LEDs - I'm not buying into the hype

[highjon]

What is it with LEDs? I recently sold a machine on ebay and got about 10 questions asking if it had LEDs - as though this was the most important thing. There's a millionaire machine on ebay just now going for 3 times its value claiming it has a full LED conversion - full conversion, yeah right
Sure they are bright, use less electricity and I have even heard some nonsense that they contibute to keeping the playfield from getting dirty!
I like the look of some LED mods but really prefer the glow of old lamps, no way would I put leds in some of my older machines.
I reckon in a few years fully pimped LED machines will be ridiculed similar to fibre optic lamps from the 70's
Some machines that I have played with lots of LEDs have affected the visibilty of the ball and left me with sore eyes.
Always open minded, but I'm not buying into this hype.
Am I alone in this?

 

[JT.]

The Dr Who I bought had most of the playfield done. In some cases I thought they looked good - e.g. they made the green inserts a more saturated green, but others (like any red inserts) made no difference. I don't believe that the electricity useage would be enough to make any difference to your bill at all. Personally I could only justify the expense if I was definitely going to keep a machine forever, 'cos I just don't see being able to recoup the investment when you move them on (same can be said for any mod I guess), and as I don't see myself ever keeping a machine and not swapping it within 12 months or so, there's no way I'd be buying them.

 

[cooldan]

What is it with LEDs? I recently sold a machine on ebay and got about 10 questions asking if it had LEDs - as though this was the most important thing. There's a millionaire machine on ebay just now going for 3 times its value claiming it has a full LED conversion - full conversion, yeah right
Sure they are bright, use less electricity and I have even heard some nonsense that they contibute to keeping the playfield from getting dirty!
I like the look of some LED mods but really prefer the glow of old lamps, no way would I put leds in some of my older machines.
I reckon in a few years fully pimped LED machines will be ridiculed similar to fibre optic lamps from the 70's
Some machines that I have played with lots of LEDs have affected the visibilty of the ball and left me with sore eyes.
Always open minded, but I'm not buying into this hype.
Am I alone in this?

nope, i'm yet to install a single one in my games

 

[ronsplooter]

For me it depends on the game, I don't have LED's in my WW as it doesn't suit that game (IMHO) but I did a full LED job on STTNG and think it looks awesome I did use Mr Squires True LED's though which are a lot warmer than standard LED's and will probably be doing the same on my Shadow. If I was just using the cooler style LEDs then I'd probably pick and choose specific inserts or areas of a game rather than do the full lot.

 

[johnwhitfield]

Depends on the game. Space themes really work well, others I'm not so sure about.

Really like them in my DM and STTNG, not so keen in some others. Can make the colours stand out more on certain games and do really boost the roll over lane lights on machines where it's difficult to see them.

Best thing about ttem is the ebay line of "a handful of LEDS added" which tells me a certain seller from Blackpool has got a new ebay account and stated location so there is no point in watching that machine....

 

[ronsplooter]

Best thing about ttem is the ebay line of "a handful of LEDS added" which tells me a certain seller from Blackpool has got a new ebay account and stated location so there is no point in watching that machine

Nice one Sherlock :thumb:

 

[highjon]

Of course, I'm also the man who said "that internet thing will never catch on..." :blah:

 

[lukewells]

I like to LED my tables. I tend to do everything apart from playfield GI (Star Wars being the exception, as the LED GI actually made it brighter as it was too dim with standard GI)

I like the fact that I don't have to keep relpacing bulbs (bulb prices are always on the up and with an eventual end of production for filament bulbs, it makes sense to start moving towards LED)

The colour saturation is much better and some inserts that you previously struggled to tell whether or not they were lit, now are much more obvious.

While I doubt that there are much savings to be had in terms of electricity running costs, the LED's do draw less current and make the pinball run at a noticably cooler temperature, which is of course good for the electronics.

 

[highjon]

Ok Ok Ok I sold out! But only cos someone gave me them and I wanted to experiment....

My Dredd at the Scottish Open at the weekend....

 

[jonathan]

I reckon I'll have to hoy some LEDs in Tron. One of the few games that suit it imo