Recommendations for a DC Lightgun

[bladerunner]

I am thinking about picking a DC light gun and I wanted to know what everyone thinks is a good model. I am not looking for some crazy expensive import, just trying to decide between the Mad Catz Dream Blaster and the Interact StarFire LightBlaster. I really want to know what people's personal experiences are with the guns and which one is worth my time and money.

[CRTGAMER]

Did a comparison of Lightgun issues at my signature link. I have 2 Interacts love it, the reload delay is only slight.

[dedalusdedalus]

I have both the Starfire and the Dreamblaster. Both of these have an "automatic" and an "auto reload" setting, so if "House of the Dead 2" becomes too difficult, you can always fall back on that.

The similarities end there. This is the rare occasion when a Madcatz product is actually superior. Maybe it's just defective, but the starfire blaster I own has calibration problems; you've got to hold it just right or else shots won't register.

Even assuming that these problems are peculiar to my Starfire Blaster, the design just sucks. It looks kind of cool, but the gun is heaviest around the barrel, so your wrist will get tired holding up the gun. Also the trigger is uncomfortable to pull.

The Dream Blaster looks kind of lame, but it's everything else you'd want in a light gun. It's ergonomic, it's light, and it's accurate. Go with that one.

[CRTGAMER]

I have both the Starfire and the Dreamblaster. Both of these have an "automatic" and an "auto reload" setting, so if "House of the Dead 2" becomes too difficult, you can always fall back on that.

The similarities end there. This is the rare occasion when a Madcatz product is actually superior. Maybe it's just defective, but the starfire blaster I own has calibration problems; you've got to hold it just right or else shots won't register.

Even assuming that these problems are peculiar to my Starfire Blaster, the design just sucks. It looks kind of cool, but the gun is heaviest around the barrel, so your wrist will get tired holding up the gun. Also the trigger is uncomfortable to pull.

The Dream Blaster looks kind of lame, but it's everything else you'd want in a light gun. It's ergonomic, it's light, and it's accurate. Go with that one.

I think you sold me too. Interact felt robust but after a while did get heavy. I'm going to keep an eye out on that "Official Sanctioned" Dream Blaster.

[joehero]

I have a the Interact Starfire. It works great, but I have nothing to compare it to.

[bladerunner]

I really like the Starfire, but I have heard the arguments for the Mad Catz gun. I just wish it didn't look so damn lame.

[CRTGAMER]

I really like the Starfire, but I have heard the arguments for the Mad Catz gun. I just wish it didn't look so damn lame.

I have not tried that Mad Katz either but I'm gonna keep an eye out. The thing that I do like about the Starfire is with a vibration pack though heavy it does feel solid, kicking at every shot fire. It does have a slight built in delay for reloads but not bad. The real trick is getting any lightgun to work on a given TV setup pretty much a non-HD CRT and Light Bar Sensor setup on HD or LCD. Wrote extensive article at my signature link.

[bladerunner]

I read your great article CRTGAMER. Good stuff. I currently use a CRT for all my light gun needs. Granted, I would love to go the VGA route with my DC, I just haven't gotten around to it. Additionally, I don't have a CRT with a VGA port and a DC lightgun won't work on my LCD TV or monitor. So I am stuck with those crappy, bleeding RCA jacks.

[CRTGAMER]

Additionally, I don't have a CRT with a VGA port and a DC lightgun won't work on my LCD TV or monitor. So I am stuck with those crappy, bleeding RCA jacks.

If your TV supports it, Dreamcast S-Video a definite improvement over composite.

[PSony]

I use to have both of these guns and the Madcatz Dreamblaster was much better. It was officially licensed (has the Sega Dreamcast logo on it), had a comfortable grip with rubber, thr trigger felt good, and you don't have to use your other hand to access the dpad. It also had two rows of lights that flash whenever you fired.

My Interact Starfire had it's trigger cracked and the gun was usually not as accurate as the Madcatz gun.