Played a pro and I really enjoyed the game more than I expected. That experience resulted in buying one from Mike at automated. I installed the expression light kit and wow. Good for you Stern.. great add on.
I dont get Stern pulling the scoop and wireform on the pro? Well I know a guy (me) that makes such things. I started today and made a quick scoop. I need to add a topside strut, but I made the lower mount feed through the switch hole. I need to slot the guide so the height can be set more precisely.
Took a quick video holding a star wars rail in front of scoop just to verify the scoop. I box framed the scoop and its all stainless steel and matches the rest of the ramps. I will keep updating as I work through the build and I will post a price of anyone is interested in them.

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Great idea, I never even considered that. I just looked up optos and the pro and premium use same switches.

I will look into it. And if I make them as a mod your set is going to be free. It really is a great idea. Thank you. I am going to post a separate interested post for this mod to gauge it.

Matching the premium design. No other reason.

All good and thanks. I think its worth it for the flow and its on the premiums so Ritchie designed it as well.

Picture of the Premium design
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I am still in the process of making this. The switch will be moved to the scoop or wireform in front of scoop. I am not sure of the effects on scoring. Once done the scoop shot will be triggered like the dead end shot, I guess the only diffference will be the ball dropping to the right lane switch right after.

I would have to see Rush in person to see if its possible. One day I will, maybe when Stern gets back up to speed on machines.

I took off the glass and if you hit the dead end target followed by either left or right return lane it increases “zeppelin shot counter” and it shows progression of super pops, super slings etc. I hope that explains the question. I am just a have fun playing machines guy and I dont think its a problem for me atleast? Not sure what the premiums do with those same two switches hit in a row. Anyone with a premium or le please let us know.

And the kit will be a bolt on and off design. The only moderate thing to do would be soldering on and off the new switch.

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No concept of time welding in the dark. Ofa.. I made my right wireform tonight. I will move back to scoop and the make the wireform to rail this weekend.

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It will get done. The only minor issue is figuring out how to change the switch from being stand up to wireform or scoop. The scoop and wireform is easy part. Working on improving the shape and form now.

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Number 3 attempt at a better scoop design. 18 gauge stainless cut out of one piece and bent to shape. This is removing the left inner guide plate as its now part of this scoop. I need to work on scoop ramp, plugging away at it now.

Working on scoop wireform to right rail. This one is just to figure out mounting. I will make a better 2nd set. The first is always to solve it.

I also believe I have the switch problem figure out. Think of a ball return switch, but mounted horizontal plane guide wire switch. I can cut out the switch slot and mount it go the new left guide assembly. The momentum of ball shots will strike left wall and trigger switch.

I will be trying to make a wireform zeppelin covered in silver fabric with burn marks and installing a group of fire led bulbs tied into the ball lock lights for burning zeppelin effects..I see what I want to do in my head, I hope I can pull it off...

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Mod will be new right ramp wireform, 180 scoop ramp with switch and wireform from scoop to right wireform. 3 total pieces.

I think I like the wireforms being one piece. Trying this style today. Dirty and not cleaned so dont judge the look yet....

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That upper ramp shot is very hard, (for me atleast!) but I managed to capture a video of both new wireforms working. I am getting there. I need to install and test my swith idea next. Good progress today.
Heres video link.

Sanded the rails, but not polished and they look so much better. I need to make some more adjustments and tweaks to get the design done. Not sure where I am headed with the unused circle mounts. I dont want to clip them unless I am going another direction artisticaly. I started on the switch idea but did not mount it to guard yet. Hopefully this solves the switch issue. ...

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I really do not like the look of the plastic zeppelin. I played the game for a few days with it removed as I wanted to try a framed zeppelin. Hard to see in pictures, but I like this over the plastic.

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Redesigned scoop #4. Added benefit will be the inserts not being obstructed. I look forward to making this entrance when I have time.

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Almost there. Still making tweaks, but it works. I just needed to figure out the deflection angle to add to it. It will mount through the two holes going through playfield and one screw on top.

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Another version in progress….

Stairway to scoop in progress!
It will be metal stairway when done with scoop inside it..

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I am having issues figuring out the switch. I see why they use optos. A wire switch is kicking the ball in a bad direction when the shot is not strong enough to make the ramp the ball comes back and the switch kicks it up and over to playfield.

I was not happy with the 180 degree turn ramps that I tried. Nothing I would sell and put my name on. The switch also created issues kicking the ball up and out on shots that did not make it up the ramp. That shot is hard enough to hit and for it to work I would have to extend what I made covering both inserts. That killed this a mod for me and I sold the machine last night.

If I had one to duplicate I would have tried that, but the switch issue would still need to be solved. Pros are spring switch, other models have optos. I sold the machine and will not be selling these as a mod. I tried and really was not satisfied with the look or the performance. Sometimes you have to know when to stop.

I got rush today. Those plastic ramps are toast!

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