Really getting close to trading or buying into an Alien SE or LV..My main preference is the LV, as it just looks SO much nicer with the 'better' artwork...Asking if those who bought an SE wished they had gotten an LV? Or any LV owners don't really think the art package, shaker motor, beacons (come on, lit art blades?!) are worth the extra coin? I'm not a big ALIEN fan, but I'm a huge ALIENS fan I want to make the right choice the first goaround!

Thanks you guys for making this an even tougher decision! (I do like the ideer of having better beacons/apron)

Awesomeness. Did that come with the beacons you have on there as well? And assuming it was like $750 for both?

That probably is a badass place for them!? The lights spewing out from the cracks of the coin door, and sides of pf?? If so, that’s a great idea! Any vids on this?

Sorry to hear that man..thanks for your service, if you were in it.

Cool! Just don’t wander onto the CCr or Scooby thread. Or my Goonies window ad lol. Ignorance is bliss!

I think the discusstion on LV/SV is all subjective when you think about it (and this is me on the fence between the two; not an owner yet). If I had 'my way', I'd buy the LV because of the cabinet art and the lit blades alone..but that's it. And the more I think about it, there isn't much difference FOR ME to justify the extra 2K..BUT, if I had an extra 2K laying around, I would not hesitate to buy the LV. Just played an SV for the first time, and I wasn't debating with myself on which version I would want..They are probably both just as immersive. We aren't knocking the guy who bought the base model of a Lexus, or the guy that went for the LSX or whatever the fancy package is (LOL do they still make Lexus?) Hell, I have a 13.5K Medeival Madness Remake in my house to a measely Hook..I appreciate them all for what they are. I DO KNOW that whatever version I get will get the apron and beacons, and all the other nicknacks I want on it. The only thing I disagree with the guy down in Eugene is that MODS INCREASE VALUE ON YOUR PIN..it has to be the right mods on the right machine..not just random happy meal figures pasted all over the playfield...My LotR (currently on marketplace) has over 2K in essential mods that DO AFFECT GAMEPLAY (most of them, at least). ymmv and I think we all agree, just in different perspectives

KJS that's really badass..I saw this video of yours yesterday...mostly because of your custom backglass...And very curious if you still make these??? Between that and your custom art, it's one helleva classact pin you got there And I hope I didn't start this SV/LV debate..I'm new to this thread and didn't want to spark any SV/LV flames..they both offer a lot of bang/buck, no matter how you slice it. This isn't the TS4 syndrome..

Sorry but I have to say I really ignited this thread again ..not blowing my skirt up. Maybe sorta. Cool fukin pin deserves attention

WELL, I'm officially part of the club..bought the LV that was listed here on pinside..Sold my LotR yesterday and then bought Alien LV! "I feel safer already". You secure that shit, Hudson

hey guys, just bought an LV, and it has yet to be shipped..quick question on the playfield..is dimpling a common thing with the PF? I zoomed in on the machine I bought, and it looks pretty dimpled in the pic included..at least it's there on the left side, where the upper left flipper is...maybe the light makes it worse, and I know every Stern does this (and I wonder why this happens anyways? not top-notch wood? Becuase it's not screen-printed like CGC games? OK, 3 questions there..BTW this machine has very low plays and is serial #61. Built in April '22.

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Ok good to know thanks boyz! ‘It is what it is’. Still a gorgeous machine!

I am begging the question. T h e Q u e s t i o n. Who has LV-426?

Play with the glass off ever so often so you don’t get so defeated, hence selling a pin. Think of it like training wheels. I don’t normally do that but on a blue moon.

That looks like the real deal! LV-426 hopefully it's not a copycat!! There would need to have some significant paperwork/proof to keep that legit. I'm not baulking at the price, it's the legitimacy at stake here..

Well then, a true collector should buy that yesterday! Hell, I would if I could. But getting #61 in about 3 weeks so that dream is a ways off.

We both got lucky! I bought from Red_Devils this morning. There were 3 left before I bought. Cheers!

I hate to say it, but he bit off more than he can chew ...seriously though, good luck with this, and the others..when I get mine, I'll be astute to the updates and how they are affecting gameplay.

Sorry, I have to type this..chuckle chuckle..it's about the LV stock translite art...Which is badass.. b u t ...shit I can't say it..because once you see it, you can't UNSEE IT. lol.

just 3d Printed my first ever objects today..got a Halot-One resin printer, and just made a few eggs that will be placed on my incoming machine (2 weeks)...I was surprised how nice they turned out..not trying to make a sales pitch here..just saying that now I can make my own stuff, and the scale is smaller, which I prefer..I will paint the bottoms and let the glow of the top part of the egg shine.. As Aladdin said, 'A whole new world..' ..I have a billion things to 3D print now muhaahaahaaa

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did you ship mine out yet??? 'Then I'll vote'

that's gloriously badass man!!! love it, really tight.

did you 3D print the Space Jockey as well?? If so, I want that file.

