LaserTrek

Founded By: Dr. Robert Harshaw

Originated: 1994 Date Closed: 2005

Number of Locations: 45

Personnel of Note:
Dr. Robert Harshaw – President/CEO
Rod Allen – Vice President, Marketing
David Groos – Sr. Vice President

First Facility: Wakayami-Shi, Japan. The facility’s name was LaserTech, opened November 11, 1994.

Equipment Overview: The LaserTrek LDD-1 Arcade Game System (the name given to their laser tag) had unique styling and was created by Heads Up Technology with a hard plastic vest and LDD-1 phaser. The two hands were required to operate the dual triggers on the phaser, which also included two IR sensors, an LCD display screen and a replaceable battery contained in the lower ring area of the phaser. The vest itself included speakers on the shoulders and IR sensors on the front and back. A player ID number was featured on the chest piece as well.

Historical Overview: Dr. Rob Harshaw was the owner of Heads Up Technology and his neighbor, Neil Farren was the then Vice President of Q-Zar. While discussing an issue that Q-Zar was having with their new Q6 laser tag system Harshaw suggested that Heads Up may be able to be of some technical assistance, which led to the development of this new equipment. A discrepancy over payment apparently resulted in Dr. Harshaw taking back the product and launching LaserTrek as a new division of Heads Up. LaserTrek stopped development in 2005, but continued to offer support to their existing operators and facilities.