Tips & Tricks for New Timers

FinishLynx is only as powerful as the person behind the capture button. We asked a group of expert Lynx service providers what every new timer should know. Here are their nine most important tips.

  1. Practice. Practice. Practice.

    The best way to learn the system is to practice. Practice setting up the system. Practice aligning the camera on a finish line. Practice capturing images and saving events. Practice adjusting your settings to take the best possible images.

    Practice in the school gym. In your living room. With your friends. Capture cars as they pass by in the street. The more comfortable you get behind the capture button, the easier it will be to capture great results at your events. The Get Started chapters and the sample files are a good place to begin.

  2. Buy an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

    A UPS protects computers, cameras and network hardware from an unexpected power disruption that could cause data loss. At the very least, use a surge protector. More about UPS units.

  3. Anchor your cameras and tripods

    You never know when a gust of wind, an exhausted athlete or a distracted spectator may make contact with your cables or hardware. Be sure your expensive hardware is properly anchored to the ground throughout the meet. Stakes, sandbags, water jugs and weights all work in a pinch.

  4. Dress up your finish line

    A crisp, white finish line is the quickest way to ensure clear FinishLynx captures. It doesn’t matter whether the line is on a track, along the grass or across a paved road: use white gaffers tape (matte, non-glossy), chalk or even paint (if allowed) to improve it.

    Adding black tape to the lane lines is a great way to identify the lanes clearly in your image. Many users also add a white post or board at the far end of the finish line, extending the white line vertically for more uniform captures.

  5. Consider adding one of our most popular product upgrades
  6. Learn how to link multiple computers across a single network

    The majority of support questions we receive from new users are about network communication. Learn how to set static IP addresses, share data securely across a wireless network and communicate with other devices.

    The Networking (Windows 10) and Networking (Windows 11) quick-start guides in Documents walk through creating a safe, secure results network at your events, and the FAQ has the short version.

  7. Learn the FinishLynx keyboard shortcuts
  8. Buy a step ladder for easy access to cameras and cables

    Many of our service providers recommend that every timing team bring a step ladder, stool or something similar to events. A few extra feet of height is a huge help when you need to reach the cameras for adjustments or alignment. FinishLynx cameras may be mounted 10 feet or more above the ground, and some adjustments must be made by hand.

  9. Arrive early

    It doesn’t matter whether you’re timing a small track meet or the Tour de France: always give yourself and your timing team ample time to set up, align and test your FinishLynx system. How early depends on the size of your venue and the scale of your event. Even experienced timers suggest arriving at least two hours before a track & field meet. If you’re still learning to align cameras and run cables, arrive earlier still. The Pre-Season Checklist covers what to test before the first meet.

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