YA DAMN RIGHT!!!

that's awesome! That guy did an amazing job..what percentage did you scale it down to?
I'll print that after I print this! (1:30 left in the oven)...I'm making the Sulaco around 5" overall length..it will be VERY detailed probably hover it in the one of the corners, or somewhere else..

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I'm getting my LV #61 tomorrooooowww!!! Already armed with mods (except the apron mod package..not sure what the holdup is on that). I can't wait! (well, I can..days are short in the PNW lol) I have the 3D backglass with two alien version inserts, sentry gun toys, 3D printed this/that's and waiting for the UK to clear up the russian postal hack, so I can order the plastics..and my video tracker is currently being held up because of that. anyways, stoked about my LV!

just getting my LV setup this morning, and can't get the damned backglass out..every little turn, with the cam out, doesn't allow it to slide up..and hot tips before I go mad? lol..

secure what???

Yep that was the issue. Got it out. It released when i went to the other hole to lift. There’s a lot of plexi to move! Got it going! Running 2.6 and .57. Xeno grabs balls nicely. Got it pitched up a tad and flow is perfect. No issues so far. If it ain’t broke...lovin it, after I rest me bones. My LotR went out today as well. Basically traded a nice LotR fully modded for this. So far no regrets. ‘Mostly’. Nah i love this.

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Btw I think the plastic is still on the art blades. I rearing up my mod arsenal! Just finished a 3D print of the pf monitor air lock door bezel. And stay tuned for something no one has done yet. Muhahahahaaaa

yep, I learned that from the Alien Vets, here on this thread a about 17 days ago major difference! and more light.

that would be an awesome 3D print build; to have a Queen Cap' over the standard worker bee..that would be really dope actually! ( I was referring to the plastic wrap removal on the art blades..I'm sure a lot of owners still have that on)

one more mod (almost) complete..just have to sand a few edges..but I really like the airlock with no decals..really makes the screen pop..if anything, I'll put that Purina dogfood' decal on it, but not much if anything else.

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well, that's certainly the truth..but it actually looks and plays a lot better, in person..kinda have to be there on that. I will ultimately put a few quality decals on it, but not overload it like the stock version

yeah, it makes the flow around the orbits and hypersleep MUCH faster, smoother, flippers are stronger, and the balls get along better with less clutter. Priceless.

you see, that's the kind of mod I'm trying to avoid..I'd rather have my pure white one, than that one..YMMV..it looks ok, but the decals are kinda lack-luster.. and the white is legit with the airlock in the first ALIEN..not hating, just speakin' me truth.

Why have 2 beacons when can have 4! Ha! Getting my set in a few weeks. Might be cool to velcro the original beacons under the cab, facing the floor. Hmmm. Here’s my Purina decal I made for my bezel. I will reprint the bezel, as I lost the bottom left hoses. But i like the original look. Might add a few other touches but that’s it. Maybe a white printed top for it as well.

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Can someone actually confirm that the pf Monitor is replicating the Alien door or the AlienS outer door on the Sulaco?? If it’s the Sulaco ship i will change gears on my approach

If only this machine could hatch pinballs, we’d be gazillionaires. That’s funny. Glad it didn’t break the egg!

Ok. Game on! Funny that the 3D print file led it to be Alien..it’s a semi-replica from the first film. Now someone needs to 3D design THAT door. (Until I learn CAD, lol). I might search for a $$ .STL file if one exists. Thanks for the clarification!

F u c k Y e A H

I think he was just messin' around..if not, I'm not losing sleep..Just played an hour on Alien, MM, and Mando..it's crazy how easy Mando is, after owning and playing Alien..makes me appreciate my diversity of pins even more. (I have a lot more than 3).

well, I think it probably depends on which version of Mandalorian it is..I have a pro, just for reference..the fixed mando playfield and the lack of the extra ramp might make it easier I would think...I do know that when playing Alien, it makes you 'work' for flow (which is not a bad thing). Then I get over to Mando, and the flow is already there, but the shots are a tad more awkward..which makes these two a nice blend, imo. (I still need to check the pitch of Alien, although I think it's close to 6.5 to 7 degrees).

What is the easy fix on the rapid-fireing left slingshot where the facehugger is? It’s getting worse and annoying. Probably just stretch out that rubber? Or space out the leaves?

