Reflective strips on control markers

[buzz]

I've been to a few night events recently where control markers with relective strips have been used which have been visible from long distances undermining the technical challenge.

I'm not sure if there's been a new batch or make of control markers with particularly bright strips but the problem seems to have been worse in recent years.

In most cases the planners weren't aware of the reflective strips when planning and hanging and only realised once the controls were visited in the dark. You also sometimes get a random mix of controls with and without strips which isn't ideal.

Controllers and planners should be aware of the impact of reflective strips when choosing control features and flag positions.

My preference would be for using standard control flags without strips for night leagues and using the reflective strips for local novice events, and giving thought to the feature viisbility and flag location in each case.

Looking forwards to a technical challenge at Temple Newsome on Saturday hopefully without reflective strips!

[Gross]

If memory serves me correctly the same discussion happened 30 or 40 years ago

[Gnitworp]

An inevitability, Gross; consequence of our being antediluvian relics.
In 2008, I vociferously posted on here denouncing untaped routes to 'hidden' Finishes.
Because noone heeded my supplications (for 17 years!) and persisted in having people 'navigate to Finish', I accepted the reality of common practice, and have recently suggested on here the option of giving a description to an untapedto Finish. Good luck everyone with the effective application of the new rule!

[SeanC]

The reflective strips were very visible at Saturday's Southern Night Champs. Part of the issue is that modern LED headlights are that much brighter so you can pick them out at a hundred metres or so. I mistook some reflective strips for other competitor's torches they were that bright.

The controller in his comments said they were using the tape to avoid annoying bingo controls in the dark. That's a good point and I don't know if it's possible to buy single use reflective tape to paste on the trees just for those controls on a point feature in a featureless block etc?

When organising Kent Night Cup events I've never thought about reflective tape and just used the 'washed outside at a thousand events' standard control flags that come with the series kit. A few might have reflective tape. Some of them have even retained their red colour. Some are now reddy/brown camo controls for extra challenge.

[yted]

No reflective tape please (for TD5 courses)... it makes some controls easier than if it were daylight. Modern reflective tape is brighter than head torches were in the olden days. It lights up the forest around it.

[DM]

How about applying a brightness check on the start line? Anyone over X lumens is obliged to use a torch of limited brightness, provided by the organiser? That should level the playing field a bit.
And can we ban people who wear headtorches with a red light on the back, it encourages following. Mind you, some of these people should have DNF in big reflective letters on their back. Do Not Follow.

[SeanC]

And can we ban people who wear headtorches with a red light on the back, it encourages following.

On some headtorches that were modified from bike lights, a red light indicates the battery is about to run out. So best not to follow....

[buzz]

The controller in his comments said they were using the tape to avoid annoying bingo controls in the dark.

Perhaps advising against bingo controls in the first place might have been a better strategy. Dealing with bingo controls by relying on the visibility of the control marker should be avoided night or day. For day events colour blind competitors can't see red or orange markers so hanging them high is unfair. You should be able to navigate to the feature and then find the control flag based on the map and control description.

I don't know if it's possible to buy single use reflective tape to paste on the trees just for those controls on a point feature in a featureless block etc?

We use reflective snap bands for training - easy to carry snapped to your arms and can be positioned more precisely to avoid controls standing out like beacons. I'd still prefer distinctive control features and well positioned markers.

[SeanC]

Perhaps advising against bingo controls in the first place might have been a better strategy

Sorry - only gave half an explanation. Also the controller explained that the bracken was higher when the event was originally due to be held, but then it was cancelled and since then the bracken has receded.

[buzz]

Great to see ordinary (non-reflective) control markers used at the Yorkshire Night League race at the weekend. Good planning too and proper sized control circles on the map!

[Sheila S.]

But what about those of us whose night vision is not so good.
I have only enjoyed night orienteering since markers have had something reflective. Before that I was often very frustrated at having navigated carefully to the control location I could not see the kite.
EUOC's Fight with the Night events use plastic piping with a couple of stripes of reflective tape. Nothing like as much as on a reflective kite but enough that it is visible on reaching the control site.

[DaveR]

I'm with Sheila, a little reflectivity on the controls is my preference.

[IanD]

I think it depends on the event.

For a training event, hard-to-see kites are OK if you want to make it difficult.

For a championship, fairness becomes important. The control should not be significantly harder to find whether you are the only person around, or whether someone is at the control shining a light on it. Therefore the control needs to be obvious from a fair distance; IMHO reflective tape or similar reduces the pot luck element.