Quoted from flynnibus:The only discussion needed would be rehasing old, established points. Points you conveniently stay ignorant of. Such as:
- Lack of documentation
- Incompatible revisions
- Lack of conformity for parts stocking
- Lack of availability for quick replacement (for a system promoting... lack of downtime)
- Lack of/poor protection circuitry on the driver boards
- Power design change that makes the old high power interlock/testing abilities NLA
- Lack of a long standing platform to date (already had 3 platform changes in its short life)
Yes it has capabilities SAM didn't
- native RGB support
- better sound capabilities
- "native" LCD support
But as a platform to deliver reduced costs, improved servicability, and reduced downtime... all which were the lead features of the new platform - it's failed to deliver on all those fronts. And until they address the problems, the platform will still stand to be a great liability... even tho it delivers new functionalities SAM didn't.
To TigerLaw, I will make one last post on this since flynninus ignored your edict and inserted himself into he argument.
There's been 2 revisions, not 3. They don't need to be completely swappable anymore than SAM to SPIKE would be.
You forgot to address the obsolete 70's matrix style that SAM had. SPIKE allows much more modularity and features. It also gives the owner the ability to quickly remove the playfield, and from there the head for disassembly.
SPIKE has adjustable LEDs for lighting. This allows the lights to auto dim when in service mode. It also can be permanently lowered to reduce or eliminate backglass reflection. Beats he hell out of the old fluorescent tube in SAM.
SPIKE runs on a removable SD card. This allows easier servicing if corruption occurs. You were literally fucked if something went south with the internal flash memory on SAM. Also, a removable SD card allows owners to hot swap out original code versus modded code.
SPIKE has built support for shaker motors. No more installing ancillary boards, plug and play.
All points you conveniently stay ignorant of.