I think the projector helps illuminate the game. Pro is kinda dark without it. I’ve turned down the GI on Aerosmith for now so my pupils don’t dilate

Same. That and people selling pre-order slots on pins. Disgusting to see people selling a slot for a machine.

Topper—
Would it work the same on a Pro vs. Premium?
For those that have it, how would you rate the integration and value/enjoyment you get for the cost?
Does it connect easily, physically (or does it just rest on top of backbox) and electronically?
I haven’t seen one in person.
For owners, are you happy with purchase?
Thinking of ordering one.
Thanks.

That may actually help make it look brighter. I notice that when I turn down my insert brightness, my pupils open up and I can see the GI better. I should try that.

I've added spotlights to some games, but StTh is a no go for me. The theme (IMO) is dark, so I want it dark.

Does Bullsh*t mode only come up on Mystery late into the game, say around 1 billion score? We have only seen it once in two weeks. Are all the Mystery awards coded? Many of them don’t seem to be awarded often...?

In about 400 plays, I've gotten Bull@hit mode twice. I also seem to disproportionally get Mystery awards that are numbered 11 or higher.

Bull@hit mode is the 4th mystery award if you set it for competition play. The key thing is to avoid the Mystery shot when you’re in a mode, so you don’t waste it on a “More Time”, which doesn’t count toward the mystery award progression.

only saw bullshit twice in 800 games, and drained shortly after so I do not even know what it does.

It’s just a switch frenzy mode, like “DOH” in TSPP.

Needs more bull$hit.

I installed the Rocket City Pinball Start Button Mod and thought you all might want to see it in action. SkyKing2301

Topper works the same on Pro or Prem.

2 connections. Power and data(network cable). It integrates nicely with the game. It screws into the top of the backbox. You remove 4 screws already there and reinstall them through the topper.

I'm a topper guy so yes I am happy with my purchase.

As far as value/enjoyment is concerned that's very subjective and really up to the owner. Can you live without it? Of course. It is integrated but brings nothing additional like the JP and SW toppers. TBH you never get a chance to look at it while playing.

I could definitely see buying this topper for a location pin. If you can pull in more plays, it’ll pay for itself pretty quickly. This topper would make me walk in to take a look for sure.

Thx

Thx

Bazzy, what’s up with your avatar? Please tell me that’s not someone wearing someone else’s face. Heheh.

Old Halloween mask from Halloween night 2015. LOL. It’s pretty good eh!

Thanks, I’ve had it for so long, I’m reluctant to change it. It’s an actual picture of me in 1922 when my dad let me smoke his pipe for a laugh.

1922?!

So what are you, 110 years old?

Bad joke. I’d use my actual picture, but I’m just an old white guy like 90% of the dudes on Pinside.

Uh oh...dare I ask what you qualify as “old”? Lol

Yeah, maybe not 90%. I’m in my 50’s, so probably a bit older than the average Pinsider.

I finally started to click with the game, it only took 810 games... now I am consistently getting games on 200-400 million.

So I am not sure what happened in my head, but I am getting the shots... there was a point where I had actually zoned out completely and then I realized I had 5 way combo going... very strange.

Stranger things!! lol

Anyway, this game is fun... I think it is bolted to the floor here!

I’m still in the 2-week honeymoon period, but I think it’s bolted for me too. I’m having so much more fun with it than I did with JP. I don’t know whether it’s the flow, the theme, the music and SFX or all of the above, but I’m pretty addicted. It’s all about the Drawings.

This pin clicked with me immediately because as soon as I played it, it reminded me of a 90s WMS pin. Easy to understand rules, tried and true layout (I had a MM for years and this reminds me of MM)

It seems I have the same weird issues with those demogorgon optos as you! I spent some time tonight trying to diagnose the issue, which I only noticed starting to happen as of this past week, and at the end of my time poking around, assumed it must be something with the optos that I had just discovered existed back by that exit gate. I got on Pinside at that point and started searching around, came across your posts, and just spent the past hour or so reading through everything.

I imagine nothing has been resolved with those issues for you yet, as there didn’t seem to be a post saying as much! Looks like I’ve got a couple more physical things to check when I have more time, but I expect I’ll have to write Pablo and throw my name in the ring as another STh owner with these weird, frustrating demo opto problems :/

I’ll note that sometimes, my drops complete when literally nothing has happened. Once they completed while Ball 1 was still in the shooter lane, and I pressed the left flipper + Start to reset the machine (which is when “Run!” completed and I think the demo mode may have even started). Otherwise, though, it sounds like my problem is the same/very similar to what you (and a small handful of others) have been experiencing. Sometimes I get multiple word completions, whether when going into the center shot beneath the demo or (much more rarely) through the mystery shot. Sometimes no triggering at all. Similar to your situation, the issue seems to have worsened, though ours perhaps a little more quickly, as we’ve only seen it happening for the last week or so, and it’s practically a guarantee to see something weird happen in any given game now.

I'm joining the club with a premium next week. First pin for me, so pretty excited. It's coming with the UV kit, and shooter rod.

From searching old posts, it seems the Pinmonk flipper coolers are a must, so I've ordered those as well. Also considering a shooter lane protector, and a shaker motor. Does that seem like a good baseline set of mods, or is anything I'm missing?

Meh, that’s not old. I’m mid 40’s....but sometimes feel mid 50’s! Lol.

I'll second that feeling!

The updated ramp cover is key. Just joined the club, couldn't get the tk lock to work at all, with the updated ramp cover, hitting it with ease now. And thanks chuck for the saucer kick out mod, so satisfying to have it kick out around the BiB

the fans are NOT a must. I played my game for 3 hours last night. Never had an issue with the flippers nor the TK lock.

just get the new ramp cover, that is all you need. The flippers have plenty of power even when hot.

my flippers are so strong that I am even contemplating reducing the power... no issues whatsoever, yes I can make all of these shots no prob.
the ball goes up the ramp so fast, on the left ramp (tk not on obviously) for example it often flies off the ramp after the second bend, and hits the demo on the back of its head. lol

But I like it like this, it makes the game super fast.

It took about 2 and a half weeks total from day I ordered. And funny thing was the live tracking app showed it would take a month. One day it just showed up a week and a half early!

I probably should have adjusted my DG before ordering the fans. The reason I bought them was that I could make the DG shot for about 30 minutes, then suddenly I couldn’t. After lowering my DG, the shot is almost too easy. I may move the fans to LOTR, which needs help and can’t be adjusted.

I think the fans help with right ramp rejects too. The flippers do get weaker over time without them; it’s just physics.

Wait wut? You can backhand your right ramp?

Witchcraft.

Anyone else who ordered a topper when order went live get theirs yet? Still nothing for me.

You should maybe just contact who you bought it from

yeah I do it, it is tight and the ball does not have a lot of speed... actually tonight is the first night where I was struggling with it after I said I did not... lol but I did get a few even after an hour into playing... so I think that maybe for that alone the fans might be worth it. Other than that, I do not feel I would.

I installed PinMonk’s insert kit tonight, highly recommended. The gradient effect is really nice, and the 3 normally-white inserts aren’t as blinding.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/shops/1170-pin-monk/03821-stranger-things-fire-brackets-set