Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Sboard1019 · 11-10-2005, 05:22 PM

Im looking into buying a scoring box. I read the other posts about recomended boxes but have one question with the SG 11 box. With only one set of LED's how does it display on and off target hits?

Epee Scherma · 11-10-2005, 05:41 PM

The lights will be yellow-orange for off target, and light up green or red for on. The little bulbs in each of the LED's are a color or off target. One of the sets lights up, depending on the action.

Sboard1019 · 11-10-2005, 05:42 PM

Ah I get it now, thank you.

larkmaj · 11-10-2005, 05:57 PM

actually, they're bi-color LEDs. basically two LEDs hooked up in parrallel head to tail. depending on which way the current flows, one will light up.

KD5MDK · 11-11-2005, 02:03 AM

I absolutely hate directing on those, as I have to stop and look at them closely to see which light came on. I'm colorblind and the lights do no clearly distinguish themselves for me. If you need a cheap box, go with Eigertek. If you have the money for better, buy Favero.

CvilleFencer · 11-11-2005, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

I absolutely hate directing on those, as I have to stop and look at them closely to see which light came on. I'm colorblind and the lights do no clearly distinguish themselves for me. If you need a cheap box, go with Eigertek. If you have the money for better, buy Favero.

Absolutley 100% agree. They suck to direct on for me as well. Favero boxes are the way to go IMHO. The Eigertek is just to damn quite and it is so small it is hard to see as well.

neevel · 11-11-2005, 12:48 PM

One other issue with the new SG boxes (including the 11) is that instead of using socketed firmware chips they use flash-upgradeable FW that requires a non-standard interface which, currently, only Ted Li is in posession of in the US. That means, should there be any further timing changes, you will need to send it in to Ted (via Blue Gauntlet) for upgrading, instead of just ordering a new FW chip.

-Dave

penguin_2000 · 11-11-2005, 01:47 PM

Any opinions on the $295 triplette scoring machine? It seems to be the cheapest scoring machine on the market right now, but I don't know that I've ever seen one in person before. Thanks.

SJCFU#2 · 11-11-2005, 03:10 PM

Triplette's Club box is basically their high end machine without the clamshell case (i.e. smaller but more fragile).

Triplette machines have a mixed reputation at best. Several problems have been identified in the past and while many have supposedly been corrected through various updates others have proven stubborn enough that many people remain sceptical as to whether or not they have finally been fixed.

The power supply is another source of complaints. It connects to the machine with a 4-pin DIN plug. Unfortunately it is all too easy to short the pins inside the DIN plug together when plugging in the power supply. If the power supply happens to be plugged into the wall outlet at the time the result is a blown fuse in the power supply and a machine that can't be used until you replace the fuse (or the power supply). Triplette's solution has always been to plug the power supply into the machine first, then into the wall. A different plug, one that made it difficult to short the contacts together, would probably be a better solution.

The controls also leave something to be desired. Almost everything is controlled with one button and without documentation it is often guess work figuring out exactly which settings are which (for example, I think that the "green" setting is old, official timings for foil and saber and the "red" settings are the new, experimental timings - but I've yet to see this written down anywhere).

All Triplette machines can be reprogrammed to accomodate changes in timing. The update itself is free however the machine must be sent back to Triplette so you end up paying for shipping and can't use the machine until it comes back.

KD5MDK · 11-11-2005, 05:16 PM

I also understand that Triplette has been less that totally prompt with the turnaround time on those boxes. Also, on our club boxes the labels for which light indicated which weapon setting rubbed off really easily and had to be redone in marker. I don't recommend Triplette boxes.

Really, Faveros are not that much more.

penguin_2000 · 11-11-2005, 05:59 PM

Well, that doesn't sound good... I'm trying to buy an scoring setup for a HS club (unfunded club...). So, even $150 is a big difference for the club.

On another note... does anybody have old boxes lying around they don't use? Even the old orange, 2-weapon, Prieur boxes with old timing would be better than what we have now (i.e. nothing). So, if anybody wants to donate (or lend) some old scoring devices let me know.

Chafunkta · 11-12-2005, 03:49 AM

My club had two Triplette scoring boxes. The first one lasted about 2 weeks and then broke. Triplette, with some resistance, did end up replacing the broken one. The replacement then broke that first practice we had it. We just asked for a refund after that. I would not reccommend the box to anybody.

telkanuru · 11-12-2005, 04:13 AM

Triplette boxes are, hands down, much more trouble then they're worth in savings.

CvilleFencer · 11-12-2005, 09:28 AM

Remeber how I said I did not care for the SG-11 or Eigertek boxes? I would rather have one of those than 2 TCA boxes. With the TCA ones chances are in a couple months I would have no boxes, at least that worked. They are horrible, aweful, buggy machines with a peircing unpleasant buzzer and are fairly fragile if they are not in their pistol case as all the little nobs and light covers are not put on very well. Buy any scoring machine out there except the TCA ones would be my advice.

swordsen · 11-12-2005, 05:03 PM

Interesting. We have about 5 of them and they work just fine. the fuse issue is easy to solve witha trip to the auto parts store. We change our own. I do dislike the power plug and wonder why in the (*^&^*%%!!! the lights aren't labeled.

DieterS · 11-12-2005, 06:57 PM

Ok, I'd just like to make this comment regarding the strong likes and dislikes expressed here. Just as there are many types and models of automobiles for various requirements, there are several types of scoring machines that also meet different requirements. This is good for everyone. The Eigertek Eclipse was designed with the following criteria in mind:

1. Low cost.
2. Portability, doesn't weigh a ton, easy to pack.
3. Can be powered all day (maybe two or three) by a 9-volt battery.
4. Rugged. When knocked down, won't break, damage a floor, or injure someone.
5. Lights can be seen from an extreme angle (no stick-out plastic lenses).
6. Smaller lights offset by intensity and purity of color (also color blind friendly).
7. Quiet, polite buzzer. Turns off by itself and doesn't interefer with other strips.
8. Simple to operate with only two buttons: power and weapon select.
9. Easy and inexpensive to upgrade.

Obviously, these criteria don't fit all fencing clubs, nor should they. Some people don't care about price, want a control panel with lots of switches and settings (with a thick operating manual), want to hear a truck horn when it sounds, and want lights the size of stop lights. Great! There are products out there that fit those requirements. We could have gone this design direction but we decided not to mainly to keep the price as low as possible.

So, pick the scoring machine that suits your needs. Maybe you you want to own more than one type for flexibility. The key issue is to make sure that your choice is *reliable* and has a reputation for good product support, inexpensive repairs, and inexpensive or free upgrades. Then you won't have to worry about dead scoring machines, frustrating phone calls, and months of waiting. You can just concentrate on having fun fencing!

Hope this helps,

Dieter

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Dieter Schlaepfer
Eigertek