iPod Touch-controlled shooting range

Polymythic built an iPod Touch-controlled target range using an Arduino microcontroller board, an ioBridge panel and three servos.

A friend of mine who is something of an avid shooter had mentioned the lack of affordable "action" type targets. After some discussion, we determined it would be fun to build such a contraption for some indoor airsoft practice. The Arduino Diecimilia was a great choice for the "programming side" of things (I have 2 of them, he has one as well).

As a shooter, you would want to be up-range from the targets, so having something portable with a web interface was a great solution so nobody would have to be "in the line of fire". The iPod Touch and the ioBridge module I used in another recent project. Of course, why build a custom target enclosure when I could snap one together with my Construx.

Arduino/ioBridge Airsoft Target Range [Nowhere Else] (Thanks, Stagueve!)

[#1 posted by bbonyx , January 22, 2009 8:22 AM]

A cheaper option might be to utilize a Lego Mindstorms kit. Once the cost of the iPod, Arduino and servos is factored in, I'm sure Mindstorms would come in at a lesser cost.

[#2 posted by SamSam , January 22, 2009 9:46 AM]

Yes, although since most people would buy an iPod for other reasons beyond a project like this, that doesn't actually count as a cost...

As for the arduino and servos, those would cost, maybe, $60-70 total? That's a little under the $250 for mindstorms.

[#3 posted by dhasenan , January 22, 2009 11:54 AM]

I hope that wall was bulletproof. Nothing like shooting up your own home -- or better yet, apartment complex.

Also, I hope it isn't concrete blocks. Ricochets and concrete shards are not fun.

For your enjoyment, it's probably best to get a thick earthen backstop to shoot in front of. Bullets tend to get stuck in dirt and not leave, while the dirt doesn't get thrown with enough force to injure people.

[#4 posted by Halloween Jack , January 22, 2009 1:54 PM]

I think that we're all missing the important point here, which is: will your Android phone help you become a steely-eyed cold-blooded gunslinger? Will your precious little Palm Pre?

iPhone: Because there's just some fellas as needs killin'.

[#5 posted by Anonymous , January 22, 2009 2:35 PM]

Hey Dhasenan,

He is using an airsoft gun. They shoot small plastic spheres propelled by air. They leave small welts on the skin, but are no where near as damaging as a real bullet. I doubt it would even leave a mark on the wall.

[#6 posted by tsteele999 , January 22, 2009 4:05 PM]

#3: I think the Airsoft guns aren't going to shoot a pellet through the wall, they use them for combat games similar to paintball.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft

[#7 posted by Tenn , January 29, 2009 5:01 PM]

He's really concerned about being shot with airsoft pellets? What?