SMOKELESS RANGE 2.0 JUDGEMENTAL AND MARKSMANSHIP SHOOTING SIMULATOR

There are a few other software shooting sims on the market. Some are about the same price. Others FAR more expensive. Some utilize a subscription model, though that's an instant DQ for me.Believe me, what's included in the Smokeless Range is excellent, fun, and useful, but you WILL want to purchase some of the upgrade packs. Those won't replace what you get here, but will instead add to it, so you have more variety of exercises.I'm really quite impressed at how accurate the laser hits are and how realistic laser shooting can be. I use CoolFire laser barrels in my Glocks to provide very realistic recoil and see myself doing MUCH more shooting on a regular basis than ever before.This product consists of the software and activation codes and a standard thrown high-speed camera to detect the laser hits so they convert to mouse clicks. You'll also need a projector (https://amzn.to/3VY3uGr) a screen (https://amzn.to/3VYjpEM), or you can use a thin white plastic table cloth (https://amzn.to/3XzrdOx) to cover your TV.I found the process of carefully wrapping my TV every time I wanted to sim shoot to be a pain. I also found that the appearance of the simulator and the effectiveness of laser tracking wasn't nearly as good on a covered TV than it is using a projector. I now have a semi-permanent range setup where I press a button to extend my screen and another to turn on my projector and I can be shooting in minutes!

The program uploaded on the computer easily. The tutorial on how to start up (youtube) was very helpful. I still have settings to explore, but it was easily set into action the first time. The camera calibrated itself despite some natural light in the room. My wife and I had fun exploring the shooting exercises included. I think the system was a little generous on accuracy. It seemed to give me more credit than I think my shooting deserved. That might just be a setting I need to find. However, the shot placement on the practice targets was more than good enough for me to adjust the point of impact of the laser. So far, we are very happy with the system. Just ordered another pistol replica so we can have fun with the simultaneous two-shooter versions of the games. Email to LaserAmmo asking questions about the suitability of the projector and computer I picked out were answered quickly and professionally. So, customer service seems good.

First, let me state that I did not buy this through Amazon, I purchased the Smokeless Range 2.0 and the Game Range Alpha 2 addon, directly from the Laserammo web site. Along with a SF30 BASIC GEN. 2 IR training pistol. I am also using a SIRT 110 red/red, pistol from NextLevelTraining.I purchased the following from amazon for this:glock 19 recoil IR laser pistol https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CWPS9QHH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1Carthttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ42LLHF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsScreenhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQH46NM6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsProjectorhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0749NTSCD?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsProjector standhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGH7F57F?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsI have the range setup in my garage, using simple clips, I clipped the screen on the metal brackets of the garage door, this allows it to stay in a fixed location, and since it's soft material it has no problem flexing when the door opens or closes. You could use a standing/folding screen, if you choose.The cart, was easy to put together and has two locking wheels, to keep it in place. On the bottom shelf of the cart I have a small laptop shelf, with the projector sitting on it. The middle shelf is my laptop and the smokeless range camera. And the top shelf holds my training pistols, magazines etc.Now on with the review.I have been familiar with the smokeless range for over 6+ months, but didn't end up purchasing it till now.I downloaded their demo software, and experimented with it on my PC. You can't use it with a training pistol without the camera and projector, so it was really just a way to see it, and if it would load on my machine and just an overall feel for the software and the interface.Over all the 10 training games it comes with, and the 10 additional ones I purchased in the Game Range Alpha 2 addon, offer a good variety of shooting options. They do look quite simplistic, and remind me of some old-school style flash games from 15 years ago. But for basic shooting drills, you really don't need anything spectacular. In fact the simple graphics make it possible to run it on a less powerful system, there is no need for a gaming style laptop to get it up and running smoothly.The installation was simple, registering the software was quick and painless. The system has a few basic settings you can configure, but over all is quick to setup. Dialing in the projector, and screen may take a little effort the first time, but once you have it working it should be good to go.The camera calibration is a little trickier, room lighting makes a difference. Since I am in Florida, my garage can be quite warm, so I am using a portable AC unit (also from amazon) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09T8YHMX3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1With the AC unit in place, I have to open the garage door a few inches to vent the exhaust, and using a few strips of paneling to block the light along the gap at the bottom of the door. Once you have your lighting under control, you can begin the calibration process. You simply move the camera to have full view of the screen, it does not need to be perfectly aligned, it just needs to be able to see the entire screen, so it can register the laser shots. If the calibration fails, make sure you do not have any light hitting the screen, and try again once you diffuse the lighting. You should use a screen with 1.0 - 1.3 gain, and it should be matte, not reflective, and should have a black backing so light does not penetrate through. The one I listed above that I am using, meets all this criteria.Once you get things all setup, camera/calibration, projector, laptop etc, the next thing to do is dial in your laser. This is much easier if you use a non-recoil pistol with a visible red beam, like the SIRT. This way you can see the exact location on screen, along with where you are aiming and how it is being registered. I find this process a little more challenging with my IR pistols, vs the pistols with a visible beam. You can dial in an IR laser pistol, without much of an issue, if you are ok with knowing how to aim/sight it properly, and how to adjust it if need be. If you always have the screen and projector at approximately the same distance each time you use it, then setting your sights, should be a one time thing, and you won't have to do it again.Now that things are dialed in, and ready to go, the fun begins.Over all, the games are pretty basic, but they do challenge a lot of different skills for shooters. Speed, accuracy, following moving targets, determining shoot/no shot targets with split second decision making etc.Each game offers some options you can configure, like the target size, shape, or number of targets, a timer for the game, distance or target size, choosing to include no-shoot targets and the like, depending on the specific game played.Many o...

We didn't HOURS attempting to calibrate this system, from the TV to a projector. We returned the product, it wasted too much of our time to continue trying

It uses a cheap webcam and the program is only outputs 720p so the accuracy of this is limited. The program is very limited in what it can do. Overall I would recommend just spending the money on range time and take a couple of classes instead.