# Meet the New King of Pinball Lighting!

**Source:** Cary Hardy  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2026-06-25  
**Duration:** 21m 31s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9CCCYyuInc

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## Analysis

Cary Hardy reviews Pin Lights Pro, a new pinball machine LED lighting system that he claims surpasses Pin Stadium Lights as the market leader. Priced at $399 versus Pin Stadium Lights $800+, Pin Lights Pro features Ethernet connectivity for Stern Spike systems, programmable effects via mobile app, and future compatibility with Williams/Bally and FAST systems. Hardy expresses concern about the product's competitive impact while recommending it as the superior choice.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Pin Lights Pro costs $399-$400, approximately 50% of Pin Stadium Lights $800+ price — _Cary Hardy explicitly compares pricing during product review_
- [MEDIUM] Pin Lights Pro exceeds all functionality of Pin Stadium Lights lighting systems — _Cary Hardy opinion/assertion based on his testing and product knowledge_
- [HIGH] Pin Lights Pro features Ethernet port for direct integration with Stern Spike 1, Spike 2, and Spike 3 systems — _Hardy demonstrates technical specifications and connectivity features during review_
- [MEDIUM] Pin Lights Pro will support Williams/Bally games in the future via accessory board with four inputs — _Hardy discusses future roadmap capabilities and planned compatibility expansions_
- [HIGH] Pin Lights Pro app allows rule-based programming tied to specific game switches and coils with real-time preview — _Hardy demonstrates app functionality live during video, showing rule creation and testing interface_
- [MEDIUM] Pin Lights Pro will eventually integrate with FAST pinball systems — _Hardy discusses future development roadmap for expanded system compatibility_
- [HIGH] Cary Hardy has been an advocate and installer for Pin Stadium Lights for years — _Hardy explicitly states his past support: 'I've been an avid person for Pin Stadium Lights for years, guys. I've helped sell things...I've installed many sets.'_

### Notable Quotes

> "I am very certain by promoting and explaining and talking about this product, it's going to kill or really hurt 10 stadiums."
> — **Cary Hardy**, Opening
> _Hardy expresses concern about the competitive threat Pin Lights Pro poses to Penn Stadium's market position_

> "There's no reason or motivation or like, there's nothing there, no more incentive. It doesn't make any sense to buy PinStadiums anymore. I'm sorry to say that because I know that I'm talking about someone's business here, but whenever a superior product comes along for half the price, there's no way I could just legitimately sit here and push a product."
> — **Cary Hardy**, Mid-review
> _Hardy makes strong statement about market shift, acknowledging his discomfort critiquing Penn Stadium while being honest about product superiority_

> "50% of the price, guys. So already right there, it's like, wow, that's a hell of a price difference. But maybe there's some differences. Maybe the pin stadiums can do something that the Pin Lights Pro can't. No, it can't. Pin Lights Pro exceeds everything that pin stadiums does."
> — **Cary Hardy**, Price comparison section
> _Core competitive claim: Pin Lights Pro is half the price with superior functionality_

> "That right there speaks to your Stern Spike systems. Spike 1, Spike 2, and even Spike 3. And what does that do? That gives you the ability to really personalize your machine's lighting."
> — **Cary Hardy**, Technical features section
> _Highlights the key differentiator: Ethernet connectivity enabling deep Spike system integration_

> "You can go through the entire switch matrix and make it your own. Just remember that the more you tinker with, the more effects you have. You got to remember that when you go into multiball and you're hitting all these switches, it might be overwhelming."
> — **Cary Hardy**, App demonstration
> _Illustrates both the power and complexity of the customization system_

> "The future is very bright, just like the product."
> — **Cary Hardy**, Closing
> _Punny conclusion reinforcing optimism about Pin Lights Pro's development trajectory and market potential_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Cary Hardy | person | Content creator, pinball enthusiast, former Penn Stadium advocate, now reviewing Pin Lights Pro as new market leader |
| Pin Lights Pro | product | New LED lighting system for pinball machines priced at $399, features Ethernet Spike integration, mobile app control, programmable effects |
| Pin Stadium Lights | company | Incumbent LED lighting manufacturer for pinball machines, pricing at $800+, now facing competitive pressure from Pin Lights Pro |
| Pin Lights | product | Earlier version of Pin Lights system that Cary Hardy had tested and discussed positively in prior year, precursor to Pro version |
| Jimmy's | person | Operator/contact at Pin Lights, handles bulk orders and potential pricing negotiations |
| Scott | person | Penn Stadium product creator/manufacturer, whom Hardy has worked with at industry shows |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball machine manufacturer; Spike systems are primary integration target for Pin Lights Pro |
| [name withheld pending review] | product | Pinball computer platform (Spike 1, Spike 2, Spike 3) that Pin Lights Pro directly integrates with via Ethernet |
| Williams | company | Legacy pinball manufacturers; Pin Lights Pro planning future compatibility via accessory board |
| FAST Pinball | company | Pinball system manufacturer; Pin Lights Pro roadmap includes future FAST system compatibility |
| Jurassic Park | game | Stern game used by Hardy for live Pin Lights Pro demonstration during review |
| Beetlejuice | game | Game referenced as installed on one of Hardy's machines with Pin Lights Pro |

