Author Topic: Light gun market research question. (Read 27982 times)

AndyWarne · « **on:** January 19, 2009, 04:38:47 am »

Hi,
I would like to know the following, from users of light guns or potential users:
What distance from the screen would you normally want to use a gun?

If you were forced to use a longer distance, how far would you consider is "too far" from the screen to be comfortable with?

Thanks for any help.

Andy

CathalDublin · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:03:36 am »

Personally 3foot back from machine, so possibly 3.5/4feet from screen

thatitalian · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:31:19 am »

Again, approx 2.5-3 foot away from the screen.

Blanka · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2009, 07:01:42 am »

I think it would be best if the gun works as BT mouse. In that case the gun is usefull for MAME and for consoles/pc's (broader range of customers), which brings me back to the answer of the question:
For cab use, 1 meter will be maximum (your bwittish right? no feet there I thought), but for console use 2-3 meters will be common.
But the corner-2-corner angle of two lines from the gun to the corners of the screen will be always similar I guess.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:08:35 am »

Between 2 - 4 ft

doctorhifi · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:31:47 am »

2-3ft

AndyWarne · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2009, 03:04:23 pm »

Thanks for your replies. This is close. The proximity to the screen is a real challenge for light-gun design.

Andy

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2009, 03:22:17 pm »

Just the fact that you're asking has me excited. I can't wait to see what you're up to

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2009, 04:02:24 pm »

Ohhhhhhhh snap..

ark_ader · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2009, 04:13:37 pm »

Bet it's not cheap....

TheShanMan · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2009, 04:43:05 pm »

Probably depends on whether it's 1 player or 2. 1 player, probably about 2 feet. 2 players, probably closer to 3.

markc74 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2009, 07:51:10 am »

2 - 4 feet.

As long as its not as bad as the TopGun...

scriptfactory · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2009, 09:30:25 am »

Quote from: Blanka on January 19, 2009, 07:01:42 am

I think it would be best if the gun works as BT mouse. In that case the gun is usefull for MAME and for consoles/pc's (broader range of customers), which brings me back to the answer of the question:
For cab use, 1 meter will be maximum (your bwittish right? no feet there I thought), but for console use 2-3 meters will be common.
But the corner-2-corner angle of two lines from the gun to the corners of the screen will be always similar I guess.

Co-signed.

Definitely interested in this.

sWampy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2009, 09:39:56 am »

I would think the distance would be proportional to the screen size. 19" you have to be close, 26" not so close, 50" not close at all.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2009, 09:44:58 am »

Quote from: sWampy on January 20, 2009, 09:39:56 am

I would think the distance would be proportional to the screen size. 19" you have to be close, 26" not so close, 50" not close at all.

Yeah, that's why I said 2 - 4 feet....I only have a 19" monitor.

AndyWarne · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2009, 04:07:07 pm »

OK just to follow-up.

A more direct question: would the following minimum distances be considered acceptable?:

28 inch monitor: 3 feet
19 inch monitor: 2 feet.

Thanks

Andy

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2009, 04:08:57 pm »

Sounds good to me.

zaktallica · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2009, 04:10:33 pm »

yup thats perfect

jeffremiller · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2009, 04:20:22 pm »

2-4 feet would work for me with a 29" screen.

Are you taking into consideration a smoked plexi or glass over the CRT?

I had pretty much given up the thought of guns on my cab.

TAG · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2009, 05:14:47 pm »

Quote from: AndyWarne on April 01, 2009, 04:07:07 pm

A more direct question: would the following minimum distances be considered acceptable?:

28 inch monitor: 3 feet
19 inch monitor: 2 feet.

Sounds like it'd work on my set-up!

TelcoLou · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2009, 05:18:18 pm »

19" monitor for me, but have lightly-smoked glass in front.

Flake · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2009, 06:00:51 pm »

This is exciting! I have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for a better light gun technology to appear. Hopefully this is an improvement over the existing tech (hopefully the guns look cool too!).

