I think the kits get a bit overboard and expensive. I prefer to do it myself and get the exact bulbs I want. It helps to order samples and play around before you do a big order. Comet has a bunch of options, colors, and even a new matrix system that makes it easy to add lighting. I've only done a few machines but it ends up costing around $150 or $200 to do a whole machine. I don't know what makes some of those kits so expensive.

I just had my IJ done by HEP because it's my favorite machine ever. I love LEDs...on SOME machines. But in IJ, you really should only use them in the inserts. I used all warm white LEDs in the inserts so that none of them were color-bombed. Chris agreed with me that Indy should have incandescent GI on the playfield and backbox to keep the warmth and retro feel.

LED your Indy very conservatively. It's not a Funhouse!

This. Inserts only for IJ. I had LEDs in everything and yanked em out real quick except for the inserts.

I love the kit for JM and have it on my machine. I do not like the skittles look of this kit for IJ. Warm White LEDs are what you want here with a few splashes of color in the pops and upper lanes, IMO.

Not at all. I play in the dark. You can absolutely see the ball everywhere. Remember that the game was designed for incandescents, and many machines were being played in dark arcades and bowling alleys. It actually makes the flashers (which I use LEDs for) look even brighter. LEDs in your GI will give the game a yellowish and cold look, even if you use the retro bulbs from Cointaker. It's a theme that's supposed to be taking place in the 30s/40s, and you want a warm look to reflect that. It ain't Star Trek!

Okay...I dug through my photos to try to give you a sense of what it looks like with LEDs and incandescents. The first photo I took before when it had LEDs and before I sent it off to HEP. You can see it has more of a yellowish look (true, the lights are on in that photo, but I still think you can see it). The second picture was just taken this week in the dark and you can see the warm glow coming off the IJ...as well as the fact that there really aren't any dark spots on the playfield. So no worries!

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That first picture is BEFORE I sent it to High End Pins. I threw the brass on, threw the LEDs in, and a couple of tasteful mods (like the spinning propeller, which is REALLY cool). I still wasn't happy with it, so I decided that it had to be perfect.

HEP is a high end restoration service run by Chris Hutchins, who is considered the best of the best (and there are a LOT of incredible restorers on here). He doesn't sell LEDs.

For LED kits, you can go through Cointaker (.com) who will sell you kits. Just tell Melissa you want warm whites for the insert kit, or use the color-matched ones they sell in the kit as is.

If you want to save a few bucks, get a master pack from Art at Comet Pinball (.com) and mix and match yourself.

Both great companies, so you can't go wrong. Incandescent bulbs are dirt cheap and can be bought through Pinball Life or Marco Specialties.

PM me if you have any other questions!

Looks outstanding. Ballpark figure for HEP restore? Worth it?

I did color matching inserts and all retro warm led's for the GI and backbox.....looks great.