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  • Members: 677
  • Category: Laser Games
  • Founded: Jul 15, 2004
  • Language: English
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#12314 From: Tim Sampson <lists@...>
Date: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:44 am
Subject: Re: Hit light mod keep the rumble for ltto
insx72
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If I remember rightly, you just use a new bit of wire instead of cutting it.

Tim

On 18/07/2011 03:56, powlazertag wrote:
> Windjammer has a sweet youtube of this mod I was wondering if anyone has or
could put out a tutorial on party tagger's hit light with the rumble pack
feature still available?
>
>

#12315 From: Tim Sampson <lists@...>
Date: Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:48 pm
Subject: Re: Hit light mod keep the rumble for ltto
insx72
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Oops, my reply was relating to the partytagger mod. I'm not sure if the
youtube mod is the same.

On 18/07/2011 09:44, Tim Sampson wrote:
> If I remember rightly, you just use a new bit of wire instead of cutting it.
>
> Tim
>

#12316 From: "reapersaurus" <dinolover@...>
Date: Thu Aug 4, 2011 9:33 am
Subject: Lazer Tag viable with very young kids? (with terrible aim)
reapersaurus
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Long time listener, first time caller -

I've been collecting Lazer Taggers for a couple years (up to 20 LTTO's now, with
4 LTXs), and just play with my sons and the occasional friend, in the house
mainly.

But I recently hosted a large game for the daycare/preschool center my wife
works at, and was perplexed by the results.

The kids range from 5 years old to 10, and many of the younger kids don't seem
to have ANY IDEA of how to aim and fire a weapon. Maybe this is a consequence of
the ultra-paranoia and PCness of California parenting and society today, I don't
know - but these kids had to be told (and shown) multiple times how to use the
trigger, even.
I never thought I'd see the day when a kid, confused at the other ones firing
away and pulling triggers, asks repeatedly, "How do I make it work?"

Anyway, while the 2 events I ran were very casual and fun for the kids, I have
reluctantly come to the disappointing conclusion that LTTO taggers are simply
not workable for inexperienced, very young children.

The 9 year olds and above would be OK - but younger than that, most of this
group was incapable of landing hits on a tagger from more than 3 feet away. All
they would/could do is run after the target and try to thrust their gun at the
other player's sensor and hit it at point blank range. Really, the Capture The
Flag games, as well as the Free-For-All practices I ran boiled down to games of
tag where the fastest runners prevailed without getting hit much.

The problem is 2-fold:
1) The LTTO doesn't provide enough perceptible feedback to kids that they hit
the target. There should have been a light like in the LTX. Yes, I know there is
(sometimes) a sound afterwards to confirm a hit, but that's too subtle for
inexperienced youngsters (read: stupid kids  - tongue-in-cheek LOL)  (Gene
Wilder in Blazing Saddles : "You know -   morons.")
Also, that sound is trounced over when they keep shooting their next shots.

2) Kids have a hell of a time learning to aim.
The 2nd day we played, I set up 2 LTXs on the table and told everyone to
practice shooting at the dome and see when the light went on to figure out where
to aim, backing up as they got better.
Only about 3 out of 20 kids understood the concept.
The rest ignored it, or would still run up and shoot the LTX dome from 3 inches
away to "practice." LOL
They couldn't use any part of the gun to help them figure out where the line
was, probably due to the bad iron sights in the LTTOs, but really I'm not sure
what could have been designed to help these kids this day.

I tried practice and orientation time, I tried Capture the Flag, I tried
Free-for-All CTF, and each time the kids couldn't hit each other from more than
a few feet away.
I have all new batteries and tested the guns before, during, and after.

Let me describe how each organized game went:
Capture The Flag, 10 players per team: Useless, because each team simply rushed
with 3+ people, grabbed the other team's flag and ran back to their base. After
5 games of no one getting more than 5 hits on the flag carrier, I wanted even
MORE shooters and less flag-carriers to aim at.

So I put the flag in the middle of a large circle (40+ yards) had no teams and
whoever could grab it and run back to the teacher bench with lives left won that
round. I didn't think it was possible, but the faster kids could run to the
flag, grab it amongst 19 other kids, and run back through the gauntlet and only
get hit once or twice. Then someone figured to use the shield, so I had to make
that rule next round. (BTW - hosting and adding 20 guns to a custom game is
simply not realistic with young kids groups, so the default set up is all I
have)

So, I just cannot think of any game that can work with young inexperienced kids.
Every gametype I read about requires the players to be able to aim well - I
wonder how much practice it would take young children to hit a target from 20+
feet away?

I know it sounds like I'm blaming the design, but I'm not - I can't think of
many ways to combat this particular extreme problem (other than the light mod).
I'm just kinda frustrated with the inability of the kids to shoot the guns, when
I thought the game would translate much better to young kids.

As an aside, if I had enough LTX's with shotguns, I think the problem might be
lessened somewhat, but I realize there must be SOME low level of skill for a
lazer tag game to work, and (most of) these kids were below that threshold.

They still had fun, though, which of course is the most important thing.

Thanks for listening to my gripe and if there's any suggestions, please add
them.

John W

#12317 From: "ferret1963" <SpamCatcher999@...>
Date: Thu Aug 4, 2011 5:54 pm
Subject: Re: Lazer Tag viable with very young kids? (with terrible aim)
ferret1963
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Basically, no there is not much that can be done with LTTO/LTX and really young
kids.  The product is age-graded for 8 and above, and even that represented an
unhappy compromise between the design and marketing teams.  If you make
something so simple a 5-year-old can use it effectively (what marketing would
have liked), then it isn't much fun for anyone over 8 (the design team, aka me,
wanted it to be fun for teenagers and up as well).