TheShanMan · « **Reply #22 on:** April 01, 2009, 06:10:57 pm »

Is it too early to ask what advantages (or disadvantages) this potential light gun would have over that sonic gun (which so far is vaporware). I've been holding off on buying a light gun product in anticipation of that sonic gun, but it would be nice to have another solid option to consider.

DJ_Izumi · « **Reply #23 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:19:43 pm »

I think it would depend on the screen. I use a 19" screen for my light guns so 1 meter (3 feet) is roughly at what I play with. I had a roommate once upon a time with a 36" CRT, we did 2 meters (6 feet) then.

rbarr110 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:47:32 pm »

2-4 feet, similiar to most "real" arcade machine layouts.

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #25 on:** April 01, 2009, 08:04:14 pm »

If it's of consistent quality and stability at the distance, that sounds great...

Burn4Evr · « **Reply #26 on:** April 01, 2009, 08:04:47 pm »

Quote from: ark_ader on January 19, 2009, 04:13:37 pm

Bet it's not cheap....

How often have you seen cheap in this hobby?
I don't care what the exact product is, I wanna be able to use guns with my cab.

To me value is much more important.... and Andy hasn't disappointed me yet.

Personally I use a 36in TV, 5 feet seems comfortable. My rig is hell to get guns to work on though (guncon even hates my CRT, rolling x, I believe to my TVs auto upscaling))

DJ_Izumi · « **Reply #27 on:** April 01, 2009, 09:34:17 pm »

Quote from: Burn4Evr on April 01, 2009, 08:04:47 pm

Personally I use a 36in TV, 5 feet seems comfortable. My rig is hell to get guns to work on though (guncon even hates my CRT, rolling x, I believe to my TVs auto upscaling))

This is why when I build a cab it's going to JUST have a PS2 inside of it, controllers wired up to the panel but wire PlayStation game ports to the front area where a coin mech would normally be where you can simply plug in DualShocks, Guncons, or any other specialty PS2 controller. (USB ports and composite video jacks for guncons as well on the front.

Just trying to figure out if you can 'seperate' the optical drive from the system and relocate itso as to have a drive tray on the front too.

Bam. Connect gun. Insert disk. Save Astigos Island from Zagoria. No fuss, no muss.

Burn4Evr · « **Reply #28 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:06:07 pm »

Quote from: DJ_Izumi on April 01, 2009, 09:34:17 pm

Quote from: Burn4Evr on April 01, 2009, 08:04:47 pm
Personally I use a 36in TV, 5 feet seems comfortable. My rig is hell to get guns to work on though (guncon even hates my CRT, rolling x, I believe to my TVs auto upscaling))

This is why when I build a cab it's going to JUST have a PS2 inside of it, controllers wired up to the panel but wire PlayStation game ports to the front area where a coin mech would normally be where you can simply plug in DualShocks, Guncons, or any other specialty PS2 controller. (USB ports and composite video jacks for guncons as well on the front.

Just trying to figure out if you can 'seperate' the optical drive from the system and relocate itso as to have a drive tray on the front too.

Bam. Connect gun. Insert disk. Save Astigos Island from Zagoria. No fuss, no muss.

You have other options available to you on the PS2 rather then relocating the DVD drive. Mainly based on the HDDLoader systems. Just do some research, you can get your PS2 rigged up for pretty much free.
Its based on running off a hard drive rather then a optical drive.
Since it doesn't apply to this site too much I'd rather avoid talking about it on here but send me a PM if you are intrested and I'll give you my email address, and at least point you in the right direction

severdhed · « **Reply #29 on:** April 01, 2009, 11:56:13 pm »

i had a 26" tv with a playstation 2 gun cabinet setup a while back and i stood about 3 to 4 feet back. my current cabinet has a 19" LCD monitor, so no light guns for me.

i am contemplating trying to set up a ps2 gun cabinet again though... although if there was a good gun option for cabinets with LCD monitors, i wouldn't have to do that

DJ_Izumi · « **Reply #30 on:** April 02, 2009, 01:47:44 am »

