Author Topic: Nanotech OptiGun?? (Read 21482 times)

1UP · « **Reply #40 on:** May 05, 2009, 04:08:32 pm »

Good article. A lot of stuff there people don't think about when they complain about the cost of things. This is one of the problems I had when I was running Spincade--too many hidden costs I had never thought about when I ran the numbers in the beginning. Add to that the problems I had finding a competent wood shop to build my cabinets, and even though I was doing almost everything else myself with no real employees, I still couldn't make it work AND be profitable enough to quit my day job. Meanwhile, it was taking so much of my time, I couldn't really do it on the side either.

And remember that although there seem to be a lot of people here in the forums, the majority of them are looking for the cheapest option, even if it's kind of crappy (been there--I've originated many a cheezy hack), so the home market for industrial arcade components is pretty small. Large companies can make profits by selling low price/high volume, but we're talking millions of units, not the tiny market that we represent as arcade hobbyists.

If this board can let me use real arcade guns, with recoil even, instead of cheezy Guncons or other easily broken consumer guns, I'm very interested. There's a reason I don't have Saitek flight sticks strapped to my arcade panel, and the same reasoning applies here.

If Dave could make this cheaper by stripping out all the audio and extra input stuff, that would work too.

severdhed · « **Reply #41 on:** May 05, 2009, 04:29:40 pm »

i fully understand the cost involved and i think that the price you are asking is reasonable. yeah, it is alot of money, but if it works as good as you say it does, it would be worth that much money. i agree with the other guys here...a Light model without the audio stuff..just the gun interface would be desirable.

i like to take the cheap way out most times, but it always comes back to bite me in the ass later. eventually i realize i should have just spent the money in the first place and got something worth wile. i have over $500 in just my control panel at this point...if it costs another couple hundred to get two actual arcade lightguns to work, then i will do it...as long as someone gets to actually use them and posts a positive review. I am not afraid to spend money on a good product, as long as i can get input from people who actually use it.

davidrfoley · « **Reply #42 on:** May 05, 2009, 04:35:05 pm »

Based on conversations here, I think what we will do is institute a return policy that allows for a full refund of the purchase price if customer is not satisfied with the product within 15 days of purchase. Feedback? Comments? Suggestions?

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #43 on:** May 05, 2009, 04:56:14 pm »

Quote from: davidrfoley on May 05, 2009, 04:35:05 pm

Based on conversations here, I think what we will do is institute a return policy that allows for a full refund of the purchase price if customer is not satisfied with the product within 15 days of purchase. Feedback? Comments? Suggestions?

I would

, if that is worth anything.

My gun cab isn't at the top of my project list (and I'm not moving quickly enough through the list), but I have been rather anxious to try one of these out, even if I must eat crow to do so.

Hoopz · « **Reply #44 on:** May 05, 2009, 05:18:52 pm »

Quote from: davidrfoley on May 05, 2009, 04:35:05 pm

Based on conversations here, I think what we will do is institute a return policy that allows for a full refund of the purchase price if customer is not satisfied with the product within 15 days of purchase. Feedback? Comments? Suggestions?

I think that's fair. If it works, they're happy. If not, they are out shipping costs. Suppose it's $10-$12 to ship it, it's not a bad situation for someone to try it out.

1UP · « **Reply #45 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:58:53 pm »

Quote from: davidrfoley on May 05, 2009, 04:35:05 pm

Based on conversations here, I think what we will do is institute a return policy that allows for a full refund of the purchase price if customer is not satisfied with the product within 15 days of purchase. Feedback? Comments? Suggestions?

Works for me!

severdhed · « **Reply #46 on:** May 06, 2009, 08:03:22 pm »

oh crap. i was all excited about this, until i started looking a little more closely. i thought we were talking about the sonic guns....i'd love to use these, but i have an LCD Monitor...so i'll just have to wait and hope that the sonic guns become available before too long.