What you CAN do is keep an eye out for the old Tiger Lazer Tag gear from the
late 1990's, the black one that looks like a teardrop shape that straps to the
top of your wrist.  This works much more intuitively for the younger kids, just
stick your arm out towards the opponent and pull the trigger.  It also has a +/-
10 degree beam (compared to +.- 2.5 degrees for LTTO and LTX) so it is really
easy to hit other players.  It doesn't have the same range as LTTO/LTX, but that
much range is way beyond the capabilities of the younger players anyway.  The
Star Wars Han Solo blasters are compatible and have the same pattern
characteristics, but have to be aimed more like a pistol so would be good for
say 6-8 years.

For a game with some older kids mixed in, they can be given the lensed version
of the Tiger Lazer Tag Striker (looks just like the black teardrop one, but has
an extended barrel with a lens in the end).  This has a +/- 5 degree beam so is
harder to aim but has almost double the range.  Even more advanced kids could
play with the Lazer Tag Stinger model, which has the same optics as the LTTO/LTX
(but the signals are not compatible with LTTO/LTX).

The big problem is just that it is hard to find this gear anymore -- eBay is
your only hope.  The good news is, the collector interest in it seems to have
mostly fallen off so the prices are not usually outrageous like they are for
LTTO/LTX.

The shotblast attachment for the LTX models is also a viable option.  It
overcomes both the problem of teaching kids that they need to reload (a big
problem with the LTX and younger kids -- they don't listen to the buzz-buzz
sound it makes when you pull the trigger on an empty chamber) and it does not
need to be aimed as carefully.  And it is just more fun to rack each shot in
pump-action style...

As a final thought:  David Roman of 1SLT.com now has a set of molds I created
for casting scope mounts that fit onto the LTTO devices.  If you get a handful
of the 3/8" rail adapters for the Deluxe taggers and glue about a 3-inch long
section of 1/2" Internal Diameter PVC pipe to the top of this rail, you'll have
a very functional tube sight that will help the kids aim.  It is far more
intuitive than the iron sights (which as you pointed out most kids today grow up
without ever having learned to use them), and they look cool to boot, like
scopes.

#12318 From: "ferret1963" <SpamCatcher999@...>
Date: Thu Aug 4, 2011 6:08 pm
Subject: Re: Lazer Tag viable with very young kids? (with terrible aim)
ferret1963
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--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "reapersaurus" <dinolover@...> wrote:


> The problem is 2-fold:
> 1) The LTTO doesn't provide enough perceptible feedback to
> kids that they hit the target. There should have been a light
> like in the LTX.

The Deluxe was the first model LTTO we created, and at the time LEDs bright
enough to be seen outdoors over a wide viewing angle were still fairly pricey. 
The Deluxe was over-cost as it was so the hit LEDs had to be left out.  The
assumption was that the hit-feedback sound, hit-confirmation LED in the HUD, and
the hit-confirmation icon on the LCD display would have to be enough.  This
problem of being over cost is also why the tube-sight which we planned to
package with the Deluxe sets was taken out, and those totally counter-intuitive
side sights had to be added at the last moment.

You'll note the IRT-2X "Drone" model has a slightly larger dome -- we had
originally intended to include the hit LEDs in that model as well, but again for
cost they had to be removed.

Finally with the Tag Master Blaster we had a unit with double the per-blaster
price point, so in that model we got to have the hit indicator LEDs that we had
wanted to include from the beginning.  These were one of the highest-reviewed
features of that blaster, so it wasn't hard to convince marketing that future
blasters should ALWAYS have them even if it meant eating into the profit margin
a bit.  And by then the price of these newer extreme-brightness LEDs had come
down to not much more than standard LEDs.

We kept that feature in the LTX as you know, and we never intend to lose it
again in the future.

#12319 From: "reapersaurus" <dinolover@...>
Date: Thu Aug 4, 2011 9:43 pm
Subject: Re: Lazer Tag viable with very young kids? (with terrible aim)
reapersaurus
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Thanks for the info/insight -

I never even noticed the age recommendations of 8+   LOL
That is basically what my testing would probably conclude, is that 8 would be
the AVERAGE (minimum) age to recommend.

I always had a personal belief that almost ANY age could pick up the taggers and
start playing, which is true to a point, but not if you want to have any kind of
organized game where there are teams or a goal that requires aiming and firing
from distance...

Of course there are exceptions - my 4 year old was scoring hits from down the
hall at 3 years old (2?), but that was with our LTXs and indoor.

Do the LTXs have a wider beam angle than the LTTOs?
I'm assuming a wider beam angle makes them easier to use for younger kids?
Also assuming that a wider beam angle usually results in shorter range?

As long as I'm asking questions, are the beam angles and effective ranges listed
anywhere for the different LTTO models and LTXs?
I've checked your website and Greg's, but may have missed it....

Thanks again - these were great replies.

--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "ferret1963" <SpamCatcher999@...> wrote:
>
> Basically, no there is not much that can be done with LTTO/LTX and really
young kids.  The product is age-graded for 8 and above, and even that
represented an unhappy compromise between the design and marketing teams.  If
you make something so simple a 5-year-old can use it effectively (what marketing
would have liked), then it isn't much fun for anyone over 8 (the design team,
aka me, wanted it to be fun for teenagers and up as well).
>

#12320 From: "ferret1963" <SpamCatcher999@...>
Date: Mon Aug 8, 2011 6:43 am
Subject: Re: Lazer Tag viable with very young kids? (with terrible aim)
ferret1963
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--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "reapersaurus" <dinolover@...> wrote:

> Do the LTXs have a wider beam angle than the LTTOs?
> I'm assuming a wider beam angle makes them easier to
> use for younger kids?
> Also assuming that a wider beam angle usually results
> in shorter range?

The LTX (without ShotBlast) has the same beam angle, IR power, and firing range
as the LTTO Deluxe and IRT-2X models.  With the ShotBlast, it has a
significantly wider angle and significantly less range.

