F.A.Q. Most common issues with laser tag equipment and troubleshooting
ATTENTION! Performing repairs with electronic components requires certain expertise. If you are not sure in what you are doing or unsure about your ability of solving the problem on your own, we recommend to send the equipment to a service center. Otherwise the equipment may malfunction, and the existing issues will add up with burnt plates, broken firmware, damaged body, etc.. In this case the repair in a service center will last significantly longer and will cost more, since the warranty, most likely, won`t apply.
Here is a troubleshooting guide for most common issues. Often problems with any equipment may be caused by physical damage of wires or electronic components and by a headband malfunction as well. Therefore, before searching for a fault try the following:
·In case of weapon fault try connect it to another (several others) headbands. If the headband fails, connect it to another weapon (or several others). It will help to detect whether the problem is really in a weapon or a headband.
·Check the equipment for the physical damage. If possible, disassemble it and check the integrity of electronic components and firmware. If any of the elements is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
Also, you can find instructions in attached file containing answers to many questions connected with the use and settings of laser tag equipment.
Problems with headband.
Question: the headband doesn`t activate.
There may be several reasons:
1.The battery is discharged or failed. You should gauge the voltage the battery emits with the help of the battery charge tester or universal tester. If the voltage is not zero, see «Problems with battery». If the voltage is zero, there was a short circuit and the protection plate switched the battery off. You need to check the power socket, firmware and weapon plate for damage or circuit. If the fault is identified, it can be fixed by replacing damaged wires or re-soldering the broken power socket. If the fault is still not found, see «What to do if nothing helps».
2. The failure of activation button or anti-vandal lock. Check if they are functional. For example, you can do it by the universal tester in a call-out mode. If they are not working, the button/lock or wires attached to them should be replaced.
Question: the headband constantly vibrates and flickers, or the vibration and flickering are completely absent.
The reason is a failed field transistor controlling the flickering and vibration of the headband. It should be replaced. The replacement is a n-channel field transistor in a sot-23 frame. Originally an IRML2401 is installed, but an IRLML2502, which is easier to find, will suffice as well.
Question: The headband sensors are not working.
The problem is probably in a damaged firmware following from the main sensor to additional ones. It can be checked by calling-out the wires with the help of the universal tester and, if necessary, replace them.
If the headband is wired, you should first check the coiled wire and re-shrink it. If necessary, replace the connectors. If the wire is damaged and re-shrinking doesn`t help, it should be replaced.
Question: The wireless headband doesn`t connect with a weapon.
If the headband doesn`t work properly, most likely the reason is the headband`s Bluetooth module. We recommend to send the headband to a service center for its replacement. If you have a spare Bluetooth module (it should have a relevant firmware), just replace the old one.
If the weapon works improperly, you should check where the Bluetooth module is placed. It shouldn`t be in a metal part of a body since metal shields the connection. In this case change the position of a Bluetooth-module. For example, a plastic magazine will perfectly fit.
If a Bluetooth module is not shielded but still doesn`t connect to a headband, it should be replaced.
Sound problems
Question: The sound used to work, but stopped. The weapon connects with a headband, reloads and shoots, but without sound.
If you have 7th or lower generation of electronics, the problem may be caused by water or condensate contacting with the sound processor and disabling it. Try to turn off the weapon and then turn back on. If the problem is not solved, dry the weapon up at ambient temperature and near (not too close) the heating block for several hours.
If there were no contact with water but the sound is still gone, the reason might be a speaker or a sound processor. First, check the firmware from a plate to a speaker. If the wires are damaged, replace them. The speaker can be checked with the help of a universal tester: if the tester shows the speaker`s resistance (listed on a frame, usually 8 Ohm) or slightly higher (the resistance of a tester`s probe), the speaker is okay. If it demonstrates the failure, the speaker must be replaced.
If the speaker is okay, you need to replace the sound processor. For this, you just need to extract it from the socket and put in a new one. It is important to insert it with proper side while installing. For this purpose. There is a «key» (a notch at the side of a processor) on both controlling and sound processors. It must be turned to face a notch at the processor`s jack on the motherboard.
Question: The sound is wheezy.
The problem is in the speaker. It needs to be replaced on a working or more quality. For the 8th generation, we don`t recommend setting 100% speed. 70-80% are optimal.
Question: The sound is very slow, the sounds are stretched.
