How reliable is the wireless technology? Has it been proven?
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Several thousand sets of the wireless electric
eyes are already in use. Performance of the radio link has been even
better than we originally envisioned. The units perform well even with
nearby wireless microphones, cell phones and walkie-talkies. To ensure
reliable operation, the timer in the announcer's booth should have a
line-of-sight view of the electric eye in the arena (the one with the
antenna). Since the announcer's booth generally has a view of the
electric eyes in the arena, this is rarely a problem. Animals and
people in the arena blocking the line of sight are generally not a
problem. Secondly, keep major electronic equipment (e.g. computers,
computer monitors, the PA system, etc.) a few feet away from the timer
console in the announcer's booth. (Top) |
What is the maximum distance between the electric eye and the announcer's booth (the "radio range")? |
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The radio link will work reliably at 300 feet.
This assumes a clear line-of-sight from the antenna on the electric eye
in the arena to the antenna on the timer console in the announcer's
booth. For maximum distance, make sure the timer console in the
announcer's booth is not hidden behind a ledge that blocks the
antenna's "view" of the electric eye in the arena. It is also
recommended that other electronic appliances (computers, monitors, PA
system, etc.) be at least three feet from the timer console. (Top) |
What is the maximum distance between the electric eyes (the "optical range")? |
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The wireless electric eyes have a maximum optical
range (the distance between the two eyes) of about 200 feet. The wired
electric eyes have an optical range of about 300 feet. The range
difference has nothing to do with radio versus wired operation, just a
difference in optical output power designed to make the wireless eyes
as power efficient as possible while still meeting the requirements of
most arenas. (Top) |
Does sun affect the electric eyes?
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A late afternoon sun shining directly into the
face of the receiving electric eye can affect the maximum range between
the eyes. Imagine driving West into a setting sun without a visor - it
is difficult to see. The receiving electric eye is much like your own
eye and has to fight the same problem. However, just as shading your
eyes with the visor helps you see the road, any sort of sun-shield
on the electric eye helps the electric eye "see." Actually, with the
wireless electric eyes, the easiest way to prevent problems is to
simply swap the electric eyes so that the receiving electric eye has
its back to the sun. Keep in mind that even when facing into the
setting sun, you may not experience any problems unless you have a
large distance between the electric eyes (e.g., over 125 feet). (Top) |
How long do the batteries last? |
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The timer
console runs about 50 to 60 hours on a fresh set of four AA alkaline
batteries. Typically, this is enough for a couple months of use before
the batteries need to be replaced. The timer gives a 1 to 2 hour
warning that the battery is getting low. You can also check the percent
of battery remaining at any time from the keypad on each console. |
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The wireless electric eyes each use a 9
volt alkaline battery (the little rectangular battery) for power. The
eyes will run 70 to 80 hours from a new battery. Typically, this is
enough for several months of use before the batteries need to be
replaced. The electric eyes give a 3 to 4 hour warning that the battery
is getting low. This gives you plenty of advance notice so that during
the next arena drag, class change, etc., you can change the battery. To
make the system even more fool-proof, low battery warnings from the
electric eyes in the arena are displayed on the timer console in the announcer's booth. |
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The older wired electric eyes use a
rechargeable battery pack built into the photo-transmitter electric eye
(the light source). The photo-receiver electric eye (the eye which
receives the beam of light) connects to the timer in the announcer's
booth through the long cable and requires no batteries or other source
of power. The rechargeable battery pack in the transmitter lasts about
12 hours after a full charge. Keep in mind, however, that a
rechargeable battery loses about 1/3 of its charge per month while
sitting on the shelf. (Top) |
How many times does the timer save in its memory? |
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The timer console saves the most recent 100 results (including penalty information) in memory.
The memory is cleared whenever the timer is powered off or a new event is chosen. (Top) |
Can multiple electric eyes be set up to measure split times around and between barrels for training? |
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Yes, the Polaris timer can be used with up to
four sets of wireless electric eyes to measure split times throughout
the barrel pattern. In order to display and print results, the Polaris
timer must be connected to a computer. See more information on the Polaris timer page. (Top) |
What exactly is the "PA Horn"? |
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The Polaris wireless timer can play a recording
of our horn directly through your PA system. This way, you'll hear the
horn sound come out over the speakers in your arena without actually
having a physical horn. The timer connects to the back of your PA
system with an audio cable just like you'd connect a CD or tape player
to your PA system for background music. (Top) |
What if I don't know what kind of PA system is used where I must use my timer? |
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If you are not sure if the PA system will have
any available inputs, or where it will be located, then you may want to
purchase the Automatic Horn. The Automatic Horn is a stand-alone buzzer that does not have to connect to a PA system. (Top) |
What do I need to connect my timer to a computer? |
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The Timer to PC Interface Cable will
connect your timer console to a serial or USB port on your
computer. Once the physical connection is made, software is required on
your computer in order to process the time information from the timer.