### Signals

- **[product_launch]** Pin Lights Pro launches as direct competitor to Penn Stadium lighting systems at half the price with expanded Spike system integration (confidence: high) — Cary Hardy review positioning Pin Lights Pro as new market leader with $399 pricing vs Penn Stadium's $800+
- **[market_signal]** Significant price differential (50%) between Pin Lights Pro and incumbent Penn Stadium establishes competitive advantage (confidence: high) — Hardy emphasizes price disparity repeatedly as primary competitive factor driving market shift
- **[technology_signal]** Pin Lights Pro features Ethernet connectivity enabling rule-based programming with game switch/coil integration via mobile app (confidence: high) — Hardy demonstrates app interface, rule creation, switch mapping, and real-time effect testing during review
- **[sentiment_shift]** Influential content creator Cary Hardy shifts public advocacy from Penn Stadium to Pin Lights Pro despite long history with former product (confidence: high) — Hardy explicitly states discomfort with shift while committing to recommendation: 'I don't know another way to talk about this product'
- **[product_strategy]** Pin Lights Pro differentiates via Spike system Ethernet integration and rule-based customization rather than hardware specs alone (confidence: high) — Hardy identifies Ethernet port as key differentiator and emphasizes programmability as core value proposition
- **[competitive_signal]** Hardy predicts Pin Lights Pro will significantly impact Penn Stadium's market share ('going to kill or really hurt 10 stadiums') (confidence: medium) — Hardy's opening concern about competitive impact suggests he believes product transition will be rapid and extensive
- **[product_concern]** Pin Lights Pro exhibits minor app quirks and usability issues despite overall superiority (confidence: medium) — Hardy notes: 'Is the system perfect at this time? No, I've noticed some little quirks in the app and I've reported those'
- **[design_innovation]** Pin Lights Pro enables rule-based lighting tied to game events via switch matrix mapping and effect libraries with real-time preview (confidence: high) — Hardy demonstrates creating custom rule for playfield target with effect selection, speed/repeat tuning, and test visualization
- **[product_strategy]** Pin Lights Pro planning future compatibility with Williams/Bally systems (via accessory board) and FAST systems (confidence: medium) — Hardy discusses upcoming multi-system support: 'In the future, when it comes to your older Bally Williams games... In the future, when it comes to FAST systems'
- **[product_launch]** Potential supply constraints on Pin Lights Pro with Hardy recommending customers get on waiting lists (confidence: low) — Hardy suggests: 'you may want to get your name on a list' implying potential demand exceeding supply
- **[content_signal]** Cary Hardy video review carries significant industry weight as influencer opinion pivot from Penn Stadium to Pin Lights Pro (confidence: high) — Hardy's prominent platform and credibility as long-time Penn Stadium advocate make his recommendation shift notable market signal
- **[technology_signal]** Pin Lights Pro can trigger external systems (smoke machines, coil-based effects) and handle 5V-48V solenoid inputs (confidence: high) — Hardy describes expansion capabilities: 'This board can control or trigger your external lighting systems... You can hook these up directly to a solenoid'

