Control Descriptions for Vets

[lostlad]

I'm sure that it can't be too rare a problem for orienteers to suffer from eye sight problems as we're getting older. Personally I find it can be difficult to read the control descriptions when running as the print can be very small and long sightedness doesn't help this.

I think that for vets there would be no disadvantage it getting rid of column H from the description sheet and potentially also column E as I don't think we need to know if its a radio control or not and whether a feature is rocky or not is usually visible on the map.

getting rid of these two columns would allow for a 33% increase in description size while still allowing them to fit in a standard control description holder. This will surely help out those who are also suffering from deteriorating eye sight

anyone else think this could be reasonable?

[Duncan]

With laser printing I think you can assume the circles will always be correctly centred, which suggests you also don't need e.g. columns C and D (the feature, and which of several features) - just look on the map at whatever is in the center of the circle. Maybe the only really important information is which side of a feature the control is on, and what the control code is. The first of these you can represent on the map with a small purple dot (like is sometimes done in OrientShow / labyrinth-style orienteering) and the control code you can print on the map alongside the control number. So maybe we can just do away with control descriptions completely! [I'm being slightly facetious here. E.g. sometimes the map is so detailed that even looking at the centre of the circle doesn't always clearly tell you what feature you want. But I do think at least at some events or on some courses control descriptions are superfluous.]

[AndyC]

I was looking at the rules last week and I noticed that loose control descriptions are only mandatory on Level A events - on the others they are at the discretion of the officials (Rule 1.3) -although commentary before advocates their availability I think.

[guest960504]

I couldn't agree more with Duncan. Lets do away with them completely. Surely you don't need to know exactly where the control is in the circle. I mean what is most you could lose? Perhaps 30 seconds at the most. That isn't very much at all. With a smooth transition from bagged maps to waterproof paper already undergone surely it is time for the sport to set an example and really make an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. I wonder how many trees would be saved if we stopped having control descriptions!

[Homer]

guest960504, I assume you are not an experienced orienteer?

Descriptions are essential to permit accurate navigation, particularly in detailed terrain.

I find loose descriptions a very useful aide to smooth my technique and welcome these at as many events as possible. They do seem to be the norm now at all but the smallest (Level D?) events.
However I don't think they should be a replacement for descriptions on the map, as at Temple Newsam on Sunday.

[graeme]

Should replace them with a blow-up of the control circle and a purple dot on the exact location of the kite. (is there an echo in here)

For urban races I only use the compass to orient my control descriptions...

[yted]

Introducing new rules to cater for varying degrees of disabilities opens up interesting possibilities. I have excellent close vision but difficulty in seeing the terrain so if other vets get bigger control descriptions to go along with their large scale maps (I'm ok with 1:15,000), then I want bigger kites. Oh and stairlifts fitted to steps for the urban races would be good as I've noticed some people can run up them faster than me.
And can I have bigger pockets on snooker tables and an extra knight at chess please?
Leave control descriptions alone - I find all the information on them essential for smooth navigation though I do agree the control codes could be shifted to the map for courses with no loops and relatively simple terrain.

[Red Adder]

Do remember drawing up your course from a master-map ? I never drew the connecting lines and would be quite happy if they were omited from pre-marked maps - rather than covering up useful detail.

[EddieH]

Guest960504 wrote "I mean what is most you could lose? Perhaps 30 seconds at the most."

I guess that 960504 must be the number of seconds you think are irrelevant

[guest960504]

Guest960504 wrote "I mean what is most you could lose? Perhaps 30 seconds at the most."

I guess that 960504 must be the number of seconds you think are irrelevant

It is actually the number of times i've been told a rubbish joke. Next time I sign up to a forum it will be Guest960505.

[roadrunner]

Quite apart from what information they include, I find the separate descriptions useful because it's easy to glance at them and see the control codes and descriptions, without worrying about how the map is folded or which way up it is.

[sketchweppers]

I find loose descriptions a very useful aide to smooth my technique and welcome these at as many events as possible. They do seem to be the norm now at all but the smallest (Level D?) events.
However I don't think they should be a replacement for descriptions on the map, as at Temple Newsam on Sunday.

I whole heartedly agree. It is a right pain when you have to keep unfolding your map to check the control descriptors - you often then lose your position. At our event last Sunday there were only loose descriptions for courses Green and above. My daughter trying her second light green kept looking at her arm to check control numbers! I was really glad that there were loose descriptors for my course.
I am however happy that they are small (to save paper) - my eyesight is starting to go - I need a magnifier for detailed maps - if I can't read the descriptors I can always use the magnifier for that too!

[Gnitworp]

Do remember drawing up your course from a master-map ? I never drew the connecting lines and would be quite happy if they were omited from pre-marked maps - rather than covering up useful detail.

I always drew them in as it helped me to see quickly where the next control was, as do pre-printed lines now. No, don't omit them, but take care to break them where they obscure detail. It's not just circles that need to be broken. This aspect of a well-drawn course overprint is often neglected.

[denzil53]

I'm sure that it can't be too rare a problem for orienteers to suffer from eye sight problems as we're getting older. Personally I find it can be difficult to read the control descriptions when running as the print can be very small and long sightedness doesn't help this.

I have a compass magnifier, not just for reading fine map detail, but also for severely reduced descriptions as well!

[Becks]

At least no one in the UK calls them "clue sheets."

ARGH.