> As long as I'm asking questions, are the beam angles and
> effective ranges listed anywhere for the different LTTO
> models and LTXs?

I believe that has been posted on the Lazer Tactical Action Games message board.
Just off the top of my head:

The LTX, Deluxe, and IRT-2X have a beam angle of +/- 2.5 degrees which gives
them a firing range against an LTTO receiver of 250-300 feet in daylight. 
Against an LTX receiver it is about 225-250 feet in daylight because the LTX
electronics generate more noise, reducing the receiver sensitivity a bit.

The Tag Master Blaster has a beam angle of +/- 1.5 degrees which gives it a
firing range against an LTTO receiver of about 450-500 feet in daylight.  I
don't remember how far to downgrade that for an LTX receiver but it is probably
the same ratio so say about 375-425 feet or so?

The ShotBlast uses two unlensed IR LEDs, one is +/- 8 degrees and one is +/- 30
degrees.  The range is about 100 feet for the narrow beam (1 hit point) and
about 30 feet for the wide beam (2 hit points) in daylight.

#12321 From: droman@...
Date: Mon Aug 8, 2011 5:56 pm
Subject: Re: Lazer Tag viable with very young kids? (with terrible aim)
sparkysu1
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Hey John,

      We hear you...   I do many games throughout the year with kids
ranging in ages from 3 to 56 years old.    We have found that for
anyone under the age of 7, give them an IRT-2x.    The younger they
get the less they know what they are doing, but you'd be surprised how
much damage a 3 year old can do - we call em running kryptonite as
they tend to shoot (without aim) at anyone and everyone.   If you want
to use the Deluxe with younger kids, then you have to use the gun as
was originally intended, with the HUD goggles.   Yeah, they are a
major pain in the butt- but I've found for young kids who have a hard
time aiming, that little lock on light in there perif vision
definitely helps them (if you can get them to leave the goggles on).
It also gives them better feedback of when they are taking hits.
Without the goggles I get allot of "My gun shut down and no one even
shot me", and if you look at the LCD, they've been tagged out.   The
googles puts the sound right in their ears and they quickly learn when
the hit light shows in their vision, to head for cover.   If the
goggles were not so uncomfortable to wear, I think they would have
gotten allot more use.   If you do use them, a word of advice, use a
few strips of velcro to route the goggle wire from the gun, up their
arm.   This makes it to were they have to be carful to unplug when
they put the gun down - but it saves them from snagging on every
branch, nail, or other protruding item they wander by.

On the scope adapters - we already have a batch of Deluxe scope
adapters ready to go both colored (ones that Brian made) and some
amber semi-clear ones (that I've made).   I did get some coloring in,
so we can attempt to make some of a specific color if you
wish....although it might take me a couple tries to get the color right.

If you want to get some, email me at droman@...

Best Regards,
David Roman
www.1SLT.com

#12323 From: Greg Gaub <mailing.lists@...>
Date: Tue Aug 9, 2011 3:54 pm
Subject: Re: 9erkp98 2k7u7m2
flux1971
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mark gibbs wrote:

>brcnd41ozqw.
>[REDACTED]
>y9bp28 0do0iyq t4f7j4f90860, 2ylnni3 00c5hk4. 146do97unhgd gobnu 06m0060.
>
>
Please god, everyone be smart enough NOT to have clicked the link in
what was CLEARLY a worm-sent email?!? PLEASE!?

I've deleted the original message and the link in the quote above... if
there's anything clickable there, DO NOT CLICK IT!!!

I might also have to moderate the group as a whole to keep further worm
messages from being sent. If I see another, I will.

The fact that such a blatant worm can spread saddens me. :(

-Greg

#12324 From: "DougDMC" <dougdmc@...>
Date: Sun Aug 14, 2011 5:15 am
Subject: Fun game today
DougDMC
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Thanks for letting the 3 of us join in, sorry we had to head out early.

We will try to make it again. If the folks in Issaquah are setting up a game in
the area let us know too. Issaquah is a whole bunch closer to Sammamish :).

#12325 From: "Carlos Garcia" <solracd@...>
Date: Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:47 pm
Subject: Any thoughts on the Light Strikers now that they are out?
solracdestrin
Send Email Send Email
 
I was looking at the few reviews around and am fairly neutral.
 
Has anyone looked into the latest offering?
 
Sol

#12326 From: "SparkySU1" <droman@...>
Date: Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:09 pm
Subject: Scope Rail Adapters available for purchase...
sparkysu1
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My apologies to everyone for taking so long to get this thing going. For those
of you who do not know, Brian F. made several models of adapters that mount onto
the rails of the different LTTO/LTX models that converts the rail to a standard
Picanny(Weaver) or 3/8" rail mount. This allows you to use small scopes like the
Brass Eagle or Daisy Red Dot aim points on your favorite gun.

At tagfest he gave me a pile of these, in all kinds of colors. Listing them
individually would be a major pain - so until I get a standard line of colors up
and running, I'm going to temporarily use the following system to sell these.

I've taken a picture of each of the units I have currently, which shows not only
the color but how rough the units are. Most of these units have only been
slightly cleaned out of the mold. They are perfectly usable AS-IS - but the more
picky person may want to spend a little time with sandpaper to clean them up a
touch.



There are 2 ways to purchase.

1 - go to www.ActionPursuitGear.com and purchase multiple units from there.

2 - go to the following link and purchase them one at a time through paypal on
the following page: http://www.1SLT.com/SAR.htm (I know, its not pretty - but
its functional)

Using either method will require you to go through the photos and pick a unit
you like (color and roughness), and specify the one you want by typing the file
number in at ordering time. Or you can just specify Gun Type and Rail Type and I
will just send you the first one of that type that I find.

