Dart Board question

[reko19]

Hi everyone. I am planning my next project and thinking about a dart board, the subject I don't know much about.  I tried searching completed projects forum, but did not come across anything interesting.  I want to try something similar to the board we played in one of the bars in Chicago, shown on the attached pic.  Any recommendations, info on the previous builds, etc. would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[reko19]

looks like it is manufactured by Sega, not sure if anyone tried building something similar at home:

https://segaarcade.com/games/interactive-darts

[Nephasth]

There are few companies that offer self scoring steel tip set ups. Dartsee and Fido Darts are a couple. However, they're more for a commercial setting and are quite expensive for a home user. When I first checked with Dartsee several years ago, they wanted something like $9k just to get a foot in the door. Fido Darts was cheaper at around $1500-$2000, but they're based out of Korea and again, are only interested in dealing with a commercial business.

Scolia offers a home system starting at just over a grand, it's been improved upon over the years and is gaining popularity (mainly in europe).

If you're dead set on steel tip, the most popular at home option that allows for online play is DartConnect. Membership is only $24 a year. It can be ran on most tablets, phones, and computers. Many leagues use DartConnect for scoring. However, it is not auto-scoring. You have to enter your scores manually each round.

If you're open to soft tip, Granboard is the most popular at home board with online capability. It's got the "fun games" that are anything but traditional darts, but also allows you to play against real humans online. The board runs around $300. You'll need a tablet to run the app. Last time I played, the app was free to use. Some "companies" offer Granboards built into cabinets... DIY is always cheaper.

[pbj]

Cotton candy and red wine?   

[RandyT]

There's a DIY or two out there, but no idea how well they work.  There's only so many ways to skin this cat, so the triangulated cameras thing will be a common theme.  Everything after that is going to be how well the image processing is done.  If I ever saw something which screamed "use Machine Learning and AI", it's this.

Here's a couple to check out:

DartIt

AutoDarts

But I would (and did) go for a quality soft-tip setup.  The boards and software integration for these have become much nicer over the years, so long as you don't go too cheap. I look at soft-tip boards like I do billiard tables.  Once you hit the level of slate bed, you'll likely have a good gaming experience.  There's a similar level of quality one needs to start at with soft-tip dart boards for the same to happen.  After that, it's usually aesthetic, convenience or play options. 

[ericball]

If you're not already a dart enthusiast I'd recommend starting with a decent dartboard (e.g. Winmau Blade 5 or 6) and a big surround (e.g. Viper Defender III) and some decent high tungsten darts.  Make sure you have a good space to set up the dartboard where you won't mind if you miss or get a bounce back.

But more important - find a friendly league to join.  I play Friday nights at the local Canadian Legion (open to all, not just veterans).  3-5 players on a team randomized each week, 1001 flying start.  (You do not want to double in until you're regularly doubling out.)  It's all in fun with great support from the other players. 

Practice at home.  Start by aiming for the bullseye until you're getting all three inside the triple ring.  Then start aiming for the triple 20 or triple 19 and doubles.  While the game is about the score, your focus should be on accuracy and consistency.

[reko19]

Thank you for the replies. I did a bit of pocking around and found few online resources including 3D print files for the surround, etc.  I will open a new thread in the project  announcements once I start working on it.

[frankrizzo2]

Granboard has a steel dart board coming out soon that should do your scoring plus allow online play too

[reko19]

thank you for the info

[flynnb]

Before anyone critique's my board let me preface that I have a bad habit of not finishing projects.   This one started out as a prototype with some left over wood that I never got around to re-building the case for the dartboard.   It's Grandboard 3s dart board connected to a raspberry pi running Android (Lineage OS) connected to cheap 22 in Sceptre monitor (E22 Series), controlled by an air mouse, using an old pair of computer speakers.  Everything is powered via power strip connected to a kasa smart plug for an easy on/off. Plus it has a Viper Laser Throw/Toe Line Marker that's mounted at the bottom of the case and turns on/off with the unit.

[flynnb]

Pictures of some of the components...

[reko19]

not bad, i am planning for a steel tip darts board, still in the research phase....

[RandyT]

...cheap 22 in Sceptre monitor (E22 Series), controlled by an air mouse

Gotta find yourself a cheap ebay touch-screen.  My setup is pretty close to yours, but I modded the dartboard and made a DIY lighting unit.  The score display just sits on a conveniently located existing shelf below the board.  IMHO, the touch-screen really brings it into the "arcade/bar" realm, even without a cabinet.  I just wish my drunk buddies would quit throwing darts at it 

[pbj]

LCD below the dartboard = maniacal

[RandyT]

LCD below the dartboard = maniacal

There is no safe place around a dart board when a wild dart is thrown, and I refuse to not be able to see the display while playing.  So far, mine has been pretty resilient to strikes, but that may be because it's an older commercial NEC touchscreen.  A newer consumer TS might not have fared so well.  Non-TS displays are easy to protect with a sacrificial piece of acrylic in front.

[Nephasth]

Here's my darts setup in my basement. I've had this setup for nearly 3 years and in 3 houses. Having the boards on an MDF backboard covered in felt has made it extremely easy to relocate when needed. On left I have a GranBoard for soft tip. The tablet between the boards is for running the GranBoard app. The TV below gets the tablet's screen casted to it so it's easier to see from across the room. On the right I've got a steel tip board with a webcam (on a pole above and to the right of the board). Behind the TV is a desktop PC connected to a touchscreen monitor on the right. The monitor is on a swivel mount and can be rotated for portrait or landscape display, and tucked away on the side of the shelving unit when not in use. I use portrait orientation when playing locally (not online). When playing online, I have the monitor in landscape orientation. This allows me to have the DartConnect scoring app and Discord up side by side to see my opponent's board when playing online.



Since I last posted, FIDO has announced a home board (the NV-3501P) which looks appealing to me. Preorder cost comes to $800 shipped to the US. Not terrible considering the cost of a Scolia system (about a grand).
https://www.facebook.com/Fidodarts/posts/pfbid032YbwcvZweGQf3P3dDe9G6dzMuJF3gZJDvN6EY8K7UydqZG88mhDfHUQqwgCNkQoyl

As frankrizzo2 mentioned, GranBoard also has an autoscoring system releasing really soon. It's called Gran Eye, will be available the end of next month, and will run "249 Euros" plus shipping.


Both systems have me considering replacing my current steel tip setup.

Anyway, shoot well and have fun!

[Nephasth]

Looks like 2025 is going to be the year for steel tip auto-scoring.

Here's another option: https://a-zdarts.com/products/target-omni-scoring-system