1UP · « **Reply #47 on:** May 06, 2009, 10:30:49 pm »

David, I am wondering though, will this board + Happ guns work with machine gun type games like Terminator 2, i.e. do/can they track continously for a rapid fire situation? This would be an important consideration for me. Also, will the solenoids on a recoil gun fire with every trigger pull on any game, or is it game specific?

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #48 on:** May 07, 2009, 03:08:24 am »

Sorry... but IMOP its a load of BS.

If the Sonic guns work as well as they claim... they could sell Millions of them
worldwide. For PC, and Console systems. You think all those console gamers
from the last 30 years doesnt want to re-visit playing their favorite gun games
"Perfectly" again?

Selling to the Dead arcade business is Futile. So maybe they get a few
contracts here and there. It wouldnt come close to comparing with the profits
of worldwide guns sales to consumers... even if the guns were in the
$120 range.

1UP · « **Reply #49 on:** May 07, 2009, 04:02:46 am »

Hehe, I was wondering when you would show up... I wonder if the home gun market is as big as you think, but there is already the Guncon 3 and I believe a gun shell for the WiiMote to cover that area.

davidrfoley · « **Reply #50 on:** May 07, 2009, 07:15:46 am »

Quote from: 1UP on May 06, 2009, 10:30:49 pm

David, I am wondering though, will this board + Happ guns work with machine gun type games like Terminator 2, i.e. do/can they track continously for a rapid fire situation? This would be an important consideration for me. Also, will the solenoids on a recoil gun fire with every trigger pull on any game, or is it game specific?

Terminator guns were not guns but actually just glorified joysticks. The solenoid firing would be controlled by the software (ie MAME). We have a machine gun mode that you can turn on with software that will allow repeated firing with the trigger just held down.

Siris · « **Reply #51 on:** May 09, 2009, 12:44:34 am »

David,

I think that would be a VERY good move!
If my guns were Happ and not Atari I would be placing my order as soon as I knew that, that satisfaction guarantee was in place.
I'll just have to wait for 1UP or anyone else to review it and I'll get replacement Happ boards if needed.

Please let us know if/when this guarantee goes into affect.

wbassett · « **Reply #52 on:** May 09, 2009, 01:20:20 am »

Quote from: Xiaou2 on May 07, 2009, 03:08:24 am

Sorry... but IMOP its a load of BS.

If the Sonic guns work as well as they claim... they could sell Millions of them
worldwide. For PC, and Console systems. You think all those console gamers
from the last 30 years doesnt want to re-visit playing their favorite gun games
"Perfectly" again?

Selling to the Dead arcade business is Futile. So maybe they get a few
contracts here and there. It wouldnt come close to comparing with the profits
of worldwide guns sales to consumers... even if the guns were in the
$120 range.

I know you love EMS Top Guns, and that's perfectly fine. But there are many of us that are not satisfied with that product.

This board is targeted at the arcade industry... we aren't the primary target audience, but it is available to us.

I wouldn't say the arcade business is futile, actually if I understand what Dave has said several times... we are the smaller market than the actual arcade industry.

What intriges me is that this can also act as an input controller for buttons and also audio. Now for people that already have an encoder, it could be overkill, but for those just starting their cab build, this seems like a very viable option. You can build a basic cp and then add on guns later on if you desire without having to buy another interface.

Is anything perfect? I think everyone would agree no on that. Is the EMS Top Gun perfect? I also think most would agree no on that as well.

As the owner of a Top Gun, I can say I definitely am looking for something better, easier, and more reliable. That's my opinion just as you stated your opinion. No harm no foul.

I'm just waiting for this to be officially released and I definitely will have one. I'll also do a complete (and fair) comparison with it and the EMS solution.

So far the best gun I have used is the Time Crisis 4 gun that is bundled with the PS3 game. It blows away the EMS gun as far as distance and accuracy. Unfortunately... this gun won't work with a PC or MAME.

Dave... let us know... I am ready to build my second cab. I'll take the leap and try your board.

