Do you remember the anticipation and excitement as you first donned your laser tag vest? How about when you got “hit,” and your vest blinked and buzzed?
Laser guns are embedded with an infrared sensor programmed to detect the beam of the opposing team’s laser guns. After being triggered by the enemy gun, haptic vibrators and speakers are activated to help players track their scores.
In this article, we’ll take a look at:
- How laser tag vests work
- What’s inside a laser tag vest
- If you need a laser tag vest
- How to wear a laser tag vest
Let’s get started!
Contents
What is a laser tag vest?
Laser tag vests are electronic gear that is connected to a phaser. These are connected to a centralized computer system that helps to:
- Determine laser tag scenario or mode
- Keep score
What are the parts of a tag vest?
Laser tag vests are usually made of highly durable odor and sweat-resistant material. High-end vests are usually made of leather.
Since kids and adults alike enjoy laser tag, most vests are designed to fit all customers! This is thanks to an adjustable waist belt and straps that are light and easy to secure.
There are three essential components for laser vest technology:
- Sensors
- Haptic vibrators
- Speakers
Sensors
Sensors are usually made of polycarbonate, which is durable and resistant to impact.
There are about four or five sensors located in “hit zones” on your vest. Generally, they’d be located on your chest, back, and shoulders.
Each time an enemy laser gun hits you, the sensors in laser tag vests will detect the player who did the damage, what team they’re from, and how many points you lost.
You know just as much as we do, how fast a round of laser tag can get intense! There’s a lot of ducking, crawling, and diving.
Make sure that you remind your kids (and yourself) to be mindful of the sensors! The last thing you want is to damage the sensors and pay up.
Haptic Vibrators
Ever wondered what makes laser tag vests buzz?
Each time an opponent tags your vest, their haptic vibrators will buzz. This makes it easy for you to locate your enemy and get your sweet revenge!
Haptic vibrators are activated every time a player tags your vest. They’re generally located in the “hit zones” and catch the same frequencies as sensors do.
Vest Speakers
While you might think that speakers aren’t important to gameplay, they’re the secret to having a strategic game!
Speakers help all players get situated about the status of the game with “You’ve shot Player X, minus 20 points” or “The game will end in 2 minutes.”
Speakers are usually located on the shoulders.
How does a laser tag vest detect when a laser tag gun shoots you?
Before we can answer this question, let’s back-track to an important concept in laser tag technology –– LED infrared light.
Your laser gun emits infrared light beams. Each infrared beam is programmed to have a unique digital code and tone frequency to get your player identification.
Once the sensors in your vest are hit, it informs the centralized computer that keeps track of the scoreboard!
Amazing, right?
Should I wear a laser tag vest?
Some laser tag companies are choosing to move laser tag vest sensors to laser tag guns.
While this may be better for some arenas and players, many still want to keep laser tag vests a fixture in the games.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of wearing a laser tag vest.
Pros and Cons of Laser Tag Vests
Laser Tag Vest Pros
Very responsive: Because of the number of sensors you can place on a vest, it hits the register fast!
Interesting gameplay: Let’s face it, players are inclined to shoot the enemy on the chest or torso. You’d be missing the realistic feel and thrill of shooting your opponents strategically. If you’re a fan of paintball or airsoft, it won’t be fun to try and target your enemy’s gun!
Battle gear: Vesting is an experience in itself! Kids and adults alike love to feel like they’re getting ready for battle. Gearing up with your laser tag vest will make you feel like a total badass! We also love that some laser tag vests add practical and aesthetic value with camouflage patterns that make the game more realistic.
More protection: Aside from giving you that realistic battle-ready feel, laser tag vests offer some level of protection. Especially since you’ll be crawling on the floor or diving, you’d want an extra layer of protection.
Laser Tag Vest Cons
Expensive: Professional laser tag vests can be very expensive. This can definitely drive up the cost of 15 minutes of laser tag at the arena. We can see why many players would go with cheaper laser tag games.
Heavy and bulky: While most laser tag vests are designed to be lightweight, some can also weigh as much as eight to ten pounds. Since laser tag is a physically demanding activity, you can start to feel the toll of this extra weight after more than one round of laser tag. For some players, especially children, playing without a vest allows more movement.
Wearing your Laser Tag Vest: Tips for a Fun and Safe Game
Laser tag vests make going into battle with your friends more fun and realistic!
However, we do want to remind you to follow a few laser tag vest rules for a fun and safe game:
- No physical contact: while vests offer some protection, the padding is minimal and is not designed to take on heavy blows.
- No blocking of sensors: since vests use infrared technology, points won’t be accurate if you cover your “hit zones” by cheating. Now you know why it’s a foul move to try and cover your sensors!
- No food and drinks: this includes candy and gum –– remember that you’ll be moving a lot, and the last thing we want is for anyone to get hurt. Spilling anything on your vest or gun can also cost you around $50 to $200 for repairs!
Conclusion – Laser Tag Vest Technology
Here’s what most people forget: laser tag vests are just as important as laser guns!
Laser tag vests use sensors to detect infrared beams from your laser gun to detect hits and players. They’re essential for keeping track of the scoreboard!
While they’re expensive and restrict movement, laser tag vests create an irreplaceable realistic and battle-ready feel to a round of laser tag!
What are you waiting for?
Grab your laser tag vest, and let’s get ready to vest up!