11 replies to this topic

[Alexiumz]

Firstly, I have searched and can't find anything of the likes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd be the first to suggest or post something like this.

What I'm suggesting is a standardised range test for everyone to adhere to so that ranges are all relative.
When advertising ranges, either for bragging about their new mod and/or in the trading forum, I'm sure that people exaggerate ranges slightly, or even angling the gun biases the results compared to people who do it 'fairly'.

I want feedback on my idea, how it could be improved or even simply say how you test your ranges, and good ideas can be incorporated.

Proposed Plan

On flat, level ground, a long tape measure to be laid down along the ground, further than you expect your gun to shoot. You can get very long tapes for measuring buildings. If you don't have access to one of these, string or rope can be used, and measure out at the end. The measure should be taught - use a weight at the end to keep it tight. One person, the 'spotter' is to stand to the side, down range roughly where you think the dart will land.

The shooter will stand at the firing point - the start of the tape measure. The gun will be resting at a specific height*, flat and level - not angled. A spirit level can be used if there is any dispute. Try to do this indoors, or if a longer range required, outdoor, providing there is as little wind as possible - crosswind is preferable to head or tail winds. When the shooter fires, the spotter must watch to see where the dart first lands/bounces. He is to make a note of this distance. The shooter then repeats until he has fired six shots - this is a number that can be used to gauge an average, and is also the mag capacity of several Nerf guns.

The spotter should now have 6 ranges, and an average can be calculated from this (Sum of all results divided by six.)

*I've used a 1 metre high box, however some may say this is too low - firing from a shoulder is just under or around 5 feet, give or take due to different peoples heights. And it'd be kinda hard to find a 5 foot high box - or other object to rest the gun on. I'm open to suggestions for this, however this is a key element to the test - a 'unified' shooting height/position.

[Mr BadWrench]

sounds good...

There really should be some set in stone plan.... but no one will listen because the people who range matters to will cheat and the people who range does not matter to.... well they don't care.

I have a 2x2 target on my shop wall.... I fire at the target and if I can hit within reason I estimate my distance by counting the 8ft sections between my expansion joints and make up the last 4 or 5ft. I do sometimes angle my blaster slightly when I fire depending on what kind of blaster im testing. The point is that I can get "solid consistent" hits on a target from a measured distance. pistols and blasters that are intended to be a quick shot or a high ROF you cannot use much angle on... but for long range hits I like to angle enough that I can see the dart ARC in the air.

but everyone is different and your plan is as good as any.

[Alexiumz]

Mr BadWrench, on May 24 2009, 10:30 PM, said:

sounds good...

There really should be some set in stone plan.... but no one will listen because the people who range matters to will cheat and the people who range does not matter to.... well they don't care.

Good point, but my point is to eliminate this. But who cares, you're right - people who care about ranges cheat and those that don't care just don't do it.
But oh well - For those that do care and don't cheat, well I'd like a standardised way of doing it, so that people can fairly compare.

Edited by Alexiumz, 24 May 2009 - 04:39 PM.

[wingd man]

I would like to say that range is overrated and angling is underrated. In the summer I have gotten 30ft. differences in range than in the winter, and I say that if you can easily hit the target, then a slight angle is okay. No 45 degree angles, I'm talking more about 1-10 degree angles. Nevertheless, when displaying ranges you should say flat, and maybe mention angled.

Just my 2 cents.

[Alexiumz]

Very good example, but I doubt most people are prepared to write all that just to say 'with my mods, it gets ___ feet'.

[spartan062]

Alexiumz, if you are that serious, you should start building everyone a rig to hold the gun perfectly 5' off of the ground at perfectly 90* to get the exact range.

In a war, exact range does not matter as you are likely to over/under estimate the ranges to a target.

Edited by spartan.062, 24 May 2009 - 05:02 PM.

[Alexiumz]

I'm not so serious that everything needs to be exact... It's just a way for people to compare guns, stock and modded, using a fair and relative system. Besides, this is only my suggestion - I'm not telling people that this is the way it must be done.

Edited by Alexiumz, 24 May 2009 - 05:16 PM.

[fallinouttadabox]

In the dorms at our school, they use 1' x 1' tiles. Any time we do range testing, we go into one of the bigger dorms, stand at the end of one hall and then count the tiles. The ceilings prevent unreasonable angles and being indoors helps regulate temperatures. While I know not everyone has this accessible to them, it works great for my friends and I.

[atomatron]

I have always considered the 5' (approximately) level to be the standard range measuring system.

[PointBlank]

I often use this exact method of range testing, but I really do not see the point of having a second 'spotter' write down all the ranges... This is something that can be easily done by the person who is firing the gun. It just seems a bit too meticulous to include if the rules are set in stone.

However, I like what you are trying to accomplish here, there are far too many people out there who think they are the gods of modification just because their scout can shoot 60' at a 45 degree angle, with just removed air restrictors. If this does become a policy, I think that its best use is for sale threads. Say a guy is selling his recon that supposedly shoots 100', he will need to clarify that he is using the regulated measuring method.

Edited by PointBlank, 24 May 2009 - 07:53 PM.

[Alexiumz]

PointBlank, on May 25 2009, 01:08 AM, said:

I often use this exact method of range testing, but I really do not see the point of having a second 'spotter' write down all the ranges... This is something that can be easily done by the person who is firing the gun. It just seems a bit too meticulous to include if the rules are set in stone.

However, I like what you are trying to accomplish here, there are far too many people out there who think they are the gods of modification just because their scout can shoot 60' at a 45 degree angle, with just removed air restrictors. If this does become a policy, I think that its best use is for sale threads. Say a guy is selling his recon that supposedly shoots 100', he will need to clarify that he is using the regulated measuring method.

The point of the spotter is so they can easily see where the dart first strikes the ground - this would be far harder for the shooter due to the distance and perspective (the spotter is side on to the range). They can also quickly jot down the distance on a scrap of paper, and the shooter can then fire the second shot. This is quicker than the shooter having to do it all.

As for it's use in the trading forum - that's a perfect example of how it can be used; one of the kinds of things I had in mind when I devised this.

[Talio]

Range tests are stupid and no matter what can be exaggerated. And even if they are, who cares?

Talio.