Author Topic: ActLabs TV lightgun delayed until Sept or Oct (Read 13462 times)

u_rebelscum · « **on:** August 01, 2003, 08:43:52 pm »

Got an email from ActLabs saying the TV lightgun has been delayed until Sept or Oct.

Quote

Regrettably, it doesn't look like we will be able to ship in August. We had some engineering and factory delays and we expect to go through government FCC testing next week. According to our factory once we have FCC approval they expect to begin production in early September. Production takes about 1 week and then sea shipping from our factory to our North American warehouse takes another 2.5 weeks. As you can see depending on when the production starts we could begin shipping the pre-orders in very late September but most likely early October. We apologize for the delay but unfortunately we are at the mercy of the factory.

Boy am I glad I went and made the changes so I can play two players with the normal PC USB lightguns with MameAnalog+.

Sure makes the waiting less bothering.

Bill_S · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2003, 08:47:53 pm »

got the same e-mail.
Bummer!

Sasquatch! · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2003, 08:56:00 pm »

You forgot the part where they said they'd knock $5 off of one of their software titles as an "apology"...which I might take them up on.

night · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2003, 03:21:23 am »

does the XP dual mouse prob effect light guns as well?

u_rebelscum · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2003, 08:07:25 am »

Quote from: night on August 02, 2003, 03:21:23 am

does the XP dual mouse prob effect light guns as well?

These lightguns are funny looking mice, so yes.

shmokes · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2003, 05:09:57 pm »

hmm...that's okay. I used a debit card for my order and I'm pretty short on money right now with school about to start. I ordered two guns and with all these delays (original official ship date was middle of May) I've had to constantly keep $80 extra dollars in my checking account. What a pain. Well..at least I don't have to worry about keeping an extra $80 in there while paying for school and books.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2003, 05:10:23 pm »

No not the tv guns, they are two player compatable.

u_rebelscum · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2003, 05:56:46 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on August 02, 2003, 05:10:23 pm

No not the tv guns, they are two player compatable.

Nit picking, but I'd say "will be two player compatable", since they aren't out yet, and won't be out for at least another month and a half.

(And I still have my doubts on how well it will work without changes to mame, but I don't need to go into that; I bought a pair hoping to prove me wrong, but it's taking longer than I thought.)

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2003, 06:18:02 pm »

Quote from: u_rebelscum on August 02, 2003, 05:56:46 pm

Quote from: Howard_Casto on August 02, 2003, 05:10:23 pm
No not the tv guns, they are two player compatable.

Nit picking, but I'd say "will be two player compatable", since they aren't out yet, and won't be out for at least another month and a half.

And I could tell you the same thing, you flat out said that they will have problems when there isn't any way of knowing yet. I'm going what act-labs announced, and is posted on their site. Although there may be some issues, I see no reason for them to lie to us.

u_rebelscum · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2003, 06:48:47 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on August 02, 2003, 06:18:02 pm

Quote from: u_rebelscum on August 02, 2003, 05:56:46 pm
Quote from: Howard_Casto on August 02, 2003, 05:10:23 pm
No not the tv guns, they are two player compatable.

Nit picking, but I'd say "will be two player compatable", since they aren't out yet, and won't be out for at least another month and a half.

And I could tell you the same thing, you flat out said that they will have problems when there isn't any way of knowing yet... I'm going what act-labs announced, and is posted on their site. Although there may be some issues, I see no reason for them to lie to us.

Sorry, I read the question differently than you do. I meant current lightguns. Sorry for not being clear, but I never said "flat out" the TV lightguns will have problems in XP.

Quote

does the XP dual mouse prob effect light guns as well?

If he asked "...effect the TV light guns..." then your interpretation would be right.

However, since he didn't spec which lightgun, and I mentioned both the TV and the PC lightguns in the first post, I interpreted "effect light guns" as "effect all current lightguns", which my "yes" answer is value.

I guess the answer should have been two parts, one addressing the current lightguns (my answer), and the other part addressing the TV lightgun (your answer), since the question wasn't clear.

