You've got to remember that previous Stern home games had almost ZERO support. No manuals. No schematics. No code updates. Not even mentioned on the Stern website any more. Stern completely ignores "The Pin" owners.

So we've had Transformers the Pin, Avengers the Pin, Spiderman Home, and with ZERO support from Stern. No manuals, no schematics, no SD card image backups, and no code updates. Heck, these machines aren't even on Stern's website (Did we make that? ). What makes people think this new Star Wars Home will be any different? In two months it probably won't even be on Stern's website any more.

I'm assuming since it has a "blank" coin door, that the test/volume switch assembly is present?

Are there any pictures of the insides of this machine?

Stern did try selling machines in Best Buy several years ago.

And those Bally home models used a full sized commercial playfield in a smaller cabinet. It still felt like a solidly built cabinet and the play felt like a commercial machine. It also used commercial Bally assemblies on the playfield. Even included the standard playfield prop rod for servicing the playfield.

At the time they were introduced, I believe the Bally home models retailed for $895.

Yes indeed home entertainment was limited in those days. As I recall, a brand new commercial Bally pinball such as Evel Knievel retailed at $1595. I think some distributors sold them as low as $1450 to some operators.

Yes. I agree. Even a "blank" coin door has a place for the service/test/volume switch assembly. It also allows you to reach in and unlatch the lockdown bar so you can slide out the glass.

Bally made four home model pinball machines:

Fireball (two production runs, first with series 1 boardsets, second run with series 2 boardsets)

Evel Knievel

Captain Fantastic

Galaxy Rangers

That style of glass frame must be substantial to prevent the frame from twisting and stressing the glass (could shatter the glass if frame twists). I think it would be way costly for Stern to do it that way. Standard side rails, lockdown bar, and standard playfield glass would be more practical and economical.

Maybe they are paralleling the slingshot switches or pop bumper switches to save on a switch matrix?

More like non-existent.

Be interesting to see if a shaker motor and a real knocker can be added to this machine.

I've now started a section on pinwiki for Stern Home Model pins:

http://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Stern_Pinball_Home_Models

Help is appreciated in getting more information in it.

So if that node board craps out you are dead in the water and have a 250 pound paperweight.

I see the only "documentation" available at Stern's website is a sales flyer. Still no manuals or game code.

I see in the unboxing video, there is no cabinet woofer speaker. Hole and grill is there, but no speaker.

The fact that previous "The Pin" machines aren't even on Stern's website nor have any manuals/schematics ever been issued doesn't exactly instill confidence in these machines. These machines, just like any other pinball machines, are going to break at some point and need a technician to repair it for the machine owner. It is vital for a technician to have the necessary information at his fingertips (switch matrix, lamp matrix, coil wiring, driver transistor numbers, etc) in order to make repairs quickly and correctly regardless of whether it's in the owner's home, or even in an office or waiting room.

How about for the switch matrix? Lamp matrix? Coil wiring? Driver transistor number/location?

The manuals used to explain in detail what each software adjustment did and what the factory default is.

You mean like Thunderbirds?

Well, 60 days now since this game was announced. Still the only thing available for it is a sales flyer on Stern's website. So much for support. :rolleyes:

Game manual is now available:

https://sternpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/StarWars_Pin_web.pdf

No schematics in it.