Couple questions about lightguns

[leapinlew]

I'm thinking of adding lightguns to my showcase cabinet. I have Mala as my FE and Mame .106. I'd like your input on

1. Do the strands work behind smoked plexi?
2. two players - no problem?
3. how often do I have to calibrate?
4. This last question is subjective but, in your opinion, do they perform well for a majority of the games? Nothing will bring me out of a game quicker than a poor performer.

Thanks!

[NightGod]

Assuming you are talking about the LCD Top Guns here. Mine just arrived today, so I can't answer definitively, but from what I remember of that massive thread on the boards here:

1) Yes, perfectly, just don't put a bezel over them
2) Works fine, but you lose the on-screen tracking icon (then again, real arcade games don't have those icons anyway)
3) Anytime the screen switches resolution-if you force the resolution so it never changes, then the only time you should need to recalibrate is if you make a significant change in your distance from the screen
4) All the reviews I've read on this board have been overwhelmingly positive-they're more of the "it works great and XXX would be nice to have as an additional feature" not "these things suck and are barely playable"

[arcadepcnut]

which lightgun is everyone buying these days? last I was into this hobby and researching lightguns it was the actlabs phaser looking one but that was a year or more ago. what kind of machine is needed to run the mame lightgun games? are the pc lightguns any better than say the ps2 lightguns? I have two really cheap ones that blowback for the ps2....but I was toying with the idea of a lightgun cabinet. how many mame lightgun games are there? is there enough to justify a standalone lightgun cabinet...?
I prefer one cab that does one thing over the multiuse cabs...but I have the space for them.

sorry to hijack thread.

[Animeka]

Assuming you are talking about the LCD Top Guns here. Mine just arrived today, so I can't answer definitively, but from what I remember of that massive thread on the boards here:

1) Yes, perfectly, just don't put a bezel over them

Hi,

a smoked plexi will prevent it from working properly?

Marc

[unclet]

Happy reading ....

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=48982.msg476117#msg476117

[leapinlew]

Happy reading ....

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=48982.msg476117#msg476117

Thanks UncleT! 

I actually read through that already but was looking for an opinion that was more current on peoples thoughts. I appreciate the help though! 

[RickDIII]

I have been looking as well and have the same questions. 

I think the biggest problem is the overwhelming information in the current lightgun threads.  There is soooo much and it's hard to tell what is outdated, etc.

 

[arcadepcnut]

such simple questions...do we have to read a 450+ post thread to get the answers?! I would like the lightgun cliff notes please

[MKChamp]

Ok...I'll try to answer based on my setup...
XP, MAME 0106u11 (although lightgun compatibility should not be different from 0106), 2 LCD Topguns, SMOG's drivers

1. I have smoked plexi...absolutely no problems whatsoever
2. 2 players...2 guns....absolutely no problems whatsoever
3. Calibrated once...never again...no problems whatsoever
4. The LCD guns perform flawlessly on every game I've tried...that goes for the positional games such as T2 and Revoltion X. However, T2 inputs got changed, so you'll need to reconfigure that game...but once that is done...flawless.

As you can see...I am very happy with the guns I have. The ONLY drawback from the LCD guns is the distance you have to stand from the monitor...but that's minor to the positives...

[MKChamp]

which lightgun is everyone buying these days? last I was into this hobby and researching lightguns it was the actlabs phaser looking one but that was a year or more ago. what kind of machine is needed to run the mame lightgun games? are the pc lightguns any better than say the ps2 lightguns? I have two really cheap ones that blowback for the ps2....but I was toying with the idea of a lightgun cabinet. how many mame lightgun games are there? is there enough to justify a standalone lightgun cabinet...?
I prefer one cab that does one thing over the multiuse cabs...but I have the space for them.
sorry to hijack thread.

I forgot to mention I also have 2 act-labs pc guns...that now sit in my closet once the lcd's came in...
Another main advantage with the LCD's is you don't have to worry about having a seizure if you and a friend go at it...it's a flashing headache!

As far as the lightgun games available for mame, check out
http://www.mameworld.net/maws/
goto deluxe search and under control, select lightgun...however that won't display the positional lightgun games that will also work with the LCD's...

[arcadepcnut]

Thanks for the answers! I think I speak for everyone.

in my opinion...Looks like its worth building a dedicated cab for lightgun games!

[MKChamp]

Thanks for the answers! I think I speak for everyone.

in my opinion...Looks like its worth building a dedicated cab for lightgun games!

Not really...you can build a regular cab, and the 2 guns just hang on the sides when not in use...no need to go through the hassel building a cab and miss out on the thousands of other games...

[arcadepcnut]

I have the room and already have a horizontal fighting cab and a vertical classics cab (not to mentions sitdown racing and pinball <not bragging>) I dont want to clutter it up with two guns hanging on the sides. Maybe I can store them inside the horizontal machine and pull them out when needed.  but anyways im not really excited about those guns anymore...I didnt realize that you had to stand 6 foot away or more. So Im going to wait to see if they improve that. Standing so far away from the machine seems like it would take the feel of a real arcade shooter cab and make it more like a console shooter. I already have a ps2 and ps2 guns for that. thanks.

[u_rebelscum]

... I already have a ps2 and ps2 guns for that. thanks.

Try using those ps2 guns with smog's driver on you cab and see how you like that.