This is my concern about the whole Spike system, and with Stern not releasing schematics, I would think that would make it harder for someone to step up and make aftermarket replacement boards. However, we do have some electrical geniuses in this hobby, so maybe not having schematics isn't that big of a deal, but it seems like a bad deal to me.

I don't know if we'll ever know for sure, as Stern isn't going to release any data that might make people uncomfortable with the reliability of the Spike system. All we know for sure is the quantity of node board issues with the Pinsiders that report it. I assume that the amount of reported node board failures within the Pinside community could be applied to the entire Stern Spike system purchasing base as a whole, but how big is that "whole" base group? And again, I'm just assuming, and you know how assuming goes, LOL.