Firing point countdown timer

[markwarren]

At the last competition I was at, my first one, I noticed a lot of people using countdown timers.

Rather than buy a timer, which I think would be useful, are there any rules which would mean I can't use my iPhone as a timer - obvisouly set to silent ;)

Many thanks

Mark

[PaulB]

Because a phone is a communications device and one could be receiving text messages from a coach during competition I am certain that it would not be allowed.

[montster]

But you need to pearce the audible alarm. Use a small screwdriver to break it. Push into it hard ans move it back and forth.

Watch work well to but I have habit is forgetting when the shot string starts.

[montster]

But you need to pearce the audible alarm. Use a small screwdriver to break it. Push into it hard ans move it back and forth.

Watch work well to but I have habit is forgetting when the shot string starts.

[RobStubbs]

Phones have to be turned off - they are specifically mentioned in the rules.

Rob.

[markwarren]

I can put it into Airplane mode which effectively stops it from being a phone and it would not be able to recevie texts etc. - or am I asking for trouble going down this route.

Alternatively, suggestions for a timer please ideally available in the UK :)

Cheers

Mark

[David Levene]

I can put it into Airplane mode which effectively stops it from being a phone and it would not be able to recevie texts etc. - or am I asking for trouble going down this route.

If it looks like a phone, and it's turned on, then expect grief from any Jury member.

They are experts in the ISSF rules, not the technicalities of every piece of electronic equipment on the market.

Yes, you MIGHT win at Jury of Appeal, but do you really want the hassle.

[renzo]

What you DON'T need is an argument with a range officer or ISSF judge when you're preparing yourself for a match.

I don't believe that with the amazing array of cheap multi-function digital chronometers available today this hassle (using a phone ) should be even considered.

[mtncwru]

I use a kitchen timer. Instead of using it as a countdown timer I just use it as a count-up timer by pressing start when the match director gives the "Commence fire" command. That way I don't have to worry about the alarm going off when time runs out.

[PCU]

Rule says phone must be switched off. I don't know of any that the timer will work on with the phone switched OFF. I suspect most officials would say no - they can't be running around checking phones to see if in Airplane mode nor be monitoring shooters to see if they are taking phones out of Airplane mode after they are checked. Rules:

ISSF 6.2.5 "Only sound reducing devices may be used. Radios, tape recorders, or any type of sound producing or communication systems are prohibited during competitions and any training."

ISSF 6.3.6.6 "The use of mobile telephones, walkie-talkies, pagers or similar devices by competitors, coaches and team officials while within the competition area is prohibited. All mobile telephones etc. must be switched OFF."

[markwarren]

Many thanks for your replies.

The iPhone option has well and truly been filed under "don't even think about it" :)

Cheers

Mark

[Spencer]

Using the timer function on mobile phones, I-pads and the like seems like a reasonable idea, but some coaches realised that they could send messages to the shooters (i.e. coaching outside that allowed 6.10.5.1 > 6.10.5.4): and got 'caught' - resulting in the wording of 6.3.6.6.

The current wording in 6.3.6.6 was 'tinkered' after an interesting non-coaching episode at the 2000 Olympics, but the problem of coaches using technology for communicating/coaching with the shooters has been known for well over 10 years - it is just that the technology has improved.

[RobinC]

My wife uses a digital Kitchen timer, it has big clear digits and cost the massive sum of £2, available from loads of outlets.
Good Shooting
Robin

[Gwhite]

There are lots of cheap digital kitchen timers available, but very few that go over 99 minutes, which makes them less useful for air pistol & free pistol. The ones that go over 99 minutes tend to cost a good bit more than £2. The one I have is an Ultrak T-3 (third one down):

http://www.cei-ultrak.com/timers/timers.html

(be careful, there are pirates out there charging almost twice the suggested list price for these).

The T-3 has two problems. It's relatively expensive, and it has a fairly loud alarm. I tried covering the alarm hole with tape, and that barely made a dent in the sound. I took all the screws out I could find, but couldn't figure out how to pop the case open without damaging it, so it isn't easy to shut up.

If anyone knows of a good source for cheaper timers, I'd love to know about it. The team I help coach has a few of the 99 minute variety, but they are dying one by one, and I'm looking for an affordable alternative. Especially ones that I can kill the alarm on.

As someone suggested, the alternative is to count up . Ultrak has a fairly nice simple stopwatch with big digits & no alarm, the model 410. For some reason, the list price is $5 more than the T-3 timer.

[PCU]

Simple one, no alarm, $14 US at Champions Choice. Bought some years ago & none ever quit - just occasional new battery needed. Link:

http://www.champchoice.com/cat-Timers-312.aspx

[Gerard]

I just bought this one today, so won't know for a couple of weeks how decent it is... and I will have to cut out the prison beeper of course. But it seems to have 4 screws to allow that access to the guts. $6 shipped:

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem ... 0372810501

[j-team]

6.3.6.7 "Each range must be equipped with a large clock at each end..."

Look at that.

[kirtar]

6.3.6.7 "Each range must be equipped with a large clock at each end..."

Look at that.

To be honest, on Standard Pistol the only one stage that a timer might be useful for is slow fire, and I usually don't take nearly the whole time because my shot process isn't that long (I'm also not very good, but that's another story). For Air Pistol, I just check my watch and remember what time that I started. Even then I only check how much time is left after about 20-30 shots and usually not again after that.

[Popeye]

With responding to Kirtar, almost all competitors will easily shoot a 5 shot series in a couple of minutes. However, what the timer does is allow you to see exactly how much time you have left if you suffer from malfunctions or get chicken finger, blurred vision, or any other problem (such as adrenalin surges and you find your hand shaking!), and thus allow you to get and keep things under control - and then calmly work out timing between shots with the remaining time left.

A few years ago during a 50m free pistol event I suffered light strikes with a Toz35, getting about 1/3 shots away!! Yeah-lots of dry-firing practice. The timer was helpful with knowing how much time in each stage was left! It was hard - but manageable with a timer. I was left with a large pile of ejected/rejected rounds. LOL

Popeye

[David Levene]

To be honest, on Standard Pistol the only one stage that a timer might be useful for is slow fire,

I totally disagree.

Not only is, IMHO, a timer required for the 20s & 10s series, it is also essential for Rapid Fire Pistol and the 25m Pistol and Centre Fire Pistol events. How else can you adjust your breathing cycle so that you are at the correct stage when you get the "Attention".