RetroBlast Light Gun Shootout

[KevSteele]

Another week, another roundup:

The RetroBlast Light Gun Shootout is now up and ready for your viewing pleasure.



The review compares the ACT-Labs PC USB light gun and the Lik Sang PC Bio and PC Virtual light guns.

http://retroblast.com/reviews.html

Kevin

[TheTurk]

Can u have more than one plugged in at once?

[KevSteele]

I can't believe I forgot to test that...

I'll get MAME Analog+ installed and test two guns at a time tonight.

Kevin

[menace]

Another great review although I have to wonder what the inside of your house must look like after buying all these products and reviewing them--  You wouldn't happen to be looking to adopt would you?

[Lilwolf]

Also, the small, real looking gun...  whats the chance you can fill it with something to make it weigh a little more?

btw, it might end up being the best for long duration play...

Hows the triggers?  I want to reduce the spring on my actlabs... I haven't taken it off yet.

The foot pedal is kinda cool.  Can you use it when your not using the gun for driving games?  I'm assuming it's just button 2.

Oh yeah... Do they all flash the same bright light?  I know my dreamcast guns do a better job accuracy wise... And it doesn't flash white... but a light grey.  I have a biogun for dreamcast that works better on my VGA monitor then actlabs does without a fill white flash... much easier on the epolepsy (sp?)

Also.. You should consider adding a poll before your next review of questions / tests people are interested in... unless you don't want to give the suprise of what your working on...

Great Review again!

[KevSteele]

Menace:

My shop's filling up with arcade stuff. I guess I should do something about that this week or next... (hint, hint...)

Lilwolf:

A weight would certainly help the feel of the Virtual gun.

The triggers? ACT & Bio "click" loudly, while the Virtual gun is quieter, with less feedback about when it's "triggered"  (bad pun  )

The foot petal acts as a mouse button two, and yes, I suppose it could be used in other games.

They all flash white, but the ACT seemed the brightest. I'm assuming that it holds the white screen longer, but it's just an assumption.

And yes, you're right -- I really should conduct a poll before the next roundup, as there are a whole lotta questions about this roundup that I'm going to have to add when I update the review!

Kevin

[Magnet_Eye]

One thing missing in the review is the specs of the system(s) you tested these on. I'd like to know what OS, mame versions, what resoulutions, and refresh rates you were using as well as any other pertinent information.

thanks!

[KevSteele]

Magnet_Eye,

I do mention the OSes used (Windows XP and 98), monitors used (Viewsonic 17" and WG D9200), and the version of MAME (.76)

I tested at a variety of resolutions, but basically 640x480 and below, depending on the game. Refresh rate was 60hz on all tests.

I'll clarify things if it didn't seem clear in the introduction to the review.

Kevin

[jerryjanis]

Great review.  I'm really happy to know the difference between the gun options.

Just thought I'd mention that my Act Labs gun didn't originally work with the ArcadeVGA/Standard res monitor combo, but with Andy Warne's advice I fixed my VGA cable hack to get it working.

I just posted a message about it here if anybody's interested:

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=12880

[zero-one]

Thanks for the fantasic roundup. When the time comes to buy a gun or two I will be able to spend my money wisely, thanks to you.

I look forward to your act-labs guts to bio-gun project.

If I do buy the act-lab guns I plan on painting them one the basic colours (red, blue, green or yellow). Maybe that will help the styling issue some.

Now what else can you review?

Cheers.

[KevSteele]

Zero-one:

What else can I review? Here's an upcoming lineup:

Oscar Controls Vortex Spinner

Ultimarc ArcadeVGA

"Joystick Roundup" with Happs & Ultimarc joysticks (and perhaps the new joystick from Randy of Keywiz fame.

Possibly also a review of the Keywiz, and I'm working on trying to arrange a "cabinet roundup," but don't hold your breath on that one.  

Kevin

[CitznFish]

how about a front-end round up? I know there was a brief one written by someone else, but a detailed round-up would be cool. What worked, what was easiest to set up, easiest to customize, most features, best "WOW!" effect, etc...

[DarkKobold]

I'd like to second the request for a Front End Review....
Some more of the many questions :

Minimum system requirements to run nice?
Special Features (ArcadeOS runs arcade monitors, vertical screen)

maybe have time from start to finish to have the first working run....

I know after getting my cab constructed, the least thing I want to do is spend a ton of time in software...

[KevSteele]

CitznFish & DarkKobold:

A "Front End Roundup" sounds like a very good idea. It'll give me an excuse to try them all out. I'll look into doing that in a few weeks, after my backlog of hardware reviews is done.

I'm also going to review the arcade jukeboxes available sometime in the future.

Kevin

[menace]

My shop's filling up with arcade stuff. I guess I should do something about that this week or next... (hint, hint...)

man I would kill to be in your area when it comes up to yard sale season!!  Seriously though, do you keep all this stuff or sell it later or is it donated by manufacturer's in exchange for some unbiased reviews?  Its a very cool service you provide--Based on your review i would go with the virtual gun even though it may not be as accurate, it lines up with my needs--now if only we knew if 2 worked at once (hint,hint)  

[KevSteele]

menace,

I don't mean to be cryptic (oh yes I do), but I'm planning on starting operation "Share the Wealth" on the RetroBlast site next week. Give you any ideas?

I'm just not sure of all the details yet, but it'll be worth checking in on the site early next week, I promise.

Santa Claus ain't got nothin' on me...  

Kevin