EMIT V3 operation

[Oldman]

As an old "punching is the only way known" orienteer, I am still trying to get to grips with electronic punching.

I believe there have been threads on this subject before, so I will confine myself to two questions:

1. Is there an easy way to hold an EMIT card and a simple way to know which way to fit it into the control site? I always seem to have to turn myself round through 180 degrees, and often end up setting off in the wrong direction towards my next control.

2. With EMIT V3, I understand the next control to be visited is what is shown on the display after visiting a control. Does this mean that if you accidentally "punch" at a wrong control, all the control numbers shown are then one too high for the rest of the run?

If these questions are already discussed earlier, my apologies, and I'd like to know in which thread.

[Harley]

I know where you're coming from Oldman. I'm glad it's not just me that feels like a complete motor idiot when trying to use Emit.

In fact every time I use it, it's like it's for the first time (or, 'the very first time' as the song would have it). I can't remember which hand to hold it in, coz it either gets in the way of my map or my compass (I hold those in different hands!), so sometimes (often) I get it wrong and spend the entire race trying to punch with my compass. And then have to do the 180 degree thing.

If anyone has a surefire way of using an emit brick alongside a baseplate compass then it would be great to have a photograph. I could then print it off and keep it with my O kit for the next time I need it.

[AndyO]

Probably lots of threads on this, but http://nopesport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6820 is the most recent that includes discussion on the subject.

Which hand to hold the brikke in? - not the one that you hold your compass in, as it can affect the needle. I use a left-hand thumb compass, but when I use a baseplate I hold the compass in my right hand.

How to hold the brikke - however you feel comfortable. My preference is included in the forum above (V3 card held to thumb by elastic, with display palm-side to aid proper placement in the control).

How to avoid the 180 thing? The planner, or whoever puts out the control, should position the control with the "open" end facing in the direction of the exit from the control. But that might not work if you held the brikke in a different way

What do elites do

[mharky]

1) Yes. Look at the brick. one end has the elastic, the other end doesnt. look at an emit control. one end has all the computery magic in a lump, the other doesnt. you put your card in so the elastic is farthest from the raised block on the emit control. due to the shape of the card, this is infact the only way you can put your brick in. (despite the YHOA squad complaining that one of their runners had put the card in upside down at JIRC, and should be reinstated as it was confusing).

as for easy way to carry it. can you not hold the brick and the map at the same time?

2) after visiting a control the brick will display the code for that control what you just pucned, and have a flashing bar symbol. after a few seconds this will go away, and it will show your time. if you press the button it will then show you what control you have last punced.

[distracted]

1) Why not just rotate your hand/arm when you get to the control, rather than the whole body? Of course if you're coming to the Oxford City Race then you won't have to worry about that problem as we're using the contact-free controls

2) Yes, the sequence number of the control will show in the display with a v3 card i.e. if your about to go to your tenth control it will display a '10'. Therefore if you punch something out of sequence this will still increment even if it is the wrong one. I understand that it is possible to program a course into the card but this is obviously quite time-consuming to do for everyone, whether this would stop the above happening I've no idea.

[Oldman]

Andy O, the thread you quote is all about possible new IOF e-punching rules, but nothing about how to use EMIT or whether in certain circumstances the EMIT card will show the wrong sequuqence number of your next control.

[Adventure Racer]

rocky's post near the bottom of http://www.nopesport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5505&postorder=asc&start=30 is the best description I can remember of how to hold an Emit brick - though you might need to read more of the thread to work out exactly what he means. Worth reading the rest of the thread for other comments on Emit anyway - otherwise bung "emit" into the search, and browse the results (surprisingly few).

[roadrunner]

I understand that it is possible to program a course into the card but this is obviously quite time-consuming to do for everyone, whether this would stop the above happening I've no idea.

Some events certainly do program the cards like this - the one I remember is the Chiltern Challenge this year. As I haven't often been hired a V3 Emit card, I don't know how common this is.

[graeme]

Oxford City Race then you won't have to worry about that problem as we're using the contact-free controls

For those of us who haven't used it before; do we get a chance to try the contact free punching before we start, or do we have to figure out how close to get and what the button does during the race itself? Wouldn't want to run on those college lawns unecessarily.

[sgb]

Oxford City Race then you won't have to worry about that problem as we're using the contact-free controls

For those of us who haven't used it before; do we get a chance to try the contact free punching before we start, or do we have to figure out how close to get and what the button does during the race itself? Wouldn't want to run on those college lawns unecessarily.

The OUOC City Race will have a demonstration control to allow runners the chance to experience using Contact Free Emit before the start.

Apparently the red button has something to do with reviewing one's splits - I never use it, though, and prefer to hope that pressing it will automatically turn the kettle on or something.

[SYO Member]

Referring to another event, and for those of us who haven't used Emit at all and are going to the CSC Final at Greenham Common, I too hope there will be a 'test' control at assembly as there used to be in the early days of SI.

There are some SYO oldies who I have spoken to and I suspect some juniors, plus me (what do you mean, I'm an oldie?) who have never used Emit and would probably appreciate having a practice. I'm sure Emit newbies of other clubs in the Cup or Trophy would agree. And some may not have looked at the Competitors Guide on the Emit website.

Also, which version of the cards will be used by those hiring?

[Steve]

Apparently the red button has something to do with reviewing one's splits - I never use it, though, and prefer to hope that pressing it will automatically turn the kettle on or something.

That red button is the only problem with the v3 emit cards - trying not to accidentally press it when punching. I think it's over-complication, as all events seem to manage to print your splits.

But punching with emit is really no big deal, it's just that if you want a mark on the integral back up card you have to get the damn thing in the control box the right way round. Considerate planners will align the box with the most likely direction of approach, making this easy.

[FatBoy]

My experience of the touch free controls is that the distance away you have to be varies slightly between about a metre and about a foot. The best way I found is to approach for the last couple of metres looking at the display - when it changes you've punched! From memory the display initially shows the control code you've just punched so as long as you see this it's good confirmation you've got it. Now where was that conversation about feedback from SI on punching not being good enough...

The red button can be useful for those paranoid "did I leave the iron on" types (not likely to happen to me - that would involve ever turning the iron on). Push it en route to the next control it will show the code of your last control for a few seconds.

[HOCOLITE]

Only time I've had a mispunch with emit was with touch free controls on a bike O. It was the first control as well. I tried and tried to get a display but couldn't. Noone else had a problem so it was obviously me. I expect it sensed my nervousness- being on a bike and having a new device just too much On foot I'd guess you could just go as close as normal and it should register. I must admit I checked every one with this but I don't with normal emit I just look for the flash on the unit.

[Adventure Racer]

One problem I found with touch free controls is that in order for the card to register the punch (the first thing you see IIRC is the scrolling bars) you have to take the card out of range of the control. The first time I used them I had several attempts of swiping my card at the control, getting more and more worried - it was only when I gave up and moved away that the bars started scrolling.