Note: Funding from the sale of these goes into a special account that is used
for large scale events like Tagfest or Ft Warden.

If anyone has any questions, you can leave a post here.

#12327 From: "JeremyS" <jmseifert@...>
Date: Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:56 pm
Subject: Re: Scope Rail Adapters available for purchase...
couch745
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Maybe I'm just not hip with the lingo, but I am having a lot of trouble figuring
out what the difference is between several of these models.
Some questions -

I REALLY want an LTX weaver mount, but some are sold out - what's this "BSA"
stuff? I'm just not sure what I'm ordering.

I am hoping that for each tagger type there are just two varieties (3/8 or
weaver/picatinny) can you confirm?

The ones at the end all seem to have these white plastic studs or something -
what are those?

How do these attach?

How well do they stay on?

Can you help a poor guy out?

Thanks

Jeremy

--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "SparkySU1" <droman@...> wrote:
>
> My apologies to everyone for taking so long to get this thing going. For those
of you who do not know, Brian F. made several models of adapters that mount onto
the rails of the different LTTO/LTX models that converts the rail to a standard
Picanny(Weaver) or 3/8" rail mount. This allows you to use small scopes like the
Brass Eagle or Daisy Red Dot aim points on your favorite gun.
>
> At tagfest he gave me a pile of these, in all kinds of colors. Listing them
individually would be a major pain - so until I get a standard line of colors up
and running, I'm going to temporarily use the following system to sell these.
>
> I've taken a picture of each of the units I have currently, which shows not
only the color but how rough the units are. Most of these units have only been
slightly cleaned out of the mold. They are perfectly usable AS-IS - but the more
picky person may want to spend a little time with sandpaper to clean them up a
touch.
>
>
>
> There are 2 ways to purchase.
>
> 1 - go to www.ActionPursuitGear.com and purchase multiple units from there.
>
> 2 - go to the following link and purchase them one at a time through paypal on
the following page: http://www.1SLT.com/SAR.htm (I know, its not pretty - but
its functional)
>
> Using either method will require you to go through the photos and pick a unit
you like (color and roughness), and specify the one you want by typing the file
number in at ordering time. Or you can just specify Gun Type and Rail Type and I
will just send you the first one of that type that I find.
>
> Note: Funding from the sale of these goes into a special account that is used
for large scale events like Tagfest or Ft Warden.
>
> If anyone has any questions, you can leave a post here.
>

#12328 From: droman@...
Date: Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:53 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Scope Rail Adapters available for purchase...
sparkysu1
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Good Questions:
> I REALLY want an LTX weaver mount, but some are sold out - what's
   this "BSA" stuff?

The ones that say sold, have been sold and are not available.   Ignore
the BSA, that is just a label that was on the file when I uploaded
them.  When ordering just include the file number (at the top) or the
number in the description... example 2, 4, BSA2, BSA15     Note, I
added the BSA as there are 2 sets of files, ones with BSA and ones
without BSA.   If you want to be sure that the one you order is for a
particular type of gun/rail, just mention that is what you want and
I'll be sure that you don't order the wrong one.    - I'm slowly going
through and relabeling the photo names, and making a better way to
order these, I just felt I needed to get something going.

> I am hoping that for each tagger type there are just two varieties
   (3/8 or weaver/picatinny) can you confirm?

      Yes there is a 3/8"  and a picatinny rail adapter for each gun
type.  Nothing else, yet.


> The ones at the end all seem to have these white plastic studs or
> something - what are those?

     Actually they all have white studs - those are the screws that
hold the adapter on the gun.   The thought is that if the screw is
softer than the adapter and gun plastic, it won't damage them.
However, I've already had a customer or two that said the plastic
screws stripped out easy for them and they replaced them with metal
screws, which seems to be working okay.   We might change the design
down the road if the metal screws turn out to work better.


> How do these attach?
See above.

> How well do they stay on?
I put one on a LTX which I made sure played in many games at Tagfest,
and it seemed to not have any problems staying on.    I did notice at
the end of the day the scope alignment was off - however that could
have been from various players using the gun and messing with the
settings.


> Can you help a poor guy out?
Hopefully this helps!

Like I said, the catalog setup will get better - I can only devote
about a half an hour or so to this project each day.    There should
be a vast improvement over the weekend as I think I've come up with a
better way to do it.

Best Regards,
David Roman
www.1SLT.com
acka
www.ActionPursuitGear.com

#12329 From: "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@...>
Date: Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:31 am
Subject: rechargeable batteries!!!
logboy1995
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hey ive been using my ltto gear for a long time and i have realized that  the
worst thing that i ever have to do each month is buy $40 worth of batteries (due
to the fact that i own 16 guns) but ive tried to go the rechargeable way but
they just plainly, suck!!! i have seen many people before (like party tagger)
with an rc car battery in there gun, can someone please make a tutorial on how
to due this or give me an idea as of what to do.PLEASE, cause i literally have
AA rechargeable cells up the wazoo and would really like to put them to use

#12330 From: "partytagger" <partytagger@...>
Date: Mon Sep 5, 2011 1:57 pm
Subject: Re: rechargeable batteries!!!
partytagger
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When you say "the rechargeable way but they just plainly, suck!!!" do you mean
the rechargeable alkaline batteries from pure energy or just using 6 standard
rechargeable batteries?

partytagger

--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@...> wrote:
>
> hey ive been using my ltto gear for a long time and i have realized that  the
worst thing that i ever have to do each month is buy $40 worth of batteries (due
to the fact that i own 16 guns) but ive tried to go the rechargeable way but
they just plainly, suck!!! i have seen many people before (like party tagger)
with an rc car battery in there gun, can someone please make a tutorial on how
to due this or give me an idea as of what to do.PLEASE, cause i literally have
AA rechargeable cells up the wazoo and would really like to put them to use
>

#12331 From: "yalborap" <yalborap@...>
Date: Mon Sep 5, 2011 8:02 pm
Subject: Hi there. New to the hobby, looking at where to start
yalborap
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Hello! I am not a robot. I am most certainly a human, made of meaty flesh parts.
Also incidentally, would you like to hire my Chinese laser-farmers to harvest
fresh infrared beams for your taggers?

