USB2GUN Board Production Run: Gauging Interest for Light Gun Board

[Purple Tophat]

Hello all,

As it has very recently been discovered that the USB2GUN board by Global VR works well with a variety of emulators, PC games, etc., I have been trying to source them at a discounted price so that those of us in this community who want one are able to get one. Unfortunately, as of right now, Global VR is completely sold out of the board and they have no plans to produce any more on their own.

For those of you who might remember, this is the board that was originally marketed as the "Optigun-Adapter" by Nanotech. There was much speculation for years as to whether or not the board would be an off the shelf solution for HAPP/Betson gun connectivity. No definitive answer could be reached because nobody competent or proficient had one in their possession. See this thread for the update: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138723.0.html

Back to the problem at hand: Global VR is willing to work with me to do a production run if we can get enough interest together. They were a bit unclear as to exactly how many we would need to buy, but it sounded like even a fairly low quantity (10-20) would be doable, but it might cost a bit more per unit. Retail price for these is $300 per board. As of right now I know that the lowest price I could get would be $220 per board. As stated, it might be slightly higher if we don't produce that many.

I'm asking that if you are interested, please send me a PM and I will put you on the list. Once a reasonable amount of time has gone by and it seems like those who want them have had the chance to speak up, I will approach Global VR again and we will try to get a run going.

Please bear in mind that I'm not making a profit or getting anything from doing this, so if you think this is stupid, go easy on me. This community gives a TON of free help and information. I am NOT one of those people who has the knowledge and experience to be very helpful, so if even trying to do this means I can contribute something to those who have helped and inspired me, then it is at least worth trying.

[Le Chuck]

I want one but that price point is so high... Need to mull it over before I commit to the list but thanks for doing this!

[mnewt]

Was it established whether this would work on an LCD or not? From what I understand (which is not a lot so I may be wrong) it may involve turning up the brightness to the point where it may not look that great.

[Le Chuck]

I think for planning purposes it is best to assume that it is a CRT solution only.

[Jollywest]

What we know for sure about this board is the following;

- interfaces Dual Happ arcade guns to a PC using Windows 8.1 OS (guns seen as Anolog Joysticks in controller settings)
- the screen tracks the guns movements on lighter parts of it, without a trigger press.
- works on a CRT Arcade monitor
- works in MAME (with a few mame.ini adjustments) on games that originally used a Lightgun.
- works in Elsemi's Sega Model 2 Emulator on games that originally used a Lightgun, when used in conjunction with Howard Casto's Troubleshooter 2 (TS2) program.
- works in House of the Dead 3 PC game when used in conjunction with TS2 (as above).
- works in Supermodel 3 Emulator on the 2 supported gun games (with one .ini adjustment).
- always makes screen flash white on a trigger press.
- works in MAME (with a few mame.ini adjustments) on games that originally used a positional gun, however there is a functionality issue, holding down the trigger while moving the gun only registers shots where the first shot was registered, unless you turn the brightness way up, making the picture look washed out.
- works in Elsemi's Sega Model 2 emulator on games that originally used a Positional Gun, when used in conjunction with TS2. Only player 1 works and has to have 'use as System Mouse' option in TS2 checked. Again, as above the functionality issue is present.
- works for Player 1 in Demul using JoystickMouseTool program.
- works in Mad Dog McCree PC CD-Rom game using JoystickMouseTool program.
- works in Daphne-Singe emulator on Mad Dog McCree game using JoystickMouseTool Program.
- Recoil function is now working when used in conjunction with Mamehooker.

Things that are expected to work but haven't been tested;

- should work on any Windows OS.
- should work in any PC games supported by Howard Casto's TS2 program.
- should work with any Mouse controllable game/emulator using JoystickMouseTool program.

Things that are not working at the present time;

- No recoil yet
- Not working in Demul Emulator yet

Anything else that hasn't been mentioned hasn't been tested yet.

[mcseforsale]

Any movement on this?

