Ever since WWI, militaries across the world have utilized tracer rounds in order to track the in-flight path of fired rounds and improve accuracy. In airsoft, tracer units accomplish these same purposes by lighting up each BB that is fired so that its flight path is visible. An airsoft tracer unit can be especially beneficial in low-light or no-light conditions when seeing where your BBs are going would otherwise be impossible. While tracer rounds and airsoft tracer units might serve the same purpose, the way that they function is quite different.  In this article, we'll explore the question of how do airsoft tracer units work in addition to covering how to choose the best airsoft tracer unit to give yourself an advantage on the nighttime battlefield. 

In this article, we'll explore the question of how do airsoft tracer units work in addition to covering how to choose the best airsoft tracer unit to give yourself an advantage on the nighttime battlefield. 

What is a Tracer Unit?

A tracer unit is a component that typically attaches to the end of an airsoft gun's barrel. The most used versions are screwed onto the barrel tip by using a set of threads. There are several sizes and threads ranging from 14mm counterclockwise (CCW) all the way up to 24mm clockwise (CW).  Once it is attached, a tracer unit ends up looking a lot like a suppressor, which is great for milsim players who like to keep their guns looking as realistic as possible. Rather than suppressing the gun's report, though, tracer units work to illuminate each BB that is fired so that the BB's flight path is traceable in low-light conditions. 

It is worth mentioning here that before knowing how do tracer units work, you must know that tracer units require a specialized kind of airsoft tracer ammo known as tracer BBs in order to achieve the desired effect, and these glow-in-the-dark airsoft BBs are a little more expensive than traditional BBs.  They also come in various weights, although they will not exceed 0.3g compared to regular BBs.  Tracer airsoft BBs also come in different colors.  For night games, though, the advantages that tracer units and tracer BBs provide are too considerable to ignore. 

An additional benefit of using tracer units and tracer airsoft BBs is that it makes adjusting your scope or red dot easier. Due to you being able to see the flight path of your BBs easier, it will drastically reduce the time needed to make sure your optics are zeroed in. You can learn more on how to adjust your scope by checking out the article we wrote.

How do Airsoft Tracer Units Work?

To understand how do airsoft tracer units work, we need to know that what makes airsoft BB tracers special is the fact that they are coated in phosphor. If you've ever played with glow-in-the-dark toys as a child or painted with glow-in-the-dark paint, then you are already familiar with the effect that phosphor coating provides. In order to glow brightly enough to be easily visible, though, this phosphor coating needs to be "charged". This is where the airsoft tracer unit comes in. 

When a tracer airsoft BB passes out the barrel of the gun and through the attached tracer unit, it is exposed to a row of ultraviolet lights that charge the BBs phosphor coating and cause it to glow brightly the moment it exits the barrel. Most tracer units are powered by AA batteries, though some units feature a built-in battery that can be recharged using an AC charger.  A sensor detects the BB entering the tracer unit, and the light is activated in a quick flash, almost like the flashbulb of a camera.  The light is intense enough so that the phosphor in the tracer BB absorbs sufficient energy to become luminous as the BB leaves the tracer unit. 

Why Use a Tracer

Mesmerizing BB Tracers Through Night Vision | Popular Airsoft: Welcome To  The Airsoft World

Tracer airsoft BBs offer the same benefits to airsoft players that real tracer rounds offer to actual military forces. In fact, one could argue that tracer BBs are even more advantageous for airsoft than their real-life counterpart is for real soldiers. With a real steel firearm, you can be fairly confident that bullets will follow a relatively straight and predictable path unless you are shooting at extreme ranges. With airsoft guns, though, this isn't always the case; and visually tracking the BB's flight path is the most effective way for airsoft players to adjust their aim and take more accurate shots. But be forewarned:  if you can see the tracer BB, that means your opponent can clearly see your position as well.  In the daytime, tracking the flight of an airsoft BB is fairly easy. In low-light conditions, however, using a tracer unit and tracer BBs is the only way to maintain this ability especially if you know how do airsoft tracer units work. 

Of course, there are other options for nighttime gameplay. Infrared or night vision optics is one such option that comes to mind, but most airsoft players don't have the budget for these products given that even lower-end night vision optics can cost several thousand dollars.

