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.

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.

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.

thanks, fixed

Nice! I really like this company, wonder what changed their mind. maybe they got so many emails they figure it's worth doing.