Predator Games Information

There is a complete list of documents and manuals on www.PredatorGames.com available for download should you need them. Aside from the basic product manuals, you'll also find documents such as:

Software Updating Procedures - Explains the process of checking and updating the software on your Predator equipment.
Troubleshooting Guide - Helps you troubleshoot common issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Also answers some common questions you may have about the equipment, set up, or game play.
Safety Report - Details the properties and safety of the infrared LED used to fire Predator 'lasers'.
IR Beam Characteristics - Explains how the infrared beam works depending on distance, light, and other conditions.
Software Compatibility - Predator units often get new software updates and this document helps you keep track of what versions and products work with each other.

If you would like to see information about a particular problem or question you have, please let us know (support@predatorgames.com). Our research and development team is constantly testing and improving all Predator products.

Next Stop - Toronto!

Predator Games and Tippmann Sports will be visiting the Toronto, Canada area this January 26-27. This trip will consists of free information and services for customers and other people interested in both Tippmann and Predator gear. It's a great time to come ask questions, learn good business ideas, and troubleshoot any issues you may have.

The schedule is set:

January 26: Sessions at hotel (Holiday Inn Express in Mississauga, ON)
January 27: Wasaga Beach Paintball visitation

If you would like to attend at either location please contact social@predatorgames.com. Tippmann will be showing off the latest paintball gear and providing an avenue to meet a rep and place orders. Predator Games will be on hand demonstrating and talking about their outdoor laser tag system and how it can benefit you. Come get your questions answered!

Batteries: What Works Best?

There are always questions about batteries and battery life with any electronic device, and Predator Games laser tag equipment is no different. For those of you who want to get the most out of their Predator units, this Blog post is for you.

To begin, Predator Games units (Eagle Eye and Barracuda) all require four size AA 1.5V batteries to operate. Anything other than that, and performance may vary. All units require batteries and are not supplied with a rechargeable battery system. We chose to use a replaceable battery method in our units to make getting dead units back up and running faster, especially if you are running games in a remote location or charging time is not a luxury you have. Also, keep in mind that no matter which battery system/brand/voltage you use, make sure all four batteries in the unit are the same type. Mixing Lithium Ion with Alkaline batteries and so on is not a good idea.

With a full set up using brand new brand name batteries, one can expect up to 30,000 shots or up to 48 hours of stand-by time. There is a big difference between store name batteries and brand names such as Duracell or Energizer. We suggest using either of those two.

For budget conscious users, buying new batteries all the time is not always feasible. In that case, we recommend using rechargeable batteries. Keep in mind that most rechargeable batteries operate on 1.2V. This means battery life and power might not be sufficient in Predator Games units. That said, many fields and businesses using Predator units and 1.2V rechargeables have good results and no problems. It doesn't matter which

Recommendations for rechargeable systems can be found at Amazon.com. We suggest these (1.6V) or these (1.2V). You always want to research which is best, as different types of batteries have different life times and recharge counts. You will also want a rapid charger to get them up and running. Make sure any charger you purchase allows trickle charging or has a stop on it, so fully charged batteries are not damaged if left sitting in the charger for long periods of time. We recommend this one or this one. Again, make sure any charger you purchase is compatible with your battery type (NiMH, Lithium Ion, etc) and is able to charge up to the full mAh (milli-amp hours, or battery capacity).

Remember, when switching to a new battery system or type, always purchase a few for testing before replacing your entire fleet. Try playing with the unit until the batteries die too, to get an idea of when you will have to swap them. Having two sets for each unit is ideal, so that one set is charging while the other is in use.