Small FIE Recording Apparatus

The CSG12 is essentially a rebranded SG-12ST.  As such it is pretty much the standard against which most other machines are compared (at least in the US).

SG-12 machines have long been the standard machine for major USFA events.  The SG-12ST is its latest incarnation, and includes advanced features such as integral timer and scorekeeping.  As such, it tends to cost more than "club" machines, however it is an machine excellent for tournament use.

Considering everything that's in there, the SG-12ST is actually quite compact.  This means that it once the frame used to lift the machine up off the table is folded the machine fits nicely into a relatively small case.

Unlike earlier versions of the SG-12, the SG-12ST uses groups of LED’s rather than incandescent light bulbs.  This eliminates the need to change bulbs and the LED’s are arranged in a curved array that allows good visibility from the sides.  Unfortunately the same LED’s are used for both on and off-target lights.  This sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish between on and off target lights (especially if you happen to be colorblind).  The off-target lights are also yellow, rather than white, which can be annoying even for those of us who aren’t colorblind.

The time and score displays are large enough for the referee or the fencers, however not necessarily large enough to be seen from a distance.  A separate, larger display may be needed for finals with a large audience (or perhaps a larger machine, such as the SG-31).

The remote may be machine’s greatest weakness.  It allows the referee to control the time and score unassisted but it is also one more thing to loose.