Allyn, WA
This could be the best thing since sliced bread. Wonder how long it will take Stern to adopt these as standard.
(Topic ID: 64568)
When are we going to get rubber besides just flippers?
I want to be able to do up entire games in a single color or mix and match.
Also, will these be on display at Expo in Chicago for purchase?
We will have 'some' rubbers at EXPO, I'm sure I'll have some in my bag as part of the 'Giveaway' portion of our seminar ... As is often the case, not sure how many I will bring and how fast or slow they will sell, but there will be some there.
We have 2" and 2.5" available 'soon' and then the rest after that.
Also, the 1" flipper ring coming next as well.
Transparent Red, Blue, Green are up on the site ... note, anything we run out of is only temporary for a few days, so check back!
http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=PP&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SAT
Beauharnois
want pink or fluorescent pink for my playboy, please!
i'm waiting for those to place my order on a few sets of different colors.
Agree - looking for standard rubber sizes as well as the flipper bats.
Not sure what colors yet. a Metallic might be cool.
Just got a couple pairs, I'll post some impressions when I get a chance to install. Definitely a different look, got the neon ones, they're shinier than normal rubbers for sure. I think they're going to look good installed.
shinier was the preference from some of the users, so we made them have a little shine ... doesn't really change the rubber, seems to be more of a perception ... we can make them dull as well!
perhaps we should make a 'retro' version that has embeded dirt streaks to make it look like original used rubbers ... lol
The reason for the gloss is you can't cast urethane without it sticking to everything,
at least a good urethane. If you wipe them down with soap and water before install they have more grip then a standard rubber. The shine makes people think they are slippery, they are not and like Rick said, dull finish means places to trap dirt although they will still clean up as good.
Ok... I just received my order and installed them on several of my games.
After a hand full of games I think the bounce and grip is perfect. I ordered #2 (medium) and they feel a lot better than the hard black and way better than the "new crappy" red ones that are way too bouncy. The red looks awesome, just like the old stock red ones and the fluorescent green looks amazing on Scared Stiff.
Time will tell how long they will last but I think you guys have a winner.
Quoted from PPS:After many many months of development and testing, we are happy to announce Saturn(tm) Pinball Rings and immediate availability of Standard Flipper Rings and Shooter Tips, more rings coming soon!
http://www.pinball.com/saturn/SaturnFlyer.pdf
Saturn(tm) pinball rings are specially formulated Urethane Synthetic Rings which we have worked as much as possible to replicate the key characteristics of traditional 'gum rubber' rings, and eliminating the negative issues that are seen with them.
The new synthetic 'rubber' products:
- replace existing rubber rings
- last longer, wear much better
- does not leave bits of rubber on the playfield
- easy wipe off cleaning
- come in 3 different hardnesses (durometers)
#1 - similar to the traditional 'red' rubber, lower durometer, softer, etc
#3 - similar to the traditional 'black' rubber, high durometer, harder, etc
#2 - the 'new' inbetween which shows really good bounce, great wear, etc.
- come in (currently) 17 different colors - including fluoro (UV reactive) colors
- we control the quality, and they are made locally (in the US)
They are now avialable on PPS store and will be at selected distributors (AU, Europe) soon:
http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=PP&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SAT
Also, the color can be in any hardness, so NOW you can have black rings with a 'red' hardness on your game, etc.
Some pictures here (sorry, too much flash!):
- Standard Colors: http://www.pinball.com/saturn/SaturnFlipper.jpg
- Fluoro Colors: http://www.pinball.com/saturn/SaturnFluoroFlipper.jpg
- Shooter Tips: http://www.pinball.com/saturn/SaturnShooterTips.jpg
The issues with gum rubber have long been documented, from inconsistencies in formulation, to early breakage, to color variations, etc, etc, etc. Gum Rubber rings are not going away anytime soon, but we feel that these rings are far better in most categories, which will provide more consistent game play, improve operating costs (game uptime and cleaning), and give some more customization options ...
We have been working on these for some time, and have had them on test with IFPA/Josh Sharpe, Pinball Hall of Fame/Tim Arnold, and Jersey Jack Pinball / Jack Guarnieri (see their feedback in the 'flyer') ... so these are some of the tougher critics as we wanted something that was as good or better in most every category that we felt important!
Thanks!
[email protected]
Just put the flour green on my tspp! They look great. Need the minis to match. I have a off lime green set from Germany but I would like them to match...hint..hint.
Due to popular demand, let me send you the purple replacements direct. Message me your address. I will send you a bonus as well. Rick has his hands full right now.
Quoted from saturnrings1:Due to popular demand, let me send you the purple replacements direct. Message me your address. I will send you a bonus as well. Rick has his hands full right now.