AJ

[JMB]

Missed this the first time around. Definitely interested.

[Purple Tophat]

I will make a few calls and see where we are at with regards to getting some more of these made. Hopefully I will have something to report back by the end of the week. In the meantime, if anyone else is interested at all, send me a PM because I will be wanting to get an idea of how many people are interested.

[AzureKnight]

In the long term ( year or so? ) I might be interested, it would depend on the final price.  I am finishing my build now and would like to add a light gun but it would be some time before I would do the addition.

[zimphbah]

Any update on this?  I too might be interested if it's still in the works.

[UberCade]

I'd definitely be on board for one of these. The price point is fair enough to me. I grew up in the arcades, so having a 100% legit light gun setup with my arcade cab is a must.

[ark_ader]

What is the difference between this solution and a lcdtopgun?

Other than price?

[Jollywest]

What is the difference between this solution and a lcdtopgun?

Other than price?

The TopGun, (like the Aimtrak) uses infrared tech, where as the usb2gun setup uses optical sensor tech.
Basically the usb2gun connects the old style original arcade lightguns (ie. Happ .45 cal) to a pc, it won't work on LCD screens though.
The TopGun works as a pointing device, tracking gun movement on screen. The usb2gun produces a white flash on screen on a trigger press, which registers where the gun is pointing at.

[BadMouth]

Generally, the older style of light guns that rely on the flash and crt timing are much more accurate than modern IR guns.
The accuracy isn't affected by the gun being held at a different height or different position the way IR guns are.
The old act labs guns were advertised as being accurate to within 3 pixels.

If you're happy with gun games on the wii, you'll be happy with IR guns.
Personally if I have to rely on on-screen crosshairs instead the gun sights, the game is ruined for me.

[xtonex]

how are we looking for another run of these?

[Nephasth]

I'd be interested at a $100 price point. At $220, I just don't love gun games that much.

[bleargh]

I'd be interested at a $100 price point. At $220, I just don't love gun games that much.

I'll second that.

While I'd love to get some real gun-games going here, $220 for the board is just too steep for me.  At $100 I'd be in like flynn, though...

[DudeRegular]

I'd be interested at a $100 price point. At $220, I just don't love gun games that much.

I'll second that.

While I'd love to get some real gun-games going here, $220 for the board is just too steep for me.  At $100 I'd be in like flynn, though...

Same here. $220 plus the cost of guns if you need them gets up there in price pretty quick. I have a couple of the happ guns but no idea if they work.

[bods]

Hi all

Just joined up as i am working in mame driving cabs and also own shooting cab with happs light guns and original jamma boards but reallywas looking to have a mame emulator gun cab to play house of the dead etc as well

Dont like the ir tracking type and been searching for light gun soluction so would deffo be interested in buying these

[Purple Tophat]

UPDATE:

Good news and bad news:

Good news is that I actually located two more of these boards in existence and ready to go. The bad news is that since they are the version of the board that has the JAMMA connector built onto it, the cost is higher. After much negotiation, I have gotten them to commit to a price of $279 per board plus tax (6% Florida tax) and shipping from me to you. I already have my board waiting for my cab project to move along, so I don't need them. PM me if you want one.

Global VR has expressed that once these two boards sell, there is a good chance that they will produce more of the cheaper I/O version of the board that doesn't have the JAMMA connector, including producing whatever volume of them we need to satisfy our community. If these 2 don't sell, then they will see no need as they feel that having two on hand is buffer enough. So...one upside is that anyone who buys one of these two is potentially helping others get there hands on one at a later date. One potential bummer is that by doing so (if they end up producing more later), you will help others get one for a bit cheaper than what you paid. But hey, you are guaranteeing yourself one and getting it sooner.

Don't shoot the messenger if you don't like the price. It's still better than the Global VR catalog rate of $300. I'm not making any money or anything here. I'm just CRAZY about having real arcade guns for my own cabinet and I have to imagine I'm not alone in my obsession!

