Friday, December 30, 2011
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574 has been out for quite a while now and has shown itself to be robust and reliable. All SPORTident users need to upgrade to this version. You can download the latest SI-Boot which comes with Firmware Version 574 from SPORTident’s website in Germany (here), or mirrored from this blog (here). Please contact me if you encounter any issues using it.
Also, version 574 is required for the new SI-10 timing card.
Release notes:
574
- improved speed and robustness in station memory routines
- SI-Card6 readout improved
- BSM7-USB plug-in detection improved
- introduced SIAC compatibility
568
- corrects power consumption error in stadium controls
- data transfer modes improved
- This version is not qualified for BSM7 and BS7-P.
559
- improves stability in SI stations in case of higher discharged batteries
- inadvertently introduced stadium control power consumption issue
A new timing stick is coming early in 2012, in place of the SI-6 which is being phased out in 2012.
The new timing stick can hold 128 controls, plus Start, Finish and Check and is twice as fast as the SI-6.
Prices have not been announced.
A chart comparing the various timing sticks can be downloaded here.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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A compass is built for a specific band in the hemisphere. Fortunately all of Europe and North-America is in the same band, but the South isn’t so easy. Here’s an image I received from MOSCOMPASS:
According to this, a compass made for Brazil will not work in Australia. It is best to purchase a compass in the region you will be using it in, to insure you’ve got the correct one. Otherwise make sure you order with the country name, not just “Southern Hemisphere”.
Good luck, and Happy Travels!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
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I’ve recently run into two issues with SI-Personal.
Error Messages
First it crashed with ugly error messages. This was quickly solved by SPORTident’s engineering staff who correctly guessed that I had changed the COM port that my BS7-USB occupies. To resolve this I had to delete the INI file which is well hidden. Here’s how to find the place, depending on the operating system. Regardless, open up the File Explorer (not Internet Explorer) in Windows, and copy/paste the following into the address bar:
- Windows XP:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\SPORTident\SI_Personal - Vista or Windows 7:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\SPORTident\SI_Personal
Press Enter and the folder will open where SI_Personal.ini is hidden. Just delete this file.
Read and Write buttons don’t enable when SI card inserted
This happens because my BS7-USB was programmed the wrong way. I had to start SI-Config and change some of the settings. In SI-Config enable expert view, change the target to DIRECT and read the device. It is most likely that autosend is currently enabled. The settings have to be changed to:
- Operating Mode: Read SI cards
- Autosend off
- Extended protocol on
Press the Write bar, and now SI-Personal will work.
Kudos to Thomas Kühn at SPORTident
Friday, October 01, 2010
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An update of SI_Boot has been released which mainly includes firmware loads for the Sprint, Printer and Download controls.
The installer program SI_Boot also has some minor bugs fixed.
The new SI_Boot is available from SPORTident.com (click here) or from my site (here).
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
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SPORTident has released version 5.68 for SPORTident controls BSF-7 & BSF-8 as a replacement to all prior firmware versions. All controls should be updated to this firmware.
As many of you are aware, V5.59 had the stadium control bug which caused the batteries in stadium controls (Clear/Check/Start/Finish/Download) to be drained sooner under certain conditions. V5.65 was released in the spring, but withdrawn again due to a different issue.
Unfortunately the download control and the printer control cannot yet be updated to version 5.68. I will update this page as soon as I get a timeline on the availability of newer firmware for these two types of controls.
V5.68 has been wrapped into an updated SI_Boot application which installs the firmware into the controls. SI_Boot (V.2.11) is available from SPORTident.com or from here. For details on how to use the SI_Boot application, click here.
This is an important release and everybody should update
their controls to this version of the firmware.
[Update 2010-10-01: newer SI_Boot version]
Thursday, July 08, 2010
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I’ve prepared a chart, similar to the one from SPORTident, which shows the different finger sticks that are available, plus it also has the SI-5 on the list for comparison. I’m currently learning all about the pCard and tCard, and will update the chart with more meaningful information – as soon as I receive it.
Check here for the chart.
Saturday, May 01, 2010
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SPORTident is using a new printer in its printer and school sets. And this printer has two features that make it worth considering:
- It takes standard thermal paper rolls, available in business supply stores
- The batteries are normal AA rechargeable NiMH batteries. Easy to replace when they wear out, a spare set can also be carried to insure that the battery doesn’t run dry before the end of an event.
I’ve been using it a bit today and I like it. It feels solid. It might be a little slower to print than the old GeBE, but I don’t have one nearby to compare.
And, best of all, it’s somewhat cheaper to purchase than the older set.
There’s also a printer only set (order # 14121). More details to follow.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
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I’ve created a short video to show what I do to get the controls ready for an event, using the master control. It won’t win an Oscar, but I hope it gets the point across – the point being that using the master control is very convenient!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
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Please be advised that I will have to pass on to you any fees incurred when accepting repair shipments sent via couriers, such as FedEx or UPS. Unfortunately the courier companies have non-refundable brokerage fees (based on stated content value), while the postal system limits its fees to actual cross-border purchases.
I apologize for this inconvenience.