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## Transcript

This is weird to me because I honestly don't know how to go about doing this video because I am very certain by promoting and explaining and talking about this product, it's going to kill or really hurt 10 stadiums. Aziz Light! Today we're talking about a product that is going to shake up the lighting system for pinball machines. For years, Pinstadium has been the go-to option for players wanting brighter playfields and better visibility. But now there's a new contender that doesn't just compete, it improves upon the formula in several key ways. And after spending a lot of time with Pinlights Pro, I can confidently say that this is the new king of pinball lighting accessories. A year ago, I did a video comparing Pinlights and Penn Stadium. I have been an avid person for Penn Stadium for years, guys. I've helped sell things for crying out loud. I've been to shows due to Scott that makes the product. I've done it all. I've installed many sets. And now we've got pin lights that I was introduced to last year, utilized them, lots of pros to that system, and I definitely saw it as a valid contender. But now we've got Pin Lights Pro. And you're like, what is, okay, what is Pin Lights Pro, Kerry? What is this fancy name? What are we going to be able to do with this product? How am I going to be able to basically divulge the information to you, give you the information that you need to make a proper decision? Is it worth the money? I'll tell you right now. Let's talk about the price of these two products in comparison. And I hate to make this a video comparing these two products, but that's really the best way to go about doing this. I could just show you only Pin Lights Pro, but since the vast majority of us have experienced pin stadiums in the past, then you basically have a better understanding of why I am now on Team Pin Lights. Because it honestly just makes sense. There's no reason or motivation or like, there's nothing there, no more incentive. It doesn't make any sense to buy PinStadiums anymore. I'm sorry to say that because I know that I'm talking about someone's business here, but whenever a superior product comes along for half the price, there's no way I could just legitimately sit here and push a product. And there's no way I couldn't do it. I would not feel good about myself. So let me just tell you the facts and you can go about your merry way to compare the two products if you want to. But I have to point out the main factor here, and that is obviously the price for what you're getting. If you take the top product at Penn Stadium, you're going to be spending $800, maybe more if you get the extra little things that are on there. And he's always got little promos going to help you on the price. But Pin Lights Pro is $399, $400. 50% of the price, guys. So already right there, it's like, wow, that's a hell of a price difference. But maybe there's some differences. Maybe the pin stadiums can do something that the Pin Lights Pro can't. No, it can't. Pin Lights Pro exceeds everything that pin stadiums does. Sperper Peeves, the founder of Sperper. I'm not a fan of Stern Pinball. I'm a fan of Stern Pinball. I Junkie Manning Faster than by means you better get on it now And if you have like a bulk order that you want to get done I would reach out to Jimmy at Pin Lights more than likely I don't want to speak for him, but if you're putting in a bulk order, he will get you a better deal. He's done it with the regular pin lights. I would assume that he might do it with Pin Lights Pro. So what is Pin Lights Pro? Pin Lights Pro is a lighting system like you've experienced before with pin lights and pin stadiums. But what does it basically cater to the most? Is that Ethernet port on the board, guys. That right there speaks to your Stern Spike systems. Spike 1, Spike 2, and even Spike 3. And what does that do? That gives you the ability to really personalize your machine's lighting. If you wanted to do a certain feature whenever a certain switch is hit, it'll do it. And in the future, when it comes to mimicking expression lighting, it's going to be able to do all of that. In the future, when it comes to your older Bally Williams games, you're going to have an accessory board that connects to it, and you're that to your Williams boards. You can do it with your older Bally Williams games, but you've only got four inputs for it. Whereas on your Spike systems, you've got a number, whatever you want, as many as you want to be able to do. But this product in the future is going to be able to talk to fast systems. It's going to be able to talk to a number of different systems to do all kinds of things. So let me show you how easy this thing is to program and just kind of do what you want with it. Let me boot up the PinLights app on my phone here. And we're going to load up our devices. There should only be two, one for my Beetlejuice and one for Jurassic Park. I'm going to select Jurassic Park Pro. It's connecting to the device now. Alright, so here are all my settings and availability that I have for programming wise. I'm just going to show you, let me turn the power off to him. And that just shows you right there what the game looks like normally. And then I can turn the power on. There we go. And you can adjust it to your liking. Thank you for watching. I've currently got 12 rules on my device. These are all of my rules. And basically this is for certain switches in the game. And you can go in here and edit them accordingly and be like, alright, let's uh, so for instance, this is my shooter lane node. So when a ball is in the shooter lane, it will do a certain effect. And then I can change that effect in here if I don't want it to be comment or whatever. And I can have all these other settings and effects to do a multitude of things. And I can attest that effect by hitting the test button. And that shows you right there what that would look like before having to play a game. So there's no like, oh, I've got to play a game to see what that does. So that's just one