Topic: Feedback on Fireball Tour Pro model

[jp2020]

Hi guys.

After many years I now have the space to get a foosball table and I've been trying to educate myself on what's available and worth to spend the money on. I used to play long time ago and would like to reconnect with it, but I have no aspirations to become a pro at it.

I've seen the Tornado 3000's are most people's recommendation, but it is out of my budget. I saw the Warrior sells for $729 USD/$1000 CAD and I found a used Fireball Tour Pro for $800 CAD. After reading about the Fireball table on this forum (mostly comments by bbtuna) it seems to be an amazing table. My concern is that I haven't been able to find any info past 2011 and I wonder what happened to them. If I ended up getting that table and I needed spare parts, how difficult would be to source them?

Any advice/feedback between the Fireball vs Warrior and the used Fireball would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

JP

[papafoos]

First of all, my recommendation is Tornado.

Since that is out of your budget, I'd go with Warrior.  I've played Fireball and the Warrior.  The new Warrior finally got it right.  I would not have recommended them before.  Fireball support is almost nonexistent.  Both tables play well.  But if you have a problem at least you can harass or shame Brendon into getting it fixed.  Only time will tell if they have the longevity of Tornado which is why I put Tornado at the top of the list.  I think in a home setting, Warrior would be just fine.

[jp2020]

Thanks for your reply. Assuming the Fireball is in good shape, at my level and for home use I think both tables will work great for me. I just really like what I learn about the Fireball, and it'll be cheaper and more convenient for me to go for it, but I'm concern about the nonexistent support for in in this neck of the woods, as you pointed out. I'm probably overthinking it  ...

Does anybody know where to get parts for the Fireball in Canada/US?

[hackjob]

 

Small quantities of parts can likely be sourced from foosball australia or the nwfoosball seattle group.  I have both tables and I think the Fireball coinop is a more modern design, better build quality, and improved playability overall.  For home it has some very convenient benefits and it is awesome, it is also good for promotional use.  However, I would not put my fireball in a bar or public venue for many reasons mostly due to parts/damage/theft. 

The Warrior is a midrange table, excellent for its price range and casual recreational use... however the tornado tour/coin or fireball tour/coin are significantly better tables.  Shelti is a close third.

Most everyone here will suggest that if you wish to pursue North American competitive foosball, or attempt to dominate at your local bar, the Tornado coin op is the best choice.  Coincidentally, Seattle has had quite a few older coinops in craigslist the last couple weeks in the $650 range.  This is an opportunity if you don't mind an older table that could use a couple upgrades and a rookie to keep it busy.

If you are in the Vancouver area be sure to join the scene cause we would love to have you out... Vancity foosball DYP PRO/AM, Vancouver foosball Addicts Beginner-Intermediate, Soho Billiards drop in Wednesday Friday.  Also Seattle is about to have their yearly Fireball tournament next friday if you wish to see the Fireball Foosball in action.  Bank shots, euros, and backpins all around...

[jp2020]

Yeah, most people say the same about the Fireball. If it is in good shape I might go for it, but still uncomfortable with he lack of places to source parts for it. After a lot of reading in this forum I found a couple of places that say they sell parts for it, but shipping costs are quite high, if indeed they sell them, plus the two you mentioned and another unconfirmed lead which I really hope it pans out. Like papafoos said the Warrior is a less risky option, but more expensive for me (US$ vs CAD$) and not as sexy.

I'll check the local scene for sure. Are you around the Vancouver area as well? I'd love to go to Seattle next weekend, but unfortunately I don't think I can make it. I'll try, though.

[hackjob]

The warrior is hands down the best choice for a kids table.   However, there is no comparison between a warrior and a fireball tour model at a similar price... get the fireball... You can get parts with a little effort and contacts but you will probably never need to if you use it at home; it is built pretty tough.  Just a word of warning though... If you wish to progress in the sport without having to adapt to different tables all the time consider a tornado with counter bal figures.... preferably a coin op or cyclone II elite...  You have been warned.  Google Vancouver Foosball... Peter's Sundays is probably the best entry point.

[hackjob]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/vgm/5112755512.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/spo/5118727118.html

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/tag/5115059562.html 

with tornado, just make sure the walls and goal posts are not separating or chipped out.

[jp2020]

The warrior has for sure a lot of value, and I saw many people going for it because is safer for kids.
Regarding your comment about having to adapt to different tables, my understanding is that it is not difficult to adapt to Fireball coming from Tornado and vice versa, based on what people have said in this forum.

One question that has been asked many times before, but I still don't have a clear idea. The 1-man goalie vs 3-man goalie. When I played in Europe many years ago, it was one man, but I understand here in NA the 3 man goalie is the standard. However I see most manufacturers have both options nowadays. The fireball I can get is a 3 man goalie. Is it just a matter of personal preference or one can make a big mistake going for the "wrong" option.

Thanks for the links and the warning

[hackjob]

The fireball is more similar to tornado than different, however it will put you at a small disadvantage with all things being equal to switch tables.  Men spacing, goal size, bar weights, handle size, and toe design all come into play with muscle memory / fast shots.  It's no going to sink you completely but things will be off and in a game to 5... missing a shot is regretful.  I watch tornado sharp shooters switch to older tornadoes and have issues yet those tables are 98% the same. 

From what I have read, the three man goalie was brought in for a few reasons, mainly to keep the ball on the table as the game became much faster.  It is also better for manufacturing and playfield longevity.   I prefer it myself as there is more control.  Single goalie is more of a international competition thing.

[FOOZUL]

In the US everybody will swears by 3 men goalie.
I think for defense it's a big advantage but for
offense makes it harder since most shots to the back
wall are trapped by the wing men.

The argument is about quicker setup with the side men and more control.
I don't see any setup or control problems with the one man. Just watch
a P4P tournament game on youtube.

Some bank shot angles are blocked by the side men also (or it's just me?).
Sometimes side men cause slop own goals (speaking behalf
of beginners here)

I've done a test with a Tornado T3000 using standard playfield with three men
and one man ramped corner playfiled (Tornado made not those plastic
attachment ramps)

**Tornado makes one man goalie seamless ramped playfields by request for
commercial split cabinet coin-up or none coin-up models***

The games with the one man goalie were much more fun and fluid vs
the three men. Most people here in the US would say it's harder on
one man goalie table to control and setup a shot. I didn't see any
issues with goalie setups on the last Warrior Tournament in Palm Springs.
 
The only reason three men exists is due to Tornado(Valley Dynamo)
decision to save money by making a flat playfiled and adding the side
men next to the goalie and the rest if history. It's set in stone now, and everybody here
in the US loves it and it's here to stay.

However, people like Brendan Flaherty (Owner of Warrior Table Soccer) think
like me that one man goalie is the way to go. That's why warriors have
one man goalies.

If you want to play for fun or compete in Europe go with a one man goalie but
if you want to participate in tournaments in the US and Canada you should go
with three men goalie. Since it's a different style of defending experience that's
unique and it's own.


Fireball?! too bad, the golden days with Brand Laurine are gone in the US and
I can't find anyplace to order parts anymore. Dennis Jiang (Owner of Fireball)
is only concentrating on the Asian market these days.