I either case, the tense should be in the future ("will be 2 player"), since it's not out yet, no?

anthony691 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2003, 09:03:48 pm »

Delayed? Shocking

How many delays does this make?

rampy · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2003, 11:36:16 pm »

Quote from: anthony691 on August 02, 2003, 09:03:48 pm

Delayed? Shocking

How many delays does this make?

now anthony... aren't you their biggest fan? c'mon now. You wouldn't get off Act labs jock way back when they announced they were making these gun, and now your cynical?
*shrug* Just giving you a hard time...

Rampy

anthony691 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2003, 11:44:55 pm »

Quote from: rampy on August 02, 2003, 11:36:16 pm

Quote from: anthony691 on August 02, 2003, 09:03:48 pm
Delayed? Shocking

How many delays does this make?

now anthony... aren't you their biggest fan? c'mon now. You wouldn't get off Act labs jock way back when they announced they were making these gun, and now your cynical?
*shrug* Just giving you a hard time...

Rampy

I want mine bad! I wouldn't say I am a fan though...

TheTick · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2003, 03:30:46 pm »

I was on the preorder for the TV Light guns but cancelled back in about May (or was that March) when they quietly announced their first delay.

I have the CRT version and am not impressed. As for as Act Labs goes they do have some interesting products in their line up... but they have a long history of poor support. i.e. not releasing drivers for new operating systems and completely obandoning old products (the old dual guns).

I've had a history myself of always being an early adopter. Do you know what that gets you.... 1) You overpay 2) You get stuck with crap.

Time to finish up my position gun hack. . .

night · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2003, 03:38:31 pm »

since this is a thread about the TV guns, i meant will the tv guns get messed up by the XP 2 player problem. i didnt think there would be any diff in that regard between the TV and monitor guns.

im just finishing up my cab and was wondering to go with XP or 98 cuz of that.

and is there even any other options for 2 player light guns? (i dont want a positional. dont want to mount anymore on my panel). ive never seen anything but act-labs, so i didnt think i had much of a choice

u_rebelscum · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2003, 05:10:24 am »

Quote from: night on August 03, 2003, 03:38:31 pm

since this is a thread about the TV guns, i meant will the tv guns get messed up by the XP 2 player problem. i didnt think there would be any diff in that regard between the TV and monitor guns.

Like Howard said, actlabs says the TV model will add 2 players feature for all windows.

Quote

im just finishing up my cab and was wondering to go with XP or 98 cuz of that.

and is there even any other options for 2 player light guns? (i dont want a positional. dont want to mount anymore on my panel). ive never seen anything but act-labs, so i didnt think i had much of a choice

Actlabs PC lightgun works (but not 2 player), and actlabs TV lightgun should work (and is supposed to have 2 player).

Actlabs has hinted at a new PC lightgun with the same 2 player feature as the TV lightgun some time next year, but also has stated it won't be made. Looks like the jury's still up on that one.

There's others:

The "PC virtual gun" does not work,

The actlab GS lightguns (the older gameport model) don't work,

We (many of us on BYOAC) don't see how any of the console lightguns could work, but some people have a faint hope that someone will be able to do it,

Same with real arcade guns, except with an even smaller chance of anything happening IMO,

AFAIK the jury is still out on the " PC BIO gun". But even if the bio gun works, it will be only one player.

Finally, I think someone has removed the actlab sensors from the gun and moved them into a different gun case. I don't remember if he finally got it working or not, but IIRC there were some initial problems of some sort. You could try a search; I wasn't able to find the tread with a quick look.

So, yes, currently the only choices are actlab PC gun now, positional gun now, actlab TV gun starting in Sept (maybe later), and possiblely the "BIO gun".

GSXRMovistar · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2003, 09:11:59 am »

I'm tempted to order the bio gun from Lik-sang (or other far east supplier) just to see if it works or not. Works out to be

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2003, 11:47:00 am »

Imho I would be extremely weary of the bio gun.

