Frequently Asked Questions:
This page contains answers to common questions handled by our support staff, along with some tips and tricks that we have found useful and presented here as questions. These FAQ's are for software questions, not Technical Support. If you are in need of Technical Support, please click on the Support Walk-Through link. For league questions, see the League Questions page.
- How do I enable TechnoHunt to allow kids to shoot from closer to the screen?
- Can I add players to my league after it has been created?
- How often should I tune my screen?
- How often should I check my graphs?
- What should my graphs look like?
- How can I keep my TechnoHunt system working optimally?
- How do the TechnoHunt Hitzones score shots?
- How do I tighten my screen?
- What does the calibration result number mean?
- What should I do in the event of an impending electrical storm?
- How can I remove the cursor from my screen?
- What can I do if I get the following error message: "Sensor not responding on Port COM" ?
- What if my system freezes up on the "TechnoHUNT is now loading" screen ?
- What if I get a "System Confused" error?
- Why aren't arrow shots registering / registering in the wrong location?
From the main TechnoHunt menu, click on Utilities, then System Config, then Two Sensors.
This will tell the system to only use the Screen sensors. Anyone can now shoot from any distance, however the True Yardage and Wind features cannot be used. You may need to Tune the system for Two Sensors if your tracking is off.
You can add and remove players from your league at any time.
Select the League you want to play. Under the current list of names already in that league is a checkbox that says 'Show Only Players In League'. Uncheck this box, and your complete database will be shown. Simply select the new player to shoot the league, start the game, and he is now saved in that league.
For further League Questions, Click Here.
Generally, your TechnoHunt system only needs to be tuned if it is mistracking arrows. There is no need to do a regular re-tuning of the system.
Your graphs should be checked every morning before shooting the system. Any trouble spots (dips) should be taken care of immediately.
Additionally, your reflective tape should be wiped down every morning (never use any cleaning solution), and any scratches or bad scuff marks should be patched.
Keeping the threads on your screen trimmed down will also help your TechnoHunt system perform optimally.
A good graph will have a definite beginning and end, not a 'curve' at either end. It will be free of any dips, and should have a light level that stays above 60.
Example of a BAD graph
Example of a GOOD graph
There are a few basic steps you can take to keep your TechnoHunt system working like it should. These maintenance steps take very little time, and can make a huge difference in how your system operates.
1) Keep your tape clean!! Wipe down your tape each morning before your shooters come in. You may even want to check it throughout the day to ensure that footprints, fletchings, etc., are not on the tape. A dry soft cloth works well to wipe the tape down. If needed, a damp cloth can be used, just be sure to follow it immediately with a dry cloth to avoid any water spots. Never Use Any Cleaning Solution (Windex, etc.) On The Tape! Cleaning solutions have chemicals that can reduce the reflectiveness of the tape.
2) Check your graphs!! It takes only a couple of minutes to pull up your graphs and ensure there are no dips that might confuse the system. It takes much longer to have to reboot the system and start a game over if errors start to occur in the middle of a game.
3) Keep the screen threads trimmed! If the threads are more than a couple of inches long, they can enter the sensor array after an arrow hits the screen, potentially causing the system to mistrack the shot.
4) Keep your DVD's and your DVD drive clean! DVD wipes and DVD drive cleaners can be purchased at almost any electronics store. These items can keep your TechnoHunt scenarios running smoothly. Just like any other CD or DVD, skipping can occur if the Discs or the Drive itself are not kept clean.
The average TechnoHunt scenario lasts between 15-25 seconds. This relates to around 600-800 frames of video. Hit-zones are drawn on every frame around the animals' body area, vital area, heart, and in some cases (mostly small game) the head. Body shots are worth 5 points, Vital or kill shots are worth 8 points, and Bullseyes (Heart and sometimes Head shots) are worth 10. Please note that not all scenarios present a valid heart shot, and thus may not have a Bullseye. Neck shots and limb shots are always counted as misses. While most small game animals have a Hit-zone drawn around the head and body, there is never a Hit-zone drawn around the neck. Hitting the animal between the head and the body will result in a miss.
For an example on how the Hit-zones are drawn, Click Here.
We have found that over a period of time the bungee cord is stretching and relaxing. This is normal. However, if the screen relaxes too much it can cause problems in tracking the arrows, especially shots to the middle of the screen. A general rule-of-thumb is that if the screen presses in with an arrow, more than 4” with light, light pressure, then it is time to tighten the screen. Below are the instructions to do this.
- Untie all the knots at the ends of the Bungee Cord. (Notice how they are tied so you can tie them again, Take a picture if possible).
- Starting in the middle at the top of the screen, grab the bungee between the 1st space between the eyebolt screws, to the right of the middle 2 eye bolts.
- Pull until tight (not too tight: just enough to stretch the bungee down to 3/8” diameter).
- Hold the slack that you have pulled in your left hand and grab the bungee in the next space over with your right hand and pull. Allow the slack that you are holding in your left hand to pass through, now, into the right hand.
- Repeat this procedure until you get to the end of the rope.
- When you are finished with the first rope start again in the middle at the top but this time go to your left.
- When you have tightened the entire screen, check the screen for tightness by pushing in the middle. The screen should push in approximately 2-4 inches.
If there are any questions about this, call Steve Eriksen 720-980-9245 or email at steveE@technohunt.com
This number refers to how far off the calibration is from being "perfect". For every ten points, the system will be off by an inch.
i.e. A calibration rating of 10.00 is equal to 1 inch off for arrow marking. 5.263 equals 1/2 inch off for arrow marking.
