Emit

[Neil Crickmore]

The two systems actually appear to be converging. The latest SI boxes don't need programming and have greater battery life
http://www.sportident.se/ol/BS7_8_products_040526_eng.pdf
and the next generation of "dibbers" have LCD displays
http://www.sportident.de/sportident-english/english/p_main_sportident_cards_7.htm

Personally I'm getting less annoyed with EMIT punching now that I've given up trying to mark the backup card.

Still much prefer the basic Sportident software output, especially since it compares leg times to the fastest on that leg rather than the leg time of the overall winner. Fortunately Winsplits nicely evens out those differences.

[Ed]

Personally I probably prefer SI as particularly with a v6 card it's probably slightly quicker and easier to punch (an advantage on spring cup 1st legs - I'd hate to be doing wrist manipulation in that situation!), and is definitely easier to carry

yes, but im sure every one is the race will be using the same punching system... so be proficiant at both and lets go orienteering!!!

Well, yes. But that's missing the point, which at the minute is to have a techno-geek.

[streaker]

right then,just as marky said ge uesd to both, but i am a emit fan coz its quicker,plus you dont have to put it in just float it.and then you have back up which the i-dent dont.
and the new emit swipe, regersters at 1.5meters, its good and fast but will proberly not make it to middle and classic distance, but it is perfect for sprint, i have used it a lot this summer, nopeing good.

[Wattok]

surely when you wave to over the contol that takes out the back up advantage doesn't it? Not sure if i'm an emit or ident fan

[FatBoy]

Still much prefer the basic Sportident software output, especially since it compares leg times to the fastest on that leg rather than the leg time of the overall winner. Fortunately Winsplits nicely evens out those differences.

Good points but the software shouldn't come in to the argument. As you say Winsplits nicely evens it out, and I'm sure that in a year or two somebody will launch some software that handles both bits of hardware. Maybe even me if I get my finger out.

My point I suppose is that punching with SI is easy and right from the first SI race I did I had no trouble with any of the punching, whereas Emit I had trouble with. I even spiked my finger on one of the backup punch points!

Can of worms I realise and I guess we're stuck with both given the investment made but as a competitor (rather than planner/organiser/software writer/realist) I'd rather we only had one and I'd rather it was SI.

[rocky]

a point to note....

there is an 'emit filter' available http://gateway.navtek.no/~baard/resultater/emit_upload.html
(linked from staff-valstad.com) which takes the standard emit output and changes it to something more manageable.

doesnt draw pretty pictures tho.

[Gross]

O Event software from Slovinia handles both SI and EMIT. As a longtime EMIT supporter it's still number 1... but most people seem to prefer SI for use while competing

[awk]

One issue that has not yet been raised: Emit bricks are an absolute pain for younger juniors, or anybody with small hands. Doesn't matter how near or how far from the control, how instantaneous, they simply get in the way big time, and are one more thing to interfere with the difficult enough process already of co-ordinating map and compass.

For those reasons, primarily, Emit is not popular in our household.

On a personal note, I actually don't like this ability to 'wave' a brick in the vague vicinity of the control for it to record. I much prefer a positive action which results in a positive response. I have tried and tried to like Emit, but as a competitor still don't.

[fish]

One of the problems with the "waving" of the brick is that it actually takes away the belief of a positive action.

When I used EMIT, although at times awkward, I knew that when I'd made the brick fit in the slot I'd have a time recorded.

All this discussion of how far away you can be to get a time recorded has to be a bad thing - just makes the system far more susceptible for error, as people will push the boundaries of what works. The idea of a good timing system is one that records when you visit (and when you make an effort to record visiting) a particular control (and also gives some positive feedback). Sending a signal x metres into the forest isn't helping this.

I'll be interested to see how well SI's new boxes work - particularly if they really don't have to be programmed, and really don't have random failings when battery power gets a little low....

Fish

[graeme]

One of the problems with the "waving" of the brick is that it actually takes away the belief of a positive action.
Fish

...but the display gives you a positive response: it always bugged me about SI that although it was your responsibility to make a record on your card, there was no way to actually check if you had. Flashes and beeps dont count - you wont get reinstated if you claim you heard a beep.

Graeme

[Simon]

One of the problems with the "waving" of the brick is that it actually takes away the belief of a positive action.
Fish

...but the display gives you a positive response: it always bugged me about SI that although it was your responsibility to make a record on your card, there was no way to actually check if you had. Flashes and beeps dont count - you wont get reinstated if you claim you heard a beep.

The Emit display giving a response is only relevant if you are using the version 3 cards. The version 2 cards do not have a display.

[Klebe]

Personally, I prefer the audible 'beep' response given by the SI units. It appears to give a more positive message that your 'dipper' has been recognised.


Appreciate that this is not so good for the hard of hearing but then they do also have a visual response, likewise for those orienteering in glasses the audible response may be better than a visual signal on wet misty days when you are battling to maintain vision.

[FatBoy]

The Emit display giving a response is only relevant if you are using the version 3 cards. The version 2 cards do not have a display.

Absolutely. Also tell me you can read a small LCD display covered in mud on a rainy dark day?

I'm also fairly sure the latest SI stuff has LCD anyway.

The beep does give a positive response but I'd like to see it go though (or be toned down). Far too often, particuarly at night, I've given controls away through the beep. That said I do use it in my current "punching" technique for SI.

[Ed]

The only time I've ever looked at the LCD of an emit brick was using it for MTBO with punchless punches... when it was covered in mud on a rainy dark day

seriously, so long as you're punching properly with emit I see absolutely no use for the LCD (as it is currently set up) during competition. Now if it told you your next control code...

[fish]

Now if it told you your next control code...

Or maybe even if it is the right control!!!
(yes, I've done it quite often too).

(also still don't think you should be able to register just by being near the control and waving the brick)