| Notes from Siegfried 2/23/06 |
When going from SPORTident stations series 3/4/6 to series 7/8 some aspects have to be considered. I quickly summarize some points each user should know and understand when introducing newer SI-stations. - BSF3/4/6 units may be used on the same course as BSF7 and 8. All SI-Stations can be used mixed. From the point of the runner there is no difference detectable. - The preparation for SI-stations is slightly different depending on the series. SI-stations 7/8 should be used always in the so called "basic mode". In this mode you profit from all the benefits offered by the new stations. Typically there is no special setup needed before the event. The stations are "always on". The only typical service need is to adjust stations clock. Accuracy is typically 1 sec derivation per week - pretty good. This means that also clock synchronisation not has to be done often. SI-stations 3/4 are used in "preset mode". A setup step is needed before the event. SI-stations 6 can be used in preset mode and in basic mode. SI-stations 3/4/6 must be switched on by a magnet. - To setup SI-stations in preset mode PC software "SI-Manager" should be used. For SI-station's 7/8 service "SI-config" should be used. - SI-stations 3/4/6 should be configured by using a master station BSM3/4/6. SI-stations 7/8 should be configured by using a master station BSM7. It is possible to work in "mixed" sets BSM3/4/6-BSF7/8 or BSM7-BSF3/4/6 but inductive coupling can have limitations. In any case it is recommended also to invest into a master station BSM7-USB if the customer starts with BSF7/8. - SI-C8/9/p are available for sale. The SI-C9 is a very attractive product for orienteering and especially an alternative for users of the SI-card5. It is significantly lower priced than SI-card6. Card owners name and first name can be stored in the card - a nice feature for evaluation in training sessions. Limitation: SI-Card 8/9/p only work with BSF7/8. - Older PC event software can be used to read in SI-C8/9/p. Prerequisite is a master station BSM7 software version 5.54. This firmware features a SI-Card compatibilty mode modelling SI-C6. - Together with the introduction of SI-C8/9/p SI-C6 can be upgraded to SI-C6*. SI-C6* features 192 punches. SI-C6* mode is only possible when using BSF7/8 and firmware 5.53 or higher. In stations BS3/4/6 SI-C6* always will be handled as SI-C6*. There are two possibilities to use SI-C6* features: a) hard coding; SI-C6* is produced in a number range >16.000.000. Such a SI-Card always is handled as SI-C6* by BSF7/8 b) soft coding; in BSF7/8 settings a flag can be activated; having set this flag in the stations each SI-C6 will be handled as SI-C6*; no change on the SI-Card6 is needed - The BSF6 units can use the same lithium battery as the BSF7 and 8. Yes, but: - for the BSF6 the battery is plugged. It works for about 200hours active mode - battery in BSF7/8 is soldered because we expect a life time of several years; battery change should be done in an authorized service point - battery size in BSF8 is half to the BSF7 Siegfried Ritter |