parkrun thread
488 watchers
Jul 2017
1:00pm, 17 Jul 2017
2,374 posts
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larkim
As a mild touch of irony, I used to keep my barcode inside my phone - it had a removeable back to access the battery, so I just slipped a copy in there as I knew I always ran with my phone so I'd always have my barcode. It used to take an age to get it out for scanning  Must remember to slip one back in there though as a reserve option. I use the wristband these days, but there's always the possibility of forgetting that one day. |
Jul 2017
1:00pm, 17 Jul 2017
584 posts
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AndrewS
I agree...that rationale doesn't add up for me. I see enough people go through the turnstyles at Waterloo station using their smartphone every day in rush hour. There doesn't seem to be any issues with delay there at all. This conclusion that it "increases the time by 40 minutes" is just utter bollox imo. |
Jul 2017
1:06pm, 17 Jul 2017
11,597 posts
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Bazoaxe
I bought one of the wristbands as it also doubles as emergency contact ID if required...only issue is that it seems to irritate my skin and I get a wee rash after longer runs. A guy last week had said he was investigating a way to get his wristband barcode bit integrated into his garmin strap the rationale didn't seem to be it wouldt work, it was the removal of human interaction. But surely handing over a phone is same as a barcode...only changes dynamics if you use the phone yourself to scan the finishing token and so don't need scanners ! |
Jul 2017
1:07pm, 17 Jul 2017
1,416 posts
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shanksi
There is a barcode app for Garmin watches that support Connect IQ - I'm assuming it would be similar to having it on your phone, but wondering if anyone has tried it and if it scans. apps.garmin.com |
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Jul 2017
1:08pm, 17 Jul 2017
1,417 posts
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shanksi
@AndrewS - I think Waterloo is a different kettle of fish as the scanners there are probably using NFC to speak to the phone, not relying on scanning an image.
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Jul 2017
1:25pm, 17 Jul 2017
1,712 posts
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jdarun
Airport scanners usually have a big window to put the phone down directly in contact with. I've also got a supermarket barcode display app (alternative to carrying store card) and that is quite unreliable with the barcode reader even indoors with steady lighting. I'm not surprised that they aren't sufficiently reliable for use at parkrun though no doubt they'll improve over time.
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Jul 2017
1:29pm, 17 Jul 2017
30 posts
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BexleyKev
Not all event scanners are capable of scanning from a mobile screen ( some barely work on a laminated paper barcode in sunlight! ) the cost to have a system that can work across all format would, i imagine, be quite high. In the interest of economy and uniformity it is best to stick to paper, plastic tags and wristbands. As for the fact that you can catch a plane with a ticket on your phone - and others - companies put a huge wad of cash into developing, updating and maintaining the systems. I know many believe that parkrun is becoming more commercial and the equivalent of a multi-national conglomerate but the reality is somewhat different
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Jul 2017
1:41pm, 17 Jul 2017
26,910 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
There is a little barcode thing that you can attach to your watch strap (think it works with any watch) that would still meet the current parkrun rule, I think (because it is actually physically printed). I'd say that they are right that at the moment, getting your phone out, switched on, correct screen etc. (possible delay) and not being able to scan screen (water, rain, sweat, bright light etc.) are enough reasons to say just bring a printed one. Until we have our electronic screens embedded into our clothing, or skin, or dna or eyeballs or something (and by the way, it's coming...!  ) just use the printy printy thing. G
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Jul 2017
1:54pm, 17 Jul 2017
26,911 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Hi point about human interaction is that the printed barcode has your name on it, and that most barcode apps on phone do not (they just translate a number/letter combo into the stripes that are the barcode). But... you could get parkrun specific app on iPhone / Android and then parkrun HQ could make it identical to the format of the printed version, including showing your name, if they really think that you read that (as a volunteer I have to say I was listening for beep, beep and move on with a thanks and well done, and on to next person please!) But the scanning arguments are valid I think. You could use NFC (Bluetooth or other contactless comms, like ApplePay, Oyster in London Underground, bus tickets etc.) but that's a different reader and replacing 000s of the barcode scanners with NFC readers would be v. costly. Give it time... G
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Jul 2017
1:57pm, 17 Jul 2017
2,375 posts
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larkim
Ref the human interaction - I used to cut my barcode down smaller so that it didn't have my name on it! NFC is what the RunLocal (or whatever they are called) do isn't it? You have to pay for those though... |
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