Timing software recommendation

Results software is the most interesting of all investments that you will make.

The relationship you develop with the software vendors is the key. So how they respond to you when you are investigating and they are selling will give a preview as to how this will go.

Remember that no one plays golf with one club. Sure you can cover a course with a pitching wedge. It won't be pretty and no one will pay to watch, but it can be done.

We used several different packages for the results usually based on the sport.

You mention racelresults as a data collection option. Their software and data base management options are quite comprehensive. Contractors we know appear to be happy with the service level they receive.

Vola software and it's predecessors appear to have been offered to the public as a result of products developed for their own contracting business. So you may have to think like they do to fully appreciate and operate the software.

Thinking like the software designer is something to actually think about. This is not a large profitable business. Usually software is developed by interested individuals or partnership and grows from there. So you are really joining the partnership.

You also have the option to progress yourself if a particular package doesn't work out. So plan on switching if it doesn't work out. Learn from the experience and move on.

Most software companies or individuals offer demo options so you can hook up timers, displays etc. That gives you a partial picture. I would really spend the money and go to an event where the results are being produced by the software you are thinking of partnering with and see it actually work on site. Better to spend a thousand first rather than a drawn out entanglement. Easy to get on a plane to Europe or wherever and gauge the effectiveness on your own.

RaceTec.
http://www.racetectiming.com

It has what your looking for.

Thanks FKP, I appreciate the insights.

I've heard RaceResult software is good also, we're looking for a vendor-agnostic solution though, we time gravity/DH events for example using Alge for the start/finish and transponders for the mid points.

Your points are well taken.

If anyone knows of other software which might fit what I've described, I'd appreciate the tips.

JB- I checked and RaceTec does not integrate with Alge or Tag.

Zone 4 is good for multisport (triathlon and its offshoots), XC ski/bike and other mass start events.

Split Second Timing is a good avenue to consider for alpine ski racing since it requires little commitment - a licence can be bought for as little as a 30 day period, and the majority of the software is available free for assessment and registration purposes. It's well sorted for FIS sanctioned events and the included Club version contains much versatility. SST also has a free live timing utility for easy instant results streaming. I'd be reluctant to use it for MTB DH unless the number of competitors on course can be restricted to 2 or 3 like in ski racing, or long (90 sec or more) intervals can be applied.

The Canadian dTris/Measures system is focused on ski racing as well, and it's a good bit less expensive than Split Second (no free live timing though). Like SST, it can handle multiple intervals and speed traps, and there is an optional utility for data output to remote display/announcer screen.

Vola has a lot of bells and whistles but costs accordingly if you add the various modules for different sports. It can drive data to video production if that has interest, but do you want to pay for it? And Vola is a box purchase that stays active more or less indefinitely, you have to commit and then make it work from there.

As Fred said, there's no single solution for all applications. Talk to timers working in events you're interested in, and see what products work for them. Talk to the vendors, they are pretty accessible and happy to take phone calls for all your questions.