Hey guys. I’m debating on pulling the trigger on a premium. Have you guys seen issues on the Stranger Things playfields like the chipping/pooling problems Stern was having with other recent releases? I’m still currently waiting on a new playfield for my JP.
I searched in this thread for the words playfield, chipping, pooling, problems. I’m not seeing any results from the search which leads me to believe those playfield problems were fixed prior to Stranger Things. I hope that’s the case.
Thanks in advance

Dimples are expected. Thanks man

I'm IN!
Bought a Premium. Great lighting and awesome audio! Now to get all these accessories installed!

I'm gonna have to dive right into addressing the TK lock. It isn't catching all the balls correctly.

Loving the game so far. Super fun!
Audio is just awesome!
I added a big subwoofer with a pinnovator's sub out board. If you haven't added a sub yet, you're missing out!

I used some clear gorilla tape to secure the wiring against the back of the UV lights. I didn't like where the wiring was attached to the lights. Much better now.
I LOVE the UV effects. Awesome!

Stern side art looks great IMO. I was hoping it would be UV reactive, but nope.

The shaker doesn't shake as frequently as other games. Even on max. Still cool though.

Adjusting/setting up the projector is a little tedious. I wish the focus wheel was easily accessible. I swear the focus changed after playing a game. My projector apparently has an extra metal bracket that covers the focus wheel. After removing the nut and cover I had to remove another silver bracket that covers the wheel. Didn't see that part on any diagrams or Zach Meny's video.
Is there a tutorial or a tips list about adjustment and fine tuning the images on the targets/ramps? I haven't found one. I'm not happy with the image on the right ramp for example. Most images don't rotate either.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for responding. Does yours have the extra silver bracket covering the focus wheel?
On mine the little foam piece that's on the black door doesn't contact the wheel because the silver bracket is covering the wheel.

So... what's the lockdown bar button for?

After WAY too many hours I'm about ready to wave the white flag. This TK lock is possibly the WORST lock mech in ALL of pinball! It works for a game or two and then it won't work for multiple games. It may correctly grab 4 balls in a row and then won't grab the next 20. The guide rod appears to slow or stop the travel of the ball most of the time.
I could really use some help here guys. I apologize because it's been beat to death. I've read multiple posts. I've followed the Stern PDF doc. I've checked the tolerances and rechecked them.

The only tolerance that is off is step 6 in the PDF. I've included a pic.
The doc says that the ramp rear wall should be slightly OUT 1/32 to 1/16" from the magnet cover. Mine is the opposite. My magnet cover is very slightly out from the ramp wall. Even with the magnet cover being OUT from the ramp wall, the distance from the guide rod to the magnet cover is within spec (25/32-13/16").

The instructions say to loosen the snug plate screw (red arrow on my pic) along with 4 screws on hex posts (mine only has 3) and the 2 at the ramp entrance. Then we're supposed to pull the ramp out away from the magnet cover and re-tighten everything. This does not work because as soon as I tighten the snug plate it pulls the ramp wall back. There isn't a way to keep the ramp wall forward AND tighten the snug plate.
Could this be causing all of my headaches with this mech? What have you guys done to be successful with this? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Nick
stern STh doc (resized).png

I installed the official Stern side art. No UV ink. However, they do look great IMO.
I'm SURE tilt or pingraffix will make some with UV ink

Thank you very much for all of this info. Much appreciated

Just saw the no points awarded "where's barb" 40 mil glitch tonight. My son wasn't very happy to say the least.

I bet we'll be seeing a .91 update to fix this sooner than later.

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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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.

Stern UV kit. No question. It's awesome

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

Me personally, I really like the lock mech when it's working correctly. I think it's super unique. I don't believe a physical ball lock with 3 balls hanging in the air has been done before.
I do agree that it would be better if you could backhand it from a cradle

Today I've had 2 complete system restarts.
Both times it happened immediately after I had a ball save and the auto plunger shot the ball into the lit extra ball lane. The graffic on the display started the extra ball animation and then froze. It restarted on it's own. Today is the first I've seen this. Since both times this happened at exactly the same moment I'm assuming it's a code issue and not anything loose. I've checked all wired connections.
Anyone else see this bug?

Ok thanks

EDIT from my earlier post. My TK lock plastic cover trick 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!

