How acurate/consistent are the ball shooters?

[jweaver]

I was under the impression that the 'skill' of Pachinko was finding the right power for the shooter and then holding it there.

I have been watching mine today and found that even if I hold my hand really steady on a given power setting, the balls all fire different distances at the top of the board.

There is quite a lot in it.. I would say that the variation is about 1" if not more.. Obviously when it hits some pins the "random" aspect comes into play.. But I am talking about the ball BEFORE it hits anyhthing. The ball comes out of its 'channel' and then over the top, where it runs out of energy and drops.. What I have notices is that the point where it 'drops' varies for each and every ball.

Are the shooters generally consistent or is this normal?

Jon