Brower Timing Systems

Only buy a Brower timing system if you:
1. Like replacing tons of batteries every time you want to use it. 6 - 9v if I recall correctly.
2. Don't mind sending it back for repairs frequently.
3. Have a clean line of sight from start to finish and it is less than 500 yards or so. Otherwise only expect to get one good time out of three.

If this doesn't appeal to you, you should spend the extra money and get a better, more reliable wireless system from Alge or Tag. Remember, with these systems you can use your existing start wand, photocells and timer, so all you need to get is the wireless transmitter and receiver. This isn't possible with the Brower.

We have used all three systems (Brower, Alge TED and Tag HL 610). The Brower gathers dust most of the winter, the others are far more superior and easier to operate since they work with all of our existing hardware including the displays and timers.

The Alge is great for speed events or long GS since it does not require line of sight, it evens works in some places where we loose radio contact.

The Tag is great as long as you have line of sight but you don't have to stay at the start or the finish as long as you see both from where you stand, but with room for 4 inputs you can do splits or do time trials on two separate courses at the same time, provided you own enough hardware to duplicate the setup.

And last but not least in pinch when your hardwires come crashing down during a race you can go wireless with them and save your race.

Our prefered timer with these is the Timy. We use a model with no printer and download the results to a laptop at the end of the day.

So depending on your budget it could turn out to be much cheaper to first use your existing hardware and eventually as you add harware to the system it provides you with back up equipment for your races.

Always a KISS firm believer...

Brower timing - a piece of s***.

'Nuff said.

All

Thanks for your replies. This system was at the request of our coaches for training only. They had used the older Brower units in the past, and although they had problems, they liked the interface it provided.

I did build them a system with a Timy, Tag HL-610's and some Eyes, but they found that the Timy required a coach to operate and they could only have 1 racer on the course at a time. It was also difficult for the racers to review times during the day. The Timy firmware is still somewhat buggy (in this area) and the documentation is thin or just not available.

So... I talked to World Cup Supply. Last February, they were going to drop the line as the product just stunk and Brower was difficult to deal with. Brower did some re-designs and according to WCS, the new units are significantly better.

Although Brower does claim that there 10mW signal is good for 10 miles, we all know this is just not something that is going to happen at that power level, unless it is truly vertical with no RF intermod.

From our coaches, they now truly have a standalone system. The kids can review their times during lunch and the package is easier to use. There are still a few changes in the software they would like to see, but they've spent most of this week flogging it to death and are very please with it. Even the battery life isn't the issue that it used to be.

Again, this is a 100% training system and that is all it is used for.

I'll keep this list notified of any changes, good or bad. So far, pretty good.

Mike

p.s. I have nothing to do with WCS or Brower and am only passing on my findings so far.

I am wondering if anyone has a set of brower timers for sale they'd like to get rid of cheap. I need a set for testing a snowmobile on a 660 foot test track. Contact me at kerry@controvalve.com if you do.

The Microgate RACETIME 2 training kit is an excellent package for all on hill training needs.

The start has a BIB ID keypad so that athletes or coaches can enter their number easily.

The BIB number is then transmitted to the RACETIME 2 timer located anywhere along the course. The 500mw transmitter is the most powerful in the industry.

The Polifemo photocells have the radio transmitter and antenna attached for a sleek installation.

The RACETIME 2 has a removable paper printer that uses plain paper that will not get damaged in wet or cold conditions.

The entire kit is packaged in a padded backpack made for the purpose. Very slick design and well thought out.

Prices are reasonable for a professional quality system made in Europe.

This system is the most widely used ski training system with over 70% of all national teams using it including the Canadian, Austrian, Swiss, and US Ski Team.

RACETIME 2

http://www.microgate.it/eng/timing_sport/stopwatches_racetime2.asp

BIB ID transmitter

http://www.microgate.it/eng/timing_sport/linkgate_encradiosf500w.asp

POLIFEMO radio photocell

http://www.microgate.it/eng/timing_sport/link_polifemoradio.asp

RACETIME 2 backpack kit

http://www.microgate.it/eng/timing_sport/training_kit_sf.asp


Sales and Service for this product is handled for all of North America by Sports Timing International.

email: info@sportstiminginternational.com

www.sportstiminginternational.com

Vail Ski and Snowboard Club system