Send the weapon to a service center. This issue requires some work with a motherboard, it would be hard to do on one`s own. In 7th generation equipment it is needed to re-configure or replace a sound processor.
Question: When firing in bursts the sound gets weaker and the backlight is lost.
Perhaps the wires are damaged or graze the body, or a short circuit has happened. You may check this by disassembling the tagger and inspecting firmware and motherboard. Fixed by re-soldering the broken and disrupted wires.
Problems with shooting and/or reloading
Question: The weapon doesn`t shoot, it is impossible to damage an opponent. Everythingelseworksnormally.
There may be several reasons:
1.IR-diode failure (the backlight should work). It needs to be checked and replaced if necessary. Checking is simple: you need to provide voltage to an IR-diode and look at it through the camera without the IR-filter (for example, web-cam or your smartphone`s camera). If the IR-diode glows, it is operational. If not, switch the polarity and try again. If after that the diode is still not glowing, it needs to be replaced.
2.The wires connected to the IR-module are damaged. Check them on any damage by calling them out with universal tester – from the motherboard to the IR-module plate. Replace if necessary.
3.If both IR-diode and backlight don`t work, but the wires are alright, the IR-module should be completely replaced.
4.The trigger`s micro switch is broken or wrongly placed. Disassemble the weapon and check if the micro switch is working or the wires connected to it are not damaged. If everything is fine, check if the trigger snags it enough. Perhaps, you should change the micro switch placement or bend its ridge so it started to work.
Question: There is no shot backlight.
There may be several reasons:
The wires connected to the IR-module are damaged. Check them on any damage by calling them out with universal tester – from the motherboard to the IR-module plate. Replace if necessary.
If the wires are alright, the IR-module should be completely replaced.
Question: The vibro indication never turns off or doesn`t work, while the vibration motor is alright.
The reason is a failed field transistor controlling the vibro indication. It should be replaced.
Question: The vibro indication doesn`t work, while in settings vibro indication/feedback is turned on.
The fault may be in a vibration motor or a field transistor (see above). You can check the vibration motor by providing 3 W voltage to it. If it works (rolls/vibrates) – the problem is in a transistor. If not, it can be fixed by replacing the vibration motor.
Question: The weapon doesn`t reload or reloads non-stop.
The micro switch is broken or wrongly placed. Disassemble the weapon and check if the micro switch is working or the wires connected to it are not damaged.
If everything is fine, check which part of the weapon snags it and how in order for it to work. Perhaps, you should change the micro switch placement or bend its ridge so it started to work.
Additional devices
Question: PRO remote doesn`t activate custom presets, but they are saved through the USB-base and configurator.
It is possible that the firmware version is older than 5.0.1. If so, it can be fixed by updating.
Question: PRO remote doesn`t activate custom presets, the firmware version is 5.0.1.
You will need 5.0.3. and higher PRO remote firmware for the 8th generation weapon.
Question: What is the algorithm of the Control point?
The old working mode of the Control point is: the round time is divided by 2, and the team controlling the point more than 50% of round time wins. The new algorithm (CP v.5 or «KT v.5» in Russian) is the same.
There are two CP firmware variations:
1st variation: when the round time is set at maximum and divided by two, and if the winning team has been controlling the point for more than 50% of time, the point flickers, and the round ends.
2nd variation: the fixed round time is set, and, while it won`t pass, the Control point is working and counting the capturing time. It allows the instructors to estimate how much time will the round take.
Equipment settings
ATTENTION! For different generations of equipment different configuration software is needed.If you have the 7th generation or higher, use the last version of Lasertag Configurator. If you have the 6th generation or lower, use the corresponding software for the earlier versions – all the software can be found at our website in Support section.
Question: Wireless equipment doesn`t connect with the configurator.
Check which Bluetooth driver is installed on your computer. For this, open the Task manager(Control panel – System – Task manager or Start – Execute/Search – enter «mmc devmgmt.msc» and press Enter). The driver name should be «Generic Bluetooth Adapter». If you have another driver installed, it needs to be replaced. The replacement guide can be received from technical support. If you don`t have an opportunity to replace the driver on your own, contact technical support, and our specialist will replace the driver remotely.
