Step into the captivating world of laser tag, where technology blends seamlessly with active enjoyment. Have you ever found yourself wondering, what sci-fi tech makes it work? Unlike conventional toy guns, these guns utilize harmless infrared light to tag opponents.
Let’s delve into the underlying secret that drives this unique experience. We’ll explore how laser tag guns infuse the game with thrill, employing uncomplicated yet effective technology and strategic thinking, creating moments of fun and friendly competition.
So, if you are a beginner, dive into the world of laser tag and discover the fascinating way its system works.
Do Laser Tag Guns Actually Use Lasers?
First off, let’s clear up a common misunderstanding about the laser tag guns used in the game. Many folks think these blasters shoot real laser beams. But despite the name, these fancy toys actually fire really thin beams of invisible infrared light.
I get it – you might be a bit bummed if you were hoping to shoot colorful rays like they do in sci-fi movies. But there’s a good reason they use these IR beams instead of flashy lasers. Let’s dive into why that’s the case.
Why Do Laser Tag Guns Not Use Real Lasers?
THE DANGER TO YOUR EYES: Dealing with actual lasers comes with a super risky situation. When a weak beam gets into your eyes, even for a quick moment, it can mess up things. It’s serious stuff – you could have problems with your eyes.
IR BEAMS CONTAIN DATA: Guess what? The IR beams used by the laser tag system aren’t just regular light. They’re like secret carriers of info. This is how they gather stats after the game, like who tagged who the most or how many takedowns each player got. So, each gun’s infrared light carries special information connected to that gun and the person using it. When you pull that trigger, you’re actually firing beams that hold hidden info in the form of IR light.
REAL LASERS CAN BE DISORIENTING: Finally, let’s talk about the fun part. Playing a tag game with real lasers might not be as cool as it sounds. They can make things confusing and take away from the fun, especially in dim spaces. That’s why those laser tag guns don’t use real lasers. So, just chill out and enjoy the game!
How Does A Laser Tag System Work?
So, we’ve got the scoop that laser tag guns use infrared beams. But why should we care? Although these toys are pretty high-tech, their way of working is actually pretty simple to grasp.
Think of these guns as flashlights, except the beam of light is infrared, which is straight and does not hurt the eyes. When you pull the trigger, your blaster emits a thin and collimated beam of infrared light.
A good laser tag set doesn’t only include the gun – it also has a special vest covered in big infrared sensors placed all over. These sensors do something pretty cool: they catch the infrared light and use it to figure out when you’ve been hit.
When an opponent tags you, i.e., a sensor on your vest receives a shot from a laser gun, you will hear a DINK sound, and your vest will vibrate to let you know. In the case of friendly fire, it will make a DONG sound. The vest would be connected to your blaster, and the latter would be rendered unusable for a short period of time.
The display screen on your gun will also show you how many health points you have left. When you’re out of health points, the laser tag system will send signals, and your vest will begin to vibrate constantly to let you know that you need to head to the respawn zone.
Also Read: Are Different Laser Tag Guns Compatible?
What To Do If Your Laser Tag Gun Is Not Working?
If you’re a beginner, the smart move is to talk to the arena staff right away. Let them know about the problem so they can either sort it out or give you a new set. But, if you’re playing at home, you could give fixing it a shot or try to repair it on your own.
Gun Not Turning On
FIX: If your gun isn’t powering up, first check the batteries. Just like any toy that runs on power, the common reason for a laser toy gun to go silent is if the batteries are drained. Also, it’s possible they’ve been put in the wrong way, which can keep the gun from switching on.
Sound Anomaly
SOLUTION: Issues with the sound of a laser tag system, such as not receiving any or getting distorted noise, could be due to low battery or disconnected speakers. But if the issue sticks around even after you pop in fresh batteries or fully charge the old ones, it’s best to let the experts take a look.
Other Common Issues
Apart from problems that you can resolve by changing the batteries or fixing a connection, most issues would require you to replace a faulty component. Common issues of this kind include jammed triggers, faulty IR sensors, or broken reload buttons which can be resolved by a professional.
Personally, I’ve encountered problems only a couple of times, and both instances were due to low batteries. The arena attendants replaced them, and the gun was good to go with high accuracy and shooting range again.
I hope I’ve been able to answer your questions and explain the functioning of laser tag sets as thoroughly as possible. This shooting game continues to be one of my favorite recreational sports. If you haven’t tried it yet, I’m sure you’ll love it too.
