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Hardware Setup Guide

Hardware Setup Guide

Owned by David Avgikos
Last updated: Mar 05, 2025
4 min read

Congratulations on your purchase of a DART simulator. You’re on your way to more frequent and intensive firearms training. Before you begin, ensure you have everything needed to set up and calibrate the system.

Your DART system comes packaged with the following components:

  • Laptop Computer (in a protective sleeve)

  • Short-Throw Projector

  • Shot-Tracking Camera

  • Speaker

  • Multi-outlet Extension Cord

  • Laptop Canvas Bag containing the following parts:

    • Laptop Power Supply and Cord

    • Wireless Mouse

  • Video Canvas Bag containing the following parts:

    • Projector Power Supply and Cord

    • Projector Remote Control

    • 15' HDMI Video Cable (for connecting the projector to the laptop)

    • Tabletop Tripod (for camera)

  • Audio Canvas Bag containing the following parts:

    • Speaker Power Supply and Cord

    • Speaker Mounting Hardware (generally not used)

    • 12' Audio Cable (for connecting the projector to the speaker)

    • 15' USB Cable (for connecting the camera to the laptop)

Your DART system has been designed for easy setup. This guide will help you become familiar with the process. After setting up the system a few times, you should find the process takes only a few minutes.

These steps describe an ideal installation in which the projector projects an image approximately 13 feet wide and 7.5 feet tall. DART will work in smaller spaces, but you should project an image that is at least 9 feet wide and 5 feet tall. Projected images smaller than 13 feet wide will cause targets to appear smaller than they would in the real world.

The steps below assume that you have a screen assembled and positioned or that you are using a light-colored wall in place of a screen.

Step 1: Set up the Projector

Position the projector on the floor approximately 8 feet from a screen or light-colored wall. This should create a projected image approximately 13 feet wide. The projected image should not touch the floor or ceiling.

You will need to extend the rear tilt-adjustment feet of the projector all the way out for the projected image to start 3-4 inches above the floor.

Do not project onto a whiteboard or other highly reflective surface.

Connect the projector’s power supply/cord (found in the Video bag) to the rear of the projector and the multi-outlet extension cord that came with your system.

Step 2: Set up the Speaker

Connect the speaker’s power supply/cord (found in the Audio bag) to the rear power jack of the speaker. Connect the speaker’s power supply to the multi-outlet extension cord.

Plug one end of the audio cable (found in the Audio bag) into the LINE IN port of the speaker. Plug the other end to the AUDIO OUT port of the projector.

Step 3: Set up the Laptop Computer

Remove the laptop computer from the protective sleeve and set it on a table within 12 feet of the projector.

The DART system comes with 15-foot cables to connect the laptop to the projector and camera. You can replace these with cables up to 25 feet in length if you need more space.

Connect the laptop power supply/cable (found in the Laptop bag) to the back of the laptop. Connect the laptop’s power supply to the multi-outlet extension cord.

The laptop must be plugged in to run the DART software. When the laptop is running on battery power it will throttle down the processing speed to conserve battery life. The slower processing speed is inadequate for running DART.

Place the wireless mouse (found in the Laptop bag) next to the computer. Be sure to turn it on using the switch found underneath the mouse.

Connect one end of the HDMI video cable (found in the Video bag) to the HDMI port in the back of the laptop. Connect the other end to the HDMI 1 port of the projector.

Step 4: Setup the Camera

Remove the camera from its box and screw the tripod (found in the Video bag) into the base of the camera until it is snug. Do not over-tighten.

For now, place the camera about a foot behind the projector. The exact position will be determined during the calibration stage. Ideally, the camera should be about a foot off the ground, although this is not required. The empty hard case included in the DART system is a great base to set the camera on.

Connect one end of the USB cable (found in the Audio bag) to the port on the back of the camera. Plug the other end into the USB port at the back or sides of the computer.

Step 5: Power on the Equipment

If you have not already done so, plug the multi-outlet extension cord into a wall socket.

  • Turn on the power to the laptop computer by pressing the round power button above the keyboard.

  • Turn on the power to the projector by pressing the power button on the top control panel.

  • Turn on the power to the speaker by pressing the POWER toggle switch on the back of the speaker.

Once the laptop has booted to the desktop, double-click the DART Range or MAX Range icon on the desktop. You are now ready for the calibration process.

 

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