Attaching a flashlight to your gun is another option worth considering if you are attending a nighttime event. However, having an attached flashlight doesn't completely negate the need for tracer rounds. For one, the light from an attached flashlight probably isn't going to be enough to illuminate BBs mid-flight, especially at longer ranges. This means that tracking where your BBs are landing is still going to be a challenge. Second, keeping your flashlight on all the time or turning it on at the wrong time can sometimes be a tactical blunder. There's no better way to let every enemy player on the field know where you are than having a bright, shining beacon attached to your gun. 

While flashlights can certainly offer an advantage in certain scenarios, they can't fully replace the role of tracer BBs in nighttime engagements. Instead, equipping your gun with both a flashlight and a tracer unit is the best way to ensure that you are fully outfitted for low-light warfare.

Do Airsoft Tracer Units Work in the Day?

Tracer units will function the same in the daytime as they do at night, but any benefit that they provide is severely diminished when the sun is shining. While you may be able to slightly notice the extra glow on your BBs if you are using a tracer unit in the daytime, it isn't really going to make your BBs any more noticeable or trackable than they otherwise would be. In this vein, while not as effective as in low-light, they also work and have a similar effect in well-lit rooms or indoor arenas.

Since tracer BBs are more expensive than even the best BBs that aren't phosphor-coated and since tracer units are incredibly easy to put on and take off your gun, you are better off leaving your tracer unit at home for daytime events and using cheaper, traditional BBs instead. Alternatively, many of the newer tracer units have on and off switches, allowing you to just keep them on your airsoft gun if you choose to do so.

BEST AIRSOFT TRACER UNITS

Now that you know how do airsoft tracer units work, here at RedWolf Airsoft, we are proud to offer high-quality tracer units, tracer BBs, and everything else you need to give yourself a competitive edge on the nighttime battlefield. If you would like to get started enjoying the benefits of tracer BBs — as well as the thrill of seeing your BBs fly out of your airsoft gun like laser beams — here are a few great tracer units that we highly recommend: 

Modify Bhive 150rds AEG Tracer Magazine

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Specifications
ColorBlack
BrandModify
Originating ArmoryARMALITE
ModelAR/M4 SERIES
PlatformELECTRIC (AEG)
Replica TypeRIFLE
Net Weight (kg)0.15
Length (mm)185.0
Content IncludedModify Bhive 150rds AEG Tracer Magazine for M16/M4 series (Black)
MaterialPlastic
FUN★★★
REALISM★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
BUILD QUALITY★★★
VALUE★★★
COLLECTABILITY★★★★

While most tracer units attach to the end of the gun's barrel, the Modify Bhive 150rds Tracer Magazine allows you to charge your tracer BBs while they are stored in the magazine. Having a tracer unit inside of your gun's magazine negates the need for an additional, barrel-mounted unit, making this product a great option for anyone who wants to limit the number of weighty accessories on their gun or anyone who doesn't find the aesthetics of a barrel-mounted tracer unit appealing. 

Pros

  • Negates The Need for Barrel Mounted Tracer Units
  • Reduces the Need to add Extra Weight to Your Gun
  • Eliminates the Need To Add Extra Length to Your Airsoft Gun


Cons

  • BBs Might not be Illuminated as Brightly as Barrel Mounted Units

ACETECH KSG Shotgun Quark K Tracer Unit

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Specifications
ColorBlack
BrandACETECH
Originating ArmoryKEL-TEC
ModelKSG
PlatformMUZZLE DEVICE - RIFLE
Replica TypeSHOTGUN
Net Weight (kg)0.27
Length (mm)130.0
Content IncludedACETECH KSG Shotgun Quark K Tracer Unit
MaterialMetal
FUN★★★
REALISM★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
BUILD QUALITY★★★
VALUE★★★
COLLECTABILITY★★★★

The ACETECH Quark K is a revolutionary tracer unit designed for the Tokyo Marui KSG gas airsoft shotguns. This tracer unit doesn't just look cool and has similar design cues to the KSG itself, it also has a bunch of useful built-in features.

