I/we (I can only truely speak for myself) are familiar with all of the companies mentioned here plus a few more. I worked for a timing business (utilizing Omega timing systems) for three years. I have kept interested in the technology, and have a couple of friends that own their own companies. PEP Timing based in the North East is currently running Finishlynx (a 15 year old company formed by MIT grads). The startup cost was about $15K. It is complicated and would need a dedicated operator. I am familiar with AMB. It is utilized by OVR. I have done races using the AMB (a 20 year old company) chips/transponders. They are not 100% reliable (chips go dead), and require a camera for backup. Their product is not that complicated, but the computer programs evidently have a learning curve. I recieved some information (poled from AMB users) from a rider in the MOBRA region that backs this up. No, these are not brand new technologies, but yes they would be new to MOBRA if MOBRA bought into them. However, that is not realistic. The money is not there. That does not mean these ideas or technologies are not going to be considered in the proposal. Maybe the money is there in the future?
Don't be so sure there are not new ways of putting this systems together, and harnessing the information. Not everything has been done before. People are still inventing.
To try and answer the last question, I am not a decision maker, but an information gatherer. I do not believe MOBRA associated Promoters will be hiring out this service. Typical contracted timing/finishing services I am aware of charge between 2-4 dollars per rider plus expenses. The intent here is to purchase equipment, and develop a protocol for its use.
Edited by KarlStover, 09 March 2006 - 12:06 AM.
fish, on Mar 6 2006, 11:25 AM, said:
