Author Topic: So my wife bought me an AimTrak...now I need a gun! (Read 10425 times)

smalltownguy · « **on:** September 29, 2009, 10:53:06 pm »

Ok, so my wife bought me an AimTrak!

Gotta love her, supporting my obsession.

Now....I need a gun housing to put it in! Ok folks, please share ideas you've found and/or considered for this. Share some links & pics!

I know some of you have posted on a few other threads with some ideas, but I'd like to get this thread started as a repository of sorts for various gun housing ideas.

Some of the ones I've located in a few quick Google searches:

The Zapper, of course:

The GunCon:

The Sega light Phaser:

What else is out there? Anyone find any good deals for a nerf style or other toy gun to modify?

severdhed · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2009, 10:57:08 pm »

don't forget the Konami Justifier...

and the guncon2

also, i think the Nerf Maverick might make a good gun, and they are around $10. so that makes them cost effective.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2009, 11:02:38 pm »

I don't know where you would mount the optics on that last one, though.

severdhed · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2009, 11:07:03 pm »

the barrel opening is large enough i think. you would have to modify the cylinder area so that it doesnt spin.

smalltownguy · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:44:03 am »

These are great looking guns to start with -- anyone else see anything online anywhere to use?

vartech · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2009, 08:53:15 am »

2 on ebay

Time Pilot · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2009, 09:23:13 am »

-1 on the Nintendo Zapper. That was the first thing I tried. The AimTrak board will not fit in the barrel easily. Maybe you could Dremel it out a bit, but there is not much margin to work with. I didn't push it.

-0.5 on the Sega Light Phasor. My AimTrak board is in one of those now. It fit nicely with a small bit of Dremeling of the lens holder. The issue is that if the Aimtrak board is tucked in far enough so that it doesn't stick out of the barrel, the top part of the barrel blocks the AimTrak's camera when pointed toward the bottom of the screen (the tip of the barrel is angled rather than blunt). Everything still works, but you have to stand back about 6 feet (27in display) to avoid barrel interference.

Back to shopping...

-TP

smalltownguy · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2009, 09:51:30 am »

Quote from: Time Pilot on September 30, 2009, 09:23:13 am

-1 on the Nintendo Zapper. That was the first thing I tried. The AimTrak board will not fit in the barrel easily. Maybe you could Dremel it out a bit, but there is not much margin to work with. I didn't push it.

-0.5 on the Sega Light Phasor. My AimTrak board is in one of those now. It fit nicely with a small bit of Dremeling of the lens holder. The issue is that if the Aimtrak board is tucked in far enough so that it doesn't stick out of the barrel, the top part of the barrel blocks the AimTrak's camera when pointed toward the bottom of the screen (the tip of the barrel is angled rather than blunt). Everything still works, but you have to stand back about 6 feet (27in display) to avoid barrel interference.

Back to shopping...

-TP

That is PRECISELY the kind of information I want in this thread! Thank you! Please keep the info coming!

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2009, 09:58:08 am »

The Justifier seems like the sensor won't quite fit in the barrel, but it does just fine.

Inside the barrel, there are four "C-shaped" pieces of plastic that need removed in order to make room for the wires. This can easily be done with a pair of pliers.

The trigger switch has a place to run the ground to the start button, so that creates less wire clutter inside.

Above the start button, but on the opposite side of the gun, is a good spot for an extra button. This is reachable enough during gameplay and keeps wire clutter down.

BobA · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2009, 10:21:19 am »

Here is a pic of an Act Labs Gunz (really old). Has a reload button and auto reload settings as well as a start button.

drventure · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2009, 10:40:40 am »

With a little modification and resoldering, I believe you could mount the optical sensor (Camera) in the front of the maverick and the board itself in that area ABOVE the barrel. There is some space up there.

Hell, you MIGHT be able to mount the camera BELOW the barrel and have a functioning Maverick nerf AND a light gun!

And the maverick looks great steampunked. For non-steampunk applications, just dissassemble and use some of that Black Plastic dye you can get at pep boys and it'd make a nice normal cab gun.

and Finally, I put some lead fishing weights and a battery cable clamp in mine to give it some heft. That way, it doesn't completely feel all plasticy

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2009, 10:47:24 am »

Quote from: drventure on September 30, 2009, 10:40:40 am

I put some lead fishing weights...in mine to give it some heft. That way, it doesn't completely feel all plasticy

Oooo, hadn't thought of that. I think I need to crack my gun open, grab my tackle box and the hot glue gun, and get to work. Thanks.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2009, 01:08:35 pm »

Quick bit of info on two games:

House of the Dead for PC allows automatic reloads if you like. It sure made things easier on me, as I didn't have to change any settings on the gun. It also lets you control the menu with the gun.

House of the Dead 2 for PC needs MOUSE/KEYBOARD select as the input, not AIMTRAK. You will have to navigate the menus with keyboard or joystick. There is no auto-reload, but offscreen reloads work great.

Hoopz · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2009, 01:27:28 pm »

On the Zapper, the microswitch in it isn't a "normal" arcade switch. A normal switch is wired to NO (normally open) and Common (ground). The Zapper's trigger was wired to Common and NC (normally closed).

