Sacman:
If you are going to stick to wired for now, just add a second connection so the guns plug into different 'ports'. Adjust your code appropriately and your problem is solved although it is still obviously a bit clunky.Actually the voltage divider on the 2 extra pins is working out well so far, it tells the difference between my rifle and the 2 handguns I have (I made it so its within like 0-350 is handgun 1, 351-750 is handgun 2, and 751-1024 is the rifle, works great. But yeah clunky as hell. And it'd get worse if I started adding more and more guns to the collection of things it senses.
I really like the idea of adding the display to the gun itself. I have a 4D systems 1.4" and I have thought many times about adding it to one of my modded nerf guns to make it look cool. I have many but the Vortex Praxis is virtually made for this kind of mod. I already added an LED in the bottom of the magazines that light up when you insert the magazines into the gun.
Yeah kinda still contemplating if I want to do the screen on the rifle yet. Its a gas rifle, a steyr aug, which means the front handle by the trigger has lots of internal space to build something, and on it I dont have to worry about electrical interferences. I kinda like the bluetooth idea but anything towards that will have to wait. Only way I can see to get the screen on the gun to work right now is either do an arduino micro or something inside the gun that prints to that screen while the same data makes it to the arduino on my person. That way both screens are on the same page. Either that, or do what I've been doing, add several more connectors (and make it clunkier) and send the data to that screen as well (no shift registers on hand to try and 3wire operate the screens).
If you are thinking of going this route then I would suggest using this same display. It can be used completely independent of a uController. You just need regulated 5V and you are in business. They aren't as cheap as other displays but since it drastically reduces the peripheral components and the project is really simple, the cost of this display would be well worth it. Sparkfun sells them but they are currently out of stock.
Hmm thats actually a pretty boss screen, nice price too. Kinda sucks thought that I'll have to go and look into learning another language to work with it. I think I'll finish off getting the current project working, then step up to a better screen in a week or so. I'm guessing you write whatever program you want it to have to the SD from your comp though and then just load it into the screen and it runs. And its nice it can talk to other things with TX/RX, even my terribly small amount of experience so far can make that work. TY for the link though.
Serial Miniature LCD Module - 1.44" (uLCD-144-G2 GFX) - LCD-11377 - SparkFun Electronics
Too bad they're out of stock right now.
But yeah so really what I've got now is kinda the tip of the "stupid projects to do over the course of the summer to make airsoft more fun." Eventually, how nice would it be to have wifi between my friends and I and be able to cycle through and see what they have for ammo left? Or better yet, why not throw in some GPS modules (way down the road) and have indicators on my helmet to show me the general direction certain teammates are in (of course they'd have to have the same system with their gear) on my visor with RGB LEDs and specific colors for certain teammates. Then put together a few fully working units (arduino, screen, GPS, wifi) and sell it as a kit that I can setup for people to use with their friends.
Perhaps bluetooth would be a good way to go with the gun signals in that respect. Have the wifi and all between the players as 1 kit. Then to get info off the guns, another kit: a couple buttons for the trigger and mag, bluetooth to talk to your other equipment. A screen to mount on the gun if the buyer wants. And an arduino micro or lilypad setup to run off the gun's battery, that runs everything on the gun.)
I dunno though,t ahts a little out there. But its fun to have a dumb idea to work towards isn't it?