The Quark K has a built-in tactical flashlight that is not just bright, it also has 3 different modes, a manual mode, a strobe mode that flashes 10 times per second, and a motion-sensing mode that switches the light on when the tracer is facing up or down. The tracer itself is an enlarged Bifrost so you can expect 11 flame effect modes just like a regular ACETECH Bifrost tracer would. Unlike most tracers, the Quark K is able to work with different color tracer BBs and not just the usual green ones.

Pros

  • The only tracer unit built for shotguns
  • Built-In Battery
  • Robust Housing
  • Quick Attach/Detach


Cons

  • Non-Interchangeable Batteries

Angry Gun ROTEX V Compact Tracer Unit

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Specifications
ColorBrown
BrandAngry Gun
Originating ArmoryB&T
ModelFITS MANY MODELS
PlatformFITS MANY PLATFORMS
Replica TypeRIFLE
Net Weight (kg)0.31
Length (mm)168.0
Content IncludedAngry Gun ROTEX V Compact - Tracer Version w/ Acetech AT2000R Tracer Module (Iicensed by ASG) (ASIA Edition w/ B&T Trademark)
MaterialMetal
FUN★★★
REALISM★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
BUILD QUALITY★★★
VALUE★★★
COLLECTABILITY★★★★

The Angry Gun ROTEX V Compact Tracer Unit offers a number of impressive features, including a quick-detach design, a full-metal construction, and rechargeable batteries with an included charging cable. If you are looking for a durable, well-rounded, and high-performing tracer unit then this unit is a great choice to consider. The actual "tracer unit" itself is housed in this fully licensed body from B&T making it ideal for milsim players!

Pros

  • Fully Licensed Product
  • Built-In Battery
  • Robust Housing
  • Quick Attach/Detach


Cons

  • Non-Interchangeable Batteries

WoSport KX3 Spitfire Tracer and Flame Effect Unit

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Specifications
ColorBlack
BrandWoSport
Originating ArmoryNOVESKE
ModelFITS MANY MODELS
PlatformFITS MANY PLATFORMS
Replica TypeFITS ALL TYPES
Net Weight (kg)0.06
Length (mm)85.0
Barrel Thread TypeCCW
Content IncludedWoSport KX3 Spitfire Tracer and Flame Effect Unit (14mm CCW)
MaterialMetal
FUN★★★
REALISM★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
BUILD QUALITY★★★
VALUE★★★
COLLECTABILITY★★★★

In addition to illuminating tracer BBs, the WoSport KX3 Spitfire Tracer and Flame Effect Unit also offers a front-flashing ability that mimics the effect of muzzle flash. This effect creates an incredibly realistic shooting experience that is sure to make your nighttime airsoft battles all the more immersive. While this unit works with all platforms, it's ideal when paired with gas airsoft guns. When used with gas pistols or rifles, the front flash will illuminate the expelled gases making the muzzle flash effect more pronounced and realistic!

Pros

  • Compact Form Factor
  • Built-In Battery
  • Front Flashing for more Realism


Cons

  • Non-Interchangeable Battery
  • Front Flash makes it Easier for Opponents to Spot You

SILENCERCO MAXIM 9 GREEN GAS GBB AIRSOFT PISTOL (BY KRYTAC)

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Specifications
PlatformGAS
ColorBlack
BrandSilencerCo Airsoft
Originating ArmorySILENCER CO.
ModelMAXIM 9
Replica TypePISTOL
Capacity (rds)24
Power (fps)300
Power SourceGreen Gas / Top Gas
Shooting ModeSemi Auto / Full Auto
BlowbackYes
Hop-upADJUSTABLE
Net Weight (kg)0.92
Length (mm)280.0
Barrel Thread TypeCW
Content IncludedSilencerCo MAXIM 9 Green Gas GBB Airsoft Pistol (by Krytac)
MaterialMetal
FUN★★★★★
REALISM★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
BUILD QUALITY★★★★★
VALUE★★
COLLECTABILITY★★★★★

The Silencerco Maxim 9 green gas GBB airsoft pistol is a unique airsoft gun that can be used with a tracer unit to provide a stealthy shooting experience. If you have ever wanted to live out your cyberpunk fantasies then this is the pistol for it. Its full auto mode allows the gun to shoot at an impressive rate of 13 rounds per second, providing players with a significant advantage in airsoft games.