...Right, got that out of my system. Expected a "explain why you want to join"
box and had a whole funny thing set up, and turns out it's not there on this
group. Oh well!

Anyways, my real post! Hello! I'm a newbie to the whole laser tag thing. Didn't
really play with 'em in my childhood, but upon recent reflection of various
dilemmas(namely that there's no airsoft/paintball fields near here, you can't go
John Woo dual-wielding on most of 'em anyways, and Nerf guns hold only a few
rounds at a time and are usually single-shot), I find myself looking to that
which my childhood missed. Good old laser tag.

But, understandably, I'm in a conundrum! There's the really cool LTTO system, of
course. But while guns are still reasonably cheap on the Ebays used, they're
also a highly limited supply.(Unless one of you fine folks have
reverse-engineered the internal end and figured out how to make your own
compatible guns?)

Now, if I want continued support and the ability to just go down to the store
and buy one, I could get Light Strike. But all the reviews I'm seeing show that
those have several design problems, and honestly, I don't expect them to last,
considering how overstocked the shelves were when I checked my local big box
store.(Though that might lead to getting a fleet of them for pennies on the
dollar in a few months...)

My next option I know of would be commercial systems! Anything premade costs
like 10 grand and is locked to a huge central computer. No thanks. Or I could
build some MILESTag guns, which're really slick and a lot cheaper, but still
like $100-200 a gun, and you need to build or acquisition a case. Still, it's
certainly an idea.

So, are there any options I missed? Is there still hope that the LTTO/LTX system
will live again and a bunch of those guns would be a viable investment? Or am I
doomed to either a finite, eternally depleting supply of the last really cool
toy-grade system or continuously pining for what once was while having to make
do with flawed, badly designed units?

Thanks for any thoughts, tips, or advice you fine folks can give!

#12332 From: Mike Lovejoy <mlovejoy86@...>
Date: Tue Sep 6, 2011 4:33 am
Subject: Re: Hi there. New to the hobby, looking at where to start
pianoman0204
Send Email Send Email
 


On Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 3:02 PM, yalborap <yalborap@...> wrote:
 

Hello! I am not a robot. I am most certainly a human, made of meaty flesh parts. Also incidentally, would you like to hire my Chinese laser-farmers to harvest fresh infrared beams for your taggers?

...Right, got that out of my system. Expected a "explain why you want to join" box and had a whole funny thing set up, and turns out it's not there on this group. Oh well!

Anyways, my real post! Hello! I'm a newbie to the whole laser tag thing. Didn't really play with 'em in my childhood, but upon recent reflection of various dilemmas(namely that there's no airsoft/paintball fields near here, you can't go John Woo dual-wielding on most of 'em anyways, and Nerf guns hold only a few rounds at a time and are usually single-shot), I find myself looking to that which my childhood missed. Good old laser tag.

But, understandably, I'm in a conundrum! There's the really cool LTTO system, of course. But while guns are still reasonably cheap on the Ebays used, they're also a highly limited supply.(Unless one of you fine folks have reverse-engineered the internal end and figured out how to make your own compatible guns?)

Now, if I want continued support and the ability to just go down to the store and buy one, I could get Light Strike. But all the reviews I'm seeing show that those have several design problems, and honestly, I don't expect them to last, considering how overstocked the shelves were when I checked my local big box store.(Though that might lead to getting a fleet of them for pennies on the dollar in a few months...)

My next option I know of would be commercial systems! Anything premade costs like 10 grand and is locked to a huge central computer. No thanks. Or I could build some MILESTag guns, which're really slick and a lot cheaper, but still like $100-200 a gun, and you need to build or acquisition a case. Still, it's certainly an idea.

So, are there any options I missed? Is there still hope that the LTTO/LTX system will live again and a bunch of those guns would be a viable investment? Or am I doomed to either a finite, eternally depleting supply of the last really cool toy-grade system or continuously pining for what once was while having to make do with flawed, badly designed units?

Thanks for any thoughts, tips, or advice you fine folks can give!



#12333 From: Mike Lovejoy <mlovejoy86@...>
Date: Tue Sep 6, 2011 4:39 am
Subject: Re: Hi there. New to the hobby, looking at where to start
pianoman0204
Send Email Send Email
 
If you look for them, you'll still find LTTO blasters available.  They're just mainly in the online auction realm of things.  Additionally, there is still a future for the Lazer Tag Brand (LTTO and LTX) that will hit shelves as long as you're patient.

I would agree with (and may have contributed to your opinions of) the analyiss of Light Strike.  Still, when it all comes down to it... they're all still toys.  It just so happens that LTTO is still one of the best out there.  No electronic system is free of fault (laptops crash, surround sound systems fail, Toyota's get recalled, etc) but it's quality is still very much "up there" in the laser tag world.

At this point, be it MILES Tag, LTTO, Light Strike, Laser Challenge, ESS, Frag Tag, or whatever... there's still an investment to be made somewhere.  It sounds like you've done your homework, but in the end it waters down to how YOU want to use it.  If you want to outfit 5 year olds with heavy metal casing MilesTag blasters, you might want to rethink things.  If you plan to run military simulations with LTTO blasters, you may find the experience a bit... lacking.  All in all, laser tag still kicks ass.  Just go with the system that meets your needs.

On Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 11:33 PM, Mike Lovejoy <mlovejoy86@...> wrote:


On Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 3:02 PM, yalborap <yalborap@...> wrote:
 

Hello! I am not a robot. I am most certainly a human, made of meaty flesh parts. Also incidentally, would you like to hire my Chinese laser-farmers to harvest fresh infrared beams for your taggers?

