I wonder why they haven't addressed sending new (better and improved) protectors...

Playfields cost a lot more to build and send.

As this is my first NIB purchase, I must admit that I'm not playing the game (which I LOVE BTW) as much as I would like to due to this issue.

I've heard through another owner that he took the protector off, flattened it completely, then bent it back, added 3M double-sided tape on the sides and re-installed it. I am contemplating this suggestion.

Anyone else have other suggestions, other than removing it completely and adding mylar (not suggested by Stern)???

2 things I noticed:

1) I wonder if the elevated piece will change the shot (i.e. make it tighter and/or more ball rejections)
2) The tabs seems to still be on the top scoop. I wonder that will cause issues with the Premium/LE versions. Also keep in mind that my top scoop also shows some distorsion/warping, but obviously not as bad as the bottom scoop.

My frustration is growing every day...can't play more than 5-6 balls w/o pausing my game, removing the glass, push the stuck ball in the scoop, try to re-bend the tabs (to which the top lifts/bends awkwardly), re-install the glass, continue the game....wash/lather/rinse/repeat.

I can't imagine the operators trying to keep the machine in play w/o removing the protector and damaging the playfield beyond repair.

My game is 5 days old and has less than 80 plays. It is bloody embarrassing on a brand new $10K (CAD after taxes) pinball machine.

With that in mind, I'm crossing my fingers that the "upgraded" protector performs better than the actual one AND that it will be shipped soon.

I finally decided to do the same thing you did last night. It's "holding up" for now.

Although you see many scoop-gate rants (including myself), the game is AWESOME!!!!

These LE's are so gorgeous!

they are under the Rush settings. They are near the end, so "go left"... you will have sound attenuation and voice attenuation IIRC.

EB is available when you get a number of ramp shots (8 IIRC) and/or you collect 5 albums.

The insert will change from the scoop to behind the upper flipper and vice-versa for each slingshot hit.

It IS possible to have both lit up at the same time (happened to me!) and then grab both extra balls on 2 shots.

Obviously, this info is available on the rulesheet...which I'm still trying to master.

...So many things to remember...LOL

I'm still in "learning mode" as well. As I'm no pinball wizard, I focus on the "obvious" items like the 1-2-3 combo (and album collect), the time machine modes, the time machine multiballs and the far cry multiball. I find that I don't focus enough on starting the Freewill multiball (collect the instruments) and Headlong Flight MB is the hardest to get started IMHO.

I love it, but I don't get that many "long games", and usually try to stack 2-3 albums, but most of the time, I drain before I can collect them...highly frustrating...

As for the modes, My favorite is Working Man...least favorite: Villa Strangiato

All in all, I am VERY pleased with the game...and will be on Cloud Nine when scoop-gate is resolved for good.

Quick question:

Anyone having airballs/jump balls trying to hit the left ramp?

Noticed that when hitting the ball towards the ramp from the upper flipper, it often happens that the ball jumps and hits the jackpot light plastic and comes back (or also happened that the ball hits the top of the diverter and comes back down the ramp).

Over the past weekend, I get yet another "interesting shot": The ball jumps over the ramp and lands in the left orbit (after hitting the side and/or lands on the pop bumper plastics)

The upper flipper strength is set at normal or medium.

Also new behavior: shooting the spinner rejects the balls and comes back down (rather than loop into the upper flipper....and no, there was ZERO spinner shots beforehand.

Just wondering if anyone else have the same issues and/or have a quick fix for these occurrences.

TBH, I don't care about the insane scoring and the bragging (or not) as not every machine is set up the same way, either from the menu settings, the outlane post settings or even the pitch...

I am curious as per who got to (and/or completed) any of the Cygnus X-1 mini wizard modes and if the 2112 wizard mode is already programmed (or not).

I had one game which I was only missing the 3rd time machine Multiball to start Cygnus...and had 4 modes completed. Still ended with only 500-ish Million...

Last night, I couldn't get over 100M...though of grabbing my sledgehammer...those outlanes and bad bounces...argh!!!

...but still LOVE the game though...so many things to do...if you can hit the shots LOL.

Just start by opening the outlane posts (just like how the initial Pro's were shipped)...

As my pro can be an outlane drain monster (especially on the left side), I was thinking of closing the posts, but after seeing your comments, I guess I'll just need to improve with the current settings.

I find that with the 0.90 code, other than far cry and the 1st time machine MB, the other MB's are not that easy to get. In addition, it takes way more shots to finish Working Man.

As soon as Scoop-gate is fixed, and that the code hits 1.x, this game will get so much more love and appreciation...

And here's a pic of my pro scoop with roughly 375 home plays. Had to re-try to straighten it and re-apply tape so that the ball wouldn't get stuck again. I personally don't like the "1d10t sandwich" fix, but it's gotta be better than what I have right now, so hoping it's gonna get shipped soon. Also contemplating the ninja and cliffy fixes, hoping that some will be available in Allentown so I don't need to pay insane shipping costs to Canada...

rushscoop (resized).jpg

Saw this coming out of my local supermarket...

Bidding starts at $200CAD. it's really nice (IMHO) but I have no wall space near my machine to hook it.

rocheframe (resized).jpg

Yeah just did the same...completed a few planets, but haven't figured out exactly what to do...yet...

Always fun to get new code updates!

I'm not that good of a player, but I have hit 1B once on my Pro...as well as 2-3 games in the 900M's. TBH, my goal is not necessarily try to hit the optimal shots to get maximum points, but to try to "finish" the game. I haven't started any of the mini-wizard modes yet, although I've been close (missing 1 MB). For the other Book, I think that my best is completing 4 modes.

I guess I'll need to get more practice LOL.

I must admit that sometimes, I feel like I could grab the sledgehammer and smash it when the game is..err..."uncooperative".

Wouldn't change it for the world though...roughly 1000 games in and I still enjoy the challenge and the trials/tribulations of hitting 1B..again...soon...I hope!

Maybe the Stern brass were listening to "A Passage to Bangkok" when they decided on the price...

...wow...