Great laser tag players are quick, have great aim, and are wonderful team players. However, it’s not just a great player that wins the game, it’s also a great laser tag gun.
With that in mind, just how accurate are laser tag guns? Is it all about the player’s aim, or can you get away with blaming the equipment for a bad shot every now and then?
Keep reading to learn what to expect for a laser tag gun!
Contents
Things That Affect Accuracy
It would be incredible if you were able to tag someone every time you shot. However, that is not the case.
To start, let’s break down how a laser tag gun works. The equipment uses invisible infrared light beams.
The guns emit these beams to communicate with the other guns or laser tag vests. When the piece of equipment picks up that beam, it counts it as a tag.
Think about how a remote control works, laser tag equipment uses the same technology. So, when we talk about accuracy in laser tag, knowing how laser tag works, and how to use it to your advantage, is essential.
Distance
Distance is the most important factor in getting a good shot. It is easier to aim at a player if they are closer, so inching towards your target as much as possible is key. The range of a laser tag gun depends on your equipment, which we’ll get into more later on.
Location of Vest
When playing laser tag, your goal isn’t to shoot other players, the goal is to tag their vests, arm guards, or the sensors in their guns. You have to consider how well the infrared light in your gun is going to reach your opponent’s sensor.
Arm guards can be particularly annoying to try to tag, and they may make it seem like you don’t have very good aim. In reality, it can be difficult to tag someone when you can only tag one side of their body.
In our opinion, the best laser tag vests are ones that go over the chest and have sensors in the back and front. This way, everyone gets a fair shot at tagging each other, and they don’t have to rely on what position their opponent is in.
Playing at Night
Not all laser tag guns work at night, so considering what time it is when playing is important.
All laser tag guns will state whether they are suitable for nighttime use. If they aren’t clearly labeled for all-day use, assume they will not work in the evening.
On the bright side, playing at night might actually help your accuracy since the red ‘beam’ coming from the laser tag gun will be more visible. Don’t worry though, the light is purely aesthetic, so your gun will still work fine without the visual cue.
Playing Indoors
One reason people like to play outside or in a large, empty venue is that there aren’t a lot of obstacles to get in the way. When you play laser tag indoors, the sensors may not pick up on the signals the laser tag guns are sending.
Furniture or walls may retract or absorb the beams, which can be annoying. If you choose to play indoors, we suggest you play in a room without very much furniture in it.
At the same time, it is fun to be able to hide behind sofas and jump over tables. You may just not get the accuracy you like. Just think about what will make the game most enjoyable for you and your teammates, then go from there!
Size
The size of your laser tag gun is important to consider when trying to get the best accuracy. Young children will have a hard time carrying larger laser equipment, so consider the size of guns before purchasing them.
Many laser tag guns will tell you what ages they are suitable for, and whether they are okay for smaller hands. So make sure to check for that!
What is the range of laser tag guns?
The range of a laser tag gun depends on its quality, price, and what environment it was meant to be used for.
More affordable laser tag guns for children to use in the garden may have a range of around 200 feet. That may not sound like a lot, but if the guns are only for children under 12 in a medium-sized backyard, it should be plenty.
On the other side of the spectrum, professional laser tag guns can have a shooting range of up to 1000 feet. That’s nearly far enough for you to shoot anyone in sight. There are even some laser tag guns that come with lenses to extend the range even further.
Naturally, laser tag guns with 1000 feet range will be pricer, but well worth it if you’re looking to play the sport in a large terrain, or are trying to take your games to the next level. Think about how incredible it would be to tag an opponent from 1000 feet away.
Accuracy Scopes
If you really want to up your accuracy, you can buy accuracy scopes to go on the end of your laser tag gun.
ArmoGear Laser Tag Indoor Accuracy Scope Set
This set of four accuracy scopes screw onto the end of ArmoGear Laser Battle guns and are a tech-free way to improve accuracy. They make playing indoors easier, since false hits may happen inside when the infrared beams can bounce off furniture.
Customers have seen a significant difference in playing with these simple scopes, and highly recommend them to others looking to get more out of their gear. They’re also great because they are super affordable!
One downside is that they may fall off every now and then because they aren’t very well secured to the laser tag gun. However, this can easily be fixed with some tape or even a bit of glue if you’re committed to using the scope every time you play.
DIY Version
If you don’t have the ArmoGear Laser Battle guns or the product doesn’t ship to your country, we have a very simple DIY alternative. This may not look as snazzy as the plastic black and orange attachment, but it still works.
Take a toilet paper or paper towel tube and tape it to the end of your gun. We know, it doesn’t sound like it would work, but that cardboard barrier helps guide the infrared beam and makes your shot more accurate.
We’re sure you could also use any other hollow tube, as long as it can be firmly attached to the gun and sticks out straight. A bit of garden hose would also work well.
The great part about DIYing is that if it doesn’t work, you didn’t invest that much money or time into it. It’s a risk-free way of upgrading your equipment.
Ready, Aim, Fire!
No one wants to play laser tag with inaccurate equipment, so consider the factors we mentioned when planning a game to get the most out of the experience. At the end of the day, the range of your equipment will determine how you’ll be playing. We recommend checking the range on your laser tag guns and deciding if you want to invest in accuracy scopes.
Consider the size of your venue, and who’s using the laser tag guns, too. You might not need a very far range for children running around the backyard!
We’d also love to hear if you try the nifty toilet paper roll trick! Could you tell the difference when playing? Have you tried it out with any other materials? Let us know!
Finally, if you’re planning a laser tag game for children, please make sure the guns are sized appropriately. Some laser tag guns are life-sized and will be nearly impossible for children under 10 to handle.
Have fun working on your aim, and good luck!