I wanted to give you guys a long-awaited update. For those of you who have no idea what this is about or haven't heard this topic at all, I want to do a review of a laser tag system called Light Strike. There are lots of reviews out there, plenty of good ones amongst the crapier ones, and there's no shortage of information. The fact is, I had all the guns in April, but we've been moving, and then, once I found my video camera, it turns out that I have no idea how to get the video from the camera onto the computer, which is a problem, as I want the review to be posted on Youtube, so it'll get more hits and might get the WowWee Electronics company a little more aware of the accessibility stuff. When I posted on their Facebook wall and said I was blind as part of a little criticism about a product, they seemed eager about getting more prespective.
Basically, I will happily give you guys a review of this awesome system as soon as I can figure out a way to actually do the review. I don't really want to use a phone camera, as that's not gonna give good picture or sound. If you guys want to have something that's videoless put up on Youtube, I can do it, but it's gonna be sad and lonely. If you want me to write something down for you guys, I can do that as well, but again, it seems a little hit or miss. As a note, there are currently several retailers that have good deals on the stuff at the moment in the U.S. Wal-Mart has the guns for a little less than usual, although nothing spectacular, Toys R Us has some stuff for really rather cheap, which is rare enough, and Target is running some excellent deals on the accessories, and there's always EBay. Laser Tag, by the way, is a great way to improve your hand ear coordination. I play games and score plenty of wins too, and I even target shoot with using the I.T.S. a sort of battlefield turret. It's not hard to make the guns and game a workably accessible experience. Keep me posted as to just what you guys want me to do, and that's what will happen. Signed: Dakotah Rickard On 1/15/12, Dakotah Rickard <dakotah.rick...@gmail.com> wrote: > Ok. Considering that I'll probably be able to grab up all the various > guns pretty soon, I'll review the rifles, then the pistols, then > accessories and attachments as I can. The first review I have will > probably actually be on basic gameplay with no tech data beyond the > basics needed to play with any gun and setup. It'll be basically a > "learn game sounds" style review with game objective and mechanics > laid out as neatly as possible. > > Signed: > Dakotah Rickard > > On 1/10/12, Charles Rivard <wee1s...@fidnet.com> wrote: >> I don't mind waiting for a full review. I like the idea of separate >> podcasts for rifles and pistols, and one being a game overview, but >> however >> you choose to do it will be OK. >> >> --- >> Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Dakotah Rickard" <dakotah.rick...@gmail.com> >> To: "Gamers Discussion list" <gamers@audyssey.org> >> Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 7:42 PM >> Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Laser Tag >> >> >>> Turns out, guys, that I was wrong about the Phoenix LTX. Hasbro >>> released it as the Phoenix, then Nerf, which is a subdivision of >>> Hasbro, took it over and resold it without the neat accessories as >>> something else, something along the lines of the Nerf Two-player >>> battle system, but then they discontinued it. In short, if you want >>> one of these, get it second-hand. >>> >>> Also, if you search for laser tag, you'll find a lot of stuff. Most of >>> it sucks. Don't buy it. >>> Essentially, stick with Light Strike. Yeah, it may not be the very >>> best ever made, but it's really pretty good, and it's got a lot of >>> roleplay value too. I'll point that out when I get the podcasts done, >>> as I don't really feel like bugging my wife into making the youtube >>> video look decent. >>> >>> That brings me to another point. Unless I get strangely lucky and I >>> can get ahold of a pistol early, it'll be at least April before I have >>> all three rifles and all three pistols. Right now, I have all three >>> rifles, and I could review them, but I want to know what you guys >>> want. >>> >>> Either I can do an individual podcast on each specific piece of >>> equipment, as well as a sort of introductory podcast to the game, or I >>> could just do a podcast on the game, then a podcast on the rifles, >>> then a podcast on the pistols, then the rifle accessories as they >>> arrive, and so forth. >>> the advantage to the podcasts being on each piece of equipment is that >>> you could jump to the piece of equipment that you have, or whatever >>> you are considering purchasing. If I do it combined, I'll probably be >>> more brief since there's more to cover, and it'll be a little easier >>> to take it in all at once, but there's still the haphazard nature of >>> the thing, doing the podcasts as the new stuff arrives. >>> >>> Finally, I could just wait until I have everything, including vests >>> and the I.T.S., a turret device, and then release it all at once as >>> either one huge podcast or as a huge project of them. The thing is, >>> it'll probably be at least June before that happens. Good, because >>> people will be more likely to be able to go outside in comfortable >>> clothes to play. Bad, because you guys may not like the idea of >>> waiting. >>> >>> Please get back to me on what you all prefer. >>> >>> Signed: >>> Dakotah Rickard >>> >>> On 1/1/12, fred olver <goodfo...@charter.net> wrote: >>>> This Lazer Tag thing sounds great. I think it could turn out to be a >>>> great >>>> way to introduce blind folks to gaming. >>>> >>>> Fred Olver >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> From: "Dakotah Rickard" <dakotah.rick...