Marcel, this is interesting as I see you have never submitted a course for Certification. I encourage you to measure and submit your work to your Regional Certifier.
Thanks for your comments about the counter.
Gene, being Canadian my applications for certification go to Athletics Canada
My update on Kevin's counter is that I've now measured 14 courses using it, including a couple marathons, a couple half marathons and a smattering of others. It is still running really well despite some nasty conditions like awful road surfaces in DC following winter freezing and thawing, and getting caked up with mud on the Frederick Fairgrounds horse track.
Occasionally as with other counters the gearing at the hub gets a little noisy from time to time and I find some oil quiets things down acceptably. On mine there is a slight ticking sound at the counter end (on the handlebar) that I can't quite figure out. It's slight and I can live with it.
I love having the counter right up close to my aging eyes, and I hope there is a way that a handlebar mount can be made available as an option for more measurers. But I understand there are economic considerations that make it a little tricky to produce on a large scale, especially when offering a choice between 6- and 5- digit counters. Maybe only offer one (I vote for 5 but would understand if the majority goes for 6).
Occasionally as with other counters the gearing at the hub gets a little noisy from time to time and I find some oil quiets things down acceptably. On mine there is a slight ticking sound at the counter end (on the handlebar) that I can't quite figure out. It's slight and I can live with it.
I love having the counter right up close to my aging eyes, and I hope there is a way that a handlebar mount can be made available as an option for more measurers. But I understand there are economic considerations that make it a little tricky to produce on a large scale, especially when offering a choice between 6- and 5- digit counters. Maybe only offer one (I vote for 5 but would understand if the majority goes for 6).
I've lost track of how many counters I have. Is it 3 or 4? So I'm not likely to purchase another one. What about the possibility of converting an existing hub counter to a handlebar mounted one? Cost?
I have parts supply for 10 more complete units. Contact me if you are interested in a new unit.
Recently I rebuild another unit using a measurer’s old Veeder Root counter. The counter was from a 30 plus year old NYRRC built counter. With the Veeder Root counter cost being the biggest cost, rebuilding an old counter isn’t a bad idea. The only hang up is sometimes one or both of the counter mounting tabs have been removed. A little bit of wire can anchor the counter without the mounting tabs.
Recently I rebuild another unit using a measurer’s old Veeder Root counter. The counter was from a 30 plus year old NYRRC built counter. With the Veeder Root counter cost being the biggest cost, rebuilding an old counter isn’t a bad idea. The only hang up is sometimes one or both of the counter mounting tabs have been removed. A little bit of wire can anchor the counter without the mounting tabs.
I've still got remnants of clay from the Frederick Half measurement.
quote:Originally posted by Bob Thurston:
My update on Kevin's counter is that I've now measured 14 courses using it, including a couple marathons, a couple half marathons and a smattering of others. It is still running really well despite some nasty conditions like awful road surfaces in DC following winter freezing and thawing, and getting caked up with mud on the Frederick Fairgrounds horse track.
Occasionally as with other counters the gearing at the hub gets a little noisy from time to time and I find some oil quiets things down acceptably. On mine there is a slight ticking sound at the counter end (on the handlebar) that I can't quite figure out. It's slight and I can live with it.
I love having the counter right up close to my aging eyes, and I hope there is a way that a handlebar mount can be made available as an option for more measurers. But I understand there are economic considerations that make it a little tricky to produce on a large scale, especially when offering a choice between 6- and 5- digit counters. Maybe only offer one (I vote for 5 but would understand if the majority goes for 6).
I concur that so far, Kevin's counter seems to work quite well. Having the numbers where they're easy to read makes a big difference for me.
Thanks, Kevin!
Thanks, Kevin!
I just completed my first measurement with one of Kevin's counters which replaced my Paul Oerth counter. I am happy to say that it worked great. Not only is it safer not having to bend over the handlebars to view the counter, but it also eliminates some of the wobble making for a more accurate measurement. I enthusiastically recommend this counter.
Thanks Jack for your comments and others who posted earlier. Recently I have been hearing similar remarks about the handlebar mounted counter. I initially thought it was easier to read while mounted on the handlebar, but increased safety is certainly an added benefit. Keeping an eye on the counter and traffic is minimized, especially measuring on the roads with traffic. I haven’t really used a hub mounted counter in years, yet I’m sure wobble is lessened not having to look down to the wheel hub to read the counter.
I have another small number of handlebar mounted counters made up. The cost per unit is just $95 plus shipping.
I have another small number of handlebar mounted counters made up. The cost per unit is just $95 plus shipping.
As another one of those "seasoning" measurers, I am excited to hear of a handlebar-mounted counter. Consider me interested!
While on vacation on the sunny island of Aruba, I took advantage of some spare time to do a bit more rigorous testing on my cable driven counter. Why not try my counter out doing an underwater test while riding on sand? The test documentation was most difficult, but I managed using a dive slate with pencil. After drying off and calculating results I can say my cable driven counter performed great underwater as it does on dry roads!
I bought one of Kevin's counters last fall and have managed to measure, or do preliminary work, on a couple of courses since. So far it seems to be working fine and I see no evidence of slippage. My calibration counts are in the same rage that I got with the regular set up.
Kevin that's great. Hope you laid out a cal course so we can use it when we go to Aruba to measure underwater courses!
For the calibration course there is a giant brain coral at one end and yellow tube sponge at the other end. Look out for and don't touch the long-spined sea urchin.