The lower the calibration number (closer to zero), the tighter the tolerance. Don't worry if the calibration rating is not exactly 0. A low number will be perfectly adequate for the operation of your TechnoHUNT system.
It should also be noted that using an arrow with a smaller diameter for the calibration process can help with a more accurate calibration.
We strongly suggest unplugging all components of the TechnoHUNT system before an electrical storm. Anything connected to a wall outlet should remain disconnected until you are certain it is safe to do so. Your warranty will not cover damage caused by an electrical storm, as it is considered an act of nature.
It is a good idea to make a habit of unplugging the system at the close of the day just to be safe, especially if a storm is nearby. Even a powered-off system is at risk if it is still connected to an outlet.
The mouse arrow may show up on the video during gameplay. This can occur from having reset your game's defaults. Use the following directions, or, for a more detailed description of how to turn this feature back off, download the following document:
MouseArrow.doc (2001 kb)
At the TechnoHUNT start-up screen, select "Options". On the next screen, click on "Arrow Tracker Options", then select "Advanced Options". This will cause a window to pop up, asking whether you would like to continue. Select "Yes". Another window will appear with four options. Choose "Change Registry". In the next window, make sure that the white box in front of "Mouse Clicks On" is empty. Click "Apply" at the bottom of the window, then choose "OK" which will close the window. From there, back out of all the screens until you are back at the options and launch screen. Finally, quit TechnoHUNT and relaunch it.
Error Message: "Sensor 1 not responding on Port COM3" in graphs
Summary: Downrange sensors (in front of your screen) cannot communicate. Uprange sensors may or may not work.
Causes:
- Left Sensor power turned off
- Damaged, disconnected or loose cable
- USB serial converter set to RS422/485 instead of NRL
- Malfunctioning Left Sensor
- Incorrect Software Settings
- Sensor Sensitivity turned up to high
- The Rocketport breakout box (for 98) or A200 (XP) current users since Jan 2007 may have stopped functioning
Solutions:
- Make sure the Left Sensor has all 3 dozen LED's lit
- Check cables for connection or damage from arrows
- Make sure the Sensor Sensitivity slider is below 75%
Error Message: "Sensor 3 not responding on Port COM4" in graphs
Summary: Downrange sensors communicate, but the uprange sensors don't.
Causes:
- Uprange sensor power turned off (but downrange power on)
- Bad / loose cable (50' cable to the uprange sensors)
- Sensor doesn't exist (i.e. in 3 sensor mode, but only 2 sensors selected for operation, change settings in sensor sensitivity option window)
- Sensor Sensitivity turned up to high
- The Rocketport breakout box (for 98) or A200 (XP) current users since Jan 2007 may have stopped functioning
Solutions:
- Make sure the Uprange Master Sensor has all 3 dozen LED's lit
- Check cables for connection or damage from arrows. (50' com cable)
- Make sure the Sensor Sensitivity is below 75% on Windows XP systems
- Error Message: "No Data From Sensor" on Right Sensor graph
Causes:
- Right Sensor power not on.
- Malfunctioning Right Sensor
- Damaged 20' Com Cable, from master to slave
Solutions:
- Make sure the Right Sensor has all 3 dozen LED's lit
- Check cable connections (20' Com Cable from master to slave)
Summary: TechnoHunt cannot communicate with all the sensors for the current mode. (2 sensors)
Causes:
- Sensors turned off
- Loose cable(s)
- A printer window still running. (The printer spooler could still be running, allow 30 seconds after printing or not printing scores.
- Malfunctioning Sensor
- A second Atrack program running (confirm this in your task manager window, by pressing control, Alt, Delete keys simultaneously on your keyboard.)
VERY IMPORTANT!!!
After every game, you must, exit out of TechnoHunt to the desktop, WAIT 10 SECONDS, and then double click on the “TechnoHunt Menu” icon to restart the game. Click on Launch and you are ready to play
If you do not do this the system will freeze, on the screen above, and then you must do the following:
SOLUTION:
Press these keys on your keyboard simultaneously; Control, Alt, Delete and end the drawing window only in the Task Manager window. Then quit or exit out of Technohunt and restart the Technohunt program to begin a game
System confused means one of the following things happened:
- Too much data or information (errant readings)
- Possible causes:
- high light level [See “Adjusting Sensors” in Customer Manual]
- obstructions on tape [remove/clean/patch]
- cable hanging in array [tie cable up]
- vibration [reconstruct screen frame and sensors]
- electrical interference [remove fluorescent lights and appliances from the circuit and remove from proximity to sensors]
- loose screen [tighten bungee]
- screen threads [singe or cut loose threads]
- spider webs [clean]
- Too little data (sensor(s) missed a shot)
- Possible causes:
- low light level [Adjust Sensor Gain in Customer Manual]
- misaligned sensors [See “Aligning Sensors” in Customer Manual]
- misaligned array boards [See “Sensor Arrays”]
- ambient light [eliminate light]
- sensor not reporting data [reset]
- Unintelligible data (can't figure out shot)
- Causes:
- Incorrect sensor settings can cause TechnoHunt to make assumptions that will cause bad tracking
- Errant readings will further confuse TechnoHunt (especially with incorrect settings)
Why aren't arrow shots registering / registering in the wrong location?
Arrow shots do not register:
- Causes:
- Sensors out of alignment
- Sensor light level too low. Adjust sensor sensitivity.
- Dirty Tape
- Solution:
- Align sensors and recalibrate.
- Clean tape.
- Increase light level for respective sensor.
Arrow shots registers in wrong location:
- Causes:
- Out of calibration, or Video image is being offset.
- Solution:
- Run Calibration program or if the image is offset, power-cycle the vga splitter or press the source/sync button on the VGA projector.
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