So I just heard back from the WMT who I have been in contact with regarding all the issues that we have been facing with the SpeedStacks timers and displays, and here is what SpeedStacks came back with although the wording is paraphrased and told from the WMT
"
They believe it is a power source issue. If power is disrupted for any reason, the microchip has to reboot. If you are using batteries, they recommend replacing all batteries with new batteries at the start of every competition. They also recommend plugging the displays in for best performance. If the display reboots too many times, or does not get to complete its reboot numerous times (if power disruptions continue to occur), the display will never completely reboot and it may malfunction."
My issues with what SpeedStacks came back with is s follows.
1. If they know that there displays are not working 100% correctly, and that a lot of people are having issues then why do they feel like they can still charge a arm and a leg for the gear and provide no help with fixing it? I honestly find that most unhelpful and wrong.
2. What do they mean "replace batteries at each competition"? Why would someone want to spend $100+ on new batteries each time there is a competition? Is that really the only thing that SpeedStacks recommends for using batteries at competitions? I don't know about anyone else, but having spend $1000+ within the last year and a half to two years on SpeedStack equipment to now on top of that spend $100 or less on batteries each competition, I find that most annoying and not a good thing at all. SpeedStacks has to eventually provide a better fix or lower their costs for the displays since they are faulty.
3. With respect to there recommendation on "plugging in the displays for best performance" that again is not helpful at all, especially since not ever competition has the ability to plug it 8-20 displays, not least of which with that many cords laying around can cause a falling hazard for competitors and runners. Also, if something is meant to run on Battery power then you should not have to worry about plugging it in for "better performance" since it should already be working 100%.
Does anyone else have any thoughts or help with the display and timer issues. I know many competitions have been having issues with their equipment, so if you are one of those delegates or organizers I would really appreciate your input and thoughts on this? Having to deal with 15-20 E1's at each competition is very annoying, although if that is the only solution for now then I guess we have to deal with it, although any fix would be much appreciated.
Additionally, we are going to be trying some different battery brands out, so if something comes of that I will post that here.
For the timers I am still waiting to hear back from the WMT who are waiting to hear back from SpeedStacks, but for now I found this video for a possible fix, although not guaranteed.
