor&cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&ht=1&from=R10&currdisp=2&itemtimedisp=1&st=2&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&BasicSearch=

Vending World
http://www.vendingworld.com/

Refurbished Vending
http://www.refurbishedvending.com/bill_validators.html#validators

[subject lines of "for sale" messages will normally begin with FS:]

rec.games.video.arcade.marketplace
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=rec.games.video.arcade.marketplace

rec.games.video.arcade.collecting
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=rec.games.video.arcade.collecting

rec.games.pinball
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=rec.games.pinball



ADDITIONAL LINK
===============
Kiosks.org
http://www.kiosks.org/cashcoin.html

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Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 29 May 2003 13:32 PDT

that sentence should read: "with bulk price cuts happening at various
points depending..."

Great job JB, I took my time in rating you due to getting tied up in other things.

Lizardnation -

No problem... thanks for the rating...  Let me know if you need any
other assistance.

jbf777-ga
GA Researcher