Star Trek LE: use of center arrow lights?

Idle curiosity for other Stern Star Trek owners, after years of owning my LE (latest code):

Does anyone know if/when the center playfield arrows are used for gameplay progress, and not just for animations?

The center set of arrows in the middle of the playfield work correctly for "animations" (swipes of color around the playfield during play, attract mode, etc)., but they don't ever seem to be used to "count up" to anything during play. The text on the playfield next to them implies they're used to indicate mission status, etc., but they aren't used that way.

I'm surprised they're not used to indicate mission progression (how many shots you've made for the mission, or how many are left), or for photon torpedoes remaining during a Vengeance event, etc.

#2 6 years ago

DAV

InfiniteLives

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10y 125K 4,556 283

you earn 3 "arrows" when you complete the 3 stand up bank on the right side. These are missles or torpedoes that you shoot at the vengeance to gain progress to the vengeance modes. Use the button on the lock down bar to fire said torpedoes.

you can use them in the vengeance multiball to gain progress to defeat the vengeance as well as after it is defeated to collect the victory lap shot on the center.

edit: unless you are talking about the mode inserts... those are lit as your mode you are playing and after you beat them then stay solid. complete 3 in a row for a "captains chair" bonus of either super ramps, super spinner or super pops. You can beat missions three deep as well for a multiplied shot depending on the mode.

#3 6 years ago

billycrna

Pinside+ Frequent

I have wondered the same. My arrows always work with the whole play field animations, yet work sporadically for anything else. It's strange. It really looks like something is not functioning correctly. However, during the test, they work fine.

#4 6 years ago

DAV

InfiniteLives

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10y 125K 4,556 283

Quoted from billycrna:
I have wondered the same. My arrows always work with the whole play field animations, yet work sporadically for anything else. It's strange. It really looks like something is not functioning correctly. However, during the test, they work fine.

the board that controls them can sometimes needs the connectors re-plugged in and sometimes the solder needs to be reflowed.

#5 6 years ago

MOP

GoDFaDDa

Pinside member

Quoted from InfiniteLives:
you earn 3 "arrows" when you complete the 3 stand up bank on the right side. These are missles or torpedoes that you shoot at the vengeance to gain progress to the vengeance modes. Use the button on the lock down bar to fire said torpedoes.
you can use them in the vengeance multiball to gain progress to defeat the vengeance as well as after it is defeated to collect the victory lap shot on the center.
edit: unless you are talking about the mode inserts... those are lit as your mode you are playing and after you beat them then stay solid. complete 3 in a row for a "captains chair" bonus of either super ramps, super spinner or super pops. You can beat missions three deep as well for a multiplied shot depending on the mode.

This is one of the kinds of features I expected, but I definitely don't get any arrows when I have photon torpedoes. Again, they work fine when animating (the big wash of lights across the playfield, during attract mode or play).

What version do you have (Pro, etc.)?

#6 6 years ago

billycrna

Pinside+ Frequent

OP
Quoted from GoDFaDDa:
This is one of the kinds of features I expected, but I definitely don't get any arrows when I have photon torpedoes. Again, they work fine when animating (the big wash of lights across the playfield, during attract mode or play).
What version do you have (Pro, etc.)?

This is exactly the issue I have. I have an LE. You?

1 week later

#7 6 years ago

MOP

GoDFaDDa

Pinside member

Quoted from billycrna:
This is exactly the issue I have. I have an LE. You?

Yes, an LE.

#8 6 years ago

billycrna

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I rechecked some contacts and now 3 triangles will light when I am awarded photon torpedoes to shoot at the vengeance.

2 weeks later

#9 6 years ago

MOP

GoDFaDDa

Pinside member

Quoted from billycrna:
I rechecked some contacts and now 3 triangles will light when I am awarded photon torpedoes to shoot at the vengeance.

Huh, that's weird. For me, no effect. The contacts are all tight, and the connections are present (and it's really just the flat cable with the ethernet-style connector). I get all of the attract mode color and lighting (including wipes during the game), but nothing for gameplay (torpedoes, mission progress, etc.).

1 month later

#10 5 years ago

billycrna

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