A while back I got a DP pro and one of the first mods I wanted to do was the disco ball mod. I chose the LERMods version because I thought it was the best integration and I know Ler has a great reputation in the hobby. Upon receiving the mod I was dissatisfied with many aspects of it, including it not working at all right out of the package and the ball itself being smooshed on one end. I messaged lermods and he was somewhat helpful and I did eventually get the mod working. At one point he even offered me a refund, which I was thankful for but passed on. I had already dumped a bunch of work into this mod, and uninstalling it from my machine and paying to ship it back to him (later he told me he would not have charged me for shipping, which is very generous) did not seem worth it. Overall he was helpful and I do believe he makes good products. This thread is not meant to bash lermods in any way, but there is a point of contention between us and I would like some other opinions.

The way the discoball mod works is that a light sensor picks up when a certain insert is lit and activates the spinning ball/light. Fairly recently there was an update to the code which made that insert flash instead of stay lit. This causes the ball to spin for fractions of a second at a time, instead of spinning constantly throughout the mode. After everything I went through and dealt with qualitywise with this mod, to find this out was disappointing at best. There is no mention of this on his site and every time I give a review of my disappointment with this mod I get a message saying I'm being unfair, everyone else is satisfied with it, ect.

Now, I am completely understanding that code changes and whatnot can effect things and mod makers have little to no control over this. Fine. What I don't agree with is that this product, in its current form, is completely fine, anyone would be satisfied by it, and I am crazy for being harsh on it. I feel there needs to be some sort of redesign or at the very least a warning before you buy it, that the ball no longer spins as it is advertised after the latest code update. Lermods disagrees with me and says everything is fine. I have asked his permission to make this thread and he agreed, and again, this is not to bash him or his other products. Hes a good dude and most of his other products I'm sure are great! Hes offered me a few solutions, which I am thankful for. I just feel that this particular product is faulty, he disagrees.

How would you feel with this mod in your game? Do you think the spinning action is good enough, or would you be disappointed as well?
Here is a video of it in action:

Lermods indeed have been very fair, and I think I addressed all these points in my original post. My question is, is the mod satisfactory in its current state or should there be a redesign or at least a warning.

There are people working on solutions like that, and I think its one of the better options. However, I don't think you should have to modify a mod to get it to work properly. I can understand for people who bought the mod before the latest revision, but it should be covered, noted, or at least warned of for current/future purposes.

I don't hold them responsible for anything other than continuing to say that no changes are needed and that it is perfectly fine as is.

one of the solutions offered recently by lermods was to adjust the pot on one of the potentiometers in the "brain box" of the mod. It may achieve the same thing as a capacitor. This is perhaps an option, but I haven't attempted it yet as I'm just not in my basement messing with my games much during the summer. This is fine if it works, however, the mod should start coming with this adjustment already made, not pretending like there is no issue IMO

So if you bought this mod, you wouldn't be disappointed in its operation? FWIW I didn't buy the mod before the update. The update was out quite a while before my purchase, so its not like I had it, and it worked fine, then after an update I suddenly got mad. If that were the case I wouldn't be upset at all. I just was not aware that such a problem was even a thing, until I looked into why I was only getting little tiny spins.

Yes, that was very nice of him. However as I explained, I didn't think it was worth it to uninstall a mod I had just installed, after having to tear into it, resolder the connection that was broken out of the box, and then pay to ship it back. It wasn't until after I politely declined the refund (not refused), that he told me I wouldn't have to pay return shipping.

So are you saying there is a problem with the mod or not? Thats all I want, is you to admit that this mod is faulty in its current state. I do not understand why this is so difficult. Either that, or quit crying when I give the mod a negative review. I will continue to warn people that it is bad, unless you want to admit there is an issue, and either A. correct it the best you can. or B. at the VERY LEAST give future potential customers a heads up that it no longer does what it originally was supposed to do.

You did not "offer me a time delay board" you merely suggested that such a thing exists, but you haven't started putting them in the mod because everybody but me is happy with it. I would happily take you up on that offer if it fixed my issue, and I would urge you to start using it on all future orders.

I agree it is not his fault. It is his fault for not telling customers it doesn't work anymore though.

You're not wrong. I just think it is being sold under shady practices, as I have stated numerous times. Most people are not going to think "Hey, I know, I'll just pry open this control box, fiddle with little dials, and then this mod will work the way its advertised". Small tweaks here and there, sure. How about a heads up that it doesn't do what it is supposed to do anymore before you buy it? I was able to forgive the smashed disco ball, the broken wires, ect out of the box. I'm even able to forgive that I have to modify potentiometers or find an entirely new light source to make it work. All I want is acknowledgment that there is an issue with the product and corrections to be made.

I'm gonna stop you right there. No. I bought a mod that never worked great for me, as the code changed well before my purchase, and it was not disclosed that the mod no longer works great. This is the ONLY issue I am making with this thread. Lermods says it works fine and everyone but me is happy with it. I cannot fathom anyone being satisfied with how it works. Other than that, I have gone out of my way to point out that Lermods has offered me several solutions. Having a solution is not my issue. Fixing the problem for potential future buyers is what I want to see happen.

Thank you. Yes you are right and as I stated multiple times I am thankful for the help Lermods has offered. I just think instead of Lermods telling me I'm crazy for thinking tiny spins are not satisfactory, he should say wow, yeah thats not right, let me make some changes.

