END OF THE JONES COUNTER?

The electronic counter is very useful, but more complex and error-prone than is the Jones counter. Its chief virtue is that it is cheaper. On the downside it provides more complex data-reporting to assure that the various operating tricks have been performed correctly.

I’ve been in contact with Tom regarding the potential effect on the supply of Jones counters should electronic counting become widely used.

Tom’s initial inventory of counter parts is getting to the point where a resupply of parts is being considered. Tom says:

Your read on my inventory is about right. I have 2 years of chassis parts, 6 months supply on-hand, and about the same on gears / counters. 120 6's and 60 5's, beyond a few more I assembled in VA. I'm a bit short on the 3mm screws, but I'll get them soon.

So, there is about a two year supply of Jones counters presently held by Tom. The chassis parts supplier (a small operation) may or may not be in business if they are hard-hit by the sagging economy. A purchase of 2000 sets of chassis parts is contemplated, requiring an investment of about $8000. The question is: Is this investment a wise one? If the impact of electronic counting should be large, the demand for Jones counters will decline, making further investment unwise.

The initial development and sales will show a modest profit if Tom simply uses up what he has on hand, and goes out of business. This is an option. The other is to sink $8000 into a future supply.

I would hate to see the Jones counter disappear. It’s the national and international standard, and all the measurement manuals refer to its use.

Commentary is invited.

The best thing about the Jones is that anyone can use it. It's very nearly idiot-proof.

Given how long they last, I think it would take a long time to unload another 2000 of them, unless race-measuring gets a lot more popular.

If it was my operation, I'd try to pitch the whole deal to the USATF. There seems to be no other market for the device, and it's too good a tool to lose to economic concerns. A large organization (one that benefits from the device's existence) could more easily absorb the cost of production, and this could simplify distribution and sales as well.

My $.02, which in this economy is now $.01

I have a couple Jones counters that could use some "refurb". Any idea about if and where that would be possible?

I suggest you contact Tom Riegel. He may be able to help. I know he can refurbish the new JR counters by keeping the Veeder-Root counter and putting a new gear-drive chassis on it. None of the new ones have yet worn out, so I'm not sure this has been done.

With older, pre-JR, counters this may not be possible, as the shaft on the older counters has been ground or pressed into a square shape, which may not fit the plastic gear.

Possibly a setscrew in the plastic gear could overcome this. In any case, Tom may be able to help. Go to www.jonescounter.com for his email address.

Well this was enough to scare me into buying a JR Counter. My current Jones Counter works fine, but I ordered another as a backup. I'd hate to have to re-learn measuring with a new technique.

I've finally got a 5K/10K to measure. First one since I've moved to Nebraska from Ohio. I'm doing it on a volunteer basis, because people here don't seem to see much value in certification, or the number of runners is so low at most events that it doesn't make financial sense for organizers to pay for it. But it's worth the time to me so I don't get dropped off the USATF site for being inactive, and so I can make sure I keep the skill alive.

I used my new JR Counter for a measurement this weekend. It worked great. The gears were smooth, and the biggest advantage is the relative ease of reading the counter from the saddle of the bike. Kudos to Tom and everyone else involved for putting these into production.

Tom, you have done so much good work by rescuing us just when the Jones Counter manufacture seemed to be folding.

Please make the investment to assure future availability. I suggest you also acquire the rights to the manufacturer's tools, just in case he goes out of business - then you might be able to transfer the tooling to another manufacturer.