Even though mine hasn't arrived yet, I'd be all over that little 'scene' as well..although we'd all have to agree on what color the strobing does on the xeno..personally, I'd like nothing but pure dark blue for that brief moment. then everything else can go wild red etc afterwards.

I agree, but I’m a bit confused about what is strobing. Thr backbox or the apron? I don’t need fancy strobes on the backbox when the zeno grabs the ball. I want fancy stribing on the apron, shining up at that moment with no backbox or beacon interaction

AFFirmative !

that's cool, and yeah, your idea of it strobing until the xeno closes its' mouth is a good one.

anyone try and make a ticket for the missing target cable, if you were not the original owner? Is it possible to make any tickets with PB as a second-hand owner?

OK...Start your grinnin' and drop your linnen...This was the epic mod I was referring to, and thought I'd let the door open Got this version 1.0 done today..now just need to find 5v to power these inside the game (any input on that would be great!)...powered by an ardrino nano. and micro servos.

they are actually pretty tough, and currently on velcro (I ran out of progressive strips)..so I wouldn't lose sleep if they DID break, but kinda doubtful..and I bought 4 servos for $10 so at least good there. it was gruling to take these apart..so I think they'll be good.

too tall..and they are even shortened by about 1" from their stockness...I actually really like them where they are.

It’s a cable that Pinball Bros missed at the factory

that's a great idea, as I have used those for different things in the past. I'll go order a few more thanks! In fact, one could apply multiples at various needed voltages (between 0v-12v) for any given mod. SO, my final question on that..is that 12v aux power switched? (does it turn off when game is turned off?). and another final question, lol..where is that 12v power supply located? many thanks in advance!

I didn't plan on mass-producing any mods, until I'm older, lol. I'm too busy buying and selling and modding my own pins...BUT, I could possibly make a few sets, or better yet, give you a tutorial on what to buy, and how to mod/make this setup. First step is to buy the NECA ALIENS ACCESSORY PACK ebay.com link: itm got to have these in order for this mod to happen..although you could go the 3D print route as well..these just look really nice. pm me if you want more details.

that would be 'too' cool! yeah, thankfully I didn't get into model trains I'd be working on that RIGHT NOW.. That would be friken cool though!

Actually saw these as well, and didn't realize they were smaller than the accessory pack ones..although they are less detailed, that is probably a better route to go, for playfield placement. I'll come up with a picture story-telling how-to..you will definitely want to buy micro servos...these are the ones I bought https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y55C21K parts list for sentry guns are very little..1 micro servo, 1 small diameter 1" - 1 1/2" fine screw (this is the axel for the turret, directly screwed into the servo), 1 or 2 wide washers (same or smaller diameter of the turret). Hot Glue/Gun. electronics would be an Arduino (in my case I used the Arduino Nano), servo wire extentions (you will need 6..3 for each servo), and a power distribution 'thingy' that accepts a standard 12v male walwart..extra wire small gauge wire for power and ground for each servo and the arduino. Just copy/paste this, but this is the main list you will need. Also add 1 buck converter to the list (the kind pinsider who recommended this a few posts back)..that will give you the 5v power from the aux 12v in the game. hope this helps for now! any further stuff can be discussed via pm. cheers!

I really like your other metal work, but honestly not a fan on this one. It divides the playfield too much and it loses the ‘space feel’. Just my honest critique! It would have to be half as big for it to cosmetically work (for me).

found my first major problem with my newly aquired ALIEN LV...I waxed it, and now it's so fast that I got 'demoralized'.. scores went from 50mill to about 10 mill instantly..Should I write a ticket? .....

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now THAT is NICE! ...btw, where did you get that plastic ball diverter (or decal?) that extends over that scoop? looks slick

this seems to be a common issue, at least with the LV..my theory is that when you boot up the machine (and during gameplay), that wild shaker motor helps 'saw' the spring against the sharp metal brackets even further...I've lost the 2 right flippers in owning my LV for a month now. I did get replacements..but the uppper flipper I reused the spring and put painters' tape where it is being held. not as pretty as shaving the sharpness off the bracket I imagine..ymmv. I personally wouldn't stretch the spings..you want to have that tight rebound in the flippers, at least I do.

Dude. You scored that LV for those??? you def. got the better deal!!!

I wouldn't want to play without the shaker! it's waaayy too integrated to leave out.

that IS cool...I like where mine is, and it gives me space for my animatronic sentry guns This is not his mod, it's from some Neca toy or something else..but blocks some light bleed at the front of the right artblade, and, well anyways either way is cool to me!