The gun's gas blowback system only utilizes a half slide feature allowing for that fast rate of fire, enhancing the overall shooting experience. It's like getting a friendly slap on the wrist, but with a little bit of oomph behind it. With the option to use a tracer unit, players can track their shots and improve their accuracy in low-light conditions. The Silencerco Maxim 9 green gas GBB airsoft pistol is a reliable and high-performing airsoft gun that is favored by many for its futuristic look and full auto capabilities as well as the option to use a tracer unit that slots in the front.

Pros

  • Fun Full Auto
  • Strong Recoil
  • Lightweight Magazine


Cons

  • New System Few Upgrade Parts
  • Not Suitable For Beginners
  • Very Pricey

ACETECH RAIDER TRACER UNIT W/ BIFROST M (RGB RAINBOW, M14CCW) - BLACK

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Specifications
ColorBlack
BrandACETECH
Originating ArmorySTRIKE INDUSTRIES
ModelFITS MANY MODELS
PlatformFITS MANY PLATFORMS
Replica TypeFITS ALL TYPES
Net Weight (kg)0.15
Length (mm)95.0
Barrel Thread TypeCCW
Content IncludedACETECH Raider Tracer Unit w/ Bifrost M (RGB Rainbow, M14CCW) - Black
MaterialMetal
FUN★★★★
REALISM
PERFORMANCE★★★
BUILD QUALITY★★★
VALUE★★★
COLLECTABILITY★★

ACETECH has been leading the industry in the tracer unit segment with unique design and innovative technology. The Bifrost M is their new breakout product and is a prime example of this. The Bifrost M uses a unique compact design that features an aggressive-looking front end to set itself apart from many that are currently available on the market! The Bifrost M is threaded 14mm CCW.

Internally, the Bifrost M is packed with great technology. Along with its base function of being a tracer unit, it also features front-facing LEDs to simulate muzzle flash. This muzzle flash mode can even be used as a standalone feature along with the two other modes: tracer only and tracer + muzzle flash combo. It also comes standard with their intelligent power control. It will enter sleep mode after five minutes of being idle and will instantly wake upon shaking it. However, where the Bifrost differs from others, even in ACETECH's own lineup, is the ability to have a multi-color effect. As you shoot, your tracer unit can project a different color upon your BBs giving it a rainbow line of BBs coming out of your tracer unit!

Pros

  • Robust and excellent design
  • Wide range of colours
  • Can be a tracer or muzzle flash


Cons

  • Heavy, not ideal for pistols with moving barrels
  • Pricey

ACETECH PREDATOR MKII TRACER SUPPRESSOR UNIT (M14CCW) W/ BRIGHTER C INSIDE – TAN

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Specifications
ColorBrown
BrandACETECH
Originating ArmoryKNIGHTS ARMAMENT
ModelFITS MANY MODELS
PlatformMUZZLE DEVICE - RIFLE
Replica TypeRIFLE
Net Weight (kg)0.33
Length (mm)130.0
Barrel Thread TypeBOTH
Content IncludedACETECH Predator MKII Tracer Suppressor Unit (M14CCW) w/ Brighter C inside - Tan
MaterialMetal
FUN★★★★★
REALISM★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
BUILD QUALITY★★★★★
VALUE★★
COLLECTABILITY★★★★★

The ACETECH Predator MKII Tracer Suppressor Unit, the world's first patented design without a switch, powered on by a shake. The IP64 protection provides an exceptional shooting experience on sunny or rainy days. With the support of both green luminous BBs and gel BBs, perfectly fits all Airsoft night games. Easy to carry, and occupying no space as it is very light. The lithium battery design can supply 20,000 luminous bullet shots with one charge. Support 35PRS burst speed, brighter than ordinary illuminators, no lack of flash.

Pros

  • Shake awake function
  • Waterproof level IP64
  • Supports 35PRS burst speed
  • Quick detach function


Cons

  • Slightly more expensive than other tracers