Thank you

I'm not proud to say I've spent WAY too many hours fine tuning, adjusting, testing and re-testing this POS lock mech.
I am 100% sure that raising up/moving the plastic cover and bending up the angled metal hood has helped, but it's still inconsistent. Grrrrrrr

However, I still really love this game though. I keep pressing start! I actually bought STH only 14 days after I recieved my Medieval Royal and I've barely touched Medieval since. That's saying a lot I think

Yes. Even though I know the playfields are very similar in design they feel drastically different to play. STH is WAY more challenging and feels much deeper. Tighter shots. More difficult ramps, etc. I definitely prefer mode based games.

Do you know what pitch you're at now?

Or disable the mech like TKDalumni did

Hahahaha!

Premium/Le owners. Do me a favor if you can.
Please take a minute to check your playfield pitch with a digital level and post here. Please check 2 locations. Both down by the flippers and up on the purple demogorgon inserts. I'm asking for both because there's always a difference between the 2.
Also please post your flipper power settings, and if you're consistently locking balls on the TK magnet or consistently getting rejects.
I would appreciate it.
Nick

It's happened 3 times for me now on 0.90. All 3 times were when the ball went into the extra ball / mystery lane.

Not on my pin. The first 2 were from an auto-launch into the lit extra ball lane. The third time was from a flipper into the un-lit extra ball lane.

Yes. Agreed. I did that the other day.

Anybody know what this actually adjusts? Obviously this is not an electric magnet so it's not adjusting power for the magnet. I can't tell the difference in strength of the diverter or the magnet mechanism or the up post.

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Funny how we're all the F-ing guinea pigs trying to solve the problems on this POS mech that should never have been released like this. Stern should have figured this out a year ago when they were still testing BEFORE it was released.

Stern if you follow this thread... FIX THIS

Nicely done!
I was playing last night with the diverter disabled and consistently had high scoring games

I did some more mods yesterday. I took this video last night while my son played.
So far I've added the UV kit, Titan glow rubbers, Kenwood 5.25" speakers, speakerlightkits RGB lighting, sideart, pinnovators sub out with 12" sub, shaker, stern hd glass, and headphone jack plate.

If any of you are unsure about the Stern UV kit with Titan glow rubbers or upsizing a Premium/Pro to the 5.25" speakers, you're missing out! I highly recommend a sub and shaker too.

Now we just need a 4-600 dollar underwhelming topper!

What audio settings are you guys using with your 5.25" speakers? What's the default with the LE?
4 Ohm doesn't sound good

On LEs is the default for the backbox speakers 4 ohm? The Kenwood 5.25" speakers are 4 ohm but sound louder and less muffled at the 8 ohm setting. Also, are you guys using the 10 band EQ? What about the fader?
Also, are the LE boards in the head identical to the others? I'm curious if they're driving the bigger speakers with the same amplification as the 4" ones. I'm assuming yes.

Correct. This one

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Thank you

Thank you for this!

I've got another "fix" that's helping A LOT with the TK mech. I thought I would share again. YMMV!

I've moved the upper ramp assembly left and forward (towards the flippers) as much as possible, and I've moved the diverter mech right as far as possible.
By loosening the 1/4" nuts/bolts (red arrows) you can slide the mech right (yellow arrow) and tighten back up. You can access the back of these nuts/bolts from behind the backboard. The front access is a little more tricky.
I also followed the stern PDF, but lowered the diverter arm a little more than spec. (1 7/8" off ramp plastic approx)
I'm currently running full power (255) on right flipper.

Honestly the magnet is catching A LOT of the balls from a clean right flipper shot now. Very few rejects!
I'm having way more fun playing this pin now that the mech is working correctly.

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Are you loosening up all of the screws including the 2 at the ramp entrance? Those 2 are absolutely the limiting factor on how much you can move the ramp forward. You’re only going to get about 1 mm or so.

I realize I'm not answering your specific questions but maybe this will help.
My $.02.
It really is a great game! The theme immersion is awesome. Fantastic lighting. Fantastic audio. Fun modes. Decent amount of variety. UV is unique and super cool. The projector is bad ass. The classic Eddy layout is tried and true. Shots are satisfying. It plays pretty fast and can be punishing at times, which is a plus in my book. Easy games bore me quickly.
Stranger Things Premium is as huge hit at my house. My girlfriend, my 12 y/o son, my neighbors, we ALL love it. We keep pressing start! It's awesome.

