How about some actual useful links? That should suprise the heck out of everyone. ;'P

The Lazer Tactical message board: http://members5.boardhost.com/lazertag/index.html

More technically oriented Laserforums: http://www.laserforums.com/forum

1 Source Laser Tag forums: http://blackbelt.novahq.net/forums/

1 Source Laser Tag website, home of FXonixs homebrew laser tag gear, classifieds, and loads of links: http://www.1sourcelasertag.com/

Miles Tag, a homebrew laser tag system in progress: http://lightbrain.8m.com/mtdesign.htm

Frag Tag, a homebrew laser tag system using the same protocols as Miles Tag: http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/fragtag/index.htm

Dave Bodger's Lazer Tag info. One of the first homebrew systems, compatible with the old Worlds of Wonder Lazer Tag and Tiger Electronic Survivor Shot, with tons of options: http://www.cix.co.uk/~lasertag/lasertag.htm

Tagcon Midwest- Stargate in King Arthur's Court: http://www.tagcon.org/mw/

Steradian Tech- pro laser tag gear, quite expensive: http://www.steradiantech.com/

Tag Tek- homebrew WoW/ESS compatible gear: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sparta/setup.htm

Fiat Lux ESS compatible kits- They don't sell outside the UK, but good reference site for the rest of us: http://www.fiat-lux.org.uk/

Lazer Skirmish- Commercial site, use for ideas and inspiration: http://www.laserskirmish.co.za/

The Complete Tagger- Hints and modifications, PDF file: http://img-srv.everestwebworks.com/w2/Pictures/My%20Files/1022260.1/tct2.pdf

Upgrading WoW guns and sensors by Public John aka Lazerbait- Faster rate of fire, linking gun to sensor, autofire, etc. by Public John of the Seattle Laser Tag group: http://members.aol.com/publicjohn/index.html

Vishay Semiconductors- IR Reciever modules page. 36 to 56KHz: http://www.vishay.com/ir-receiver-modules/

Ward's Natural Science Lens page- Glass lenses, 38mm, various focal lengths. $1.50 each: http://wardsci.com/product.asp?pn=160433

WoW/ESS signal format from Steradian- Helpful info on the signal format and frequency of WoW Lazer Tag/Survivor Shot guns and sensors. http://www.steradiantech.com/lasers/tech.html

If you are anywhere near Seattle, WA, the Seattle Laser Tag Yahoogroup and website: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/seattlelasertag/ http://www.seattlelasertag.com/

I'm personally working on better sensor heads. 99.9% of the homebrew gear uses the Vishay remote control receiver modules, and their performance in sunlight is terrible.

And as far as using real lasers- bad idea! Laser pointers are -not- eye safe. In fact the current crop of Class IIIa pointers are rated as a potential hazard from a -single- exposure. Even the older Class II/IIa are considered a possible chronic eye hazard. And they become an instant hazard when viewed through a scope or binoculars, something a lot of people have added to their laser tag gear. Those lasers used in the indoor arcade gear are only class I and are only visible because they keep it so dark and have smoke in the air.

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/departs/1998/298_upd.html

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=1040.10

http://www.navylasersafety.com/faq/technical.htm

In addition, instead of trying to hit a 1mm square sensor with a 6 inch to 1 foot diameter beam, you'd be trying to hit a 1mm square sensor with a 1mm round beam. Good luck. ;')

If you've been using Laser Challenge gear, I can see how you'd be dissatisfied. The only reason I pick up LC guns in thrift stores is to convert them to Survivor Shot compatibility.

BTW, why is all those paintball and airsoft posts are not marked OT?