@gmail.com> >>>> To: "Gamers Discussion list" <gamers@audyssey.org> >>>> Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 8:20 PM >>>> Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Laser Tag >>>> >>>> >>>>> Ok, would you guys prefer something long written and detailed or >>>>> spoken and detailed? >>>>> If you guys want a decent review, there's plenty on youtube, like I >>>>> said, but I'd be willing to do another especially for us and from our >>>>> perspective with our needs. >>>>> >>>>> Either way, I'll try for conciseness, if you guys want, or I can just >>>>> write. >>>>> >>>>> Either way, I want to give you guys as much info as I can. As I said >>>>> also, I'm not buying the LTX, because I'm going to buy all the Light >>>>> Strike I can. >>>>> Obviously, the LTX stuff will have less of a review attached to it. >>>>> >>>>> Nerf bought stuff out from under that laser tag company and changed a >>>>> few things. I honestly can't remember what they changed. >>>>> >>>>> However, I'll do what I can. >>>>> >>>>> Signed: >>>>> Dakotah Rickard >>>>> >>>>> On 12/31/11, Charles Rivard <wee1s...@fidnet.com> wrote: >>>>>> While I probably wouldn't buy them they are interesting to read >>>>>> about, >>>>>> so >>>>>> >>>>>> if >>>>>> you want to do a more in depth review, I'd be interested. This would >>>>>> be >>>>>> a >>>>>> great article or two for the Audyssey magazine! >>>>>> >>>>>> --- >>>>>> Shepherds are the best beasts, but Labs are a close second. >>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>>> From: "Dakotah Rickard" <dakotah.rick...@gmail.com> >>>>>> To: "Gamers Discussion list" <gamers@audyssey.org> >>>>>> Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 7:07 PM >>>>>> Subject: [Audyssey] Laser Tag >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> All right, folks. I'm bringing this up because of personal interest, >>>>>>> because this is a gaming list, not necessarily just computers, and >>>>>>> because I seriously think some folks would find this interesting. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> When I was a kid, I loved playing Lazer Tag, that's with a z and >>>>>>> it's >>>>>>> branded. My brothers and I had loads of fun shooting at each other, >>>>>>> and they didn't always win, either. My set was basically just a >>>>>>> couple >>>>>>> of blasters that you velcroed onto your arm with a trigger and a >>>>>>> button, with which you had unlimited ammo, a huge blast you could >>>>>>> only >>>>>>> use once, and a shield button that gave you a dinky five second >>>>>>> protection from damage and sounded somewhat like a washing machine >>>>>>> on >>>>>>> overload. The health meter beeped at a certain rate to let you know >>>>>>> how banged up you were, and the whole thing was so simple that to >>>>>>> call >>>>>>> it accessible is a joke, because it wasn't complicated enough to be >>>>>>> unaccessible. >>>>>>> A lot of my friends played Laser Challenge, which was nearly as >>>>>>> accessible, but it was incompatible with my gun, so we never really >>>>>>> played together, and why should a parent by another perfectly good >>>>>>> laser tag system. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Well, Lazer Tag with a z and Laser Challenge all kind of flopped >>>>>>> away >>>>>>> like used fads, not for me but for average consumers. I've been >>>>>>> looking online for decent laser tag style stuff for years, now, with >>>>>>> little success, unless I wanted to pay out the nose on Ebay or >>>>>>> Amazon. >>>>>>> However, in the space of just a month or so, I struck gold. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My mom actually pointed out the product while we were talking about >>>>>>> toys I might get for my kids, just as a neat little thought. She >>>>>>> didn't know how meaningful it was for me. She told me about Light >>>>>>> Strike laser tag, a new system from WowWee toys, a reputable >>>>>>> company, >>>>>>> most recently, before Light Strike, known for Paper Jams products. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> While researching this awesome system, I came across the Phoenix >>>>>>> LTX, >>>>>>> now the Nerf Two-Player Laser Battle System, yet another relatively >>>>>>> new system based on an older, more expensive platform. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm going to give a very brief overview of what I found from both >>>>>>> systems, and what I want to know is do any people on this list care >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> have me do a more extensive review, possibly in podcast or youtube >>>>>>> form, of the light Strike stuff, which I've actually handled and am >>>>>>> in >>>>>>> the process of purchasing? I can add to the plethora of reviews out >>>>>>> there, but mine would add a few from the blind perspective. If you >>>>>>> like, let me know. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Anyway, I'll tell you about the Phoenix first, then I'll write on >>>>>>> Light Strike, then I'll compare and contrast. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The Phoenix LTX, which I'll shorten to LTX, is a roughly $70 U.S. >>>>>>> set >>>>>>> of two pistol-style laser guns. They have a Nerf sort of look to >>>>>>> them, >>>>>>> according to friends I've asked. They host switches and sliders to >>>>>>> control any functions for setting up a game, unusual in an age of >>>>>>> buttons and touchscreens. the LTX supports up to three different >>>>>>> teams, although the older, no longer produced, LTTO system adds >>>>>>> functionality and complexity. The guns feature a built-in recoil >>>>>>> simulating hammer that wiggles the weapon when fired, and reloading >>>>>>> feels more interactive, as you release a false clip and then smack >>>>>>> it >>>>>>> back into the grip of the weapon. The only other control is the >>>>>>> shield >>>>>>> trigger, located near the firing trigger, which allows you to burst >>>>>>> your limited shield throughout play. It may or may not, research is >>>>>>> inconclusive, come with a shotgun accessory for each gun and a scope >>>>>>> accessory for each gun by default. