Virtual Scoring Machine

Hi,

I used this system at Central London Fencing Clubs annual friendly open last weekend.
I set it up as piste one along with Allstar spools and ground leads all tested and well under legal limits.

The 'Oooh' factor helped sell the idea initially but several fencers tried to move on to other pistes when they realised they were missing hits and tried to blame the 'box'.

No....THEY were missing, sometimes due to the F.I.E timings, sometimes bad fencing and sometimes their kit was faulty. I was happy to point this out or prove it but a few fencers seemed not to trust something as new and innovative. Considering the present Mask debacle I can understand why.

As a Ref I thought it was, on occasion, very black or white with regard to timings. After reading the manual it tells you why.

As an Armourer I could spot weapon faults as people were fencing and advise.

As a fencer....great. Does exactly what it says on the tin. Easy to read and hear though Troy Maclure telling you to 'Fence' and 'Halt' became very irratating so I will delete the .wav file for those.

All in all for that money I think this product is brilliant. Add an old otherwise dead laptop and speakers and you can have a box for under £200. Just spend an extra £5 on a sheet of Perspex and its Epee proof too.

The way forward?....I think so.

Although my club hasn't gone with this system yet, it looks great. One of the things I noticed was that it would work with older computer equipment. This would be an advantage for us because the computer systems my club has are not exactly new. This is something that is being considered.




Seth Roden,
Maryland Fencing Club

I have now used this machine several times. I can say without any hesitation that this is the best machine I have ever used. The on target-off targets are easy to see. The features are endless with self start and self scoring not the least of the many advantages. If you are practicing and have the time you even can go back to see what happened (how long your flick was on and why you did NOT get the score)
All of the features not withstanding its one cool machine and you don't have to send it back when the rules change.

What a pleasure! Seeing the ad, and knowing the possiblities, other clubs in our Division was offered this item, but only two took the offer.
One recieved the VSM with Reels, and connector.
The other the software only.
If someone offered a Scoring Machine, Reels,and connector at a fraction of a cost, wouldn't you want to take a serious look? We did, and what a pleasant suprise!
The instructions are simple, the Scoring Screen is large enough to allow not only the directors to see, but it is audience friendly!
Keeping the spectators a part of the sport is of course what helps keep the sport fun for everyone.
The graphics are excellant, and it allows ANY computer to become a score machine! At last, cost effective, high tech is now available to any club!
After all the failing boxes, cords, lights,and
other gremlins that many have bought, or inherited, this is a leap into the modern world. I liked ours so well, we going to buy another!
The developer should get a reward, and one can quickly tell that this person has the love of fencing, as well as the fencer in mind!
Michael A. Bailey
Casper Wyoming