Designed for Home Users
Where the competition may require custom hardware at a custom price, Interactive Gun Range is designed to work with hardware you can buy anywhere. Through our affiliate program, we offer pre-tested high-quality hardware through the Amazon affiliate program, tested by the developers personally, to ensure the best chance of compatibility. Or take the chance and try out what you already have. If it works, let us know!
Five Steps to your own Virtual Shooting Range
Interactive Gun Range requires a computer, a laser dry fire system, a camera, and a display: projector, Matte TV, or computer monitor. I offer pre-approved hardware through the Amazon Affiliate Program on the store page. While I do earn a commission on the products I offer through the site, I selected them because I personally bought each one of them and use them to develop the game every day. Lesser known brands can be cheaper, but may not work, break, or quickly get delisted from Amazon. I originally started with the cheapest products available as a way to save my users money, only to return or replace them.
You need either either the Mantis Dry Fire Laser Training System (for AR-15 style rifles), the Strikeman SIRT pistol or a Strikeman Laser cartridge. The detection algorithm of Interactive Gun Range is directly tied to how bright your laser is, and that is the most most important element to success. I have tested cheaper laser cartridges but they are dim so do not register well with the software. I have also tested cheaper SIRT pistols, but they have a bad trigger feel. While you can use a laser cartridge for daily practice, re-racking the slide after every shot becomes tiresome. In such a case I recommend you buy a CO2 dry fire attachment for your pistol, such as the Coolfire Trainer, although this is not offered through the Amazon affiliate program.
You need a camera, either a webcam or something that is built-in to your computer. The Logitech Brio 301 is affordable and supports the LOGITUNE software. The LOGITUNE software gives you the option to turn off autoexposure, which will give you better results. In addition, a wired or built-in webcam has no latency, resulting in better response times. However, the cable is only about 5 feet long and no extension cable I have found works. The wireless alternative I have tried is the TONGVEO wireless live streaming camera with a range of 50 feet.
You can either use a standard computer monitor connected to your computer, a Matte TV, or a projector. I recommend a projector as this is the largest, most cost effective option that lets you train at a distance against life-sized targets. Any short-throw projector will work. The ViewSonic X1 is costly but very bright and supports wireless. Wireless support is necessary for the mobile version of the game, so this is what I personally use. A more affordable option is the ViewSonic PS502W which should work fine, but does not support wireless. If you want to save money, you can use your computer display. A standard (not Matte) TV does not work well as the reflective display causes the laser light to bounce off and not reach the camera.
Step 4: Room
For best results play in a dim or dark room, with the lights mostly turned off, windows you can cover, and a closed door. Place the projector about 6 feet from the projector screen, low enough you can shoot over it. Place the camera on top of the projector, or mounted on a tripod behind the projector, also low enough you can shoot over it. Your computer can be anywhere, but unless you use a wireless webcam will need to be connected to your camera.
The Most Cost Effective Solution
Commercial Range | Competitor Home Range | |
|---|---|---|
Average Cost | $20,000 | $2,000 |
Designed for Home Users | ||
No Custom Hardware | ||
No Complex Room Setup | ||
Realistic Training Scenarios | ||
Arcade Shooting Scenarios | ||
Affordable |
Interactive Gun Range |
|---|
$500 |