Below is a unit we are using for timing laps for indoor skating. With this unit I've found I'm 1 second faster per lap using indoor wheels over outdoor wheels (this is rink dependent). I've also found I dropped another second using mini bearings over full size 608 bearings ( I still suggest full size 608 bearings for outdoor distance skating). This unit times in hundredths of a second (thousands of a second on the control unit). There's no need to rely on someone to hit the stop watch correctly to test new skating equipment. This unit will give you the correct time every time.
Below you can see the 4 units that come with the system. The yellow unit on the far right is the unit that shoots an infrared beam to the receiver. The black box on the far left is the receiver that senses the infrared beam from the sending unit. The yellow unit in the middle is the controller that attaches to the receiver and wirelessly works with the display. And the unit showing the 9.74 seconds is the display. (the viewable display size is 13" x 5")
Below is the receiver connected to the controller ready for use. What you see below is everything just as it would be on the rink floor. I have the sending unit facing into the receiver just as it would be on the floor. It really is that simple. You just place the wireless display where ever you want in the rink and your up and running. There are no other wires when placed on the rink as everything is wireless. The sending unit (on the right) I put on the outside of the rink on the wall shooting the beam towards the inside of the rink. The receiver attached to the controller (on the left) I put on a chair (it helps to get it a tad up in the air) on the inside of the rink facing the sending unit. The display you can put anywhere on the rink as the controller wirelessly sends the time info to the display. The display uses a 9 volt battery, the brain uses a 9 volt battery and the sending unit uses a 9 volt battery. The receiver gets power from the controller. The batteries last 40 ish hours. The aiming of the beams can be quite a bit off and still work so there are no beam alignment issues.
Below are more pictures of the sending unit.
Below are more pictures of the controller.
Below are more pictures of the receiver.
Below are more pictures of the display.
Below is the cable connecting the controller to the receiver.
In the time lapse image on the top of the page it shows the skater starting at the start line but in training we do flying laps where you come across the line at full speed to start the 1 lap timing. The unit resets itself after each lap so there's no reason to touch the unit the entire session. There is a loud chirp from the unit when you cross the beam at the finish just like the timers you hear in the Olympics. I can't say enough about this unit. It works flawlessly every lap with no glitches. A very robust unit. I can't wait to get to the rink each week to test equipment to see if I can get the display to read 1 thousands of a second lower. Just an extremely good training aid for motivation. The kids can't wait to get timed each week to see if their training and new equipment is paying off.