PM sent thanks 
Please post your pictures, as then we can start linking various colors to various games that look great! Maybe we will offer a price for most imaginative use of color in a pinball game!
Remember also there are new Transparent Flipper Bats in 8 colors at most distributors (W Logo and Non-Logo), which will really upgrade the look ...
Quoted from lordloss:Seems like it shouldn't cost $6 to ship 4 of these first class mail.
they likely use a flat rate box
Quoted from calvin12:they likely use a flat rate box
Priority was closer to $10, small flat rate is $5.15
It's not a flat rate box, padded envelope with metered postage. Whatever, shipping things is a PITA, I'm learning this first hand from my Shadow project. Packing materials cost, there's time involved, it just is what it is. Order more than 4 at once next time! 
Jay, I think the honest answer to that is that it's more subjective then anything else. We spent many months with blind and not blind testing. The main points are cleanup and longevity and color choice.
With that said, The endorsements are real and were not bought. We sent samples and played around till they approved. No matter what, there will be nay Sayers and we don't take umbrage to that. It has been said that #1 formula is very close to how they were suppose to be from the start.
What has happened over the years is there really has not been a low hardness ring available. At some point they started making them all the same hardness and I'll bet most of you never even knew!
Quoted from saturnrings1:At some point they started making them all the same hardness and I'll bet most of you never even knew!
Well, I've got a boatload of rubber and most of it seems about the same so I'm not remotely surprised to hear that. The HAPP maybe feels a little different then PL but all the PL is about the same as best I can tell.
I'm just curious about "how" it feels different. I bought about $25 worth in various colors/hardness so I'll find out myself eventually but it can't all be subjective. There has to be some concrete difference or there would be no point in having an IFPA sanctioned rubber. The IFPA can't be all that worried about looks and wear.
For me my self, I like the cushion better. Kind of hard to describe but it actually feels more like rubber. I also find as some others did, the softer ones seem to make for more accurate shots maybe a little better grip. Once again though, not everyone will feel the same thing and some will and the problem is that it will vary from machine to machine. It's rubber just like any other rubber except that it's Synthetic and does behave a bit differently. We tried to come up with a product that play's as close as possible to original rubber but also lasted longer and the added bonus was they don't stain and leave crumbs like standard rubber. In any case, glad to hear your going to try them out. I think you will like them. I'm sure there will be some who don't like them although I can't imagine why and that's ok. We do think that everyone can find something they like with 3 different hardness to choose from.
I ordered 6 red Medium hardness and 4 tips. Package arrived and got 4 tips and only 4 rings. Submitted a CS ticket online.
Installed a set on Pinbot and I have to say they are awesome. The tips are just right and the rings grip right and have just the right bounce to them for solid ball control.
Once I get the order corrected I'll be buying more.
sorry, yes - I saw the issue and will send you the missing two, I must have fallen asleep filling that!
Just got some of the flourescent ones. They look great installed and under black light.. I put blue transparent on my xenon
Jeff
Classic Arcades Inc.
Also ... I forgot to add into the original ... if the Saturn(tm) Pinball Rings fail for any reason other than a decent wear time (and they will wear just slower than gum rubber ... and will last longer if rotated slightly after xx plays), then let us know and we will replace them no charge.
As this is a new process, I'm sure there will be something breaking somewhere for some reason (and I'm sure this will entertain the counter-insurgencies on the forum ... lol). But if or when they do, just let us know.
We will be at Expo Chicago, so will have some there as well for sale.
Quoted from PPS:in terms of plans, we are working on the small flipper 1" ring, so that is next up (TAF, TZ, ACDC, Monopoly, etc)
in terms of colors, of the 17 different colors, I'm not sure how many other 'colors' there are in the gamut, but we are more looking at different exotic things we can do ... if there is an overwhelming 'miss' on a color, we can do that in short order ... the fluoro ones look great ...
then as said earlier we have been testing high break rings right now which is the most critical ... in this sense, helping everyone have rings in critical areas (like slings, etc) that don't break we feel would be the best contribution especially for operating and other high play games - that's why PHOF is so much of a great testbed as these games are played all day long ...
Always looking for additional things to do so any feedback welcome.
[email protected]
Hey Rick,
Any word on when the mini 1" will be for sale?
I can't wait for you to make complete sets (or bulk kits). Illinois Pinball makes rubber in different colors but not in all sizes, so I never bought any (don't see any need if you cant do the whole machine). I was going to buy the clear transparent rings that pinball center sells to put on a few of my space pins, because I think it would be cool to have them glow with the color of the LEDs, now you guys come out with these! Now I need to decide weather to use the clear blue, or fluorescent blue when I shop out my Lost in Space!
Last night I ordered a set of #2 Transparent Greens for my LOTR. I'll post pics once they arrive.
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