If you have Windows 8/8.1 on your device, you need to add the device into the system to configure the equipment through the Bluetooth. For this purpose, go to Bluetooth settings (Parameter – Changing parameters of the computer – a screen with Bluetooth settings will appear, and you will be able to connect any available device), find the device named LW_rifle_v8 and connect with it. Thepasswordis 1234.
If the device is not found by the system and the appropriate driver is not installed, but the equipment is still not connecting, check if you have any Bluetooth devices controlling softwareon your computer. Such programs are usually pre-installed in the system (for example, on notebooks). They interfere with the correct operation of the configurator and should be deleted.
Question: How to create presets with the 8th generation?
For this you will need to create presets following the instruction:
1) Launch a configurator on a computer with Bluetooth.
2) Turn on the weapon without connecting it to a headband. When the computer detects a weapon, it will say: «Configuration mode activated».
3) Press the «Characters» button in the program (you can change presets however you want and create new ones before that) and press «Record» button.
4) Choose your weapon from the appeared list, tick it and press «Record».
5) After the recording is finished, close the configurator and turn off the weapon. Turn it back on, connecting with the headband.
6) For PRO remote, choose a command with the name of a preset and its number (numbers of presents in the remote match the numbers of presents recorded in the configurator, see paragraph 3) and push the button. The weapon`s preset will change.
Question: When connecting with Bluetooth, the program will display a «Socket is not found» error.
Private network Bluetooth device may be turned off. Fixed by turning it on in Windows settings.
Question: How the statistics are read and how the number of successful hits is defined?
The statistics are read from all taggers at the end of the battle. In each tagger the information is saved about how many times and from which weapon with which ID it was hit. After the end of the game this data is read, and this way, by analyzing the data from all taggers, the program calculates the number of successful hits for each player.
Question: What are the characteristics of zombie and Terminator?
Zombie: yellow color, ID 0, 99 ammo in the magazine, the damage is standard, 990, health 200. Terminator: yellow, 50 ammo, 200 lives. The table of standard presets can be requested from technical support.
Question: Which are the parameters of sound files for recording for the weapon?
8 bit, 11025 Hz, WAV.
If nothing helped
Send the equipment to a closest LASERWAR service center of your country with any, and our partners will fix everything. Please add a note describing faults and/or needed repairs as thorough as possible.
F.A.Q. Most common issues with laser tag equipment and troubleshooting
ATTENTION! Performing repairs with electronic components requires certain expertise. If you are not sure in what you are doing or unsure about your ability of solving the problem on your own, we recommend to send the equipment to a service center. Otherwise the equipment may malfunction, and the existing issues will add up with burnt plates, broken firmware, damaged body, etc.. In this case the repair in a service center will last significantly longer and will cost more, since the warranty, most likely, won`t apply.
Here is a troubleshooting guide for most common issues. Often problems with any equipment may be caused by physical damage of wires or electronic components and by a headband malfunction as well. Therefore, before searching for a fault try the following:
· In case of weapon fault try connect it to another (several others) headbands. If the headband fails, connect it to another weapon (or several others). It will help to detect whether the problem is really in a weapon or a headband.
· Check the equipment for the physical damage. If possible, disassemble it and check the integrity of electronic components and firmware. If any of the elements is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
Also, you can find instructions in attached file containing answers to many questions connected with the use and settings of laser tag equipment.
Problems with headband.
Question: the headband doesn`t activate.
There may be several reasons:
1.The battery is discharged or failed. You should gauge the voltage the battery emits with the help of the battery charge tester or universal tester. If the voltage is not zero, see «Problems with battery». If the voltage is zero, there was a short circuit and the protection plate switched the battery off. You need to check the power socket, firmware and weapon plate for damage or circuit. If the fault is identified, it can be fixed by replacing damaged wires or re-soldering the broken power socket. If the fault is still not found, see «What to do if nothing helps».
2. The failure of activation button or anti-vandal lock. Check if they are functional. For example, you can do it by the universal tester in a call-out mode. If they are not working, the button/lock or wires attached to them should be replaced.
Question: the headband constantly vibrates and flickers, or the vibration and flickering are completely absent.
The reason is a failed field transistor controlling the flickering and vibration of the headband. It should be replaced. The replacement is a n-channel field transistor in a sot-23 frame. Originally an IRML2401 is installed, but an IRLML2502, which is easier to find, will suffice as well.
Question: The headband sensors are not working.