Click here for more information. (Top) |
Can the printer print contestant names, numbers and final results? |
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No. The printer is a log printer only. It's
primary purpose is to eliminate accusations of scorekeeper errors and
cheating. The scorekeeper cannot force the printer to print a time,
skip a time, change the order of times, etc. The printed log is a hard
copy of timer activity. |
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Entering contestant names, contestant numbers,
picking run orders, and sorting and printing results, would be very
difficult for the timekeeper to do on the small display and keypad on
the timer. However, this information is easily entered and manipulated
on a computer. To streamline management of your events, consider
connecting the timer console to a computer. See the Computer Interface page for more information. (Top) |
Are the timers and electric eyes weatherproof? |
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No. The timer and electric eyes should not be
left out in the weather. It is best to store them in a temperature and
humidity controlled environment such as your house. If it is raining
during an event and you wish to continue running, you can slip a thin
plastic sandwich bag over each electric eye. You may want to snap a
rubber band around the eye to keep the sandwich bag taught and smooth
over the face of the electric eye where the beam exits and enters the
eyes. The announcer's booth is generally dry for the timekeeper, but if
not, slip the console into a plastic bag and continue operation. (Top) |
What are the timers' accuracy specifications? |
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Timer Console Timebase
| Timebase Reference: |
10 Mhz temperature stable quartz crystal |
| Initial Tolerance: |
±2 ppm at 25° C |
| Aging: |
±1 ppm / year (can be nulled with re-calibration) |
| Temperature Drift: |
±3 ppm typical 0° - 50°C (32° - 122°F)
±3 ppm maximum 0° - 50°C (32° - 122°F) available |
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Electric Eyes (Wireless)
| Beam Modulation: |
Infrared carrier AM modulated at 2.22 Khz |
| Repeatability of Beam Break Position (effective beam width): |
Better than 0.1 inches (measured in sunlight conditions with target moving at 10 feet/second). |
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What is the difference between the LED scoreboards and the light-bulb scoreboards? |
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The LED scoreboards utilize solid state light
sources which glow red instead of light bulbs. The LEDs will generally
not burn out during the lifetime of the scoreboard. The LED units are
much lighter and consume much less power than the light-bulb
scoreboards. However, the LED scoreboards are not meant to be
permanently mounted in an arena because they are not designed to
withstand the weather. The light-bulb scoreboards can be permanently
mounted since the heat they generate tends to evaporate any moisture.
(However, during long periods without use, it is recommended that even
the light-bulb units be brought inside for storage.) |
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The light-bulb scoreboards have our Automatic
Horn built inside of them. When a light-bulb scoreboard is used with
the Polaris timer, no connection to the "Horn" jack on the timer
console is required. |
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Visibility of the LED and light bulb scoreboards
in direct sunlight is similar. Full specifications of size, weight and
power consumption are on the scoreboards page. (Top) |
What size scoreboard do I need? |
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As a general rule of thumb, the 7 inch digit
looks good from 100 to 200 feet away and is good for informal events.
For example, friends and family sitting in the bleachers directly
across from the scoreboard which is on the opposite side of the arena.
For greater distances, or if your arena has seating in more than one
location, a 10 inch digit is preferable. Finally, for large arenas with
seating on three or four sides, paid admissions, etc., you'll probably
want to go with the 18 inch digit. |
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Try to go with the smallest display that will
suit your needs. In addition to being less expensive, the smaller
displays are easier to transport and therefore less susceptible to
damage. (Top) |
How can I display the time or score to beat on a scoreboard? |
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A second Polaris timer console can be used in the
"Keypad" mode to enter a time or score for display on a scoreboard.
This timer and scoreboard are independent of any timer and scoreboard
being used for timing. With our computer to scoreboard adapter,
you can connect a computer directly to any of our scoreboards and display the time to beat,
scores, contestant numbers, etc. Contact FarmTek for details. (Top) |
What is the warranty on timer equipment? |
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All FarmTek timing products come with a one year
full parts and labor warranty. All repairs are performed at our
facility in Wylie, Texas. (Top) |
Where are your Dog Agility timers shown on this site? |
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FarmTek's Dog Agility timers are based on the Wireless Polaris Timer
and "light curtain" electric eyes developed specifically for the Dog
Agility marketplace. We hope to have the website updated soon to show our agility product line. Until that time,
please give us a call to learn more! (Top) |
