pinballpcb.com (Kohout) review - black knight

This has been mentioned briefly in other threads, but figured I'd post one with the subject in the topic and actually review one. I also want to state I have no affiliation with this company, this is an unbiased review.

So I've been working on a black knight on and off for probably the last 2 years now. Tried a $200 used rottendog board, still had issues (ended up selling to a friend, who needed to send it in for repair). Restored the playfield and cabinet, ended up putting the original board back in and had a tech fix some switch issues. Played it for a while, wasn't happy the lighting to alert you that you got magnasave wasn't working. So I tried replacing the diodes and caps on the trace that controls it, didn't fix it. Then I tried replacing the PIA chip, ended up doing more harm than good, then the traces lifted. So then I bought what was supposed to be a refurbished driverboard off ebay for $100. Attract mode was back, but wouldn't start a game (switch matrixes were effed up).

So now I'm really into this, 2 driverboards toasted and a rottendog. It's been months since I touched it because I don't want to dump any more money into it. So then last week I have some leftover paypal money, so I decide to take a gamble on pinballpcb.com for a new driverboard. They seem to be reputable, and although 2 boards would cost you more than one rottendog board ($375 combo vs $280), the boards look to be built better and closer to the original (while updating to modern components). Popped it in, game starts, all lights work.. But sound isn't work (not related, I had flakey sound issues before this started). Also the board itself has really nice LED strips that illuminate when a gate (lamp or solenoid) is fired, so it's good for troubleshooting too.
pinballpcb_driverboard.jpg

The board also comes with a great manual with a binder, has troubleshooting inside and full schematics (which is nice in case you do have issues).
manual.jpg
troubleshoot.jpg

Also note, when I had the tech over, he wouldn't touch the rottendog board. I've also contacted the coin-op cauldron, and he doesn't work on them.

#2 9 years ago

DAG

Toyguy

Inactive member

9y 58,400 869 20 14

Yep, excellent boards from Kohout. I've got their driver and power supply in my BK now and will soon be upgrading the sound boards and MPU. I can't say enough good things about them.

#3 9 years ago

JM.

catboxer

Pinside member

12y 54,300 1,865

I have this board in my BK as well. No issues whatsoever but it still looks quite serviceable and has excellent documentation.

#4 9 years ago

NightFlight73

Pinside member

Peterborough, ON

9y 15,900 52 1

I replaced power and driver boards in my BK. MPU is on its way because I still have issues.... Also suspect possible under the PF issue in mine. Fun fun.

1 week later

#5 9 years ago

DMR

PinballTiger225

Pinside member

Walker, LA

10y 30,650 188 2

As someone who has owned both, I will say that both are great choices.

I would lean towards Rottendog for the fact that I can condense to one board, and that the buttons and dipswitch programming are setup exactly the same as originals so that all off the instructions from the original manual and cabinet cards are still applicable. Programming & entering diagnostics on Kohout's boards is done with jumpers.

Kohout's power supply is the best on the market IMO.

1 week later

#6 9 years ago

JJZ

toyotaboy

So just got my new soundboard/speech board combo because of my sound not working. Installed the new boards in less than 5 minutes. The chips are pre-programmed and jumpers already setup for black knight. Fired it up, had to do a quick reset, sounds are back and clear as can be.

I know there are purists that prefer repairing the original boards, but this is about as original as you can get and have confidence it will perform for many years (and actually have replaceable chips that aren't obsolete when something does go bad). Must say I'm quite impressed with Kohout, great communication too. He was out of boards, so he let me know they'd be shipping about a week late.

3 weeks later

#7 9 years ago

???

Knaagi

Inactive member

Flammersfeld

9y 9,150 5 2

I bought my first pin, a non-working Lucky Seven, back in september. It had no battery acid damage, but i think the previous owner messed it up by using the wrong fuses. Both LEDs on the CPU board stayed on. I reflowed all the header pins plus the inter-board connector, replaced the 5101 chip and replaced the old ROMs by an eprom adapter board (single eprom). Some of the chip sockets were already replaced with better ones. I also replaced the power supply with an overhauled one, which did nothing except for all the GI come up (before that only the playflied was lit up). Since i´m lacking the knowledge and time i decided to go with all three System 3 boards available from Jeff. My Lucky Seven fired right up and was ready to play. From the mail communication Jeff seems to be a good guy, too.

#8 9 years ago

JJZ

toyotaboy

Quoted from Knaagi:
From the mail communication Jeff seems to be a good guy, too

He doesn't always reply quickly, but this seems like a side business. He does try to answer all your questions, and alerts you when something has shipped (or delayed). I honestly think his boards are the best out there, and can't wait till his system 9-11c universal board finishes testing.

#9 9 years ago

8=D

Barron

Frozen

11y 29k 1,219

I have the robo BK set up (pinball PCB mpu, driver, power supply). I had a matrix issue with the Rottendog so I went all in with these boards. Problem solved... for a hundred games or so. I'm back to having issues with any switch in column 6 locking their respective row on. I used a switch matrix tester to eliminate the playfield from the equation and they're still locking on. Pretty stumped while the Knight laughs in my face.

Well-built boards (esp the power supply), just a shit Black Knight.

#10 9 years ago

RZX

RazerX

Pinside+ Frequent

La Grange Park, IL

11y 92,175 1,701

Title <> Kohout

#11 9 years ago

JJZ

toyotaboy

Quoted from RazerX:
Title <> Kohout

thanks, fixed

#12 9 years ago

RZX

RazerX

Pinside+ Frequent

La Grange Park, IL

11y 92,175 1,701

cool, I know it bothers me when my name gets munged

I would give a thumbs up for the Kohout boards too. His boards are a little pricy when compared to the rottendog cpu and driver combo (although not exactly apples to apples), but the build quality seems very good and I have been running them in one of my sys7 games for years with no issues.

#13 9 years ago

GWC

thepinballworks

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 114K 2,190

I am waiting for a set of Kohout boards for my BK, ordered about a week ago, so hope they ship soon.

#14 9 years ago

MDM

Black_Knight

Vertigo

Blue Ridge, GA

9y 115K 3,065 109 33

If anyone needs a BK sound and voice board set let me know. Have new ones, never installed, sold project.

Would like to get most of my money back out of it.

5 months later

#15 8 years ago

DDW

sohchx

Pinside member

9y 87,050 2,259 76

I'm glad to hear great things about Kohout. I just found their site today and plan to replace all of my original boards in my Firepower with his stuff.

4 years later

#16 4 years ago

KAT

topkat

Pinside+ Frequent

5y 95,100 1,739

I wanted to post that now that Kohout has been back more than a few
Months and have some new
Boards, I rec people take a look.
The prices are are fair, quality has been good and customer service on spot as well.
I have no affiliation with them, just glad there are more options and hope
They can help other pinsiders

#17 4 years ago

JJZ

toyotaboy