Custom Laser Tag

2/1/05 - We hope to document and show more of these custom laser tag guns in the future. Unfortunately, they will not be available for sale. We hope the history below and photos/movies provided will inspire you to make your own laser tag guns.
7/22/04
THIS MISSION HAS CONCLUDED.

************** M4 Laser Tag ***************

Lens assembly now located inside of barrel

Power up the rifle by inserting the magazine

Pull back the realistic action to load 10 rounds into the rifle

************** G36-C Laser Tag ***************

************** M16 A2 Laser Tag ***************

See movie demonstrating this custom gun

High Quality - Windows Media Player [Play Movie]

Low Quality - Windows Media Player [Play Movie]

Laser site is included

Lens assembly located inside of barrel

Power up the rifle by inserting the magazine

Pull back the realistic action to load 10 rounds into the rifle

************** RIOT Pump Action Shot Gun Laser Tag ***************

******************************************

7/21/04 UPDATE
A little fine tuning of the lens assembly and we are now hitting the sensor at 300' feet.

We have been working on the final HK G36C in parallel with the M-16 A2. We are simply testing and fine tuning at this point and do not expect any additional design changes for either gun.

Here are a few of the latest changes and photos:

On/off is only achieved by inserting/removing clip (no more power button).
Reset button faces backwards.


7/20/04 UPDATE
Side Note - This Friday 7/23/04 the airsoft M-16 M4, our product # 1-1-377 will be back in stock. We are offering this airsoft gun minus some accessories (no light or laser sight), and no warranty (perfect laser tag shell). The price is $29.00 + shipping, and is only available from this link. No other discounts, for example contest winnings, are valid with this offer. We have a limited number available so once inventory gets too low, we will need to discontinue this offer.

7/20/04 UPDATE (Production Concept v2)
We have been informed that this lens assembly should surpass 200'. We are performing additional tests and fine tuning to achieve a farther shot distance. Thank you John P. for the suggestions.

The red on/off button on the "black box" has been removed. On multiple occasions during testing the gun was powered down accidentally by hitting the button. The clip is now the only means for turning the gun on and off. The reset button is now pointing backwards instead of sideways. More photos posted later today.

The "black box" idea has been striped down to speaker, computer, and reset. Some have asked "why still use the external black box at all". Our future goal is to keep the computer "i.e. black box" and the gun separate but connected by a simple connector. This helps keep the assembly cost down. Also, when a new gun is released, it can be purchased without the "black box" for a lower cost. You can simply detach your existing "black box" and reattach to the new weapon. Again, this is a future goal of the system.

7/19/04 UPDATE (Production Concept v2)
We tested the Production Concept v2 a bit more today. At approximately 190' ft, the rifle was dead on accurate. At 170' ft and nearer the sensor is sensitive enough to pickup hits anywhere on the body as long as the sensor is facing you. This test was preformed at night. Additional tests will be preformed during the day to see how far these weapons can reach.

7/19/04 UPDATE (Production Concept v2)
So far it appears to be an even split between those that say the "power-up" clip MUST be included and those that say it is not that critical.

We did a little field testing over the weekend and found that the missing "power up" clip made the weapon seem incomplete. Without it, the clip serves no purpose and is only for show. We decided to add this feature back into the final gun despite the additional assembly time and expense (we are almost back were we started). There is still an on/off button located on the external "black box"; however, the clip must be inserted into the rifle in order to power-up the weapon. This allows you to power down the weapon without removing the clip.

We are going to continue testing and building this version. If there are no "show stoppers", we will have this completed rifle available to order on the website later this week.

7/17/04 UPDATE (Production Concept)
Since the electronics and batteries are now external, different gun conversions and assembly is quicker. This makes production along with a wider selection of guns a possibility. The reload, laser, and trigger/fire mechanisms are located inside the gun so there is a more realistic look and feel. The one drawback is that we loose the feature of powering up the gun by inserting the clip. Instead, there is a power button on the side of the external box.
Reload - Pull the action back to cock the gun. Gun must be cocked after 10 shots.
Trigger - Pull the trigger back to fire the gun
Sight - Laser is located inside the barrel

External box - contains electronics, reset, on/off, batteries, and speaker

With the electronics inside the external box, there are fewer modifications to the airsoft rifle. The rifle appears very solid and that it can take some "abuse". We are going to begin testing to see how well it holds up.

