I am looking for 2, not tag--are there others out there??

Your wish will be fulfilled shortly. I saw drawings of Jim Karne's new blinky box the other day. It looks like what everyone has been looking for. Production will be in time for next ski season.

I can hardly wait!!

JK--keep me posted!!

Chase,

The "blinkie box" will be made in 3 versions. A dual channel version like the TAG with more features, an 8 channel version and a world cup version with 18 channels.

Testing will be taking place in the next couple of weeks before a full production run in a month or so.

Stay tuned.
JK

Very Good!!!!

Any Picts??

Chase

OK! I'll bite..... What's a Blinkie Box?

It is an optically isolated conditioner for your line impulses. They are normally used in World Cup races to distribute/isolate all the timing channels to 2 or more independent timers and by isolating the signals optically, there is no chance of either system effecting the other should something tragic happen. It also protects your gear from high power spikes that would normally damage your computer and timers, especially static electricity in dry, long distance line runs in the mountains.

The new blinky box will also have "link" switches for every 2 channels to allow either/both channels to trigger two or more systems EXACTLY the same so system A/B will have the same NET time after drift is accounted for between systems.

Think of the Tag Opto isolators, but having 18 channels available and some major electronic improvements to make the box more accurate to the 1/10,000 resolution level.

Phil:

Everyone involved in the timing of ski races at ANY level should be using a Blinky Box (opto-isolator) of some type, due to the harsh environment. If you don't, you are asking for trouble and multiplying your chances of failure.

The Alge OC-18 and the TAG Heuer HL553 are examples of Blinkies currently on the market. The Alge OC-18 has 18 channels, but it does not have any indicator lights, which are invaluable when the doo-doo hits the fan and a quick diagnosis of a wiring or photocell problem can save the day. The TAG Heuer HL553 is a nice design, and it has indicator lights, but the battery door is junky and it only has two channels.

I own both. The Alge is convenient, but the lack of indicator lights make using it like "flying blind". I have used the HL553, on occasion, for races at the Olympic & World Cup level, but the problem there is that you need at least 6 of them - sometimes a dozen - for something like a DH, with 3-5 INTs and 1-2 SPEED. You have to duct-tape a whole stack of them to a table, which gets ugly.

I have seen Jim's design, and it is a MAJOR step forward, WAY beyond the capabilities of the TAG Heuer HL553 and the Alge OC-18 both electronically and functionally. I can't wait for it to hit the market, I'm going to buy the World Cup version. I don't know the price and, frankly, I don't care, I need one and I need it BADLY.

Well my TimingGuys Blinky Box is almost ready for delivery! This opto isolator is far more accurate than the current devices on the market. The 18-24 channel (World Cup) and 6-12 channel version cases are still being manufactured, but when they are done I'll post up another note. Pricing is still being worked on, but it will cost more than the current Tag product.

Picture at
www.blinkybox.com/products/blinkybox.html