Negatives.
The TK mech is VERY frustrating at times. I've spent a lot of time trying to make it consistent. It's the best I've seen it now though.
The playfield dimples REALY fast. It's bad.

So if your son rarely has opinions on pins and he really wants this one, and you really like the look and the theme, then you should buy one. Just know you may have issues with the lock. Hopefully stern will have a solid solution soon.
I highly doubt you'll regret it.

You'll see the 3 screws that are holding the ramp in place on top of the hex standoffs and the 2 screws at the ramp entrance. Look at the stern pdf too. It shows where the rear screw is. Follow the pdf instructions for the measurements on the diverter.
You're only moving the ramp forward a mm or so, so a picture isn't going to show the "afterward".
Also, drink some beers and swear at the machine. It helps!

Anyone in the know with when we'll get the next code update? I keep checking. I'm tired of Where's Barb cheating me!

Yes!!!!
I'm stoked they added a new upside down mode! And happy they fixed where's barb

IMO. The projector alone is worth the upgrade to Premium

I played the new upside down with ramp and orbit shots tonight. Love the addition. Feels like a whole new mode.
I love that the spinner moves the lit shot on follow the compass too.
Little code additions add a lot to a game IMO

Yep. +1M more for each additional

I agree with you. This game is just awesome. We're playing it a LOT.
I think it will climb in the ratings.

All shooter rods are adjustable. All 4 directions, up/down/left/right. It will take a little time. You can move the shooter rod housing so that the plunger tip touches the exact middle of the ball.
Pay attention to which direction it needs to go right now and then raise the playfield up against your back box. Remove all six balls first. You will find 5 screws on that shooter housing. Two of them are wood screws that you need to remove, the other three machine screws can just be loosened. Slide it into a location where you think it needs to go. Then retighten those 3. Lower the Playfield and check. Once you're happy with where it is re-install the two wood screws. Or you can leave them out. I have left those wood screws out multiple times. They're not as important. As long as you get those three machine screws in nice and tight you should be good to go

People are going to be mad that I wrote this. Oh well.

Previous Metallica premium owner here. Metallica is a very fun game in the beginning that gets old. It's like chopping wood. Keep shooting the same shots over and over and over again.
Guardians of the Galaxy is the same play field but with modern code and it's a mode based game. Way more fun with the same layout.

Having said that. I would go with stranger things. It's a total blast and it has many modes to keep things interesting. Plus it's modern tech.
But get a Premium

I'm still at +12 on speech attenuation on mine. I prefer quieter callouts than music

I've been wondering what the wood screw even does. The 2 through bolts obviously hold the bracket tight to the PF all by themselves.
I tried adding 2 thin washers under the rear 2 screws that attach the plastic demogorgon and I can't even tell that it's tilted forward at all.
I'm thinking that the rear wood screw tilts the whole bracket back.

Happened on mine as well. I didn't know it till the demogorgon ramp wouldn't go all the way down. The ball gate was jamming the ramp mechanism

I've had 4 reboots now. All of them happened after a ball entered the mystery/extra ball lane

Did he say when it would be released?

I was concerned about this too. You have nothing to worry about. Other than 10 million dimples

Exactly what chuckwurt said.
And sideart too

I have the Stern official ones. They look great IMO. There may be others that look great too. I do wish they were UV reactive though.
I personally have found that the Stern official ones are more sturdy (thicker) than some others I've installed. They're less likely to tear or get scuffed from the PF. With the other brands I always use those plastic side art protectors before raising/lowering the PF. They also already have the hinge bolt holes cut out. You would think that ALL the manufacturers would pre-cut the holes, but nope.

Edit.. if you're adding a powered sub (as you should), buy a pinnovators sub out kit (like $40). Easy peasy hook up. Works perfect. No soldering or splicing wires

So I just had yet another crash on .92. I've lost count now.
This time it was a ball draining down the left out lane. I received "mystery is lit" and then the game crashed.
It has happened so many times under so many different scenarios. I don't see a common denominator here.
I've emailed Stern previously yet I hear nothing back so I don't know if they're even checking.

Before I thought the extra ball/mystery lane was connected with the crash. But this was when mystery was lit from the outlane.

I keep checking. Come on video mode!
And what are they going to use the lockdown bar button for? Hopefully like BM66, where it counts as a mode shot.

