Lightgun Shooter Cab Options

[maffewl]

I've searched to my ends as I know this is a beat subject.  But I have been debating building a dedicated shooter cab and would like opinions.  I currently have a 27" Toshiba CRT that has an s-video input but no component.  Is there a way for me to use this tv with mame and other emulators for a lightgun cab?  I would highly prefer to not use the IR gun setup such as with the Aimtrak, though, if it's possible to add led's around the entire screen for higher accuracy and turning the crosshairs off, that may be feasible, but again, would prefer a more lightgun approach being that I have the CRT.  I also think it may be neat to make this cab a mirrored cab though I will lean on recommendations.  Please advise and thanks in advance.

[BadMouth]

There are two versions of act labs guns, vga and s-video.
They aren't made anymore though, so you'll have to find them used.

[maffewl]

Thanks for the reply BadMouth.  I've noticed from my searching that you have quite a bit of experience with such a question, I'm guessing that if I don't want an IR type device, I'm stuck trying to find an act-lab s-video gun like you mentioned with no other option?

[Jollywest]

There is possibly another option and it has been mentioned in the past... this;

http://www.nanotechent.com/optigun.php aka USB2gun.

Problem is its about $300 from Global VR and it's not guaranteed to work properly with MAME or other emulators, as no-one has really tested it.

However, I've managed to get hold of an America's Army Global VR Machine with one of these boards in it, and once I get the monitor in it working the plan is to do this testing.

[BadMouth]

However, I've managed to get hold of an America's Army Global VR Machine with one of these boards in it, and once I get the monitor in it working the plan is to do this testing.

  Finally! 

[Jollywest]

However, I've managed to get hold of an America's Army Global VR Machine with one of these boards in it, and once I get the monitor in it working the plan is to do this testing.

  Finally!

Lol... 

Yea, I've seen posts from about 6 years ago on about this board, without much progress by the looks of it.

[maffewl]

That does sound promising, please keep us up to date on your progress.

The site linked shows it for $200 MSRP, and with Aimtraks being $100 each, there is some added cost, but not enough to turn me away if it works correctly.  Excited to hear your feedback.

[Jollywest]

That does sound promising, please keep us up to date on your progress.

The site linked shows it for $200 MSRP, and with Aimtraks being $100 each, there is some added cost, but not enough to turn me away if it works correctly.  Excited to hear your feedback.

Yep will keep you updated. (I noticed you've subscribed to my project announcement thread too, cheers  )

I'm pretty sure that Nanotech don't sell it anymore, correct me if I'm wrong on that one but I know for sure Global VR do but, as I said before though, not cheaply.

I hopefully should have the monitor sorted within a fortnight, then I can make some progress on testing.

[Purple Tophat]

I've been waiting for someone on here to get ahold of one of those. As of a year and a half ago I had found a source for those boards through one of Global VR's distributors for $170 a piece. Obviously I haven't called them since, but if your testing turns out to reveal a great solution, then I'll get back on the line with them, figure out the best price we can get, and pass the info along to everyone.

Aside from that, I've since acquired a couple of act labs guns. I plan to put them into HAPP recoil shells (as suggested by BadMouth many moons ago). Just gotta finish moving into this new house and get things sorted out so I can finally resume working on my cabinet!

[Jollywest]

I've been waiting for someone on here to get ahold of one of those. As of a year and a half ago I had found a source for those boards through one of Global VR's distributors for $170 a piece. Obviously I haven't called them since, but if your testing turns out to reveal a great solution, then I'll get back on the line with them, figure out the best price we can get, and pass the info along to everyone.

Now that would make it a much more realistic option for a lot of people I'm sure. 

Small update on my side of things - I've sourced a replacement chassis for the monitor, hopefully it will turn up this coming week.