This may sound stupid, but any non-arcade related controller made in this day and age that isn't usb has something seriously wrong with it. On that same line of thought, if it needs not the gamport but a combo of the keyboard and mouse, then it's obviously a huge hack-job. This gun appears to recycle the same technology as some of act-labs efforts years ago, which sucked so hard they gave you a hickey.

anthony691 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 04, 2003, 12:09:42 pm »

Quote from: u_rebelscum on August 04, 2003, 05:10:24 am

Quote from: night on August 03, 2003, 03:38:31 pm
since this is a thread about the TV guns, i meant will the tv guns get messed up by the XP 2 player problem. i didnt think there would be any diff in that regard between the TV and monitor guns.

Like Howard said, actlabs says the TV model will add 2 players feature for all windows.

Quote
im just finishing up my cab and was wondering to go with XP or 98 cuz of that.

and is there even any other options for 2 player light guns? (i dont want a positional. dont want to mount anymore on my panel). ive never seen anything but act-labs, so i didnt think i had much of a choice

Actlabs PC lightgun works (but not 2 player), and actlabs TV lightgun should work (and is supposed to have 2 player).

Actlabs has hinted at a new PC lightgun with the same 2 player feature as the TV lightgun some time next year, but also has stated it won't be made. Looks like the jury's still up on that one.

There's others:

The "PC virtual gun" does not work,

The actlab GS lightguns (the older gameport model) don't work,

We (many of us on BYOAC) don't see how any of the console lightguns could work, but some people have a faint hope that someone will be able to do it,

Same with real arcade guns, except with an even smaller chance of anything happening IMO,

AFAIK the jury is still out on the " PC BIO gun". But even if the bio gun works, it will be only one player.

Finally, I think someone has removed the actlab sensors from the gun and moved them into a different gun case. I don't remember if he finally got it working or not, but IIRC there were some initial problems of some sort. You could try a search; I wasn't able to find the tread with a quick look.

So, yes, currently the only choices are actlab PC gun now, positional gun now, actlab TV gun starting in Sept (maybe later), and possiblely the "BIO gun".

I know I should have said something, but people have been reporting this gun (linked to below) to work with MAME.

I think I may try it out. It looks likee it works with some games and not with others like the Act-Labs gun. I would be inclined to believe that it does work.

http://www.whitedog.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=77

shmokes · « **Reply #19 on:** August 04, 2003, 12:58:04 pm »

That gun sure has a helluva lot nicer design than the Act-Labs guns. Looks real.

GSXRMovistar · « **Reply #20 on:** August 04, 2003, 01:48:15 pm »

http://www.whitedog.co.uk/catalog/product_reviews_info.php?cPath=10&products_id=77&reviews_id=46

Okay now this looks very interesting, I actually prefer the look of the act labs run but their shipping costs are terrible. Also the pedal would be cool.

tmasman · « **Reply #21 on:** August 04, 2003, 02:41:38 pm »

Quote from: u_rebelscum on August 04, 2003, 05:10:24 am

The "PC virtual gun" does not work

I haven't tried for myself, but it would appear others have...
I've also seen other warnings around about the "virtual gun" not working with MAME...

What are the chances support for newer guns will be added to MAME???
Anybody know?

I have no idea what kind of technologies the newer guns involve (I know the act-labs is just a glorified mouse pointing type device...). But how does the "Virtual Gun" work???

There are a lot of people interested in shooters, but it seems very little by the way of support for them is being done. eh... here's to wishing!!!

night · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2003, 03:17:44 pm »

so then what games do work with the actlabs gun?? i know not positional stuff of course.

GSXRMovistar · « **Reply #23 on:** August 04, 2003, 04:03:53 pm »

Quote from: tmasman on August 04, 2003, 02:41:38 pm

Quote from: u_rebelscum on August 04, 2003, 05:10:24 am
The "PC virtual gun" does not work
I've also seen other warnings around about the "virtual gun" not working with MAME...

...... But how does the "Virtual Gun" work???

But then again i've seen people say that the act-labs gun (new one) doesn't work with Mame, but that may just be those who haven't put the time into setting it up right.

And from all what i've read about the virtual gun so far, it works like a mouse also.