It's not a big deal to change out the switch. But just be aware that if you wire it up and can't get the damn button to do anything so you double and triple check everything on the gun, the optics, the software, the PC for hours on end and have a grumpy night cause you can't the button to work right despite the fact that it's tracking properly on the monitor, that I told you the problem from the beginning what the problem is.

Not that I had that happen to me....

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #14 on:** September 30, 2009, 01:33:09 pm »

Quote from: smalltownguy on September 30, 2009, 09:51:30 am

Quote from: Time Pilot on September 30, 2009, 09:23:13 am
-1 on the Nintendo Zapper.
-0.5 on the Sega Light Phasor.

That is PRECISELY the kind of information I want in this thread! Thank you! Please keep the info coming!

Thanks for starting this thread and a big thanks to you guys who are experimenting and keeping us informed on your results.

Hoopz · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2009, 02:02:51 pm »

I haven't put everything in the Zapper and screwed it back together, but I thought that with a little hot glue the board will be fine. It doesn't sit in as well as the original but that's why I thought about the hot glue.

I'll try and make time to test it. I'll post back if/when I get it done....

syph007 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2009, 02:29:37 pm »

I'm 100% happy with the act labs ones.

-Sensor board fits no problem
-Easy to solder to both switches
-Good feel and action

I think they look closest to real arcade guns (I'd still prefer real ones, but they cost more), and I love having a blue and red one. Works great in MAME with 2P in Area 51 since there is a blue and red cursor on the screen one for each player and they match the guns I'm using.

http://www.act-labs.com/products/gun1.htm

smalltownguy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 30, 2009, 03:16:40 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on September 30, 2009, 01:33:09 pm

Thanks for starting this thread and a big thanks to you guys who are experimenting and keeping us informed on your results.

You're welcome! It was as much motivated by my laziness as it was by my willingness to contribute

Has anyone seen a gun like this anywhere? This looks pretty cool.....(found on google image search)

drventure · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2009, 03:30:16 pm »

You sure that's real? Looks more like a rendering (a cool rendering, but a render none-the-less).

I'll keep my eyes out for a "brick and mortar" version, though

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2009, 03:31:20 pm »

That's just a render.

Ummon · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2009, 01:15:31 am »

The original guncon looks to be the best: has the most room, and is actually shaped like a real weapon, so fit and firing position should be good. It also looks the best.

ammitz · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2009, 04:39:39 am »

On this dutch site there is several different possibilities.
For WII, including a crossbow

For Xbox

and finally for PS2

JayB · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2009, 06:28:55 am »

I've got two Happ arcade guns, I presume the Aimtrak will fit into those quite easily? I've also got a Guncon from my old playstation. Will the extra buttons make it worth using, leaving my Happs unused?

vartech · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:46:21 am »

Check out this website I saw a lot of cool ones especially for the psx

www.goldenshop.com.hk

Loafmeister · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2009, 10:38:17 am »

Hopefully I didn't miss this posted somewhere, but has anyone tried fitting this in an LCD Topgun? I've had pretty good success with my topgun BUT standing 6" away from a 19" LCD is kind of a bummer that this gadget seems to improve greatly.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2009, 10:46:58 am »

Yeah, two feet away from my 19" monitor is much better than six feet. Even two feet away puts me far enough away to where I couldn't go any further (very small room). I sit on a stool when I play and it works great.

wbassett · « **Reply #26 on:** October 01, 2009, 11:14:55 pm »

Quote from: vartech on October 01, 2009, 09:46:21 am

Check out this website I saw a lot of cool ones especially for the psx

www.goldenshop.com.hk

Has anyone State Side bought from these guys?

It looks like you have to do a bank transfer and can't just order direct. Sucks if that's the case. I've run into lots of companies like this when I was doing gun searches. Plenty of cool stuff, but in the end no real way to buy anything and by the time customs is added...

I definitely don't want to be negative. Hopefully someone has dealt with them or knows another place where you can buy direct.

NIVO · « **Reply #27 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:12:30 am »

heres a link the the airsoft section over at dealextreme http://dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.831 lots of options to look through, fair pricing.

smalltownguy · « **Reply #28 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:36:28 am »

Quote from: NIVO on October 02, 2009, 10:12:30 am

heres a link the the airsoft section over at dealextreme http://dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.831 lots of options to look through, fair pricing.

AWSOME post! Thanks SOOO much for this -- there are a lot of options on that page, and most are under $10-15 with free shipping!

Gotta go shopping

wbassett · « **Reply #29 on:** October 02, 2009, 01:07:58 pm »

Seriously guys I own a lot of airsoft guns, both springers and AEGs. I think everyone is going to find that for the pistols there just isn't going to be enough room inside them, especially the springers. Even after you take out the metal inner barrel there is no way you can mount the sensor and board in there. It's possible for some of the bigger handguns that you probably could remove the sensor and mount just that in the barrel after you ream it out some, but that camera on the board looks like it's on an angle and probably for a reason. You'd have to duplicate the same angle. What I am saying is anything can be done, but not everything is easy.