...Right, got that out of my system. Expected a "explain why you want to join" box and had a whole funny thing set up, and turns out it's not there on this group. Oh well!

Anyways, my real post! Hello! I'm a newbie to the whole laser tag thing. Didn't really play with 'em in my childhood, but upon recent reflection of various dilemmas(namely that there's no airsoft/paintball fields near here, you can't go John Woo dual-wielding on most of 'em anyways, and Nerf guns hold only a few rounds at a time and are usually single-shot), I find myself looking to that which my childhood missed. Good old laser tag.

But, understandably, I'm in a conundrum! There's the really cool LTTO system, of course. But while guns are still reasonably cheap on the Ebays used, they're also a highly limited supply.(Unless one of you fine folks have reverse-engineered the internal end and figured out how to make your own compatible guns?)

Now, if I want continued support and the ability to just go down to the store and buy one, I could get Light Strike. But all the reviews I'm seeing show that those have several design problems, and honestly, I don't expect them to last, considering how overstocked the shelves were when I checked my local big box store.(Though that might lead to getting a fleet of them for pennies on the dollar in a few months...)

My next option I know of would be commercial systems! Anything premade costs like 10 grand and is locked to a huge central computer. No thanks. Or I could build some MILESTag guns, which're really slick and a lot cheaper, but still like $100-200 a gun, and you need to build or acquisition a case. Still, it's certainly an idea.

So, are there any options I missed? Is there still hope that the LTTO/LTX system will live again and a bunch of those guns would be a viable investment? Or am I doomed to either a finite, eternally depleting supply of the last really cool toy-grade system or continuously pining for what once was while having to make do with flawed, badly designed units?

Thanks for any thoughts, tips, or advice you fine folks can give!




#12334 From: "ferret1963" <SpamCatcher999@...>
Date: Tue Sep 6, 2011 6:11 pm
Subject: Re: Hi there. New to the hobby, looking at where to start
ferret1963
Send Email Send Email
 
--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "yalborap" <yalborap@...> wrote:

> Hello! I am not a robot.

Well even if you wqere, as long as you were a lasertag-playing robot you'd be
welcome here...  ;)

Anyways, welcome to the group!

LTTO and LTX are not dead, they're just resting... Pining for the Fjords as it
were...

We are constantly developing new models, and while the market hasn't been solid
enough to introduce a lot recently, we see it as picking up in the near future. 
Because of that we have a new model in the works that I think everyone will be
amazed at.  And it will be fully backwards-compatible with LTTO and LTX,
something that is non-negotiable from our standpoint for all models.  Beyond
that I am not at liberty to say anything just yet, but keep your eyes on this
group...

Anyways I think you'll find that picking up used LTTO and LTX gear on eBay will
give you the most of what you want.  There is simply no other consumer-grade
(toy) system out there that has our sunlight performance or the ability to
define, host, debrief, score, and rank the games built into the blasters.  The
only system that came close was the Laser Challenge V2 ELS system, and it is
even harder to find these days.

The commercial systems like Steradian are great, but as you know they are
expensive (Steradian not as much so as most of the other commercial brands, but
still out of the reach of most hobbyists).

I have recently acquired and tested complete sets of both the Ubisoft BattleTag
and WowWee Light Strike systems, and while both offer some neat ideas, both in
my mind have such serious limitations that I don't feel that either of them
represents a serious challenge to the Lazer Tag brand.  In particular they both
seem to have rather poor IR performance in direct sunlight, being very easily
"blinded" when facing into the general direction of the sun.  Since reliable
sunlight performance is a must-have in my opinion, any system that lacks this is
still a "fail" even though it may have many other really cool features.

#12335 From: "alridgev" <alantcom@...>
Date: Tue Sep 6, 2011 7:08 pm
Subject: Re: Hi there. New to the hobby, looking at where to start
alridgev
Send Email Send Email
 
i am glad i am part of this group and very excited about the new tagger(s) on
the horizon.

i am from south africa and the ltto/ltx gear was never available here.
could you shed some light why it was never sold here.
which brings me to the other question: will the new ltto/ltx gear be released in
south africa too?

will the new tagger(s) have a central controlling unit similar to  the lthq?

all the best with the developments

--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "ferret1963" <SpamCatcher999@...> wrote:
>
> --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "yalborap" <yalborap@> wrote:
>
> > Hello! I am not a robot.
>
> Well even if you wqere, as long as you were a lasertag-playing robot you'd be
welcome here...  ;)
>
> Anyways, welcome to the group!
>
> LTTO and LTX are not dead, they're just resting... Pining for the Fjords as it
were...
>
> We are constantly developing new models, and while the market hasn't been
solid enough to introduce a lot recently, we see it as picking up in the near
future.  Because of that we have a new model in the works that I think everyone
will be amazed at.  And it will be fully backwards-compatible with LTTO and LTX,
something that is non-negotiable from our standpoint for all models.  Beyond
that I am not at liberty to say anything just yet, but keep your eyes on this
group...
>
> Anyways I think you'll find that picking up used LTTO and LTX gear on eBay
will give you the most of what you want.  There is simply no other
consumer-grade (toy) system out there that has our sunlight performance or the
ability to define, host, debrief, score, and rank the games built into the
blasters.  The only system that came close was the Laser Challenge V2 ELS
system, and it is even harder to find these days.
>
> The commercial systems like Steradian are great, but as you know they are
expensive (Steradian not as much so as most of the other commercial brands, but
still out of the reach of most hobbyists).
>
> I have recently acquired and tested complete sets of both the Ubisoft
BattleTag and WowWee Light Strike systems, and while both offer some neat ideas,
both in my mind have such serious limitations that I don't feel that either of
them represents a serious challenge to the Lazer Tag brand.  In particular they
both seem to have rather poor IR performance in direct sunlight, being very
easily "blinded" when facing into the general direction of the sun.  Since
reliable sunlight performance is a must-have in my opinion, any system that
lacks this is still a "fail" even though it may have many other really cool
features.
>

