Laser Tag Headband
What is a laser tag headband?
Each laser tag player needs at least two devices, which are a laser tag gun (tagger), that shoots infrared rays (pretty much like a regular TV remote control) and a hit sensor(s) located somewhere on the player, which detects IR rays shot from other players' taggers. These hit sensors can be located either on the player's headband, on the player's body vest, or both.
When player is hit by the enemy, the hit sensor flashes and vibrates, informing both the player and the enemy about the hit and transmits information to the weapon, which also informs the player about the hit with vibration and sound.
Which is better to use, headbands or vests?
We have both options in our product line, but we can say that over 90% of our operators use headbands. Why is that so?
- a headband is about 2 times cheaper than a vest;
- headbands are faster to put on and take off, that makes sense in rental games to save the time between groups of clients on busy days;
- a headband, unlike a vest, can also be worn by children. The vest is too big for some of them, especially, the youngest, despite its dimensions can be adjusted within a pretty wide range.
When do operators use vests?
- in some indoor arenas, just because this way is more conventional and common there;
- when running military simulation games and using both headbands (maybe even helmets) and vests at the same time to get the vibe of it;
- at some laser tag tournaments.
Right now, the Laserwar company produces two types of hit sensor devices.
- Smart RGB headband used in 9th generation and X-gen
- Alphatag headband used in the Alphatag generation
Smart RGB headband
Multizonal
This is perhaps the main feature of the RGB headband and the exclusive development of our company. It lies in the fact that each hit sensor block has its own independent vibration motor, which works only if this particular sensor has detected a hit. This allows the player to find out from which side they were hit from and take cover.
Weight distribution
In the RGB headband, the electronics unit and the battery unit are located apart on opposite sides of the head and have a concave shape, which ensures weight balance. That is why the RGB headband is comfortable to wear even for children from as young as 6 years old, and the head does not get tired even during long hours and even daily games, if the headband is fixed properly on it. In addition, the headband does not fall off when running, should the player turn or move their head quickly. The headband weighs only 220 grams and the head circumference is adjustable with hook-and-loop Velcro fastener. The operating time of the headband without further charge is up to 48 hours.
Hit sensor blocks
The RGB LEDs installed in each hit sensor block flicker when the player is ‘wounded’ or in-game ‘killed’. The operator can also set the background glow as the team color or any other color, and the brightness of the glow has 15 different levels. The headband can also indicate the role of the player in certain colors, flicker in different colors if they are the virtual flag carrier in the flags scenario, glow green if the player has become a Zombie or yellow if the player is desingated in the scenario as a Terminator.
Each sensor unit has 4 optical sensors with a wide receiving IR signal angle, so the headband is guaranteed to register hit from any direction.
The domes of the blocks are made of polycarbonate, which is exceptionally resistant to mechanical damage and can withstand impacts.
Two layers
The headband consists of two layers. The outer layer on which the electronics are installed is waterproof and does not allow moisture inside.
The inner layer is a sweatband composed of an Airmesh fabric that performs several functions:
- dampens the vibrations of the electronics on the player's head
- wicks sweat, and can be removed and washed. Operator can also use replacement sweatbands if they have a lot of games during the day.
The layers are fastened together with Velcro fasteners.
These headbands come in 5 different colors, and you can always order one part of the headbands in one color and the other part in another to visually distinguish teams from each other.
Alphatag headband
What is the difference between the Alfatag generation headband and the RGB headband used for X-gen and 9th generation? They are totally different.
Of course, we have saved all the functions of multi-zone, background glow, the ability to replace sweatbands, etc., described above, but these are only external signs. Inside, everything else is totally different.
The main difference between the Alphatag headband is that the «gun-headband» set the hit sensor which is the master device at the same time. It contains a Wi-Fi module that transmits data to the server and up to 7 of any individual Alphatag generation devices can be connected to it: several taggers, a shock bracelet, a smart personal medic kit, phone and much more that our developers plan to add to Alphatag environment or already have implemented going down the development pipeline.
The appearance of the headband is also different.
- the headband has a special lifts under the player's ears, which, on the one hand, allows the player to wear additional devices, such as headphones for their walkie-talkies, and on the other hand, would help beginners to wear the headband correctly.
- fitting the headband to the size of the head has also changed and became more convenient
- the headband now has its own display that shows information about connected devices, firmware version, battery charge and so on
- the headband uses the smart NFC mode for the initial connection to the game set, and it just takes bringing the gun close to it and waiting for 2.6 seconds to connect them.
- the headband has five blocks with hit sensors, and each of them comes equipped with wide-angle optical sensors
What other hit sensors can the player use?
First, based on both RGB headbands and Alphatag headbands, we produce various options, from universal X-shaped covers for helmets or ready-made covers for some types of helmets, like of Ops-Core formfactor, to ready-made airsoft helmets with fully integrated electronics. We even make laser tag pirate tricorne hats.
But if you need something special for historical reenactment, you can buy a ready-made electronics kit for a gen 9 headband or AlphaTag and integrate it into anything from civil war caps and kepis to space helmets, Predator mask, Star Wars stormtrooper or Darth Vader helmet – you name it.
Secondly, you can use vests, which are sometimes even more popular in classic arena laser tag.
Right now, we produce vests in two or three versions, depending on the generation of the equipment