[Reiper]

Quick question on the 4th ed rules (I read through my pdf but may have missed part of it).

If I'm using a smartlink with contacts (or glasses, goggles, whatever) I understand I still get my full modifier for using it (I think 2nd ed you only got half the modifier with the goggles, may have been 3rd also).

Would the smartlinked contacts still somehow give you your faster reload, and allow you to use ammo skip?

I initially built a character using the link and ammo skip, but after thinking about it, it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense since there is no longer a neural connection to allow direct control on things like that. Although if we added a weapon persona could that re-implement it since verbal commands?.

[All4BigGuns]

It is in all ways identical to the implant.

Remember, technology has improved, and there is the fact that it is now an eye modification rather than the .5 Essence induction pad in your hand that it used to be.

[Reiper]

It is in all ways identical to the implant.

Remember, technology has improved, and there is the fact that it is now an eye modification rather than the .5 Essence induction pad in your hand that it used to be.

Yeah I remember that part. Was just trying to figure out how you control a weapon without a link to the brain.

The aiming and such is visual overlays, which is why I didn't haven an issue with that. Main concern is ammo skips, auto ejecting the clip for a quicker reload and such.

[All4BigGuns]

It is in all ways identical to the implant.

Remember, technology has improved, and there is the fact that it is now an eye modification rather than the .5 Essence induction pad in your hand that it used to be.

Yeah I remember that part. Was just trying to figure out how you control a weapon without a link to the brain.

The aiming and such is visual overlays, which is why I didn't haven an issue with that. Main concern is ammo skips, auto ejecting the clip for a quicker reload and such.

You're just over thinking. It works because the information on the smartlink says it works whether it's in contacts or implanted. Full stop. No need to start thinking about "realistic justifications" or any kind of nonsense like that.

[RHat]

I remember one thread where FastJack came up with an "eye-tracking control" explanation for it, which is certainly one possibility.

[Mantis]

You usually use it with the commlink interface and it assumed you have at least a coldsim system in the commlink. That provides the mental connection you need for the other features in the smartlink.

[WellsIDidIt]

Most GMs will force you to have a DNI connection with the gear to use the Free Action benefits of it. Either connected through a Datajack or Trodes is the easiest way to get the DNI connection.

[RiggerBob]

It's your commlink that controls the smartgun. And in a world that integrates Augmented Reality in nearly every aspect of civil life, everybody needs a way to directly control his commlink / interact with AR (even if just to close distracting popups and advertisement windows^^).

Input devices include vocal commands into a microphone, AR gloves, micro-laser eye trackers in glasses, or even mental commands through direct neural interface.

By the rules, none of the above options is better than the others. So it's up to you to decide how your character normally interacts with AR and in this way controls the full smartgun functions and yes, eye-tracking-control is an options that doesn't need any other tools/implants beside the glasses/contacts you already have. 

[Reiper]

K, I'm specifically looking at the point as a mage using a gun as a backup (revolver so I can keep 4x normal or ex rounds, and 2 stick n shocks.

Just wanted to see if it were still viable without burning essence, and wanted some plausible ideas if I'm asked how I'm controlling it.

[Mara]

K, I'm specifically looking at the point as a mage using a gun as a backup (revolver so I can keep 4x normal or ex rounds, and 2 stick n shocks.

Just wanted to see if it were still viable without burning essence, and wanted some plausible ideas if I'm asked how I'm controlling it.

Well, I always skin-link my Commlink and Smartgun. Remember that you do need an image link on your glasses/contacts as well.
I basicly figure that it is: there is a gyroscope and such inthe gun, so it tracks its position relative to you,  the Smartlink tracks what
you are targetting and receives the info from your commlink telling it where your gun is pointing, and the two work together.

[Sengir]

It is in all ways identical to the implant.

Except that the implanted version is an implant and implants have DNI, whereas contacts or glasses do not. Smartlink allows to "mentally switch between gun modes, eject clips, and fire the gun without pulling the trigger", but without DNI there are not mental commands.
On the upside, everyone can get a Trode Net and Sim Module, which provides DNI without implants.

[Thrass]

You can get a Trodenet and therefore have DNI with AR Overlay, all your senses as sensor channels for a Tacnet and everything...
You can then use DNI -> Trodenet -> Pan -> Smartgun to eject clips and change modes via a thought. (that is the smartgun system which provides this)

You do need a Smartlink, to get the +2 bonus and you cannot put this into a trodenet so you need additonal contact lenses which by the rules need an image link.

You can ofcourse use contact lenses with image link and smartlink and[ AR-gloves/subvocal mic], don't have a DNI and use everything to your liking and then use [gestures/voice commands] to make us of the smartgun system which should still be a free action but not "with a thought".

[valavaern]

which all seems to be bringing us back to the question that was debated a bit heatedly a few months ago: "Why is smartlink still a separate vision mod from image link?"
http://forums.shadowrun4.com/index.php?topic=8103.0

[RHat]

It is in all ways identical to the implant.

Except that the implanted version is an implant and implants have DNI, whereas contacts or glasses do not. Smartlink allows to "mentally switch between gun modes, eject clips, and fire the gun without pulling the trigger", but without DNI there are not mental commands.
On the upside, everyone can get a Trode Net and Sim Module, which provides DNI without implants.

There is one, and only one rules difference between the accessory version and the implant version: the implant version works with Spellslinger Gloves.  Outside of that, they are rules-identical - if the accessory had less capability, the rules would have to directly state it..

[Henzington]

the major advantage of having cybereyes over just contacts is that you can get all the other mods in your cybereyes.