The RaceGorilla pro app is very easy to use, as you can manually time the participants. The only thing you need, is a couple of up-to-date smartphones with the RaceGorilla pro app installed.
But what to do if you’ve got a real championship coming up? You’d still want the ease of use of RaceGorilla, but with increased accuracy and reliability. You want to use photocells and a professional timing clock. That’s when you need the RaceGorilla BlueBox.
What started as an add-on to Tag-Heuer or Alge timing clocks (see below), has now evolved in a fully integrated easy to use timing system with RaceGorilla photocells and accessories.
The main features are easy to set-up and operate, Robustness (waterproof and heavy duty), and of course reliability.
Photocell Receiver
It receives a modulated IR signal from the transmitter. It is powered by the bluebox and connected via a cable up to 50 meter.
BlueBox -GPS
The BlueBox-GPS is a battery powerd GPS-synchronised clock that send the timestamps to the RaceGorilla Pro app via Bluetooth
Photocell Transmitter
Sends a modulated IR-signal to the receiver at up to 50 meter.
Battery powered for up to 12 hours of uninterrupted use.
Cable receiver to BB
The cable connecting the BlueBox-GPS to the receiver of the photocell as available in 5m, 10m, 25m and 50m
A shorter cable is recommended, to be as close to the start- or finish line as possible.
Horn
A horn can be added to the receiver as well.
It will signal when someone passes the start or finish line, and can also give a series of 5 starting beeps as a countdown for the starting participant.
Bracket
To mount the photocells to a tripod or timing gate, these brackets are ready made and provide multiple mounting options.
BlueBox-Connect
Our older Bluebox connect system is still available to those who like their own reliable timing system, however we see that most of our users keep their “old” clocks as a backup timing system for the official championships.
If you have a timing device from Alge or Tag Heuer, just connect it to the BlueBox-Connect. The timing devices will forward the timestamps to the RaceGorilla Pro app using Bluetooth. The latest innovation is the BlueBox-GPS. A stand-alone, Arduino based timing clock. Any kind of Photocell can be attached to the BlueBox-GPS.
The start and finish operators receive the timestamps on their phone, directly generating the results as they confirm the times.
RaceGorilla BlueBox–Connect
The RaceGorilla BlueBox-Connect contains a programmable Arduino board (Bluno Nano). It receives data over the serial port from the Alge (Timy or Timy 3) or from Tag Heuer (CP520 or CP545) time clock. The Arduino inside the BlueBox processes the timestamp to to universal format and sends it over Bluetooth to the RaceGorilla app. Well, that was maybe jiberish for most of you, but it’s the simplest we could make it. Therefore the BlueBox is less expensive and easy to maintain and update.
To show how the Bluebox is used, we’ve made a video during a canoe slalom race: BlueBox Race Blog
When you add a time clock and connect it to RaceGorilla Pro app using the BlueBox, you will have 100% accurate times and a full backup system. Above all, timing is easier again, as the timing operator does not record and write down the times manually anymore.
Pricing
The BlueBox integration is offered as a premium module in the RaceGorilla pro app. See our pricing page.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions on these integrations.
