Mulitiple console light gun setup

[Star1]

So, I've been thinking about light guns lately. I realize different consoles use light guns based on differing technologies, but there seems to be at least some overlap, at least there is a third party light gun that works on both ps1 and Saturn.

Does anyone know how that one works? How many truly different methods are there?
What guns would work with a simple controller adapter to another console?
How hard would it be to make a multi-console light gun using the ir sensor, and different pcbs in external cases?

[SCARTicus]

The Cobra is pretty sweet. If I’m playing Saturn then I prefer the Sega gun, but the Cobra is almost as good and it does Area 51, Lethal Enforcers, and Virtua Cop. It has to be calibrated on start-up. The cable is very thick. It’s too thick to be honest and mine was wound real tight before I bought it and now the cable is curly.

I don’t know of any other multi-platform light guns and I highly doubt that a controller adapter would work on a gun. Outside of the PSX and Saturn, there really is not a lot of good light gun content.

[bigbadboaz]

Is there a particular reason you want to unify everything with one gun? As above, most essential games are concentrated on PSX and Saturn, and using anything other that a genuine Virtua Gun on a Saturn is sure to be a downgrade. On PSX, the GunCon has an extra A/V connection and is itself essential. Personally, I would have these two side by side and be quite happy.

**must admit that there are a few essentials on PS2 with the GunCon 2 required. Still, a good PSX/Saturn collection will satisfy most with only two guns required.**

[Star1]

Partly because money (I'd want two guns for each console), but mostly just curiosity, and it could be a fun project. A cheap ps1/saturn solution would go a long way.

I must admit I thought a guncon 1 would work on the majority of ps2 games, is that not the case?

[Syntax]

You could rewire a single gun to work across multiple platforms by wiring the sensor diode in one gun to multiple boards.

I do this for custom Namco arcade guns i've made for the PS2 PS1, I have 2 guncon boards ( a 1 and a 2) in a timecrisis pedal and a switch to choose between the 2.

[Star1]

I saw some old forum posts about that, figured it might be the same Syntax.
Yeah, that is the basic idea. I had a look at the Saturn vg pcb, assuming the IC's are readibly available, cloning the board should be fairly easy.

[Syntax]

Cloning the Saturn board, or any board for that matter would be awesome. Even better if it was small enough to fit inside a Namco arcade gun.
The price of the NAMCO knock off guns (NAMED) are at an all time low, about half of what I paid a few years ago.

They are perfect for shooters when paired with a 555 timer circuit and pedal.
If your feeling super adventurous you can hack a PS2 dance mat into a Guncon2 and use it to control movement in Dino Stalker.

The only annoying part is having it dedicated to one system or trying to cram a heap of gun pcbs in a pedal with wires going everywhere.
Id personally love an all in one solution.

[Steamflogger Boss]

I'll second the Cobra being a nice choice. It plays everything I want to play but I'm not super into light gun games.

[bigbadboaz]

I must admit I thought a guncon 1 would work on the majority of ps2 games, is that not the case?

No, you're right - forgot about that. And the first GunCon is a preferable design IMO as well.