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The GUN4IR firmware is free to use but there is no known direct download link. However, the author will email a link to the firmware and GUI after a GUI license is purchased.
Open source projects make the source programming code available to anyone who wants to examine it or to make changes to it. This is particularly useful when building firmware to run on various different microcontrollers. Closed source projects are proprietary and source code is not made available. Closed source projects are typically distributed as a binary file that is compatible with only one type of microcontroller.
To recreate classic arcade lightguns, a number of lightgun conversions include a solenoid inside the lightgun to simulate recoil when firing. Some solenoids even move the lightgun slide when firing for a more authentic experience.
Rumble motors are commonly used to vibrate game controllers during high action gameplay. Many lightgun conversions use rumble motors in addition to or in place of solenoids. Rumble feedback is much quieter than solenoid feedback so the game can go on after others have gone to sleep.
Serial commands can be sent from a host computer to the lightgun to change it’s configuration (e.g. change aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9) when a new game is selected rather than needing to remember button combinations.
Storing lightgun settings in the gun makes moving the lightgun from one location to another easier. On-gun memory prevents the need to recalibrate the lightgun each time it is powered on.