#12336 From: "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@...>
Date: Wed Sep 7, 2011 4:46 pm
Subject: Re: rechargeable batteries!!!
logboy1995
Send Email Send Email
 
6 standard rechargeable batteries from energyzer,duracell,anddigital. is what i
mean
--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "partytagger" <partytagger@...> wrote:
>
> When you say "the rechargeable way but they just plainly, suck!!!" do you mean
the rechargeable alkaline batteries from pure energy or just using 6 standard
rechargeable batteries?
>
> partytagger
>
> --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@> wrote:
> >
> > hey ive been using my ltto gear for a long time and i have realized that 
the worst thing that i ever have to do each month is buy $40 worth of batteries
(due to the fact that i own 16 guns) but ive tried to go the rechargeable way
but they just plainly, suck!!! i have seen many people before (like party
tagger) with an rc car battery in there gun, can someone please make a tutorial
on how to due this or give me an idea as of what to do.PLEASE, cause i literally
have AA rechargeable cells up the wazoo and would really like to put them to use
> >
>

#12337 From: "Brennan" <brennanspencer@...>
Date: Thu Sep 8, 2011 4:34 am
Subject: Re: Scope Rail Adapters available for purchase...
brennanspenc...
Send Email Send Email
 
WIll you be making more of the ones that are sold out?

#12338 From: "partytagger" <partytagger@...>
Date: Thu Sep 8, 2011 1:46 pm
Subject: Re: rechargeable batteries!!!
partytagger
Send Email Send Email
 
You will not get the range with 6 standard NiMH cells. or even lithium based
cells used in LTTO taggers (exception TMB), as you only have 7.2V to drive the
IR circuit as against the design requirement of 9V.

Adding two extra NiMH type cells gives you the voltage but adds the complication
of them being too long to fit (hence why the "stick out" when I tried to use
this approach. The problem however is not the size but that you require a 4.5V
tap which unbalances the battery pack and causes charging issues.

You can get around that particular problem by using a regulator, but now you are
into another set of problems, not the least of which is finding a low drop, low
quintessential power device that can be incorporated into the tagger. We found a
solution (http://tagparty.net/blog/?p=407) but the regulators we used are no
longer available (out of production and stock)

My suggestion, is to use the rechargeable alkaline cells from Pure Energy, with
their charger, if you wish to reduce running costs.

--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@...> wrote:
>
>
> 6 standard rechargeable batteries from energyzer,duracell,anddigital. is what
i mean
> --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "partytagger" <partytagger@> wrote:
> >
> > When you say "the rechargeable way but they just plainly, suck!!!" do you
mean the rechargeable alkaline batteries from pure energy or just using 6
standard rechargeable batteries?
> >
> > partytagger
> >
> > --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@> wrote:
> > >
> > > hey ive been using my ltto gear for a long time and i have realized that 
the worst thing that i ever have to do each month is buy $40 worth of batteries
(due to the fact that i own 16 guns) but ive tried to go the rechargeable way
but they just plainly, suck!!! i have seen many people before (like party
tagger) with an rc car battery in there gun, can someone please make a tutorial
on how to due this or give me an idea as of what to do.PLEASE, cause i literally
have AA rechargeable cells up the wazoo and would really like to put them to use
> > >
> >
>

#12339 From: "Kevin" <kevinericon@...>
Date: Thu Sep 8, 2011 2:21 pm
Subject: Re: Scope Rail Adapters available for purchase...
kevinericon
Send Email Send Email
 
There should be more than one adapter for each model. You just specify how many
adapters for which tagger and Dave will take care of you.

I already got the adapters and they're great! They'll come in handy when I get
more real optics for my taggers.

--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "Brennan" <brennanspencer@...> wrote:
>
> WIll you be making more of the ones that are sold out?
>

#12340 From: droman@...
Date: Thu Sep 8, 2011 8:23 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Scope Rail Adapters available for purchase...
sparkysu1
Send Email Send Email
 
It will not be exactly like the one that sold, as I'm dealing with a
different plastic and pigment supplier then the original ones used
(although I'm seriously considering investing in those original
materials at this point) - but if you tell me which sold one you'd
like to get a copy of, I will make one up like it and post the
pictures of it so the difference can be seen.   I've been playing
around with different plastics and colors and came up with some cool
looking one of items that if the plastic hardens enough, I will be
posting soon.   Takes a few days before I know if the plastic is going
to become hard enough or it was a failed batch.   There will be a pile
of these available for those who make the Ft Warden Games.

> WIll you be making more of the ones that are sold out?
>
>

#12341 From: mark gibbs <logboy1995@...>
Date: Thu Sep 8, 2011 10:49 pm
Subject: Re: Re: rechargeable batteries!!!
logboy1995
Send Email Send Email
 
ok i will definitely look into them, would you happen to have there web site?


From: partytagger <partytagger@...>
To: LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2011 9:46 AM
Subject: [LazerTagTeamOps] Re: rechargeable batteries!!!

 
You will not get the range with 6 standard NiMH cells. or even lithium based cells used in LTTO taggers (exception TMB), as you only have 7.2V to drive the IR circuit as against the design requirement of 9V.

Adding two extra NiMH type cells gives you the voltage but adds the complication of them being too long to fit (hence why the "stick out" when I tried to use this approach. The problem however is not the size but that you require a 4.5V tap which unbalances the battery pack and causes charging issues.