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setup a ticket with pinball bros..give them your address and explain the 'missing target 5 wire'..you'll recieve one before you know it..and search this thread for that, and the pictures will show you exactly where to place it.

another YES

I think I'm going to reprint my bezel..and it looks like you ran into the same problem, at the lower left corner 'missing details'..when you are in your slicer, make the bezel a couple mm's thicker; I bet the lower left will print at that point. I will be trying this when I get a new printer (buying a larger one!)

that's really cool..I'm not sure if I like your idea or mine better..because they are both good! I wanted to add an update to my sentry guns..one gun is overthrowing on the servo, and when it does the 3 rotation, it shakes like it's firing..happy accident! And these little micro servos are pretty tough, so I doubt it will be an issue..(i've left these on all night once..haven't wired them permantely yet with the buck converter).

Congrats on your nice LV! I'm sure there's more than just a few stories like that, and mine is similar. Second owner of LV #61 and outside of just one adjustment on the hypersleep ramp (had to loosen the plastic to relieve the ball around the horshoe), and two springs for the right flippers..flawless otherwise..plays like a wet dream.

My LV shakes my entire 2 story house, and it ennoys me as well..If it were a small shake, I wouldn't GAF..but if people are sleeping and you want to play an early morning game, 'we've got problems'. Seems like its a 'normal' thing to bitch about..I think you took it too far dude.

never try to fix a running game! Outside of the shaker biz, the machine is 100%..so that would be a hard pill to swallow atm..*but thanks for the tip anyways* I actually like the noisy xeno mech; reminds me of the queen hissing..probably the coolest first impression when I first saw Aliens, in the theater, back in '86 (I was only 12 when I saw it

I was actually defending the guy that got tromped on when he asked about the shaker motor..I will probably do the update, but knowing that my machine runs 100% is, like I said, a hard thing to let go of..AND for the other's records, it does shake my 100 year old, 2 story craftman home. ymmv with some of these people

digitaldocc thanks, and yeah, there's not much space down there..and that's actually where I first wanted them..mine are sized down about an inch from the stock figure..I was able to take the tripod off, and used the servo to serve as the new tripod, and the motor to pivot it. I sawed the turret section in half with a metal saw (going slow and steady and straight)..I then countersunk the gun part to accomodate the head of a screw..hot-glued that in..then, drilled a hole in the bottom part of the turret for the screw to go through (and free), then the screw literally just screws into the micro servo (without breaking the gears..I would suggest hot glue there as well, as the torque can swing the guns out of place, over time). I reused the tripod legs and hot glued that with the servo case..the pole is no longer needed, but could be resized and placed to make it look more legit (I don't notice though)...
In between the two turret pieces are 2 washers..the second gun I just used one washer, and it seems to be just fine. This for other folks to follow as well, in case someone wants to build their own..so with your smaller sentry's I'd say with my method, they could 'possibly' fit down there on the slings, or inlanes, whetever they are..

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there's more than one way to slice a sentry gun! Well done! Does the wire for the servo move much? (since the whole servo is moving)? Can I give you a suggestion on your mod here? (take it or leave it, all good) ...paint or wrap the wire in black, then route it behind the gun and the slack of the wire that needs to move could be strung together where the existing black hose is..just an idea..I love tinkering with this stuff. vids when it's ready!

you'll need more force to keep these down on the PF, to overpower the force of the servos (since it's inverted)..have you tested that yet? I bet these will move better than my idea (slower and more realistic perhaps)..you just need to really secure the tripod down, if my head math is correct. Would be cool to see a vid of them in action I'm also curious when I run the buck converter to power mine (and the Arduino) if I could dial the voltage down, to slow the servos down, without damaging the arduino..?

where exactly did you tap into the beacons to connect the buck converter? Just in line with the supplied cords of the beacons? Any pics that show where you connected the buck converter? I also have the aftermarket apron, so has anyone used its' harness to tap into power for other mods?

I'm a newb at coding these arduinos (and scripting basically anything else)..I'm using a script from someone who set me up with a different pin project. Would you mind sharing your script, or if not, how to write the code to turn down the power/speed of the servos?

trying to help the cause here..here are those mini beacons on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/LAFEINA-Rotating-Flashing-Firefighting-Ambulance/dp/B07JQXZXHL/ref=sr_1_4 ordering a set today, and will get here Friday...so much faster than across the pond..They are RC car/truck mini beacons..

truth!

There’s probably a safer way to do that imo. I’m going another route..using an arduino for my sentry guns, and I’ll be adding the mini beacons on a 3rd channel..but I’ll be using a buck converter to grab the 12v from the power supply and dialing it down to 5v ..I’m still learning all of this the machine guts btw ..I think I can also tap into the main beacons, but will be researching more before doing it. And with the new apron mod, I think there’s a lot of possibilities to Y out to other mods on certain events. But will research first.