Dave... the sonic gun... does the price include the board and the sonic sensors? I am pretty sure I remember seeing that it does. The next question is... how much are the guns? And can we buy the gun internals seperately if we want to make our own custom guns?

Siris · « **Reply #53 on:** May 09, 2009, 01:36:44 am »

Please, Don't derail this thread it is clearly defined in it's topic Optigun.

1UP · « **Reply #54 on:** May 09, 2009, 02:01:10 am »

Quote

The next question is... how much are the guns? And can we buy the gun internals seperately if we want to make our own custom guns?

Check Happcontrols.com, they are the gun providers.

wbassett · « **Reply #55 on:** May 09, 2009, 02:40:20 am »

Quote from: Siris on May 09, 2009, 01:36:44 am

Please, Don't derail this thread it is clearly defined in it's topic Optigun.

Sorry, my bad, I saw him talking about the sonic gun.

Still... my same thoughts apply. The Optigun is crt, the Sonic is any screen tech.

Shoegazer · « **Reply #56 on:** May 09, 2009, 08:01:47 am »

Quote from: davidrfoley on May 04, 2009, 02:08:53 am

Yes, it has built in support for recoil outputs for both guns. It works with any monitor, regardless of make or signal type. It supports arcade style Molex connectors, and PC style VGA connectors.

One thing that's very big to me (and I'm sure many others) is being future-proof, especially given that these guns cost so much. VGA as an interface is very old and being quickly replaced by others such as DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort. The notebook PC I use in my cab currently DOES have a VGA interface, though I suspect my next one won't. My 27" Bil Labs arcade monitor also has a VGA interface, though when I eventually make the leap to LCD, I suspect that won't be an option.

I realize there are display adapters to convert some signals to others; however, given that VGA produces an analog signal, I understand going from VGA to something newer/digital is challenging to say the least. Does the OptiGun work with such adapters?

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #57 on:** May 09, 2009, 08:20:41 am »

Quote from: Shoegazer on May 09, 2009, 08:01:47 am

My 27" Bil Labs arcade monitor also has a VGA interface, though when I eventually make the leap to LCD, I suspect that won't be an option.

When you make the leap to LCD, the OptiGun won't be an option anyway as it is CRT-only.

You may want to look at the SonicGun -- it has a thread of it's own.

Shoegazer · « **Reply #58 on:** May 10, 2009, 08:34:39 am »

Quote from: CheffoJeffo on May 09, 2009, 08:20:41 am

Quote from: Shoegazer on May 09, 2009, 08:01:47 am
My 27" Bil Labs arcade monitor also has a VGA interface, though when I eventually make the leap to LCD, I suspect that won't be an option.

When you make the leap to LCD, the OptiGun won't be an option anyway as it is CRT-only.

You may want to look at the SonicGun -- it has a thread of it's own.

I realize that. I was primarily thinking about the port on my notebook; I shouldn't have even brought up the monitor example. Since I have a CRT arcade monitor and will probably keep it for as long as it continues to work (which could be many years) I'm more concerned about the system driving the display rather than the display itself. Hopefully the OptiGun will be more future-proof in this regard.

1UP · « **Reply #59 on:** May 10, 2009, 07:09:11 pm »

Quote from: Shoegazer on May 10, 2009, 08:34:39 am

I realize that. I was primarily thinking about the port on my notebook; I shouldn't have even brought up the monitor example. Since I have a CRT arcade monitor and will probably keep it for as long as it continues to work (which could be many years) I'm more concerned about the system driving the display rather than the display itself. Hopefully the OptiGun will be more future-proof in this regard.

Couldn't you just use a DVI to VGA adapter, then split that to the gun board and the CRT? I'm assuming the sync would still be valid between the PC and the monitor/guns regardless of the video format.

Siris · « **Reply #60 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:26:27 pm »

Well, well, well, so out of boredom and curiosity I decided to take a peek inside one of my Area 51 guns and guess what I found?

