Well, that is bittersweet. I'm bummed they increased the number to 80, but at the same time, I'm happy to have a chance at owning one of them. Looking forward to hearing reports about it and keeping my fingers crossed the SLE will be a showcase piece!

It's funny how so many are focusing on production costs only and don't take R&D into account. Building new things is expensive. Remember how it looked like JJP would go under while developing TH? Eventually they secured a loan/investment to continue operations. If the market allows Stern to make more money, they would be crazy not to! It's not going to make them rich though, regardless how much they ask for these machines.

Well, Friday came and went. Still no video.

Given this is the first LCD-based Stern machine, I would expect delays finishing the code. However, if they don't fix the playfield and backbox issues, I will be beyond disappointed.

This is an amazing conversation about a product virtually no-one has seen or played! The most amazing part is how passionate folks are about other people's money! Seems a tad like misplaced compassion. The other amazing part are the wild guesses on the future of the industry, which should probably have their own dedicated thread. With a 100+ new posts since I last checked, I expected some new information had been released, but instead it's the same flock of folks arguing in thin air. Amazing!

Count me among the lucky ones who are looking forward to getting this pin. The incessant bitching about a pin nobody has seen is nothing short of amazing. But then insulting those who decided to take a leap of faith on it is beyond lame. I believe with Stern making this their 30th anniversary "piece de resistance" that it will be super cool. If we got it wrong, we'll be ridiculed enough for the cash we shelled out. In the meantime, I'm happy to see others excited to get their pins (hopefully) in January!

With the LE getting the side blades, what sets the SLE apart again from the LE? Aside from the privilege to pay $5K more?