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> the Light Strike guns come in two different sets, Strikers which are >>>>>>> like pistols, and Assault Strikers which are like carbines. the >>>>>>> pistols and carbines are also divided up into Orange, Yellow, and >>>>>>> Red >>>>>>> sets, which are Human, Robot, and Alien respectively. These >>>>>>> variances >>>>>>> affect the styling of the weapons, arrangement of buttons, and voice >>>>>>> of the weapon, but have no effect on function, besides comfort with >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> particular style of grip and button arrangement. The Strikers, the >>>>>>> pistol form, are about $25 U.S., while the Assault Strikers, the >>>>>>> carbines, are about $35, with accessories running from $10 to $14, >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> $25 for the targeting vests and automated turret, the I.T.S. which >>>>>>> is >>>>>>> beyond the scope of this overview. The Light Strike weapons feature >>>>>>> several different fire modes, and the Assault Strikers have a reload >>>>>>> button which resembles a loaded clip of ammunition already in the >>>>>>> gun. >>>>>>> The pistols are controlled by buttons to access different functions, >>>>>>> but the carbine Assault model features somewhat sensative >>>>>>> touch-based >>>>>>> controls. I can personally use either with fair to good results. The >>>>>>> Assault Strikers can accept four different accessories, the scope >>>>>>> which is a sniper rifle augment, the Rapid Fire System, which is a >>>>>>> machinegun augment, the refractor launch system, which is a >>>>>>> shotgun/grenade launcher augment, and the enemy scanner, a radar and >>>>>>> damage booster augment. The Strikers and Assault Strikers come with >>>>>>> targets, although only those which come with the Assault Strikers >>>>>>> make >>>>>>> sound. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The two systems are incompatible, but they have more similarities >>>>>>> than >>>>>>> differences. Both use infrared light to transmit and receive >>>>>>> information, both feature the necessity to reload ammunition, both >>>>>>> do >>>>>>> not resemble real-world guns, both require monitoring of ammo, >>>>>>> although the Light Strike Striker pistols are not reloaded, they >>>>>>> overheat if fired too quickly, which works like a reload. Both >>>>>>> systems >>>>>>> offer accessories to enhance gameplay. Both systems use the guns as >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> target. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Light Strike differs here, as the company also makes a target vest >>>>>>> which provides a larger target area in center of mass, gives more >>>>>>> health, and allows for pairing more than one gun with the vest for >>>>>>> duel carry. the LTX is more technically perfected with a longer >>>>>>> range, >>>>>>> a less restricted fire rate, the recoil and ammo simulation, and a >>>>>>> bigger gun-based targeting area. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The Light Strike is more about roleplay and tactics. Which weapon to >>>>>>> select, which subtype of weapon, as the guns all have several weapon >>>>>>> types, augmented by accessories. According to a review by Urban >>>>>>> Tagger, a reliable source, and based upon my own conclusions, the >>>>>>> Light Strike are slightly more durable. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'd like to add one more thing. Both systems are quite accessible, >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> LTX winning out on that ground because it announces which team the >>>>>>> player is on, which the Light Strike system does not. However, both >>>>>>> are very easy to play. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> If you guys want more than what I've given, I'll either do it myself >>>>>>> or point you to someone who already has. I've done plenty of >>>>>>> research >>>>>>> on both. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Signed: >>>>>>> Dakotah Rickard >>>>>>> >>>>>>> --- >>>>>>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>>>>>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>>>>>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>>>>>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>>>>>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>>>>>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>>>>>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> list, >>>>>>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> --- >>>>>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>>>>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>>>>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>>>>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>>>>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>>>>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>>>>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >>>>>> list, >>>>>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> --- >>>>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>>>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>>>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>>>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>>>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>>>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>>>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >>>>> list, >>>>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> --- >>>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >>>> list, >>>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >>>> >>> >>> --- >>> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >>> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >>> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >>> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >>> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >>> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >>> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >>> list, >>> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >> >> >> --- >> Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org >> If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to >> gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. >> You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at >> http://mail.audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. >> All messages are archived and can be searched and read at >> http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. >> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the >> list, >> please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. >> > --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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