Derby Talk

Bill V's Derby Timers is a site providing Arduino based timer designs for the budget minded Do-It-Yourselfer (DIY) including FREE downloads of the basic designs. These free downloads include schematics and parts list.

It is great to have a new option for an inexpensive timing system for those with some basic DIY electronics skills.

Though, on your minimal timing system, it (and others like it) do have a drawback that people should be aware of. If there ends up being a problem with the timer communications to the computer then you cannot run a race. Since that system is dependent on the computer to display the results, there is no fall back. Sorry folks, we will have to reschedule the race. However, if the timing system at least has its own finish order display then the fall back is to manually enter results into their race software, spreadsheet or even old fashioned pencil and paper. They can still run their race. Technology is great, but problems can and do happen, especially when trying to get a timing system and computer to talk to each other. If folks want the ultra budget option, that's fine, but they do need to be aware of the possible pitfall of that decision.