Anyways, PM if you want one of the last two of these.

[Tigearis]

Hey I am interested  in one

[Endprodukt]

The more I think about it:

The Happ gun that works with Point Blank or time crisis uses the same board that Happ uses in the other guns as well - it comes with an adapter though. I don't see a reason why a Namco gun wouldn't work correctly if hooked up right. What do you guys think?

[captlively]

Purple, I am very interested, but have a couple questions.

1. Would I be able to use this with the I-PAC at the same time, or have to switch back and forth?
2. Will this still work if my monitor (used CRT TV) connects to the PC's video card via S-Video.

Thanks for your effort!

[Jollywest]

Purple, I am very interested, but have a couple questions.

1. Would I be able to use this with the I-PAC at the same time, or have to switch back and forth?
2. Will this still work if my monitor (used CRT TV) connects to the PC's video card via S-Video.

Thanks for your effort!

1. You can use both as long as you have 2 USB ports on the PC.
2. You might want to message member maffewl, as he was trying to do this.

[Endprodukt]

Any news?  Really would love to get real arcade gun feeling.

[Purple Tophat]

I was planning on working on this this week but right now I am having a nasty bout with this damn Diverticulitis. Hopefully I will feel up to getting back to work on things later in the week after a doctor visit tomorrow. I have had several more inquiries about the board lately so there is enough interest to do it. I just need to get on things and make sure we can actually proceed. Will update once I have news.

[Endprodukt]

That's great news. I still hope someone can find out if it's possible to use Namco Guns.

[Endprodukt]

One of my Aimtraks just refuses to work so.... any news on this? Really don't feel like investing into another Aimtrak....

[Purple Tophat]

Have phone meeting Thursday. Communication is like pulling teeth. Hoping this will lead to tangible progress. Will update soon!

[Endprodukt]

Trying hard not to get too excited....

[pbj]

How is your butt doing?

[Purple Tophat]

How is your butt doing?

Is that a diverticulitis question? I am doing much better but I spent 8 days and nights straight with a fever. I can't even explain how exhausting it is to spend 8 days and nights with a fever.

As for the boards, the bad news is that this is really slow going. The good news is that I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get a least a few in hand soon. Still working out how we are going to go about running more to get enough to go around. Will be working on this more next week!

[Endprodukt]

I don't know how long your list is but definately count me in on one of those boards.

[Endprodukt]

Ok I got the information that you have to recalibrate the guns on each resolution change.  With a Groovy Mame setup a big bummer unless you go for fixed resolutions with gun games.

[TapeWormInYourGut]

That isn't an issue for me personally.

The only thing that I dislike is that recoil requires mamehooker. Separate hardware to manage that means that PC games like HOTD3 won't support it. If they got recoil working like an aimtrack, then I am fine with the 279 price. As in, it recoils when pointed at the screen and doesn't recoil when pointed away.

[Endprodukt]

It doesn't do that afaik. The question could be if a little tool could be made for mame hooker to do that.

[TapeWormInYourGut]

Ok, now I am confused. Jollywest actually posted the info about the board, not Purple Tophat who is the one that has been inquiring about these.

So, Purple Tophat, does this board support mamehooker and recoil for sure? Also, it allows 2 guns to be hooked up for sure so that I don't need 2 of them? It is not clear how the power for the recoil is hooked up to the adapter... If these 2 things are facts then I am definitely interested.

I thought mamehooker had required additional hardware, but it looks like it is software that sends a signal to the device. Pretty much the same as sending a rumble signal to a game controller.

[Endprodukt]

You can hook up two Guns.

You need something like a pac drive to send the outputs via mamehooker to the board to drive the solenoid. You also need a power supply with 24v and roundabout 4 to 5 amps.

[Endprodukt]

I'm wrong. Don't need the pacdrive.

[TapeWormInYourGut]

So then the power supply plugs directly into the usb device, or solders to it? Do you have one too or are you contacting the reseller to get this info?