We would like to know your opinion....

7/17/04 UPDATE
WOW... your feedback was clear.. Not much in favor of the "one size fits all" "black box" idea. Okay, we will keep working at this until we get it right.
We are looking at possibly merging the two concepts. For example an external "black box" battery pack / computer but the reload, fire, reset, and laser will be inside the gun. As always... let us know your opinion, you are helping to steer this mission.
7/15/04 UPDATE (revised 7/16 10:30AM)
The most common suggestions have been the following:
1. Keep this affordable
2. Make a large variety of guns (sniper rifles, shot guns, handguns, toy guns...etc)
No matter how we look at this so far, converting an airsoft gun to a laser tag gun takes a lot of time and the price would be approximately $90 per gun. We want everyone to be able to afford one of these guns. Faced with the higher price and long assembly time, we tried a different product concept. Instead of taking an existing airsoft gun and converting it to laser tag, we have taken an existing laser tag system, and repackaged it into a self contained "black box" that can fit on ANY airsoft, paintball, toy...etc gun that has a standard size rail mount. If your gun does not already have an existing rail mount, you can attach the included rail (see photo below).

Features:

1. Self contained external laser tag system
2. Attaches to a standard size rail mount
3. Included rail can be adapted to most airsoft, paintball, even toy gun with minimal effort.
4. On/Off, Reset, and Reload buttons located on the "black box". Fire button is a touch sensor located on the grip of the weapon
5. Distance is approximately 350' feet
6. 10 hits and sensor flashes, makes loud sound, and turns off (not gun) until reset.
7. Sensor has not been modified and is included with purchase

Price:

The price for the system would be $49.95. This includes the following:

(1) Self contained laser tag system w/ rail mount and extra rail
(1) Sensor with vest straps (attaches to either your chest or back)
(5) AA batteries
(1) Instructions / Guideline for attaching and using the system.

We will have a new category on the website for the self contained laser tag system (we need a name for this system.. any suggestions?) where it will be available to purchase. Our mission is to continue modifying and improving the system.

Where are the photos?

See a movie demonstrating the prototype laser tag module. [play movie]. Low quality movie also available for dial-up connections.

Let us know your opinion!
Your opinions and suggestions have driven this project. Keep the feedback coming. it is much appreciated.

7/9/04 UPDATE
Some folks have asked when/if we are going to sell these completed laser tag guns. Possibly...We are meeting with a local company to determine if they can assemble these for us. This should help bring down the cost, and allow us to focus on other aspects of a laser tag system.

Based on your suggestions, the Tommy gun w/ drum magazine is looking like a good candidate for the next airsoft > laser tag conversion.

7/8/04 UPDATE
Someone sent us the question "can a realistic toy gun be converted into to a laser tag gun?". We were not sure, so we made one.

One of the more realistic toy guns is the black battery operated M-60 item # 1-1-453 Since this weapon is already battery operated, the conversion was a very straight forward and can be accomplished at a much lower cost. The cost to assemble one of these is approximately 1/2 less than converting an airsoft rifle and can be done within a few hours.

7/5/04 UPDATE
The G36C Prototype Laser Tag Weapon is now complete. This airsoft shell makes a near ideal host for the laser tag components.

Inserting the clip into the gun powers up the weapon

Reset button located underneath the front fore grip

Pulling the working action back reloads the electronic bullets into the gun

The method used to make the electrical connection between the magazine and the gun works very well. Even while running, diving to the ground, quickly moving the gun around...etc the connection is never lost.