Yup:

HAPP CONTROLS, INC.
OPTIC GUN PCB DUAL

So I guess I'm just waiting for David to give us the word.

Siris · « **Reply #61 on:** May 13, 2009, 12:04:05 am »

David,

Any news on when Optigun boards will be in stock?
How about the 15 day trial thing, is it in effect?
What about that press release has that happened?

saint · « **Reply #62 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:18:36 pm »

* saint trims the thread.

Siris · « **Reply #63 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:55:46 am »

BUMP!

I feel as this is a product that is *FOR SALE*

http://www.nanotechent.com/opti-gun.php

This thread should be stickied until the community has reached a consensus on the product!

Siris · « **Reply #64 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:40:57 pm »

Another payday and no David.
Looks as though this product is as was expected BS. :/

Siris · « **Reply #65 on:** June 06, 2009, 03:32:27 pm »

Siris · « **Reply #66 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:14:07 pm »

Ok, Seriously!
This is really starting to irc me.
Why hasn't there been a PC card made that allows for arcade lightgun input?
My Mame cab, an Atari Area51 Site4 has it's guns just hanging there screaming to be used!!!!
It can be done, Hell My cab (which still works by just swapping the video cable) is just a PC motherboard connected to another board only thru the standard PC board connections. So basically when I'm playing my Site4 I am playing on a PC with a connected daughter board that is somewhat like an Ipac just handling the inputs.
I know of a guy who does build arcade repro boards and such and I am positive he could whack out a solution in a reasonable fashion if there was enough incentive to fund the run of the boards.

So I think it's time that those of us that are sick of waiting should take action and come together and attempt to get something made.
What do you all say?
What are you willing to pay for a board that will simply allow for 2 arcade lightguns to be used on a computer?
Would you be willing to front any % of that amount to help with the run of the boards?
I am dead serious here!
If/When I contact this guy even just to inquire what he thinks I will be refering to this thread.

Maybe there should be a Poll.

1UP · « **Reply #67 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:58:04 am »

Well, I'm certainly tired of waiting. This is looking like ROR3 all over again. I've got $200 waiting, but no word yet again. Another product that can't be bought. Mr. Foley, you don't have even ONE of these in stock? Just one? Looks like a guncon hack is in my future...$#!@!!!

Siris, I think a fair price for a board with just the gun inputs and none of the extra audio/control input stuff would be about $100. However, I would want to know it works, or at least exists, before I would be willing to pay for it. I'm done pre-ordering stuff that may never see the light of day.

claypool · « **Reply #68 on:** July 01, 2009, 02:10:27 am »

Any news for the optigun interface?

KissMyWookie · « **Reply #69 on:** July 01, 2009, 05:07:21 pm »

Quote from: claypool on July 01, 2009, 02:10:27 am

Any news for the optigun interface?

You should ask Nanotech that question.

1up was willing to buy one and test it, but they don't have one to sell him.

I wish they'd pull their finger out - it sounded like a good solution (as long as the unnecessary bloat was left out and the price reduced).

Steve

Siris · « **Reply #70 on:** July 04, 2009, 12:39:59 am »

Optigun lite??

Yeah it's the original Optigun!

It's so lite in fact it doesn't exist.

mlalena · « **Reply #71 on:** July 05, 2009, 03:05:26 pm »

I'm still hoping that Ultimarc makes one. See this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88636.0
Any word if this is happening?

1UP · « **Reply #72 on:** July 06, 2009, 01:36:41 am »

Quote from: mlalena on July 05, 2009, 03:05:26 pm

I'm still hoping that Ultimarc makes one. See this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88636.0
Any word if this is happening?

Yeah, I'm thinking Andy is our last hope on this one. I've been hounding Nanotech about availability for a few months and have yet to get a reply.