The simplest way would be to get a gun with a plastic silencer and mod the silencer to hold the AimTrak. Now, even easier than that would be to get a light gun for the PS2 or xbox and just mod that and use the existing buttons and hardware. The barrel is already made for a sensor, so it should be pretty easy. I've seen lightguns modeled after the P99, Colt. 45 automatic, Berretta, Desert Eagle, Sig... there are lots out there and they all look pretty good. You can even find the exact gun that EMS TopGun gutted and modded for their gun! (And people still say the TopGun was totally engineered new from the ground up!)

Where Airsoft will work and work good is with the AEG rifles! There is a ton of room inside them too. You don't want or need a high quality AEG, actually the inexpensive LPEGs will be perfect. The site I buy a lot from is airsplat.com. People that buy a lot of airsoft know that most sites (not all, nothing is ever an absolute) get their inventory from airsplat in the first place!

I have pictures of all my guns in another thread on here and some would be really cool light guns! I too was originally thinking of using airsoft pistols, but that was also back when we still didn't have a viable gun so nobody knew what size components we were looking at. Now we know.

lol Now someone is going to go out and make an airsoft springer pistol work just to show me wrong! Hey, I am not saying it can't be done, just saying it will take a lot of work to do.

KonkeyKong · « **Reply #30 on:** October 02, 2009, 01:22:13 pm »

Be careful with cheap airsoft guns. I learned the hard way. Really shoddy construction/manufacturing. On one I ordered even the trigger was hollow on back to cut down on plastic. One good pull and it snaped like a cornchip. Right now I'm working on converting some Nerf guns. Quite rugged and enough room to park a small car inside. Plus the trigger mechs are well suited for triggering a variety of switch types.

smalltownguy · « **Reply #31 on:** October 02, 2009, 01:49:05 pm »

Care to share some of the models you're working with?

KonkeyKong · « **Reply #32 on:** October 02, 2009, 03:39:07 pm »

Right now I'm working with the Recon model as it is extremely versatlie. All interchangeble parts for pistol or rifle action. The inside pic shows all of the gutted parts covered in purple. The blue line is a channel where a leaf switch tucks right behind the trigger with no mods necessary. I'm pretty sure the aimtrak will fit in the orange nose piece, although I haven't tried it yet because I don't own an aimtrak... yet. The handel will accomodate a couple batteries with a little cutting. The batteries will provide a little heft as well as power for a coulple bling lights and buttons. I've also got one where I cut the majority of the lower front section off and it looks like a groovy anime' style .44 cal. As I get some decent pics I'll try to start a project thread.

wbassett · « **Reply #33 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:16:01 pm »

That's a nice candidate too! I have that one, the Strike Force, and a Vulcan (unless you're Stallone or Schwarzenegger these are WAY to big to play for hours at a time!)

KonkeyKong when you get that puppy modded start up a thread and make sure you have lots of pics!

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #34 on:** October 02, 2009, 04:41:20 pm »

Quote from: wbassett on October 02, 2009, 04:16:01 pm

That's a nice candidate too! I have that one, the Strike Force, and a Vulcan (unless you're Stallone or Schwarzenegger these are WAY to big to play for hours at a time!)

KonkeyKong when you get that puppy modded start up a thread and make sure you have lots of pics!

I also really like that idea. You might even be able to use the magazine eject button as a button.

I bought 3 of those guns last year. One for each of my nephews.

From what I remember the gun had a good feel to it AND I like that it can be a rifle, assault shot gun or a pistol. If you can get it working with the rifle barrel attached, I'd be using that for a shell.

wbassett · « **Reply #35 on:** October 02, 2009, 05:13:48 pm »

The gun does feel good up to the rear stock, which bends easily, but shouldn't break unless your buddies have pounded a few brews and are starting to really get into shooting the zombies and other baddies!

KonkeyKong · « **Reply #36 on:** October 02, 2009, 09:40:16 pm »

I actually cut the stock down which took a lot of the flex out. I'm 6'2" with arms like a gibon, but I like the way it feels tucked in close. Another trick is pvc pipe, a little epoxy, and you could pistol whip your half-crocked buddies into next week without the stock breaking. Although I probably wouldn't advise crackin' a couple brewed up dudes with a plastic gun, especially during an adrenaline filled session of zombie splattering.

YoGaBaR · « **Reply #37 on:** October 03, 2009, 01:33:22 pm »

I did exactly what ginsu did.
Put them in a konami justifier Pink and Blue p[ulled from my sega.

smalltownguy · « **Reply #38 on:** October 03, 2009, 04:51:27 pm »

Check it out!! Friggen SWEET!

Got it for a song.

Even got some original Sega Controllers to boot. Excellent! Anyone know where I can get a wiring harness to interface the sega gamepads to my serial/gameport/USB?

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #39 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:00:24 pm »

Awesome!

Here's the info:
http://arcadecontrols.com/Mirrors/www.ziplabel.com/dpadpro/atari.html

You'll need this program
http://www.psxpad.com/index_e.php


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