Over the years we have used many different styles of home based tag equipment. Right now there is an excellent system from Hasbro called "Lazer Tag Team Ops" or "LTTO" for short. There is currently a new version called the LTX which has great promise. It is a fantastic system with unbelievable features for the price, but it has one GREAT fault. Since the sensor is mounted on the gun, it is way too easy to hide the sensor in normal play. When the company comes out with their front/back sensors as has been hinted, we will embrace it for sure.

    Until such time, however we use a system that came out in the early 90's called Electronic Survivor Shot, or ESS for short.

Tech specs, for those that need to know…

Can fire invisible infrared beam over 160 feet! (Dependent upon weather and lighting conditions.)

Hmm... hard to define as we have never really scientifically tested them, however on the average sunny day with fresh batteries, we have seen hits at about 120 feet. I personally saw a hit from an unmodified gun at about 200 feet. Who figures? 

When you're hit... you feel it!

There is a motor located on the head sensor that causes a vibration motion at your temple. Some players have found this extremely annoying, but less chance of missing the fact that you just got tagged. 

Shoots an adjustable wide or narrow infrared beam.

Narrow beam means you have to have greater accuracy. Better for close quarter or indoor game play. For the most part we play on WIDE mode. We have seen no difference in range with either of the two. 

Headgear 'vibrates' when hit by invisible infrared beam!

            Yes, it does vibrate and we did discuss this above. It's not painful, but it's quite annoying to some people. There have been some players that have taken the motor out if the head mounted sensor in order to avoid the vibration. Personally I welcome it as you have positive feedback that you are in trouble.

Sensor takes hits from 360 degree angle of attack!

Because the sensor is head mounted, you can get hit from any direction. We find this preferable.  Makes you wonder - "where did that shot come from" 

Gun automatically deactivates after player has been hit six times!

Unlike some games of Lazer Tag, where you could go running around dead and still shoot people, when you're out in ESS, you're out. The gun is tethered to the sensor so it deactivates the gun after the last hit. We like this feature. Less cheating either on purpose or by accident. 

Single shot or rapid-fire mode! (300 shot maximum.)

There is a 300 shot maximum and is only for rapid-fire (16 shot burst) mode. When the gun gets down to 30 remaining shots, it will beep, and when your gun stops shooting, switch it to single shot mode and you will have unlimited ammo. We tend to play on rapid-fire all the time.

Futuristic, electronic lights and battle sounds!

The light on the headset and on the gun, blinks. The faster it blinks, the more times you've been shot. When the light goes out, you have one hit left.

As far as the sounds... it makes explosive sounds and beeps and buzzes.  Futuristic? Hardly!

Operates in broad daylight.

It does and does it well. Some systems have failed because they could not be used in sunlight.