1

Stern official art blades are not UV reactive, however they still look great on the game IMO

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Can anyone point me to a definitive rule sheet that's current with .92?
I have some questions about some modes. For example, on some modes I see all solid lit inserts. On other modes all inserts are solid except one is flashing. Why?
Also, on Where's Barb? it may show "Barb located" but the mode continues. And then another time it will say "completed". So is the goal to find barb or to shoot all lit shots? I'm guessing the later.
Thanks

Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time

Stern posted a EHOH update today.
Come on Stranger Things!!

Figures! I've been home and waiting for this update to drop. Now it's released when I'm back at work for 3 days. Bulls@it!

I've been using isopropyl alcohol. Same thing I always use on the rubbers

So does anyone have the stern shooter rod working?

Would you please post some pics of this

Since I can't try .94 yet.
Were the system crashes tied to the mystery lane fixed?

You guys seeing this on yours? The ramp edge has dug in on the right side. I'm having a difficult time trying to determine if the white I'm seeing is PF damage or mylar. Unfortunately I'm leaning towards PF damage. This sucks!
Other than using a heat gun, any of you have a recommendation for removing mylar? I'm concerned about pulling up artwork from the PF.
UGGGHHH

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Novus 1 did remove some of the white so that's good. Some is still there though. Fingers crossed that it's just mylar damage and not PF damage.
The ramp motor stops immediately once the ramp contacts the PF so I'm assuming the down switch is registering correctly.

So they removed the video mode placeholder and added stranger points.
Bring back the video mode!

Any idea what the upcoming stern "fix" for the TK lock is?
Fans? Coils?

You were probably earning the bonus. Mystery lit is awarded every other

When you modify existing code via a usb update OR replace code via SD card swap you are changing the software version of your game. So technically, yes, you could install Cleland's last img file on a SD card and it would run HIS .86 version. But it would NOT be Stern's .94 anymore. Hope that makes sense

Go with glow (UV reactive). Not translucent.

https://www.titanpinball.com/kits/index.php/view/id/1303

Killin me!

IMO the most important change is the fix for the system crashes. Mine was crashing pretty regularly before. None since .94!

And I love bullshit mode too. Whenever the mystery is awarding we're always yelling 17!!!! hoping for bullshit

I'll be surprised if it's $500 considering the new JP topper is $600. Crazy

Well, I shouldn't have said that out loud (or typed it).
I just had my first system crash/restart with .94.
This was when the ball entered the mystery lane AGAIN. The "turn up the heat" mode graphics were displayed and then system shut down. Bummer

I'm very hopeful for both a video mode and lockdown bar button mode implementation. I'm thinking TWD/BM66/GOTG/DP style button usage would make sense

No

Loosening hardware and adding washers under the demogorgon didn't fix anything on my game. I tried something that made a difference though. After removing the demogorgon shell from the metal component completely, I VERY carefully trimmed the mouth edge with a small hobby knife. My demogorgon mouth had a decent amount of plastic material that I felt was protruding in. It wasn't uniform in shape either. I only trimmed about 1/16" to 1/8" from some of the edges making the hole slightly larger and definitely more uniform.
This absolutely helped.
Making it into the mouth is not easy by any means but at least it's doable now on my game. Huge improvement.
If you decide to try this, take your time and be very careful. One slip with a razor and you can destroy your demogorgon completely.

Awesome! Is that a JP with red armor I see?

Looks fantastic! Nice job

I can hit it from both. Has to be perfect though

The UV kit is just fantastic. Even better if you add titan glow rubbers. It even looks great in a well lit room.

Guys, please take a minute to rate this game. It absolutely deserves a great rating here on pinside IMO. Especially the Premium and LE. It's such a great game that still has that "one more game" feel after hundreds of games played.
The premium hasn't even reached the threshold of 25 ratings to be included in the top 100. Only 15 people have rated it so far.
I know, some of you will say "the top 100 and the ratings don't mean anything". You're entitled to your opinion. I respectfully disagree.
Thanks

You make a valid point

Anyone know when we're getting another update? I'm picking up a shooter rod and want it to light up.

Awesome! Love updates!
Still no video mode or lockdown bar button use though. Bummer

Are you able to backhand the lock from a cradle now?

Is final showdown coded? I thought it wasn’t yet.