Let me start by saying that my dream table is a
Bonzini B90 - I REALLY want one! I just don't think I can put the scratch together for one.
I have 3 small(ish) kids (2,6,8) and want a table the whole family can play safely on rather than always worrying that someone is going to lose an eye. So the telescoping rods are a must for me. I absolutely love everything about the
Bonzini B90...the retro looking metal goals, red trim, blue legs, the painted players, and the one-piece sloped corner playfield.
The
Garlando G-5000 offers some of the things I love, just not as much, at about 1/2 the price. The black "G-5000 Evolution" is probably the way I'd go to get the more traditional blue and red players...perhaps the brown and cream players on the other models would grow on me, though. They seem to be available new for around $1250ish.
The
Garlando G-500 is available for about $400 less than the G-5000, but doesn't seem to come with leg levelers and doesn't have the WAF (wife acceptance factor) as much as the G-5000.
Unfortunately there isn't anywhere around here that I can play the tables so I'm looking for some advice here from folks that have played the Garlando G-5000 - if you've also played the Bonzini B90, I'd love your thoughts on the 2 tables. I realize that both tables are a very different playing experience compared to 95% of tables in the US (Tornado style) - that is also something I like about them.
Sorry for the long post - I'm just looking for some advice from folks that are more knowledgeable and experienced than I am. Thanks in advance!