Steradian Laser TagAnytime, Anywhere
Laser Tag: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is laser tag safe?
A: Absolutely. Steradian equipment doesn’t actually use real lasers. Instead, Steradian laser tag is based on infrared (IR) light. IR is the same as normal light, but with a longer wavelength that is harmless to human eyes. We use an IR LED (Light Emitting Diode) to generate an IR beam that is detected by the Sunband sensor; this is similar to the IR beams and sensors used in TV remote controls. The worst chance of getting hurt when playing laser tag is by tripping and falling.
Q: Why is it called “laser tag” if you don’t use real lasers?
A: The name appears to have stuck because “LED tag” just didn't sound as cool! Since real lasers are dangerous, though, it’s probably for the best that “laser tag” is just a name.
Q: Are there annual payments or franchise fees?
A: The LaserTagScores.com website does have a $500 per year subscription fee. The fee covers your personalized LaserTagScores page. This includes complete score records of every game played at your field, available for online viewing by your customers at any time. Your LaserTagScores.com subscription also includes downloadable firmware upgrades for the guns and updates to the Chimera System games.
There are no continuing franchise fees for the equipment itself; once you purchase the equipment, you own it. We are an equipment manufacturer, not a business franchiser. There are companies that offer franchises to help provide you with sample business plans and field management techniques, but that is entirely your option.
The ONLY continuing cost (aside from out-of-warranty repairs) is the $500 annual subscription for LaserTagScores.com
Q: What types of feedback do the guns provide?
A: When hit, lights on the SunBand modules flash and a sound effect plays on the gun. The S-7X and S-7 TE guns also have a vibrational feedback when shooting. The E400X and S-7X guns play a confirmation sound (“Nice Shot!”) when a hit is scored.
Q: Will the guns work indoors?
A: Yes. Every gun comes with a lens reducer which lowers the power of the gun to a suitable level for indoor use. The one thing you need to pay attention to for any indoor system is lighting. Some compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and large dimmable florescent lamps cause interference with electro-optical devices. Standard fluorescents work fine, as do high-pressure sodium and other standard indoor lighting systems.
Q: Do all toy guns need to have orange muzzle tips?
A: Federal regulations require that all gun-like toys sold or transported in the United States be marked with blaze orange at the end of the barrel (see CFR 15 sec 1150 for details).
Q: What do I do if a gun needs repairs?
A: If your gun needs to be sent in for repairs, call or e-mail us, and we’ll set up an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) for you. The RMA number lets us know you are sending guns to us, and ensures that your shipment is properly handled when it arrives. If we need additional information (such as a more detailed description of a specific malfunction) we will contact you.
Game Management
Q: How big does the play area need to be, to make for good play?
A: This depends on the type of game you want to play. You can have a good game on an area as small as a backyard with some barriers. This leads to a very fast-paced, tactical type of game very similar to paint ball's "speedball". With just a roll of Reflex Barriers, you can run a complete mobile business out of a single car, setting up games virtually anywhere.
On the other hand, if you want to have a more strategic game that's more of a military simulation you'll want more area with more natural cover. In this case, you'll probably want several acres of land to give the teams plenty of area to maneuver in. You may need more if the area is very flat or open (not very many trees or bushes to hide behind). The goal is to have the teams start out of sight of each other so they can setup their strategy freely at the start of the game.
The important thing is that the field provides enough cover to allow the players to maneuver around with some degree of safety (so long as they’re careful). The smaller the field is, the more cover it requires. In addition to natural cover and Reflex Barriers, you can also build your own cover using materials of your choice (although it’s always important to keep safety in mind). Read more at the “Making a Field” page.
Alternative game types that center less around running and more on memory and interaction may only require a small room, and are better for rainy days or mobility-impaired customers.
Q: What prevents players pressing the buttons on guns to change configuration, add a life or get more ammo etc?
A: The guns can only be configured using the operator’s laptop computer via the LaserTagScores.com site. The operator’s game management screen is password-protected, preventing anyone else from changing settings.
If a player unplugs their SunBand in an attempt to stop taking hits, the gun locks and plays a loud warning beep until the SunBand is plugged back in.
Q: If you set the hit points to 10 (for example) and the player takes 10 hits, does the gun turn off until the operator reinitializes it?
A: Yes. When the operator starts a new game, the guns will all automatically reset and reactivate.
Q: How easily and quickly can the guns be reconfigured?
A: You can reconfigure a gun to play a different preloaded game nearly instantly using the LaserTagScores.com control panel. If you need to upload a new game to your guns, this will take a minute or two, but the upload can be sent to all your guns at the same time.
Q: Can we give players a post-game analysis?
A: Yes. As players score points, the LaserTagScores.com website is updated with scoring data as well as game events (such as who shot whom, and when). After the game, players can gather round the operator to view the scoreboard, or they can use their smartphones or computers to access the post-game data. They can then share those scores over Facebook, Twitter, or Google+
Q: How do I run games using LaserTagScores.com if I don’t have an internet connection at my venue?
A: LaserTagScores.com features an Offline Mode that allows you to run games from your computer even when you don’t have an internet connection (for example, if you’re playing out in the countryside). All game modes are available in Offline Mode. When in Offline Mode, player scores can be viewed on the game manager’s computer, but are not accessible via the internet. However, all scores are tracked and saved on your computer, and are automatically uploaded to the LaserTagScores.com website the next time your computer connects to the Internet. At that point, players can access their scores on the internet as normal.
Q: How is data sent between the guns, computer, and internet?
A: The guns use a wireless RF signal to send a constant stream of data back to the operator’s computer. This happens automatically throughout the game. At the same time, the data is passed on through your internet connection to the LaserTagScores.com website, so that scores are live on the web as the hits are made. In Offline Mode, there’s no internet connection, so scoring data is instead saved on the computer’s hard drive, and is uploaded when the computer is reconnected to the internet.
LaserTagScores.com
Q: Can anyone access my LaserTagScores.com page?
A: Anyone can visit your LaserTagScores.com page to view the scores. However, all settings and game functions are password-protected. Players are listed by number, so their identity is only known by which gun they used when playing.
Q: Is there a way to delete a game record from LaserTagScores.com?
A: Yes. There is a function on the operator’s management screen to delete a game record.