Frequently Asked Questions

The 3rd Space vest is a patented technology which uses an air compressor system (pneumatics) to inflate/deflate several specialized air pockets (or actuators) located within the front and back of the vest. The air pockets inflate and produce a physical strike against the user to produce the effects.

There are 8: Four in the front and four in the back.

The actuators are located over important anatomical areas that correlate to areas combatants would be targeting if they were trying to inflict damage on you in real life. These include Heart ( Front, left Chest), Lung (Front, right Chest) liver (Front, right abdomen) Intestines (Front, left lower), Lungs (Back, right & left upper), Kidneys (Back, right & left lower).

The actuators typically generate up to 5 lbs of impact force.

Take a single roll of 50 pennies. Lay on the ground face up. Hold the role of pennies end on (up and down) 6 inches above your stomach, then release the roll and let the roll strike your stomach. That is what 5lb of force feels like.

Not if used properly. It is safe and fun. For further information, please see the owners manual for detailed information of the proper use and care of the vest

Yes, by tightening the vest. The snugger the fit, the greater the impact. If the vest is not tightened up, the impact will be very weak. See owners manual for further details.

No. The game developers can vary the impact of the hits and effects in the game code. The user is not able to increase or decrease the operating pressure of the system.

NO! Rumble is a very basic technology which is used as an event indicator. 3rd Space technology is quite sophisticated and produces an actual impact to the user which can be used to emulate a variety of effects such as kicks, punches, blasts, bullet hits, ground effects, and G force effects.

No. At this time, the vest works with only on the PC platform

Our engineers are working on this as we speak. We have not yet set an official release date for this function but please check our website for this important news update.

YES. The system we are working on will allow each and every vest the ability to work on all major platforms once support of those platforms is announced.

Sizing: Use the sizing chart below to select your fit. The FPS Vest offers an ample range of adjustability so there is overlap between the two available sizes. If you are on the borderline between S/M and L/XL, get the S/M. The snugger the fit the better and more realistic the effects will feel.

Height Chest Size
S/M 4'10" to 5'11" 30" - 49"
L/XL 6'0" -UP 36" - UP

SYSTEM SET UP

3RD SPACE COMPRESSOR SYSTEM PLACEMENT
Choose a location to set up the compressor that has enough room to allow for the free flow of air around
the box.
The compressor should be placed horizontally on a flat surface. If the compressor is placed on the floor, make sure all vents and fans remain clear of any obstructions. Take care when the system is placed on the floor as the cables may cause someone to trip, stumble, or fall.

CONNECTING THE AC POWER ADAPTER
1. Insert the circular end of the power adaptor cord into the AC adapter connection on the back of the compressor box.
2. Insert the AC plug into a 120V AC wall outlet.

! CAUTION: To prevent electrical shock, match the wide blade of the plug to the wide slot and insert fully into the outlet.

PUTTING ON THE 3RD SPACE VEST
1. Properly orient the vest so the pockets and all straps are on the outside surface of the vest.
2. Put on the 3rd Space Vest as you would a normal vest by placing each arm through the appropriate clearspace located between the shoulder fabric and above the uppermost straps.
3. Once the vest is on, zip up the front of the garment.
4. Connect each end of the upper compression strap (chest).
5. Connect each end of the lower compression strap (abdomen).
6. Make shoulder adjustments by:
      a. Releasing the shoulder strap
      buckle(s)
      b. Lifting the upper shoulder
      flap from the Velcro strip
      c. Sliding the lower shoulder
      flap in or out of the shoulder                               
      adjustment sleeve as required
      for a comfortable fit
      d. Re-attaching the upper
      shoulder flap to the Velcro strip
      e. Securing the strap buckle and
      tightening as needed

7. Obtain a preliminary fit by tightening each of the compression straps to take up some of the slack in the vest.
8. Readjust the shoulders if required.
9. Tighten each of the compression straps to maintain as snug a fit as is comfortable. The tighter the fit, the better the effect.

CONNECTING THE 3RD SPACE VEST TO THE COMPRESSOR
Attach the air hose of the 3rd Space Vest to the compressor box by aligning the opening of the air hose connector of the vest over the air connector of the compressor and pushing the two fittings together until they click.


To remove the air hose from the compressor box, push and hold down the button on the vest air hose connector while pulling the hose connector off of the compressor air connector.


CONNECTING THE 3RD SPACE VEST TO THE COMPUTER
Connect the “B” type fitting of the USB cable into the USB connection of the 3rd Space Vest. This connection is located on the outside of the vest interface box and found directly above the air hose.
Once your computer is turned on and BEFORE starting your game software, plug the USB “A” connector of the USB Cable into any USB port of your computer.
After completing game play, disconnect the USB cable from both the vest and your computer and store the USB cable in an appropriate fashion.

SYSTEM START UP
Once all of the power, air, and USB connections have been made, turn on the power button located on the rear of the compressor box. Your system is now ready to use.
The 3rd Space System can be used with any videogame that incorporates 3rd Space technology. Look for videogames with the 3rd Space logo on the box. Please check our website for a list of participating titles.

TROUBLESHOOTING
VEST WILL NOT FUNCTION DURING GAME PLAY

1. Make sure your game is 3rd Space compatible.
2. Make sure power is on and AC adapter is plugged into the compressor box.
3. Make sure vest air hose is connected to compressor box.
4. Make sure USB cables are properly connected to both the vest and computer.
5. If vest still will not function, make sure all components are connected and restart the game.

More troubleshooting is available at www.tngames.com/support.

FCC INFORMATION
Regulations for Equipment Use in USA and Canada

FCC and Industry Canada Information
In order to comply with FCC radio-frequency exposure guidelines for an uncontrolled exposure, this device and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the device.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance.

The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful: How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402. Stock number 004-000-00345-4.

The term IC before the certification/registration number only signifies that the Industry Canada technical specifications were met.

For safety reasons, disconnect the AC adapter from the electrical outlet before cleaning the system or connected accessories.

Wipe exterior surfaces with a small dry cloth.

Do not place any rubber or vinyl material on the product exterior for an extended period of time.

Do not use solvents or other chemicals to clean the system. Do not wipe with a chemically treated cleaning cloth.

Do not machine wash or dry clean any wearable part.

To keep the vest clean, it is recommended that wearable parts be worn over your clothing.

No authorization for the analysis or modification of the system, accessories, or the analysis and use of its circuit configurations is provided. Unauthorized modification of the system or accessories will void your warranty.

There are no user serviceable components inside the 3rd Space System.

NOTE: This product does not contain latex, lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE.

The product is currently in production. The official release date has not yet been set.

The official release date has not yet been set.

Yes. Supported multiplayer games are listed in the game driver

The 3rd Space™ Gaming Vest works with over 40 titles and we are adding new games to the list all the time. Check out our Games/Drivers page for a complete list of titles.