Hey, everyone. Looking for feasibility analysis and any guidance on building a laser-triggered target range and gun.
In essence, I'm hoping to build a lightgun with one arduino that sends out a laser pulse.
When struck, the target (run by a separate arduino) will register the hit.
Is such a thing possible? If so, does anyone have any good advice on lasers to use, code snippets that might be helpful, etc?
I appreciate this community immensely. Can't wait to dive into this with you all!
Jordan G.
Totally possible. How far away is this target? If not too far, a very small laser could work well. Adafruit has several available or cheaper from China. You will need need some sort of photo resistor or photo transistor to detect the laser on the target. Think of a remote control for your TV and the receiver on your TV.
Cheap and somewhat safe laser pointer diodes cost about $1 for 5. If required, they can be driven directly by 5V Arduino output pins. A resistor can be inserted to reduce the output power.
A target hit is very hard to accomplish with small targets like photo diodes. I think that it's even impossible to hit a big LDR over 2m distance, much less if the target is moving. Find out yourself before proceding.
blh64:
How far away is this target?
Let's say a max distance of 15 feet.
To be clear, though, I want there to be SOME accuracy required to hit the target; a TV remote setup would mean that, as long as the gun is pointed in the general direction of the target, I'll get a hit.
Is there anything more focused, that would require careful aim?
i was not actually suggesting a TV remote. If you use a laser diode, it is a much more focused beam of light like this. I'm not sure how well it will span 15 feet but your could get some photo resistors and/or photo transistors and test it out. I helped a friend out on a game like this, but the distance was more like 5 feet.
check out solar cigarette lighters on ebay. a parabolic reflector with a coil spring to hold the cancerette. adjust beamwidth by fudging the IR detector diode in or out
"To be clear, though, I want there to be SOME accuracy required to hit the target; a TV remote setup would mean that, as long as the gun is pointed in the general direction of the target, I'll get a hit."
Tape a toilet paper or paper towel tube on the end of the remote to limit the beam to straight ahead.
Looks like an Arduino Micro might actually work to power the gun laser...does anyone know if this'll work?
Or will I need something else?
Minimum setup is a 4-5V battery, a laser diode and a push button.
DrDiettrich:
Minimum setup is a 4-5V battery, a laser diode and a push button.
That's...a really f***ng good point. XD
Assuming I wanted to add, say, a reload mechanic, though, would the Micro work for that? Or would you recommend an Uno or something else larger?
If you have no further requirements but reading a fire button and turning on the laser diode, even the smalles Arduino (ATtiny...) would work. Dunno what you imagine as a reload mechanic, sounds like a mechanical problem to me.
DrDiettrich:
If you have no further requirements but reading a fire button and turning on the laser diode, even the smalles Arduino (ATtiny...) would work. Dunno what you imagine as a reload mechanic, sounds like a mechanical problem to me.
Sorry, I wasn't very clear about that. By "reload mechanic", I meant using the Arduino to limit the number of "shots" that can be taken with the laser to, say, 5. Once the "shots" reach zero, a second button would have to be pressed to reset the counter to 5, or "reload".
From what I'm seeing (I think), the Micro could handle a laser, fire button, reload button, and one 7-segment display as an ammo counter.
Thoughts?
Okay, proceed 
Sorry, are you saying that a Micro would work for this?
Hi,
JordanG:
That's...a really XXXXXXX good point. XD
I hate to be a 'prude' and I'm new enough here that it's really nothing to do with me...
but children read these comments!
A 'slip' in conversation is one thing, almost an accident, but in writing when we have a chance to check before posting it's a bit too much.
Just my opinion...
Peter
Peterd51:
but children read these comments!
Hi, Peter!
I don't believe that there's any such thing as "bad" language; just bad intentions. My intention was to express enthusiasm for a point someone else made, and incredulity at the fact that I, myself, missed that point, and I chose the language best suited to do so. My intention was good and innocent, and thus, so was my language.
And while I appreciate your concern for the children who may be perusing this forum, there are no Arduino forum etiquette guidelines prohibiting "bad" language.
Finally, a piece of advice: unless you have something useful to contribute to the conversation in a post, I'd avoid popping in just to comment on someone's way of expressing themselves, especially when only you have a problem with it.
While Arduino may not have etiquette guidelines regarding language, they definitely have them regarding off-topic comments and personal messages.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night!
Jordan