Quoted from snaroff:KISS is my first Spike pin. From a consumer perspective, it's really hard to see ANY innovations that come along with Spike. The only differences between KISS and my other Stern pins are:
- The audio is improved. Since Stern hasn't upgraded the back box speakers, it's fair to think the improvements come from Spike.
- The new power supply has a noisy fan. Isn't on all the time, but when it's on it's noisy. None of my other pins have a noisy fan (or any fan at all).
- The on/off switch is in an inconvenient location. Doesn't bother taller folks or folks with room for more to squeeze between pins.
If anyone is aware of other Spike benefits I'm missing, feel free to educate.
Good points. It seems like the Spike systems biggest benefit to Stern is lower manufacturing costs versus the old system. What sucks is pricing is still high and continues to go up while we see changes like the redesigned back box and lock mech, removal of service rails / traditional lock down bar on pro's, less mechanical features being put into games, and the relocation of the power button. All of these changes are to save a few bucks here and there on each game but when multiplied over hundreds of games I'm sure the number adds up in a big way.
Stern, don't take features away and cheapen your games and in the process screw your customers with the same prices. You are charging $5k-$8k for pinball machines....pinball machines...the power button should be in a convenient location for that price.
LOTR NIB in 2003: $3500 = $4300 in today's dollar according to U.S Department of Labor inflation calculator. Artwork printed on cabinet, service rails + traditional lockdown bar, metal ramps and rails, multiple mechanical devices / toys.
Today's Stern Pro's: $4700. Decals, no service rails, no traditional lock down bar, cheaper backbox, less toys compared to older games (that's what the Premium / LE's are for so even worse in that case)
Mequon, WI