See movie demonstrating the G36C laser tag gun [play movie #1]

See movie showing the G36C laser tag gun [play movie #2]

What's Next?
Since we may offer a variety of guns, we will convert a different airsoft gun... Any suggestions on which gun to do next? Take a look at our spring action airsoft guns, choose the weapon you would like to see converted to laser tag, and then let us know. We will pick the most popular choice and make the conversion.

7/2/04 UPDATE
The 2nd M-16 Prototype Laser Tag Weapon is complete, and works even better.

1. The electronics have been placed securely into an enclosure.

2. The batteries have been relocated into the magazine.

3. More reliable electrical connection between the rifle and magazine.

One of the more popular requests has been for a variety of guns. We are currently creating a new set of prototype weapons based on a different airsoft gun. Doing this we hope to further improve the design and construction.... stay tuned more to come.

Your suggestions are always welcome.

6/27/04 UPDATE
Based on the responses so far we are now considering producing these weapons. We have a few ideas that would lower the cost and at the same time improve the design. We may not be publishing the "How-To" guide just yet. Your feedback has been outstanding, please keep it coming. Your suggestions are welcomed.

6/24/04 UPDATE
We now have a working prototype... and it is a blast! The most difficult part was determining the best way to assemble the parts. Once that was determined, the gun came together quickly. With a good set of instructions and a few small tools, you can build this weapon in approximately 1 day.

Here are some photos and movies showing the prototype rifle:

Before:

After (prototype):

Prototype Internals:

See features of the weapon [play movie] . Low quality movie also available for dial-up connections.

See short clip showing rifle [play movie]

Features:

Distance: Approximately 350' feet
Rate of Fire: Fully automatic
Mechanical features: Inserting clip turns on the gun, cocking the gun reloads electronic bullets.
Death: 10 hits and gun stops firing... you are history. (UPDATE: 7/3/04 That previous statement was incorrect. The gun does not stop firing when hit 10 times.. The senor makes a loud sound, flashes, and then the sensor turns off... not the gun)

Future Changes:

1. Add rechargeable batteries and charging adapter in the butt of the rifle.
2. Shorten and mount electronics inside the rifle

What's Next:

1. Create detailed printed instruction guide with photos, parts list, tools list...etc so you can make your own laser tag weapons.

2. Create custom cases for the sensor/vests.

3. Currently, we are using a popular laser tag set for the "guts" of the gun. Thanks to a tip from a customer, we now have source code and schematics for creating laser tag electronics from scratch...more to come.

We would like to know your opinion....

6/17/04 UPDATE
Hat's off to all you out there creating your own realistic laser tag weapons. We are currently soldering, cutting, assembling, and documenting. We should have a working prototype to demonstrate in a few weeks. One of the more popular feature requests has been to make the weapon shoot a far distance. The gun we are creating should have a range of 350' feet. More to come.....

6/7/04 UPDATE
Since we received so much excellent feedback, we are going to build the "ultimate laser tag weapon" based on the feedback you all have provided. The entire process will be documented with pictures and instructions. Here is the data collected so far:

Base the weapon on a 1:1 scale M-16

Laser tag manufactures use different frequencies. This prohibits different brands of laser tag guns from working with each other. Choose a popular and readily available laser tag set for the "guts" of the laser tag weapon.

Removable clip holds batteries, inserting clip starts the weapon

Cocking the gun reloads the electronic bullets

Working select fire between Full and Semi Auto

Inside of the barrel lights up when fired

Use camo vests to hold sensors

Have we overlooked anything? Email us and let us know the features of a laser tag you are looking for.

6/1/04
Are you into laser tag? Do you make your own laser tag weapons?
We could use your advice. We are looking for the ideal airsoft gun to sell as a "shell" for customers who want to make realistic looking laser tag guns. We would first create the laser gun ourselves to test and document the process, then show how it was made on the website. We need your advice to know the different features you are looking for in a custom laser tag gun.

Help us expand and demonstrate this growing pastime to others.

Email us and let us know the features of a laser tag you are

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Custom Laser Tag

Custom Laser Tag