Laser tag is rarely (if ever) referred to as “The Sport of Kings”, but is a fun pastime nonetheless. While some are content to play with off-the-shelf toys, others prefer to make their own gear to suit their needs. [Heine Nielsen] is just one such builder, creating a fully-featured laser rifle loaded with features.
As far as hardware goes, [Heine]’s laser rifle is packed to the gills. There are two ESP32s running the show, along with a meaty 6S lithium battery to provide plenty of juice for long combat sessions. A 40W audio amp is hooked up to a speaker mounted in a faux-grenade launcher, aping the design of the M203 – and is able to deliver ear-splitting sound for that realistic touch.
Knowing the popularity of modern FPS games, [Heine] cribbed a lot from titles like PUBG and CS:GO. Grabbing sound effects from various weapons was just one step, with the ultimate goal being to replicate advanced game modes from these games. To help keep the player aware of the game state, there’s even a HUD on the gun, thanks to a 2.8″ TFT screen tucked into the scope.
It’s a serious build for playing serious laser tag, and we’d love to head out to the field for a match with gear like this. We’ve seen other hyper-realistic builds before too, like this one that uses actual blanks. Video after the break.
Really this metal sharp on the end? With our play style we would be without eyes and with lot of injuries after first play :D
it’s 3D printed Pla not metal
Hmmm, so best to add a bayonet mount for when the batteries run out then?
hehe, well so far the battery’s will give you many hours, and that is even with the B- grade cells from hoverboard.
Recoil uses very little in this setup, new version of recoil om doing will add more power draw, but this will be very different then the solenoid kicker in the stock as in this version
Still it’s too sharp and hard :)
But it’s true that we play pretty quick game. Lot of other people play more a “camping” style…
Anyway it’s nice work. On which system do you use it?
System?, how it’s made or the laser system?
I run an annual tactical combat laser tag league and – that gun barrel looks awesome, but we are effectively fast moving battering rams with metal spikes pointing at each others head sensors. Small injuries each year would be much worse with spike/sharp design.
well again it is 3D print, and barrel only has to have the laser inside so can be made very different, this was just a fun tip to put onto it, other version i made has LED’s there to to light up the front tip
Im the creator of this laser rifle (work in progress), feel free to ask questions :)
Does this weapon bear the Emperor’s seal of approval?
Not enough purity seals.
Are you going to open source the design and firmware? I really like the project and would want to build a few
Plans will be posted on patreon for as little as 1$ a month, please consider joining as all the things i make i use a lot of $ on, i have a high standard on the stuff i make and this often req getting a lot of stuff home and a lot of prototyping
Have you ever thought about mounting a directional speaker (using an ultrasonic transducer array) to project impact sounds to wherever the laser hits? (For proper timing, what about setting up the laser as a distance measurer?)
What’s the range? How’s said range in sunlight? And my final question; what IR emitter are you using, and is the red dot seen in your video a separate marker, or the actual spot where the laser hits?
I’m trying to build my own laser tag guns, but love the guns. Oh and I forgot, how did you incorporate the barrel to light up when fired? And the see through display to look through when firing?
Sorry for all the questions, but this thing looks incredible!
This is very cool. Is the targets going to be something you put on you?
Planned Targets so far:
Ring/torso targets with point counters (also wireless transfer to score computer or weapon).
Remote targets that light up indicating when to shoot them, scoring + time to react.
“Plates” to put on cars for Death Race (my main thing i want to do ;) )
Suits with detection all around + body workout pads to shock you in hit area.
Already done Remote fire (single/burst/auto) via Bluetooth app, just need to add timing so 2 rifles connected can fire async (0-99% timing adjustable), this will be a later video to show that
now you need to add trajectory simulation so it won’t shoot straight like… umm… well… laser. Maybe some weather station connected to central unit that accounts for wind changes and sudden gusts of wind. On short CQB it doesnt matter but on field play more than couple of meters trajectory is main factor and wind is factor to consider.
It’s Laser Tag, not airsoft
anything can be a milsim if you tacticool hard enough.
Have been thinking about something to simulate bullet drop and that might be possible in the upgraded system, the rifles will be in a few versions depending on what kind of “action” is needed, more on that later :)
What kind of detectors do you plan to use for receiving hits?
Also, how about a PIR activated ‘claymore’ mine? Step in front of sensor and *BAM*, burst of light = player hit…
Going with up to 3 kinds of detection systems depending on application, simple to pretty advanced.
Like the idea of claymor’s, but like hand-grenades this will require tracking to limit splash damage
To bad you can’t add a stunner embedded into a cheat guard to stun you when hit. Or daze you for a wound. It will help with the” naugh you missed “. Pukes out there. A little realism in the game.
blinking light on top of ones head solves that.
well for the suits for people there will be TENS pads (electric muscle stimulation), and wepons have enough sound slots also to add screams and hit sounds :)
Still nobody has integrated a TENS unit?
I’m stunned.
Or maybe a dog shock collar: already mostly of the way there in terms of remote triggering, adjustable pulses etc.
Goggles that changes it’s opacity based on your current HP will also be a nice addition. This way the person shot is given visual confirmation (or lack thereof) that he/she is dead, or have low HP.
Well be as juddy stated, TENS unit, this will “shock” you and if hit will make it much harder to return fire, recoil will also be upgraded in the next version.
TactialNinja, yes have also been looking into adding HUD in helmet to display health and whatever else is needed, besides that rifles will emit hit sounds and screams when hit is detected on player + TENS pads
Aliens Movie Sounds!
I want the Smart Gun and Pulse Rifle Sounds :-)
https://avp.fandom.com/wiki/M56_Smartgun
https://avp.fandom.com/wiki/M41A_Pulse_Rifle
Alien vs Marines is a game mode that is planned ;), really fun to see people in a dark forest and hopefully with particle disturbance detector, other players (aliens) objectives is to touch player to kill player.
Will have to design xenomorph suits with some kind of sound system to simulate the alien sounds so people will shit them self’s when hearing those sounds all around ;)