Gyro Mouse - gun ?

[Xiaou2]

 I picked up a pc mag today... and saw an add for
"Gyro Mouse"  A mouse that can be used in the air... to accurately control windows.

  It could probably be used as a gun.   I wonder how accurate the thing is?

  http://www.gyration.com/ultra.htm

[ScienceofSpock]

I don't see why it couldn't be used as a gun, as long as the mame emulation of the game supports mouse input. Although aiming with a arcade gun was more of an artform than a science, I don't see how you would aim one of these without a visible cursor to track. I would think this would also be a bit slower than a lightgun, or even a regular mouse, though I don't know for sure.
Also, with a price of $79.95, I don't see why you would buy one of these over a actlabs lightgun.

[Xiaou2]

 Actually, it states its faster than most mice.


  The reasoning... actlabs gun has to look at the screen - and, it blinks it white.

  Since this mouse uses gyros,  it dosnt need to actually see the screen.  This means that you could probably use it for both monitor or tv.    Also... no annoying white flashes.

  Not sure if it could make 2 players work.   It states that more than one can operate at the same time... however... they both would probably fight over player 1 control.

  Ohh - its also completely cordless : )

  As for looks... just pop the guts into a gun shell and wha-la.

  I just wonder how accurate they are.  Thats the main issue.

[SNAAAKE]

  As for looks... just pop the guts into a gun shell and wha-la.

Okay dude..little off topic but i have a question...

is it possible i just pop the guts out of a dreamcast gun and put in a cooler(more like arcadish) gun shell?
You do any kind of hack there or just the dreamcast gun interface in a shell.
thanks for any help .

[Lilwolf]

1) yes, you can replace the the gun shell (they mentioned that they would be glad to help anyone who needed info on it... but it should be very easy)...  Branden at Actlabs also mentioned a few companies that make real weight/likenesses of guns that could probably be used.

2) No, a gyroscope will not work as well... why?  you have to twist, not move... So you are pointing top left, then you move your entire arm and gun to point to the bottom left, but the mouse barely rotates...  So you can do it, but it wont be right.

[PacManFan]

I've got a gyromouse for a consulting project I've been working on. I don't think you'll be able to use it as a gun. The gyromouse basically uses 2 internal accelerometers(gyros) to determine movement in an x-y direction. It has nothing to do with if it is facing your screen or not. You could be standing half way across the room and waving it at the opposite wall, and it would still move the mouse cursor.
On second thought, it's not great for a gun, but it could make a cool pointing device if you don't want to be tied to your control panel.