Quote from: Burn4Evr on April 01, 2009, 10:06:07 pm

You have other options available to you on the PS2 rather then relocating the DVD drive. Mainly based on the HDDLoader systems. Just do some research, you can get your PS2 rigged up for pretty much free.
Its based on running off a hard drive rather then a optical drive.
Since it doesn't apply to this site too much I'd rather avoid talking about it on here but send me a PM if you are intrested and I'll give you my email address, and at least point you in the right direction

Problem is, HDDLoader ONLY supports PS2 games (The PS1 CPU is used as the HDD controller in PS2 mode, so it can't be a PS1 CPU -and- a PS2 I/O controller at the same time). Since there are great PS1 light gun games including Point Blank, which I've made the effort to buy the ligit copies of their game disks, I'd prefer to stick with having the ability to play optical disks.

TPB · « **Reply #31 on:** April 02, 2009, 09:30:40 am »

Todd H · « **Reply #32 on:** April 02, 2009, 09:34:18 am »

Ooooooohhhhh...Andy's doing market research on a light gun! I sure hope this means he's going to release one to the MAME community! Hopefully it works with an LCD monitor (fingers crossed).

swamprat96 · « **Reply #33 on:** April 02, 2009, 07:50:14 pm »

the range Andy suggests is spot on. I'm in

mlalena · « **Reply #34 on:** April 02, 2009, 08:33:57 pm »

In case Andy is still looking for opinions...

For games like Police Trainer and Area 51, I stand as far back as the gun cord will let me and I would still like to be further back. I like the challenge.

If a gun is going to use a quality cable (with strain relief) instead of a simple USB cable, then longer is better since there is no way to extend the cord. Also, gun cabinets tend to have mount the cables where most people put their keyboard drawer. MAME cabinets will probably have to mount the guns off to the side out of the way so an extra foot of cable might be necessary.

DJ_Izumi · « **Reply #35 on:** April 02, 2009, 08:53:46 pm »

Standard USB cables arn't necessarily a bad way to go either. They're certianly good and universal and it's easy to find replacement plugs or extention cables. I think 'Ease Of Maintance' is something to considder. I think in a home arcade, the risk of the cable getting damaged isn't signifigant.

Having a gun survive falling onto the floor when it slips out of the hands of an excited and frantic player would be a more pressing issue I think. I'm still fearing a crack in one of my guncon shells one of these days. :/

wooowman93 · « **Reply #36 on:** April 02, 2009, 09:05:55 pm »

Oh and don't make it cost too much please

Shoegazer · « **Reply #37 on:** April 03, 2009, 12:03:20 am »

Well, since it looks like we could be waiting forever for the Sonic Gun System at this point, I'm glad to see Andy take charge with this one. Andy's/Ultimarc's products (and service) have never disappointed, and he actually produces more product than he hypes. I for one am very happy and excited to see what this turns out to be, and I'm sure to be among the first to buy when it's released.

My biggest wish is for the guns to be arcade quality (unlike the cheap crap HKEMS stuff), and to feature real recoil. Now THAT would be great.

Shoegazer

smalltownguy · « **Reply #38 on:** April 03, 2009, 12:21:15 am »

After researching this to the N'th degree, I'm prepared to pay whatever it takes to get ahold of whatever Andy's working on. Undoubtedly whatever the final product is will underpromise and overdeliver.

Those measurements are perfect for me, BTW.

I too had written off any real possibilities for light gun use. Can't wait to see what's cooking here!

briktop11b · « **Reply #39 on:** April 03, 2009, 12:25:48 am »

I am in! I amso excited that this is even being discussed. I had some topguns. Pain in the butt to get to work and then when they do the distance is a turn off. Act labs are to high. I dont know if anybody has asked but are you gonna make these lcd compatable or just crt compatable? I would be happy as a hippo with crt as long as they are user friendly, durable, and the distance you talked about sounds excellent. If you can do this and keep the price reasonable this is a very smart move on your part because this is what a lot of people around here have been waiting on for a long time. Very exciting.


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