Would be cool to have these only go off on multiballs. Like you said there’s a ton of ways to integrate them. I will most likely wire mine up on top of the mini screen..will certainly add the intensity of the screen show, and the illumination effect on the playfield. If not overly used.

BRING IT! Awesome...I think all of us brainstorming and coming up with killer mods is 'the way' ..can't wait to see what's up ur sleeve

well, if great minds think alike..OR you are up to something else..this is the next phase I'm going to..back approx 10" IPS LCD Screen back there, with footage of the sentry guns (slow pan from the film), and possibly other elements..I'm just in the 'idea phase' on this, and I think would bring this pin to #1 on the charts..and could be setup to change various clips from Aliens during certain modes..but I kinda like the simplistic backdrop of a few scenes..thoughts?

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and while we are throwing fuel on the fire, this was an idea I had for the NECA TOYS Aliens Dropship..these are not cheap..but what if you could put the APC on some fishing line, with a servo behind the dropship, fish it through with a hole so that it lets the APC drop down from inside the ship, onto a plastic (during APC mode)..then the servo winds it back up into the belly of the Dropship..that would be pretty epic, or cheesy..depends how well it was done. It's a beautiful toy, I know that.

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Just think of me of Superman, in Superman II NO CAPES!! (I'm human)

All ya gotta do is want to learn. I barely know enough to be dangerous. As Quatto said in Total Recall, ‘open your mind’. ..once you stop learning, you start dying..everyone’s perspective is different and I appreciate that, for what it is. There’s guys on pinside that blow my mind on what they can accomplish (coding etc, like Zablon ). It’s really just a matter of perspective. But I appreciate the ‘hero’ worship. Lol. I’m a humble guy mostly. I know when to be a dork. But better than that I know who are good people..you seem like it man!

Perhaps replace the rebound springs with something a tad beefier? I know that’s made peeps flippers more snappy. I agree, those springs are a tad weak, and they break. Shouldn’t affect power, but definitely something to consider with the entire mechanisms

That’s a damned nice screen bezel man! Love it. Very pro

There’s s guy on this thread that went to the hardware store and matched up height and width of coil (but a tad beefier) and there was no going back from that (worked really well apparently). Bring one to an Ace or whatever and match it up. I already beheaded 2, do i know the feeling. They do seem pretty thin to me. Bally/williams springs seem like the way as well (don’t quote me on that). The reason these are breaking is the sharp metal brackets in the flipper mechs. That, and thin springs. I put painters tape at the sharp edge and no problem now. But better fix is grind down the sharp mounts a tad. Good to go.

although that's a decent idea, don't you think you would be better off using a more 'period-correct' gun than a phaser-shaped one? The gun from a LAH would look closer to the handgun that Gorman and Vasquez uses..Hopefully you can install it without hacking up the cab too much (unless you have it bolted to the floor, lol).

yeah that is pretty clever, like Zablon was saying..this is exactly what the Grogu mod is doing with the ramp diverter trigger, etc..Seems like the beacons would really be a great independent show on their own..good call!

that's really a great look. GJ on that = L E G I T

yeah, the LV's are thinner because they have an anti-reflective coating on them, where the SV is standard glass..But the AR glass is not as good as voodoo or invi, but still provides an improvement over standard glass..but being thinner doesn't seem like the best idea..well, it is what it is..this is for those that didn't know the diff on glass between the SV/LV..

anything NIB for under 10K now IS a steal..fml

I just tried this with my arduino nano and it sometimes messes up the xeno grabbing the ball, and even extending the tongue. Gonna use a buck converter and tap into something else. Unfortunate that the usb ports can’t be used for bus power.

Here is the current rev of my sentry gun mod.

I’m running the arduino nano, and split the servos onto one channel. I’ll reply to your email when I get to my computer. I kinda like the other guy’s idea of splitting the A/C power, before the computer, then running a power strip like he did. I can tell that it’s messing up the xeno at times, when my game has been flawless since tonight’s usb insertion.
EDIT:::: After a few other games, the main screen went black..so definitely not a good idea to put any load on the usb ports..maybe a small string of lights, but after what I witnessed, I'm keeping those slots unused..I unplugged the guns, and the game ran flawless again..and this is the LV #61 (pictured in the video above).

added the Narcissist (sp) ship where Ripley was in Hypersleep for 57 years..I think that qualifies to be in that section of the machine, lol. It's all shaping up, and have yet to install the new Beacons, both big and small. Enjoy! And thanks ya'll for sharing your cool ideas as well!