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #73 on:** July 06, 2009, 02:23:23 pm »

vartech · « **Reply #74 on:** July 06, 2009, 02:36:28 pm »

Vaporware

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #75 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:05:46 pm »

Who would ever have thought that *I* would have to be the one to step in and defend Nanotech

Wait ... I need a couple more ...

It seems like just a year ago that I was being loud and proud on here calling David bad names (some of which saint had to edit) ... but *I* was calling him bad names for things that he had already done and how I think that he doesn't show respect for this community. A year later and I am ready to jump the fence.

OK, I *know* that you all want a plug and play optical gun interface for MAME and I *know* that you want it for under $100 and I *know* that Xiaou thinks that it is more economical to sell to consumers than to sell to the "dead" arcade market (who apparently have generated some demand beyond the 30 people here who are willing to spend a total of $100 each!)

In the absence of actual information, I'm going to choose to believe that this is a real product and that they have sold 4 batches of them and that there is a good reason why DavidRFoley has been quiet (e.g. the merger with Aldar Group, which apparently nobody else noticed).

For those who have bothered to keep track, the OEM docs for the SGS were updated last week. Maybe all of this isn't as dead as you think and maybe David does have things to do that are of more value than the $3000 Gross (

) he is looking at from the 30 folks here at $100 a piece.

Here is my comittment -- if David has a single OptiGun interface that will interface with my standard Happ 45s and a standard PC and reports as a standard 16-button joystick, then I will buy it at retail prices and try it out. I expect that I may need to tweak some things along the way and don't expect the same "out of the box" functionality that everybody else here seems to. If David has any disclosure issues, then I will also adhere to those.

At that point, all of the delay issues can be directed at me until I get around to trying it out.

I've never been in a rush for that particular project, but I'd rather have folks rail at me than piss off a vendor that we have already pissed off, en masse.

How the hell did we get to the point where *I* am the reasonable one ?

1UP · « **Reply #76 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:52:43 pm »

What are we supposed to think when he was on this very thread just a couple months back telling us that we could try it for 15 days, and that more were on the way, then disappears for, oh let's see it's been just about exactly 2 months? Every other time that has happened, it usually means the product is dead, or the mfg lost interest in interacting with the admittedly small market we represent here.

I'm still interested in this product if there is a product to be had, but my budget for this particular item is now in danger of being spent on other things. I'd like to hear something about either the optigun or sonic gun sometime this summer. I for one am trying not to bash anybody, and the minute I get one of these--if it works--I will sing the praises of Nanotech all day and night. I have been waiting on a professional grade gun solution for years, and would like to finally put this project to bed.

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #77 on:** July 06, 2009, 04:21:47 pm »

For the most part, I agree, hence my offer, which I have also made to David outside of this thread.

I really doubt that anybody has bashed David worse than I have (I don't recall what the profanity filter said, but I think it had something to do with sausage ...)

The OEM integration docs for the sonic gun have been updated within the past 7 days (I leave the link for the reader to find in case the public release was inadvertent).

There has also been a merger announced within the past 21 days, which will further complicate/slow things.

Could this be vapourware ? Yes, but it doesn't smell that way to me.

1UP · « **Reply #78 on:** July 06, 2009, 05:47:31 pm »

If you scroll up the thread a bit, you'll see that I originally offered to do the same. Unfortunately, stock of said item failed to materialize.

EDIT: FWIW, I revisited the earlier posts, and he did state that they would be back in stock in two weeks. That was over 2 months ago. Sigh.

Siris · « **Reply #79 on:** July 07, 2009, 01:22:11 am »

I don't even know what to say at this point.
From the start I have said I want one, I even said I would buy one with my *unsupported* guns if anyone was able to test and confirm the product with supported guns. Then after looking at my *unsupported* gun parts I even said I would buy one just to test it if the 15 day return policy was in place.
If I was wealthier than I am I would have just said F*it a long time ago placed an order on the Nanotech site (Which doesn't and never has said "Out of stock") just for the gamble!
There is nothing more I want then for the damned thing to be legit.


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