thing that it can show you how to do. All right, let me get out of that. Let's try another rule, shall we? Let's see. What is this? Control Room. Okay, so Control Room. If I want to edit this or see what it looks like, wrong thing, Effects. So, if I want to see what it looks like when I hit the Control Room on that side right there, I'll hit Test. So that shows you right there, hit Test. And I've got it to where it's set to be on one side right there. www.springball.com Ssshhh. I going to show you how it to where each pop bumper does something in the rules and effect There's an option for all of that. You can go through the entire switch matrix and make it your own. Just remember that the more you tinker with, the more effects you have. You got to remember that when you go into multiball and you're hitting all these switches, it might be overwhelming. So just remember that. Make the game your own. But remember, you know, whenever you're playing a game and all the action's going on, you're setting off a lot of switches, it may turn into a complete mess. So trial and error. Figure out what works best for you and your game. But yeah, you can do all kinds of things with the effects, guys. This is just a mere drop in the bucket of what this thing can do for your stern. But not just your stern games. So here's an outline of the Pinlight Pro board. You have your typical connections for your light bars left and right and of course your power and then you see the expansion port for add-on boards and going to your spike games. But as you can see on the right side here, you have four trigger inputs, and these can basically be from 5 volts all the way up to your 48 volts. That is right. You can hook these up directly to a solenoid. So on your older games that don't have the spike system, obviously, you can still have an amazing light show if you go into your app and tell it, every time this coil fires, whatever coil you have it connected to, give me this effect. It's completely optional up to you. As well as your three non-matrix switch inputs up there. There's a lot of potential and things coming down the road with this product, guys. I mean, this thing can control or trigger your external lighting systems. Like if you had a smoke machine or something like that, this board can do all of that. All right, we're going to do this in real time. We're going to set up a rule. And I currently don't have anything set up for this target right here. I want to, but I got one set up for this one right here. Ssdick, Pardons, and Sstranger Tthings. I'm going to set a trigger point first. I need to figure out what it exactly is that I'm adjusting. So let's go to spike triggers and select coil or switch. And it's going to show me a whole list of all that I'm looking for right here. So I want to try to find that particular switch. Let's see if I can find it. Right slingshot, right flipper, left flipper in a stroke, trough, trough jam. I mean there's all kinds. Okay, target, live, Sperry Pinnacle Jager Pinnacle The screen. Let's just say I want it to be blue. But who knows? What other kind of options do we have? We have a number of effects that you can choose from right here. And we're going to choose one. I don't know. This is just random here. We can do chase color, chase flash. Look at all these different things. I don't even know what this is. Circus Combustus. Let's just see what the hell this even does. Let's test it. So that's what that would do if I hit that target. It would do this, but it's currently, looks like it's set for a really long time. It says speed 7, oh it's repeating 3 times. Let's do repeats, let's turn that off to 0. Alright, so now let's test it. Trying to give you a visual on there. I don't know if I like that. I going to go ahead and show you how to play this game The Alright, let's get this thing running. There's an effect right there that I think I might like, although I don't know if I want it to go for that long, but I can have it to where it does that. Yeah, I don't know if I'd want it to go for that long, and since it's on that side, then I'll just choose it to be on the left side, and then we'll test it again. Now it's only on this side of the machine whenever I hit that. So there you go. And let's just say that I wanted to keep that. Let's just say, like, all right, I like that. I'll back out of this. This is not going to be an install video because the install is the same way. But I think what highlights this product the most is its ease of install. The app is easily accessible on the App Store and to utilize, you're able to save your settings, share your settings to anybody else. It's little features like that that are going to be very nice for this system. Now, is the system perfect at this time? No, I've noticed some little quirks in the app and I've reported those and they're going to be working on it as we speak. Sperry Pins, Getaway, and Sperry Pins. Jace Grimble, Sander Pinn, Kermit J. Jim Raff, and Sander Pinn. Without making it seem like I'm just chilling it and I'm getting kickbacks. And I also don't want it to seem like I'm just being mean to Penn Stadium. But I just, I honestly don't know another way to talk about this product. I don't want this to be a commercial. Because honestly, I think this product speaks for itself. It just does. I could have done a whole spiel video of me just like, We're going to talk about Sperry's in the next episode of the DGN News. I'm J.R. Pinn. boards and potential coming in the future that's going to give you the ability to do what you're seeing on my Jurassic Park and starting games with your older titles. The future is very bright, just like the product. But anyways, I don't know what else to say other than like, guys, you may want to get your name and I'm saying this like get your name on a list. But yeah, go to Penn Lights. I'll put a link in the description down below. Penn Lights Pro is the way to go, guys. All right. That's all I really need to say about this.

_(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-04 | Item ID: acb915a6-a81a-465f-8371-69471001fe15*