Even if I could get confirmation that it works with HotD2 I'd get it just for that. One good gun game in the cab would keep vistors happy.

hulkster · « **Reply #24 on:** August 04, 2003, 06:08:22 pm »

man that virtual gun looks sweet! and the pedal too? perfect for when time crisis gets emulated...whenever that will be. im really interested to see if this gun is any good....anyone gonna get one and post a review?

anthony691 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 04, 2003, 07:07:05 pm »

Quote from: hulkster081 on August 04, 2003, 06:08:22 pm

man that virtual gun looks sweet! and the pedal too? perfect for when time crisis gets emulated...whenever that will be. im really interested to see if this gun is any good....anyone gonna get one and post a review?

http://www.cybertechdesign.net/yabbse/index.php?board=5;action=display;threadid=163

Is the only person I know who got one.

So he says it works, but who really knows?

GSXRMovistar · « **Reply #26 on:** August 04, 2003, 07:13:28 pm »

Cool, all we need now is an indepth review.

hulkster · « **Reply #27 on:** August 04, 2003, 08:02:43 pm »

hmmm, well he seemed to like it. so how much is it in USD? i know its 25 pounds or whatever, but whats that convert to?

also, for those of you who own light guns and stuff....whats the main complaint for light guns? accuracy? im thinking thats its. i mean im not a perfectionist so i dont have to have complete dead on accuracy, but i dont want it to be shooting off the screen when i point in the middle. if i got one of these things, do you think it will suck major donkey balls, or be pretty good?

anthony691 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 04, 2003, 10:07:30 pm »

Quote from: hulkster081 on August 04, 2003, 08:02:43 pm

hmmm, well he seemed to like it. so how much is it in USD? i know its 25 pounds or whatever, but whats that convert to?

also, for those of you who own light guns and stuff....whats the main complaint for light guns? accuracy? im thinking thats its. i mean im not a perfectionist so i dont have to have complete dead on accuracy, but i dont want it to be shooting off the screen when i point in the middle. if i got one of these things, do you think it will suck major donkey balls, or be pretty good?

Well, the real problem is software. Some games in MAME just won't work,and it changes from comp to comp. I don't claim I will ever know the answer.

Why doesn't someone ask him for a review? If we do; I'm sure he will.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #29 on:** August 04, 2003, 10:46:34 pm »

In all honesty the older guns don't work at all. They don't even work well on pc titles. It is an accuracy issue, but it's accuracy that's so off that the game becomes completely unplayable. Also the way the older guns worked, many games had to be coded with the guns in mind to even work at all. Me thinks this bio gun will work similarly, unfortunately.

hulkster · « **Reply #30 on:** August 05, 2003, 01:39:53 am »

well crap! that sucks. i saw some guns on happcontrols but they are like $150!!! ridiculous. do those work well? not that i would ever buy one, but do they work well on all games, or just certain ones? i cant believe somebody hasnt developed a good light gun for mame and stuff. its like the one thing that hasnt been done right.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #31 on:** August 05, 2003, 02:15:47 am »

Those are for arcade machines dude, they don't work on a pc at all.

u_rebelscum · « **Reply #32 on:** August 05, 2003, 04:29:29 am »

Quote from: tmasman on August 04, 2003, 02:41:38 pm

Quote from: u_rebelscum on August 04, 2003, 05:10:24 am
The "PC virtual gun" does not work

I haven't tried for myself, but it would appear others have...
I've also seen other warnings around about the "virtual gun" not working with MAME...

FWIW, here's the thread I'm getting the virtual gun/bio gun info from:
BYOAC thread

GSXRMovistar · « **Reply #33 on:** August 05, 2003, 04:56:22 am »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on August 04, 2003, 10:46:34 pm

In all honesty the older guns don't work at all. They don't even work well on pc titles.

Howard thats fine if it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but where are you getting this info from. I've been looking around for more info on this for a while now and all I ever seem to find are postings on web boards/groups etc that say "I've been told this gun does(n't) work", or "I know someone who had the gun and I think it does(n't) work".

