Question on the trough switch wires: When I remove the balls, I use a telescopic magnet, pulling them out one-by-one. It pulls backward on the wireforms a bit, but doesn't seem to do much harm. Do y'all think it's unwise to do it this way? If not, what's the preferred method of removing them?

I had the same star rollover questions when I picked up my Fathom last year. Here's a really, really good thread explaining it all. Really makes sense after it's explained.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/fathom-lagoon-and-cave-trap-rollover-switches-not-registering

Has anybody used Comet or PBL spot lighting to illuminate the center playfield area?? Wondering if there’s enough clearance between the slingshot plastics and the glass to accommodate them? Ideas welcomed! Thx

Currently using Comet (frosted) sunlights. Perfect balance between warm white (too yellow), and cool white (too fluorescent looking). The bands are white thiugh, rather than translucent. Still looks like the middle could brighten up a notch. I put a 3smd strip in the trough, and dimmed it way down. Lights up that area well.

I drove up to a local arcade yesterday, and they custom make their spots, and it looked pretty awesome on some games. Below, my Fathom and their Paragon, with spotlighting…

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For the ball bounce, use a needle-nosed pliers, add tiny pieces of duct tape to the insides to act as a cushion, and verrrry gently adjust the trailing edge of the ball guide slightly. It can change the trajectory of the ball juuuust enough to create a smooth transition down to the flipper. Good luck!
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Use a small piece of mylar for what, exactly??

The duct tape goes on the inside of the pliers, so you don’t scratch the chrome ball guide as you’re bending it.

On my Fathom, I can sometimes save the ball from the drain with a perfectly timed nudge as the ball approaches that lone post bumper. Timing is everything though. I'd say a ball-save rate from that lane is about 20%. AAARRGH!!

On my Centaur though, I'm getting a LOT better at nudging a draining ball from the outlane back to the flipper! And, the faster the drain, the better the success rate!

You shouldn't be getting "Same Player Shoots Again" just from the first ball lighting A-B-C. Lighting ABC the first time lights the yellow arrow in the inlane, and alternates between inlanes when points are scored.

And yes, drop targets remain down if you capture a ball during multiball, and will reset if/when you drain remaining ball(s).

That never occurred to me, but it makes total sense. As always, you're spot on @quench.

Shapeways also makes the piece:

https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace/tech/mechanical-parts?tag=swinksdrops

In some the of reproductions that I have seen, there’s a distinctive purplish hue. Not sure what they look like in person.

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Callouts question:

Under what conditions during gameplay result in the callouts “Air Gone” and “Air Supply Gone”???

I saw a list of callouts recently but have never heard my machine utter those phrases!

The tilt/slam callout is: "DEATH DIVE.....MUAAAH HAAA HAAA HAAA HAAA HAAAA.....!", so it isn't "air supply" related.

Any other Fathom owners know??

I have also never heard the game say "Mermaid's REVENGE!"

i've been going nutty trying to figure it out!

So Fathom could have some speech programmed, but not used?? I wonder why they might do that?

Hmmmm......the sounds for those events would be something positive, I would think.

These sounds don't appear to be because of anything good:

"Air Gone"
"Air Supply Gone"
"Mermaid's Revenge"

Then there's: "The Trap Is Set!" I have never heard that one either.

Weird...

I’ve made this one and a couple more with a paper clip and two pair of needle-nosed pliers. They hold up to hits, and they work perfectly.

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I dunno….I’ve used the more substantial paper clips and they’ve worked perfectly, even the ones that take the forward hits.

Damn, can’t wait to see the finished product!