GUN4IR Guide: Four-Point IR Tracking and DIY Options

2. GUN4IR

Last verified: 2026-08-26

Availability: the ecosystem is active, but sampled official boards, kits, emitters and DIY license displayed Sold out on the verification date. Regional pre-modded stock is intermittent.

Official URL:

• OS support: first party lists Windows, Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi and MiSTer where generic lightgun mouse input is fully supported. The setup GUI is Windows-centered; saved settings then travel with the gun.
• Tracking and sensors: a gun-mounted IR positioning camera sees four emitter points around the display. The microcontroller applies perspective/position correction. The official “never lose accuracy” claim is qualified: all four LEDs must be detected.
• Recoil: build-dependent solenoid, rumble and RGB are supported. MAME-output synchronization requires compatible tools/games and solenoids generally need external power.
• Calibration: initial camera/emitter setup through the GUI is stored onboard. Host tracking software is not required during play, but game/emulator input mapping and in-game calibration remain separate.
• Multi-gun: multiplayer auto-mapping is claimed where the game/emulator supports it. No hard maximum was found in reviewed first-party material.
• Displays: officially any type/ratio/size, constrained in practice by field of view, distance, lens and visibility of all emitters. Fisheye/wide lenses allow closer play.
• Documented emulators: Batocera v36+; otherwise the official compatibility statement is generic lightgun mouse support plus MAME-output feedback.

Advantages: onboard processing; no border/runtime tracker; strong independent accuracy reports; flexible conversion of original GunCon, arcade or custom shells; rich feedback and pedal/Nunchuk options.

Limitations: permanent four-emitter installation; IR interference; parts/prebuild availability; Windows setup dependency; donor-shell/builder quality variation; emulator configuration is still required.

Official claims vs independent observations

• Official: average 4 ms processing latency, one-time stored calibration, broad generic-mouse OS support and real-time four-point auto-calibration. These are manufacturer claims, not a cross-product benchmark. Sources: about page, legacy project repository.
• Independent: Batocera rates GUN4IR 5/5 and gives roughly 1.2x screen width with fisheye to 2x without. One detailed owner report found very good accuracy but slight jitter/corner error, stray-IR sensitivity, permanent emitters, Windows-only configuration in that setup, high cost and a thinner support footprint. Sources: Batocera, owner report.