You can get around that particular problem by using a regulator, but now you are into another set of problems, not the least of which is finding a low drop, low quintessential power device that can be incorporated into the tagger. We found a solution (http://tagparty.net/blog/?p=407) but the regulators we used are no longer available (out of production and stock)

My suggestion, is to use the rechargeable alkaline cells from Pure Energy, with their charger, if you wish to reduce running costs.

--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@...> wrote:
>
>
> 6 standard rechargeable batteries from energyzer,duracell,anddigital. is what i mean
> --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "partytagger" <partytagger@> wrote:
> >
> > When you say "the rechargeable way but they just plainly, suck!!!" do you mean the rechargeable alkaline batteries from pure energy or just using 6 standard rechargeable batteries?
> >
> > partytagger
> >
> > --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@> wrote:
> > >
> > > hey ive been using my ltto gear for a long time and i have realized that the worst thing that i ever have to do each month is buy $40 worth of batteries (due to the fact that i own 16 guns) but ive tried to go the rechargeable way but they just plainly, suck!!! i have seen many people before (like party tagger) with an rc car battery in there gun, can someone please make a tutorial on how to due this or give me an idea as of what to do.PLEASE, cause i literally have AA rechargeable cells up the wazoo and would really like to put them to use
> > >
> >
>




#12342 From: "partytagger" <partytagger@...>
Date: Fri Sep 9, 2011 6:21 pm
Subject: Re: rechargeable batteries!!!
partytagger
Send Email Send Email
 
I get them from sundancesolar.com

--- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, mark gibbs <logboy1995@...> wrote:
>
> ok i will definitely look into them, would you happen to have there web
site?
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: partytagger <partytagger@...>
> To: LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2011 9:46 AM
> Subject: [LazerTagTeamOps] Re: rechargeable batteries!!!
>
>
>  
> You will not get the range with 6 standard NiMH cells. or even lithium based
cells used in LTTO taggers (exception TMB), as you only have 7.2V to drive the
IR circuit as against the design requirement of 9V.
>
> Adding two extra NiMH type cells gives you the voltage but adds the
complication of them being too long to fit (hence why the "stick out" when I
tried to use this approach. The problem however is not the size but that you
require a 4.5V tap which unbalances the battery pack and causes charging issues.
>
> You can get around that particular problem by using a regulator, but now you
are into another set of problems, not the least of which is finding a low drop,
low quintessential power device that can be incorporated into the tagger. We
found a solution (http://tagparty.net/blog/?p=407) but the regulators we used
are no longer available (out of production and stock)
>
> My suggestion, is to use the rechargeable alkaline cells from Pure Energy,
with their charger, if you wish to reduce running costs.
>
> --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > 6 standard rechargeable batteries from energyzer,duracell,anddigital. is
what i mean
> > --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "partytagger" <partytagger@> wrote:
> > >
> > > When you say "the rechargeable way but they just plainly, suck!!!" do you
mean the rechargeable alkaline batteries from pure energy or just using 6
standard rechargeable batteries?
> > >
> > > partytagger
> > >
> > > --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "mark gibbs" <logboy1995@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > hey ive been using my ltto gear for a long time and i have realized that
the worst thing that i ever have to do each month is buy $40 worth of batteries
(due to the fact that i own 16 guns) but ive tried to go the rechargeable way
but they just plainly, suck!!! i have seen many people before (like party
tagger) with an rc car battery in there gun, can someone please make a tutorial
on how to due this or give me an idea as of what to do.PLEASE, cause i literally
have AA rechargeable cells up the wazoo and would really like to put them to use
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

#12343 From: "windjamer134" <rwb134@...>
Date: Fri Sep 9, 2011 8:56 pm
Subject: Re: Hi there. New to the hobby, looking at where to start
windjamer134
Send Email Send Email
 
Any idea as to when you and/or Hasbro can tell us more?  Dying for information.

Looking forward to the new Lazer Tag gear!

-(Toe)'jammer

#12344 From: droman@...
Date: Fri Sep 9, 2011 11:24 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Scope Rail Adapters available for purchase...
sparkysu1
Send Email Send Email
 
Sorry for taking so long to reply...too many things on my plate at the moment.

Currently there is a Picatinny/Weaver  and a 3/8" Rail/Dovetail
adapter for all the Lazer Tag guns including: Deluxe, IRT-2X, TMB, LTX.

These are just adapter rails that allow you to use scopes designed for
that rail type on the guns.   There ARE more products in the works,
but I don't expect to have them available till around Christmas time.

I'm still having a few issues with the plastics I'm using in that they
come out with a few bubbles in them.   They are fully functional
(according to those who have recieved and been testing them for me),
just not as pretty as the original ones.   The plastics I have in
stock tend to be either harder or softer then the ones that Brian
poured.   I do intend to eventually get some of the plastic in stock
that Brian used.   We had a really bad month business/financially in
June/Jul/Aug so money is tight.   September so far looks much better
and I anticipate being able to get some in by the end of October.
In the mean time, I've been playing with different colors and resins
and have come up with some cool units that are going to be unique one
of, these I will post in the photo gallery to be purchased from there
till I get the new store page that allows me to sell one of items
easier.

I will also say at this point that there are several new cool items in
the works by several individuals for the LTX guns that will make that
line even more fun.   That is all I'm saying for now.   I will post
news on here and on our facebook page (Action Pursuit Gear) when
things are more solid.

Best Regards,
David Roman
www.ActionPursuitGear.com



Quoting Kevin <kevinericon@...>:

> There should be more than one adapter for each model. You just
> specify how many adapters for which tagger and Dave will take care
> of you.
>
> I already got the adapters and they're great! They'll come in handy
> when I get more real optics for my taggers.
>
> --- In LazerTagTeamOps@yahoogroups.com, "Brennan" <brennanspencer@...> wrote:
>>
>> WIll you be making more of the ones that are sold out?
>>
>
>
>

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