Timing systems

[stu-2]

Hello race organisers, i'm involved in a little club in North West Tas and we are looking at getting a more user freindly timing system. What is a good system that is easy to use/learn, cost efficient and flexible for different race formats,ie multi lap, point to point etc. Any help would be great.

thanks, Stuart

 

[quiggs]

I have no idea Stu,
This will open up a can of worms because every system has its flaws and it's strengths..

Quiggs

 

[GeurieMTB]

Dubbo MTB looked at a number of systems before we found Race Splitter, its an iPad based app, costs about $30-35 and has really simplified our life here, worth a look. It has its flaws but they appear work-around-able at this stage

 

[mtb101]

contact Russell Baker Canberra Off-Road Cyclists, great system and very cost effective.

DURT software, uses filemaker, you could run an event with 1 laptop, results are entered via keyboard and the system is designed for mtb events.

 

[dowey42]

Ours at Gippsland Mountain Bike Club is easy to use and can do lots of things, just doesn't meet the cost effective part. We can set it and let it go though. Its an RFID reader and the timing program is written by one of our committee members who has a brain that understands those things.

 

[agent laraby]

timing stuff

hey stu message me through hellfire cup site if you want I can give you some info dg

 

[mmatrix]

another ++ for race splitter

Dubbo MTB looked at a number of systems before we found Race Splitter, its an iPad based app, costs about $30-35 and has really simplified our life here, worth a look. It has its flaws but they appear work-around-able at this stage

yes it is most everthing you would be looking for.

very simple to use on an iPad or you can up load CSV files with pre entries. then email results or post them on the race splitter web site.

 

[mtb101]

yes it is most everthing you would be looking for.

very simple to use on an iPad or you can up load CSV files with pre entries. then email results or post them on the race splitter web site.

the weakness in these systems is the fact that you have to manually type numbers in, you might as well have a home built database in access or simply a spreadsheet. what would be ideal is a budget chip system so you can automate imput, otherwise capturing data is labor intensive and prone to user error i.e. bunches of riders finishing fast.

 

[mmatrix]

yes

the weakness in these systems is the fact that you have to manually type numbers in, you might as well have a home built database in access or simply a spreadsheet. what would be ideal is a budget chip system so you can automate imput, otherwise capturing data is labor intensive and prone to user error i.e. bunches of riders finishing fast.

yes Race splitter is a simple app but that is why it works.

Depends how simple you want to go. Race Splitter is Simple and cheap best for smaller club based races, dirt crits etc. Once you start using chips it is a whole new area of pre entries, handing out chips, making sure they read, collecting them . For $40 the race splitter app is simple to use for club members that are not trained, you can show them how to use the app on the night and is better than using a stop watch, writing numbers down and then having to re type results. sharing results is very quick and simple.

 

[benmwatkins]

systems

lots available, depending on your needs and wallet thickness. spend little and put up with some things, spend alot and get bells and whistles. $2000 (Sportident-basic), $7000 (Race Results-great), $10,000 TAG Heuer: do any kind of event in any format you want.

 

[serowe]

One thing that always seems to be forgotten when deciding on which system(s) to use is the operator. Do you need someone who knows computer/tablets etc; how much do they need to use the system before hand to get to know it; who do they call when (not if) something doesn't work as expected.

And what happens when Joe and Sue, who have used it for the last 2 or 3 meetings, aren't available and a new couple are brought in who have either had no or very limited exposure?

And finally - whose equipment do you use for each round/event?

All these add up (in both terms of expertise and dollars and cents) over time.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

We use a Tag Heuer system in conjunction with Race Result. It is fair to say that it hasn't frequently been anything less than a turkey for club events simply because it requires a fiddly and methodical approach and this is distinctly lacking from most of our clubbies so the whole shebang has at times been eminently frustrating. The system works...don't get me wrong. But it can be a fraught exercise.