The Verdict on LCD TOPGUNS?

[rubberpoultry]

I've been reading as much as I can about these guns, and it's about as clear as mud to me as to whether they work properly or not.

I'm a Mac guy who bought a PC for a MAME cabinet. I've never used PCs, and I don't know my way around them. My dad had to assemble the system I bought (a barebone from Tiger Direct) because I'm so lost. He's built many computers, so it was cake for him.

We're loading Windows 2000 (cause that's what we already own full install disks for). I don't know which version of MAME to load, and which front end yet since I'm a PC/MAME or the PC Newbie (I've used MacMAME for a while now). I'm still waiting for my 160 SATA hard drive to come in, so I can't even play around yet.

So with that in mind, are the TopGuns worth messing with? I don't know squat about configuring a PC, or MAME or the Front end. I've been told MaLa might be a good frontend for me because it's easy to use, so that may be the route I go. But with everything I've read about the gun setup I'm wondering if it's beyond me. Looks like there are 3 configurations you have to do, and then some within the games, and so on, and even then it doesn't work.

If I added guns to my system, I'd want 2 for sure, because who wants to play gun games alone? I can imagine a couple of friends ganging up on some aliens in Area 51 and having a blast. But I'm unclear if it works with two players correctly.

So what do you think? Can a newbie, with no PC/Windows knowledge make LCD lightguns work?

Thanks,
RubberP

[Lilwolf]

They are GREAT for non-light gun games.   T2, ect...

They are good for light gun games.  But not as good as the true light guns...

I've been most impressed with machine gun games... 

[Fozzy The Bear]

I've been reading as much as I can about these guns, and it's about as clear as mud to me as to whether they work properly or not.

Yes they work properly.... in fact they work exceptionally well. The accuracy is far higher than the other offerings in the market. The build quality isn't all it could be and you do have to be further from the screen than where I would like them to be. But other than that they're a great toy!

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Derrick Renaud]

You are not going to get 2 TopGuns to track in real time using Windows 2000.  You need XP and smogs GunCon2PC drivers.

2000 does not support multiple mice in any fashion.

D.

[Scumgriever]

you do have to be further from the screen than where I would like them to be. But other than that they're a great toy!

How far do you have to be from the screen?
I have a 25 inch TV in my cab which is angled back quite a bit. Having to be too far back could pose a bit of a problem.

I know I should (& will) check the other thread on these things but its become a bit of an encyclopedia.