Transponders

[racebmxwa]

Bit of extra info for you guys regarding transponders in WA. Earlier in the year I spoke to then BMXWA President Steve Dixon about their introduction - costs, benefits, etc.

Check it out from about the 1.50 mark:

http://youtu.be/7lAfIjc6Pdw

[dugga]

Well I got mine today and I must say I'm extremely disappointed...It's absolutely no fun at all. It doesn't do anything.
I was expecting this....



What I received....



More than meets the eye ...I don't think so - worst toy ever 


and the cartoons were better than the movies too 

[Cyclops]

Maryborough ran transponders last weekend, in a couple of weeks Bundaberg are running transponders.

Just down the road at Gympie this weekend the South Queensland Championships are being held with around 500 entrants ..............................

WITHOUT TRANSPONDERS 

[reliance]

yes transponders are the future but....we are a family of 4 riders and with the cost of transponders, licence fees, entry fees, travel costs it's sad but bmx is becoming a very expensive family sport .............

[GT Interceptor]

Sad to say that BMX has never been a cheap sport ever!! Wasn't cheap in the 80's & it hasn't got any better!!

I have had to buy 4 transponders in the past 12 months & will have to buy another soon as my daughter will need one when she moves out of Sprockets.

Everyone in WA apart from Sprockets (because they are not scored) run them.

I was against them at the start (due to cost) but now our system is up & running the data feedback is awesome.

[Dr Phil]

Cyclops suoth qld is still run by people from the eighties

[chef]

Quote from: fletch on June 18, 2012, 11:50:07 AM
Just putting it out there, what's your thoughts??

From 2013 if you want to race in Vic you are expected to own your own transponder.

If not a charge of $20 per meeing to hire 1.

I am ok with it as I'm pretty sure I will only have 1 boy racing next year, but at $140 a pop I feel for familys who will have to fork out maybe with licence,club fees included $1000 before they even race.

Maybe some sort of family discount could be considered??

This has been on the cards for a few yrs now, I'ts nothing new .

What are other states doing??
Any wonder participation numbers in Vic are low compared to other states. If this sport is to grow, bmxv needs to have a serious think about what a move like that will do. Decisions like that, only serve to put bmx racing further out of reach for kids and families. Grass roots sporting bodies should be making moves to make participation easier and cheaper. Why a need for a one hundred percent price rise on hiring fee's? Why can i buy a transponder cheaper from other sources? Why do i pay the same for a licence for my 9 year old as a AA pro rider? Why are numbers in Vic lower than say WA? All questions with the same answer if you ask me.

Research would be your friend!!!!
Participation in Vic has had a increase so far in 2012
BMX V has thought about it serious and has asked for members input, ( must have missed yours)
BMX V doesn't mind where you buy your transponder from, I can give you a few links if you want to save $5- 10 dollars
Pay for licence, see BMX -A, for break down
Why are number lower in Vic to WA, are you serious ? Hmmm maybe size?

Increase participation is and on going and very active project in Victoria, to increase growth in the sport, there are stepping stones to reach open race meetings so I fail to see where a transponder cost comes into the argument at club level racing ?


I don't mind some slapping buy get it right! Maybe I'll see you at some meetings soon.

[paineful]

I am still trying to get my head around having to out lay $150 for a transponder, with modern RFID chips, why can't they use a passive system, the chips/stickers or what ever are only 50c a pop, and at the speed BMX racing crosses the finish line these would be quite adequate, has anyone out there actually looked into this,
The system may be a little more expensive to set up, but BMXA could send out a sheet of stickers with your licence and you just stick one on your fork. no problems with flat battries.
My 2c worth, and probably way off...

[Marty]

Hi Paneful,
Yes I have looked at the difference between active & passive systems.
If you assume a rider crossing the finish line at 30kph the active systems like Mylaps are accurate to approx 8.2 mm.  A passive system would only be accurate to approx 82 mm.  Our races are over in about 30 seconds and have very close finishes, we need all the accuracy we can get. Like everything else you get what you pay for.

from Marty.

PS This thread has been worth reading, especially the Steve Dixon video and the Transformer post.

[paineful]

Cheers Marty, just putting it out there, thanks for the reply.

[GT Interceptor]

Cheers Marty, just putting it out there, thanks for the reply.

Painie,

Trust me mate. Yes the cost is a big hurdle to get over initially ( i had to buy 4 transponders last year) but if your governing body use them them right & take advantage of things like Ezeventing the data you can get is so good.

Being able to see reaction times of the gate & lap times withing minutes of your race is pretty cool. No more wondering who got first pick gate pick in a final. You can see if changes to your riding are actually making a difference. Information is everything.

BMXWA have done a great job over here implementing transponders & yes there was a lot of critics in the beginning (I was one) but now I love it!!

The one thing that I have had to enforce with my kids is you stop at the end of the race & shake hands or congratulate the other riders as there is no bails to sit in at the end.