The problem is probably in a damaged firmware following from the main sensor to additional ones. It can be checked by calling-out the wires with the help of the universal tester and, if necessary, replace them.
If the headband is wired, you should first check the coiled wire and re-shrink it. If necessary, replace the connectors. If the wire is damaged and re-shrinking doesn`t help, it should be replaced.
Question: The wireless headband doesn`t connect with a weapon.
If the headband doesn`t work properly, most likely the reason is the headband`s Bluetooth module. We recommend to send the headband to a service center for its replacement. If you have a spare Bluetooth module (it should have a relevant firmware), just replace the old one.
If the weapon works improperly, you should check where the Bluetooth module is placed. It shouldn`t be in a metal part of a body since metal shields the connection. In this case change the position of a Bluetooth-module. For example, a plastic magazine will perfectly fit.
If a Bluetooth module is not shielded but still doesn`t connect to a headband, it should be replaced.
Sound problems
Question: The sound used to work, but stopped. The weapon connects with a headband, reloads and shoots, but without sound.
If you have 7th or lower generation of electronics, the problem may be caused by water or condensate contacting with the sound processor and disabling it. Try to turn off the weapon and then turn back on. If the problem is not solved, dry the weapon up at ambient temperature and near (not too close) the heating block for several hours.
If there were no contact with water but the sound is still gone, the reason might be a speaker or a sound processor. First, check the firmware from a plate to a speaker. If the wires are damaged, replace them. The speaker can be checked with the help of a universal tester: if the tester shows the speaker`s resistance (listed on a frame, usually 8 Ohm) or slightly higher (the resistance of a tester`s probe), the speaker is okay. If it demonstrates the failure, the speaker must be replaced.
If the speaker is okay, you need to replace the sound processor. For this, you just need to extract it from the socket and put in a new one. It is important to insert it with proper side while installing. For this purpose. There is a «key» (a notch at the side of a processor) on both controlling and sound processors. It must be turned to face a notch at the processor`s jack on the motherboard.
Question: The sound is wheezy.
The problem is in the speaker. It needs to be replaced on a working or more quality. For the 8th generation, we don`t recommend setting 100% speed. 70-80% are optimal.
Question: The sound is very slow, the sounds are stretched.
Send the weapon to a service center. This issue requires some work with a motherboard, it would be hard to do on one`s own. In 7th generation equipment it is needed to re-configure or replace a sound processor.
Question: When firing in bursts the sound gets weaker and the backlight is lost.
Perhaps the wires are damaged or graze the body, or a short circuit has happened. You may check this by disassembling the tagger and inspecting firmware and motherboard. Fixed by re-soldering the broken and disrupted wires.
Problems with shooting and/or reloading
Question: The weapon doesn`t shoot, it is impossible to damage an opponent. Everything else works normally.
There may be several reasons:
1. IR-diode failure (the backlight should work). It needs to be checked and replaced if necessary. Checking is simple: you need to provide voltage to an IR-diode and look at it through the camera without the IR-filter (for example, web-cam or your smartphone`s camera). If the IR-diode glows, it is operational. If not, switch the polarity and try again. If after that the diode is still not glowing, it needs to be replaced.
2. The wires connected to the IR-module are damaged. Check them on any damage by calling them out with universal tester – from the motherboard to the IR-module plate. Replace if necessary.
3. If both IR-diode and backlight don`t work, but the wires are alright, the IR-module should be completely replaced.
4. The trigger`s micro switch is broken or wrongly placed. Disassemble the weapon and check if the micro switch is working or the wires connected to it are not damaged. If everything is fine, check if the trigger snags it enough. Perhaps, you should change the micro switch placement or bend its ridge so it started to work.
Question: There is no shot backlight.
There may be several reasons:
The wires connected to the IR-module are damaged. Check them on any damage by calling them out with universal tester – from the motherboard to the IR-module plate. Replace if necessary.
If the wires are alright, the IR-module should be completely replaced.
Question: The vibro indication never turns off or doesn`t work, while the vibration motor is alright.
The reason is a failed field transistor controlling the vibro indication. It should be replaced.
Question: The vibro indication doesn`t work, while in settings vibro indication/feedback is turned on.
The fault may be in a vibration motor or a field transistor (see above). You can check the vibration motor by providing 3 W voltage to it. If it works (rolls/vibrates) – the problem is in a transistor. If not, it can be fixed by replacing the vibration motor.
Question: The weapon doesn`t reload or reloads non-stop.
The micro switch is broken or wrongly placed. Disassemble the weapon and check if the micro switch is working or the wires connected to it are not damaged.
If everything is fine, check which part of the weapon snags it and how in order for it to work. Perhaps, you should change the micro switch placement or bend its ridge so it started to work.
Additional devices
Question: PRO remote doesn`t activate custom presets, but they are saved through the USB-base and configurator.
It is possible that the firmware version is older than 5.0.1. If so, it can be fixed by updating.
Question: PRO remote doesn`t activate custom presets, the firmware version is 5.0.1.
You will need 5.0.3. and higher PRO remote firmware for the 8th generation weapon.
Question: What is the algorithm of the Control point?
The old working mode of the Control point is: the round time is divided by 2, and the team controlling the point more than 50% of round time wins. The new algorithm (CP v.5 or «KT v.5» in Russian) is the same.
There are two CP firmware variations:
1st variation: when the round time is set at maximum and divided by two, and if the winning team has been controlling the point for more than 50% of time, the point flickers, and the round ends.
2nd variation: the fixed round time is set, and, while it won`t pass, the Control point is working and counting the capturing time. It allows the instructors to estimate how much time will the round take.
Equipment settings
ATTENTION! For different generations of equipment different configuration software is needed.If you have the 7th generation or higher, use the last version of Lasertag Configurator. If you have the 6th generation or lower, use the corresponding software for the earlier versions – all the software can be found at our website in Support section.
Question: Wireless equipment doesn`t connect with the configurator.
Check which Bluetooth driver is installed on your computer. For this, open the Task manager (Control panel – System – Task manager or Start – Execute/Search – enter «mmc devmgmt.msc» and press Enter). The driver name should be «Generic Bluetooth Adapter». If you have another driver installed, it needs to be replaced. The replacement guide can be received from technical support. If you don`t have an opportunity to replace the driver on your own, contact technical support, and our specialist will replace the driver remotely.
If you have Windows 8/8.1 on your device, you need to add the device into the system to configure the equipment through the Bluetooth. For this purpose, go to Bluetooth settings (Parameter – Changing parameters of the computer – a screen with Bluetooth settings will appear, and you will be able to connect any available device), find the device named LW_rifle_v8 and connect with it. The password is 1234.
If the device is not found by the system and the appropriate driver is not installed, but the equipment is still not connecting, check if you have any Bluetooth devices controlling software on your computer. Such programs are usually pre-installed in the system (for example, on notebooks). They interfere with the correct operation of the configurator and should be deleted.
Question: How to create presets with the 8th generation?
For this you will need to create presets following the instruction:
1) Launch a configurator on a computer with Bluetooth.
2) Turn on the weapon without connecting it to a headband. When the computer detects a weapon, it will say: «Configuration mode activated».
3) Press the «Characters» button in the program (you can change presets however you want and create new ones before that) and press «Record» button.
4) Choose your weapon from the appeared list, tick it and press «Record».
5) After the recording is finished, close the configurator and turn off the weapon. Turn it back on, connecting with the headband.
6) For PRO remote, choose a command with the name of a preset and its number (numbers of presents in the remote match the numbers of presents recorded in the configurator, see paragraph 3) and push the button. The weapon`s preset will change.
Question: When connecting with Bluetooth, the program will display a «Socket is not found» error.
Private network Bluetooth device may be turned off. Fixed by turning it on in Windows settings.
Question: How the statistics are read and how the number of successful hits is defined?
The statistics are read from all taggers at the end of the battle. In each tagger the information is saved about how many times and from which weapon with which ID it was hit. After the end of the game this data is read, and this way, by analyzing the data from all taggers, the program calculates the number of successful hits for each player.
Question: What are the characteristics of zombie and Terminator?
Zombie: yellow color, ID 0, 99 ammo in the magazine, the damage is standard, 990, health 200. Terminator: yellow, 50 ammo, 200 lives. The table of standard presets can be requested from technical support.
Question: Which are the parameters of sound files for recording for the weapon?
8 bit, 11025 Hz, WAV.
If nothing helped
Send the equipment to a closest LASERWAR service center of your country with any, and our partners will fix everything. Please add a note describing faults and/or needed repairs as thorough as possible.
user_manual_eng.docx
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