Would be nice if we could just find a site which actually has a non-baised review (ie. not a sales site) of the product.

If all else fails I suppose I will have to give in and purchase the Act-labs gun even if I'm against their shipping costs.

anthony691 · « **Reply #34 on:** August 05, 2003, 11:56:16 am »

Quote from: GSXRMovistar on August 05, 2003, 04:56:22 am

Quote from: Howard_Casto on August 04, 2003, 10:46:34 pm
In all honesty the older guns don't work at all. They don't even work well on pc titles.

Howard thats fine if it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but where are you getting this info from. I've been looking around for more info on this for a while now and all I ever seem to find are postings on web boards/groups etc that say "I've been told this gun does(n't) work", or "I know someone who had the gun and I think it does(n't) work".

Would be nice if we could just find a site which actually has a non-baised review (ie. not a sales site) of the product.

If all else fails I suppose I will have to give in and purchase the Act-labs gun even if I'm against their shipping costs.

And yet another dude saying this gun works...
http://www.whitedog.co.uk/catalog/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=77&reviews_id=46

I'll buy one when I make some cash and add it to the site, but this is 2 people out of 2 saying that it works. I don't know HC is almost always right, but 2 people said that it works with MAME.

Aceldamor · « **Reply #35 on:** August 05, 2003, 11:58:31 am »

Quote from: hulkster081 on August 04, 2003, 08:02:43 pm

hmmm, well he seemed to like it. so how much is it in USD? i know its 25 pounds or whatever, but whats that convert to?

also, for those of you who own light guns and stuff....whats the main complaint for light guns? accuracy? im thinking thats its. i mean im not a perfectionist so i dont have to have complete dead on accuracy, but i dont want it to be shooting off the screen when i point in the middle. if i got one of these things, do you think it will suck major donkey balls, or be pretty good?

Well,

1 pound is = to $1.60 give or take a few cents....you do the math.

In all honesty, I really won't believe what any product website has for a "review" unitl I see a review from a regular byoac'er I'll take those reviews with a grain of salt. It seems a little more feasible for a UKer to give the pc virtual gun a go since it would be cheaper, however you really can't ask someone to possibly toss money away like that...

hulkster · « **Reply #36 on:** August 05, 2003, 12:09:18 pm »

whew...40 bucks...plus shipping. yeah this will gun will have to be really good in order for me to buy it.

anthony691 · « **Reply #37 on:** August 05, 2003, 06:39:23 pm »

Quote from: Aceldamor on August 05, 2003, 11:58:31 am

Quote from: hulkster081 on August 04, 2003, 08:02:43 pm
hmmm, well he seemed to like it. so how much is it in USD? i know its 25 pounds or whatever, but whats that convert to?

also, for those of you who own light guns and stuff....whats the main complaint for light guns? accuracy? im thinking thats its. i mean im not a perfectionist so i dont have to have complete dead on accuracy, but i dont want it to be shooting off the screen when i point in the middle. if i got one of these things, do you think it will suck major donkey balls, or be pretty good?

Well,

1 pound is = to $1.60 give or take a few cents....you do the math.

In all honesty, I really won't believe what any product website has for a "review" unitl I see a review from a regular byoac'er I'll take those reviews with a grain of salt. It seems a little more feasible for a UKer to give the pc virtual gun a go since it would be cheaper, however you really can't ask someone to possibly toss money away like that...

Well, I showed a thread where a MAMEroomer said it worked. Did you check it out? I think I might buy one; unless someone can say that they had one and it didn't work.

hulkster · « **Reply #38 on:** August 05, 2003, 06:49:01 pm »

yeah i read all the reviews you put up, but i was hoping for a more in depth review. i saw that el diablo guy posted something, but he didnt really follow up on his review.

anthony691 · « **Reply #39 on:** August 05, 2003, 07:51:55 pm »

Quote from: hulkster081 on August 05, 2003, 06:49:01 pm

yeah i read all the reviews you put up, but i was hoping for a more in depth review. i saw that el diablo guy posted something, but he didnt really follow up on his review.

Well he did put up another post on my forum. I would be inclined to believe him.


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