Sinden Light Gun Guide

How it works

A Sinden light gun tracks the bright rectangular frame around the game area and converts that position into aim. It works without extra tracking hardware placed around the display. Keep the complete tracking frame visible while playing.

The Sinden tracking frame

The bright rectangular frame marks the playable display area. Keep it visible on all four sides. Cropped corners, overlays, reflections, or a bright object beside the screen can reduce accuracy. In Batocera, use Start, Controller & Bluetooth Settings, Sinden Gun Settings to check Border Mode, Border Size, and Border Color. White is the default; red, green, and blue are also available.

Calibration

1. 1Stand at a comfortable playing distance and confirm the complete Sinden tracking frame is visible.
2. 2Press and hold LEFT on the light gun's directional pad for five seconds.
3. 3When the crosshair appears in the centre of the screen, aim at it and pull the trigger.
4. 4Test the centre and edges of the screen.
5. 5Run this main calibration first whenever accuracy needs improvement.
6. 6If every other title is accurate but one game remains offset, that title may require its own in-game calibration; report the game to Mectura.

Best lighting

• Use even room lighting.
• Avoid direct sunlight on the display.
• Reduce reflections from windows and glossy surfaces.
• Temporarily switch off nearby decorative or LED lighting to compare.
• Do not automatically darken the room: a display that is too dim can also cause jitter.
• Keep the TV out of Eco mode and use its normal or gaming brightness.
• If tracking remains unstable, try another Sinden Border Color and change only one setting at a time.

Safety

• Treat the device as a game controller and never point it at people.
• Children require adult supervision.
• Keep the muzzle away from the display.
• Route cables to prevent trips and pulls.
• Store securely when not in use.
• Do not use a damaged housing or cable.

Light Gun collection

Use the cabinet's approved Light Gun collection. It includes configured Dreamcast, Model 3, Naomi, PS2, MAME, and Wii light-gun games. Compatibility and multiplayer support vary by title. If the gun works on the Batocera main screen but not one game, confirm the tracking frame, run the main Sinden calibration, then compare another game in the same system. Some titles require their own in-game calibration.

Maintenance

Wipe the exterior with a dry microfibre cloth. Do not spray the gun or wrap cables tightly. Inspect the cable, strain relief, trigger, buttons, and housing periodically.

Troubleshooting

Before troubleshooting a controller, light gun, trackball, or spinner, ask whether any USB cable, adapter, hub, port, or internal connection was moved. A customer may restore only a documented external USB connection after shutdown. Internal pins and wiring require a technician and the original Mectura reference.

• On the Batocera main screen, check for the light-gun activity icon in the upper-left and move the gun to confirm it responds.
• Launch a known light-gun game and confirm the complete Sinden tracking frame remains visible on all four sides.
• If aim is inaccurate, press and hold LEFT on the light gun's directional pad for five seconds, then aim at the centre crosshair and pull the trigger.
• Identify Gun 1, Gun 2, or both and test each gun alone before testing them together.
• Check whether gun USB cables, hubs, or ports were changed; avoid shared hubs.
• Use even lighting, reduce reflections, compare with decorative lights off, and do not make the display too dim.
• Try another Border Color under Sinden Gun Settings; white is the default, with red, green, and blue available.
• Duplicate gun identity or configured port requires technician-only use of the official Sinden PC utility; customers must not change firmware or IDs.