I mean I guess. Its not like I made a public review until now, other than if anyone asked if it was a good mod, I would tell them that in my experience, no it is not. I don't think that makes me a bad guy or a "consumer advocate" I think its perfectly normal to answer somebodies question. I think its perfectly normal to review a product as well. I am well aware of Lermods rep, and I was expecting some people to be mad at me just because of it. FWIW one of my other mods is Pinwoofer and I've also been very vocal about how happy I am with that product, so its not like I'm trying to dog anyone just to be a jerk.

However, every time I say anything, Lermods is in my inbox telling me I'm the only one who feels this way, so I literally asked him if I could make this thread to show people the video and ask if the way the ball spins is satisfactory.

Did you watch the video? Would you be happy with that? If no, do you think every customer should have to hit up Lermods for the top secret "real instructions" to make the mod work, or should this clear issue maybe be addressed before going out to customers?

it never worked the way it was supposed to

You're right, and I tried to make it clear that he has been very good with the customer service. I'm not trying to extort him though, I'm not even threatening him. I probably should have just worded things better. If somebody asks for info on the mod, I'm going to give them my take because I think they should know. I wish I had known before I purchased. If I knew this issue was fixed, then my stance would soften greatly. I guess it just rubs me the wrong way that every time I try to say there is a problem, I'm told that I'm crazy for thinking its an issue. I do plan on trying the potentiometer fix that he offered to me, I just have other priorities than messing around in my basement during the summer months. I got a laundry list on pinball things to take care of down there, and that is certainly on there, but I'm enjoying the nice weather here in the midwest while it lasts.

Yep, this is literally the only problem in the situation, I am in complete agreement and I don't know how many times I can say that but still have people overlook it.

I plan on fixing it. The problem is, this issue isn't isolated to just me, this will be anyone's experience who puts it on their game.

I'm going to do the updates that were suggested, I simply haven't got around to it. That was never the issue. Also again, worth noting, myself and anyone else who has bought the mod since the latest update will have this issue. Anyone who had it before the update should have no reason to complain.

The difference is, you saw how the side art looked before you bought it. You are certainly right about the nuance being lost though. Its not and never has been about getting mine to work right.

Look at the video dude, lets say nobody else has complained, fine. Every single one you send out the door is going to act like that, and you're fine with putting your name on that? You don't see an issue? You don't think maybe it could use a little tweaking? Its never been about getting mine fixed, I've stated countless times you offered me fine enough solutions and service and I was thankful for it. Every time, you dodge my question and just say "oh I offered you a solution". YES! I know you did, thank you! I put that in my very first post and probably 20 posts since then. Thank you for the help, I sincerely appreciate it. Now, please fix your product so others don't have to do the same thing as me, I don't care if others have complained or not, people ain't gonna be happy with the tiny spins. Look at the poll. My whole issue is you telling me there isn't a problem and I'm the only one who would be unhappy with it. Thats just not true man!

Agree with 100% of this

Lol thats totally fair, it ain't pinball season right now if you live in an area that gets shitty during the winter months

You're not wrong. I honestly wish I did get the premium. Inventory was low at the time and I grabbed what I could. Still loving the pro though!

I don't think you actually read the thread if this is your conclusion lol

So you didn't read anything. Got it.

No kidding. My mind is absolutely boggled right now lol

My disco ball will be fine and I clearly laid out what my issue is and what would make me happy. The best part, it would be extremely easy to accomplish! Try reading the thread better.

The problem is...I really want a deadpool too. Bring me a premium I'll trade you plus cash. I'm keeping the pinsound and ninja star pop bumper caps though

Lol, stay mad and ignorant bud. When you learn some reading comprehension I'd welcome you to join the conversation

Yeah man, I'm at work stuck in my office all day. If I had my pinball machines here and I could get away with it I'd be working on them, but sadly I can't. Nice try at a gotcha though

I don't have control of Lermods production or I would have corrected it. According to him, there is no problem, and nobody else would be bothered by it. Try again.

You've missed the point my friend, just like many others in this thread. Baffling.

I would urge you to do this. Just not the disco ball for DP until the issues are cleared up with it.

By nature of how the mod works, I cannot be the only one who has come across this problem. In fact, there is a thread dedicated to trying to figure out ways to fix it. Unfortunately that thread doesn't get much action, and zero input from lermods until I posted my video for someone who was concerned about buying the mod.

If you actually would read my responses instead of being a blockhead, it would be quite clear

I could have fixed it months ago, and I'd still be making this thread. Whether I have fixed it or not yet is irrelevant. But you know me, I like to haaaang loose brah.

OK, now try again. I have faith in you, you'll figure it out eventually!

Last night I attempted the pot adjustment fix that Lermods suggested. After monumental amounts of screwing around I was able to get it mostly working. Lermods and I are indeed working on a solution, so hopefully my mod will work and it can be implemented if other people are indeed having this issue. We talked and he clarified his stance and I clarified mine as well and we are much more on the same page now. This thread was to never drag him or his company, just simply to show that the mod was not going to work satisfactorily. It seems maybe mine has some additional issues so we're working on a solution. I appreciate Lermods patience and hopefully now that we have a clearer understanding of what each of our concerns were things can progress and everyone will be happy.