Quoted from yancy:Failure rate isn't the primary issue anyway. Lack of documentation, difficulty of repair, and cost of replacement are the sticking points.
Lots of flipper transistors die on Whitestar and SAM games, but people don't grab torches & pitchforks because it's a $3 part and 10 minute fix. Now try telling them it's a $200 board replacement for the same issue.
I agree with the sentiment, but you're wrong on the details. These aren't the "same issues" that are being experienced with Spike but rather a variety of new problems that arise from the new architecture that people aren't familiar with.
In fact, node boards still use traditional through-hole transistors for solenoid control, and they can be replaced the same as Whitestar and SAM games: I've repaired one on my GB. But again, that's not the type of problem that is being discussed with node boards.
Reno, NV
