Progress > Congress

Worked last night with the help of some friends on some laser tag gear.  Thought I'd share some of that here.  In lieu of mother nature making things unbearably hot, we cancelled our laser tag game for Monday Night and had a Mod Night instead, where friends of this hobby get together and pool our resources to work on stuff.

Lens-less

I just finished reading up Urban Tagger's incredibly in-depth review of Light Strike as I try to wrap my head around this new system.  There are things I like and dislike about it and I think one of my main problems is that blaster aesthetics are a big bias of mine.  Let's face it... when you're used to using blasters like this and this, going with a Paper Jamz blaster is less than desirable.  I've tried really hard to keep that factor at bay as I read reviews on it and try to gauge this system for myself without having access to purchasing it just yet.

The big issue I keep coming back to is range... or lack thereof in blasters.  Even if it wasn't the most technologically advanced laser tag system ever, if there's one good thing we saw from the Laser Challenge brand, it was great lenses and range.  The legendary Laser Challenge V2 Firestorm's lens (which can achieve ranges that exceed 1000 ft) has been regarded by Mike Yates as the best consumer-grade produced lens in a laser tag blaster.  That's saying a LOT from a guy who can build his own optics and is known for his excellent custom blasters at CTDYNE.  Several of his blasters are actually built around this epic lens, including the V-206 Maverick.

Now I know what you're going to say.  "What's the big deal of range if you're playing indoors."  And while I realize that the main focus of Light Strike is indoors, you can still at least put a lens on it.  Take the LTX or LTTO line for example.  These systems work excellent indoors and are accurate (unlike LC, which tends to spray IR everywhere indoors).  They have very focused lenses in them that allow them to achieve great accuracy.  However, these lenses also give them considerable range, which allows for them to be used outdoors as well.  I'm sure the idea of kids playing with guns OUTSIDE is much more desirable for mom and dad's nice priddy home... not to mention, outdoor laser tag is my preferred setting.

Laser Tag without lenses?  It just seems silly to me.

Milk was a Bad Choice!

It's so hot out!  Hot enough to warrant the OLCA cancelling the normal Monday-night weekly laser tag game 3 days early due to a heat advisory that is expected to peak on Monday.  With all this heat, I've been kind of glad that I delved a bit into Super Soakers.  More folks have been taking advantage of our pool in our backyard and soaker wars have broken out as a result.

My "Endless Thunderstorm" has become quite popular and I've been asked several times to make a tutorial for it.  Truth be told, it's pretty easy!

1. Separate both halves of the Thunderstorm.
2. Purchase a cheap Hydration Backpack
3. Cut the end off of the Hydration bladder's tube.
4. Connect the tube to the intake valve (where the clip used to attach)
5. Seal the connection with Teflon Tape.

Like I said, pretty easy.  I might take it apart and do some pictures later, but it's too hot out and I'd rather enjoy the pool for the moment!

As a result of the game getting cancelled this Monday, I am having friends over to swim, soak, and have a bit of a Mod Night later.  Should be fun!  I'm planning on finally finishing the LTX DMR too!

M41A Pulse Rifle

Work has finally resumed on this project that I started in September of 2009.  I realize that many of you are unfamiliar with this work, so I created a quick video to get you up to speed with what this project is all about.

More details of what has already been done will be coming, mixed in with new aspects of this project as it rolls along.

Modified by Bazookafied

First of all, Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans.  Happy "You lost your Colonies" day to you too, Great Britain!

Wanted to give you guys a bit of a glimpse of what myself and a few other friends of mine have been working on.  We met this past Friday for a "Mod Night" and dug in to some serious Laser Tag work.  Here's a few shots of things we got around to.

A Raider that Sundawg is converting to a Laser Challenge Blaster.
That's an LCD screen with an ammo counter built-into where the clip used to go.

Did a lot of work on my Pulse Rifle.  Video coming soon!

Here's an Arduino board designed for use as a Laser Challenge-compatible blaster

How annoying!

So I awoke this morning to the sound of rain on my window and light rumbles of thunder.  Today is the day of our 6th Annual "Independence Eve Blast" and we were expected to see record turnout.  I hope this rain clears out and gives our park some drying time.  If all else fails, I suppose we could just have the cookout/do away with the games... but I wanna SHOOT people to celebrate this country's independence!

IEB #5, 2010 Turnout

Halfway Point

The OLCA has successfully made it halfway through their 6th Summer Season of Laser Tag.  With 7 games under their belt (would've been 8 had it not been for Mother Nature), this Season is shaping up to be another great one!  Average attendance has slipped a little bit from last year, but I think the strangely warm temperature that happen to fall on Mondays has put a bit of a dent in turnout.  The highest attendance this season has been 28.