Great work, hopefully they can engineer something different. I’d think it would be a cost effective fix to do and distribute as well.

Can you backhand the lock with the cover off or still not enough momentum?

I moved my out-lanes to the narrow position this morning.

I’m still getting consistent in the mouth Demogorgon TK locks with no adjustments.

This game is really fun!

Can you tell where it’s hitting the cover? Maybe some spacers need to be added between the top of the ramp and the cover so it doesn’t catch the ball as it goes up

Yup I did the same thing and it definitely makes it up there way better but yeah it flies across the playfield. I also tried keeping the cover on but bending the attached metal bracket but can’t get it any better. To me, it’s as if the lowest part of the rod needs to be further back on the ramp, but no fix there because of the overall mech mount and the plastic ramp rod hole would need more cut out

This is funny. Last night I started experimenting and I MAY have a solution that at least seems to be helping. I agree that at least one of the problems is the clear cover. I'm still testing so I'm NOT SAYING this is the fix. I'll report back. If you want to try it here it is...
I opened up the holes in the cover and reshaped the tab that goes slightly into the backboard. I had to reshape the tab to allow it to slide left. This allowed the entire plastic cover to slide left 4mm (see pic). Then I added 2 washers on each screw to raise the cover. So it's a little bit higher and slid 4mm to the left. And I bent the metal hood up too.
It seems to be way better but I still can't backhand it to the magnet.

Nick

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Wonder if they could have designed it with a mechanism that pops the ball up independently of the ball's speed. That way back handing would work and reaching that point on the ramp would be a guaranteed TK lock. Something like the saucer pop up with a cover for when lock is not lit.

Anything other than this monkey mech would have been better. Constant buzzkill to the game. Along with demo shot for me, neither work reliably enough. Here's to hoping I can get the new ramp soon to maybe fix one of the two.

I think that's an unfortunate fail if you can backhand the ramp, but not the ramp lock. Any mechanism such as this should never impede ball flow for what should be an otherwise successful shot.

Rob

Try putting plastic 1/4 inch spacers between the plastic cover and ramp. That way you wont have to bend the metal flap.

Sorry but you can't raise the cover plate without trimming it : you can put washers/spacers under the 2 bolt down on the left ramp, but the top one and the one on the top right of the ramp cant be installed, the cover is inserted under the surrounding plastics.

Also, I have issues with my TK Lock as well, and I think the diverter is not closing fast enough when the balls crosses the optos.
I have tried everything, the checklist, the coil settings, the game pitch, and most of the time the ball gets pinched by the diverter and is sent backward, with a 75% SDTM chance.

Really annoying.

Did you try recording it in slo-mo with your phone to see if it really is the optos triggering the diverter too slowly?

Please excuse this question as I’m a newbie but bought first pin recently(WOZRR)and looking for second soon .Just finishing basement and made room for 4.I really want 4 different styles of play and our family loves this show.I just woken to this great hobby and since we can’t get out to play a variety , was wondering how you you describe the game play of ST as opposed to WOZ? Thanks for any feedback and be safe all!!

I removed the 2 decorative arch shaped plastics and reinstalled them after raising the cover plastic with 2 washers at each screw. No problem. See the pic.
Also I was able to loosen and slightly raise up the magnet cover plate to allow the cover plastic to be raised slightly. I only had to trim/file the back tab of the cover plastic in order to allow it to slide left.
If raising the cover more than with a couple of washers then the rear tab would need to be trimmed more or removed.

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This evening I had 2 successful backhands to the magnet. Still not every time by any means.

I owned WOZ in the past and I have a STH pro. STH is a bit more brutal when you miss a shot but once you get them down it has lots of flow. JJ games feel a lot different then Stern. WOZ is more of stop and go with the two upper playfields. I can’t comment on the STH LE or premium models but the pro shoots pretty smooth and fast. If you’re a fan of the show that always helps you get drawn into the theme. These two games to me feel completely different to each other...but that can be a good thing if you have a few pins and it sounds like you will.

Your question is welcome. Heck, that Is what Pinside is really about. I just received my Stranger Things Premium and I couldn’t be more happy. I highly recommend the UV kit. It’s extra, but fits the game perfectly.

I’ve owned a lot of games over the last 10 years. This game has the feel of MM / AFM (layout and rules) with the technology and innovation of a modern Stern (color changing leds, projector, lcd screen and coding). I’m quite happy in my first week of ownership. Only one of my 4 sons plays pinball, this is the first game my other sons have said is “really cool” in years. Best of luck in your game hunt.

Hey guys, thinking about getting a ST Pro. How has code evolved so far, how about missions and call outs? Does it feel that the pin is representing the show well or are you missing something?

What is expected for code 1.0? Are you overall enjoying the pin?
Sadly there is no ST in my area to play it.

Just purchased an Le from Frankmac. Good dude by the way! I'm considering installing the PinStadium Light kit for UV lighting over the Stern offering. Good idea, or not?
Thanks,
Zamp

Thanks Chuck!
How deep is the ruleset currently? Not looking for a very challenging Pin but one that is fun to shoot and nice modes.

Stern UV 100%

Stern UV kit. No question. It's awesome

Stern UV kit is great!

EDIT! This did NOT fix it completely. Its definitely better but it's acting up again. God damn this TK lock is a finicky pain in the ass!

Well guys. After many games of testing last night and this morning I'm very happy to say that my plastic cover "fix" seems to have fixed the problem. On my game anyway.

I'm getting magnet catching ball locks on a very high percentage of clean right flipper shots.
I just played 2 games this morning.
Game 1 had 7/7 locks (0 rejections)
Game 2 had 6/7 locks (1 rejection)

Left flipper shots are definitely less. And no backhanded shots from a cradle.

I followed stern's pdf to a tee and lowered right flipper to 240.

Hopefully this will help others.
Nick

I love this game, but the ramps seem relatively narrow (I've seen worse), and it's a drain monster for me, even with the outlane posts in the most narrow setting. I would definitely not put this game in the "easy" category. I understand the whole concept of "play better". I'm fairly experienced (not great), but this game can give me a whoopin' like no other.

Where to buy the Stern side blades and official shooter rod? Anyone know?

little shop of games has side art.
https://littleshopofgames.com/shop/decals/art-blades/stranger-things-inside-art-blades-for-stern-pinball-machine-502-7085-q1/

haven't been able to locate shooter rod

hooked on pinball has some shooter rods

Just curious are you guys turning off the auto 1st extra ball and are you leaving the 2nd extra ball at 50? What are your preferred extra ball settings?

Stern UV kit it is!
Thanks

Honest question..why fight disabling the lock mech?

1.) Because I paid for an extra feature and I want it

2.) It makes for a better experience

3.) Some other rationale

The Pro plays great without it and I seriously doubt Eddy designed the Prem/LE to be “harder.” Probably just wanted to put another gimmick in. Personally I like being able to backhand the left ramp and adds a lot to gameplay.