Thanks for the post!

Are the any tricks to make the 45 minute install behind the castle much easier??? Seems crazy hard!

It would be great if someone posted a complimentary video here too showing the mantis kit install.

Awesome, thanks fellows.

Thanks. How about trying the merlin protector next!

Well, like others have said here the merlin mantis protector simply does not work well. I tried fumbling with it for 2 hours! Simply couldn't find a happy place, ball would not eject from the hole. Too bad, in theory a nice protector, but in reality not very functional.

The mantis moat protector was nice and installed easily from the bottom. One issue though, Kerry may want to adjust his laser cut precision a bit, lol. The end with the screw required some grinding to fit. Overall, much easier looking though than cliffy. I was able to loosen 4 screws in the moat and slip it under. Pilot holes and drilled in, done.

One final note, for the gate I zipped off a flat head nail and glued in it since, like many others, I didn't want to drill a pilot hole in the top of the play field. We will see how long it holds. Here is a pic.

Resized_20200710_122342 (resized).jpg

Have you noticed anything about the carbon fiber cliffy protector jamming up the ball release mech in the merlin scoop? I removed the mantis one for the reason, jammed repeatedly. Concerned about putting the cliffy one on since its not really removeable. Any issues for you? Tks.

Cool, tks!!!

Yes, I got it on just loosening the bottom 4 bolts. Don't pull too hard though.

Again, really like the Mantis merlin concept, but its non functional.

Both maybe a challenge, I just went with Mantis. That's enough protection for me.