Self-made paper blindfold

[cmhardw]

Which rule requires that? This one even explicitly says a paper might not be necessary:

"During the full solve the judge must keep a sheet of paper or a similar object (not limiting physical movement of the competitor) between the competitor's face and the puzzle, unless the puzzle is in a position where peeking at the puzzle is not possible."

Wow, I like this, it does seem like it could qualify.

My only concern is some form of "see-through" paper. Could it be possible to get a sheet of paper just see through enough, either because of the material or the thinness of the paper, that the colors can be identified to a small degree if the cube is held close enough to the face?

Chris

 

[Stefan]

My only concern is some form of "see-through" paper. Could it be possible to get a sheet of paper just see through enough, either because of the material or the thinness of the paper, that the colors can be identified to a small degree if the cube is held close enough to the face?

Try it. Like I said, I can see the colors if the cube is less than 1 mm behind the paper (that was with "regular" 80g/m^2 paper, not my thicker one). And like Mike pointed out, the judge is inspecting the blindfold anyway, so could test this. With normal paper, there should be no doubt/problem.

 

[Tim Major]

Or make a wide one and use it like this (yeah, should've used longer band so the paper wouldn't curl). This might also be interesting for the super fast people because it takes zero time to pull down the blindfold (you just tilt your head up and start solving).

This plus a blindfold seems better imo. Still allows you to breathe, and it's basically, you start executing when you put the blindfold on, and the judge is already holding the paper (except the paper is attached to you). This way you're wearing a blindfold, and there's paper underneath to avoid peaking. Also, at our comps the paper is always black card, and definitely not see through
So any of these ideas where the issue is see through paper, just use black card.

 

[Stefan]

With normal paper, there should be no doubt/problem.

And with extra-thin paper that lets you look through further, if I'm your judge, I'll call you an idiot and not let you use it.

 

[Stefan]

where the issue is see through paper, just use black card.

With card, the color doesn't matter for looking through. It's safe. So I'd prefer *white* card because like said earlier, a tiny cheating hole would be easier to detect on white than on black.

 

[Dene]

Would it? I mean, light would show up better through black than white.

 

[Stefan]

Light yes, but not darkness. Behind a blindfold on your eyes, you have darkness. For the face-mask version, the the paper would be close to the face and you'd have that darkness. For the chin version, the hole would have to be much larger, so there the color doesn't really matter.

But yeah, a judge could hold it against light to check it, so maybe that would be better. Then again, on white the judge should see it right away as well (I easily see my tiny test hole even when I put another white paper underneath). I tested how large a hole I need to peek, it's easily noticeable under close inspection.

I guess I was more thinking about when nobody inspects it closely, for example when you use it in a home video or a cube meeting or a media demonstration. Btw, the original reason for posting this was to show a cheap and easy self-made blindfold for people who don't have a blindfold at all yet. That maybe explains where I was coming from, WCA competitions were more of a hindsight this time.

 

[FatBoyXPC]

Stefan: I was actually going to mention that I saw it on your site before, but I was on a time limit to go so I waited to post until now, and well, you found it Have you tried that with those thick manilla envelopes that they use in competition? The image with the paper being bound vertically reminds me of a welder's mask. I think for media purposes this looks somewhat corny, but for practically purposes this definitely gets a thumbs up!

 

[Stefan]

Have you tried that with those thick manilla envelopes that they use in competition?

No. I might have some, but I wouldn't want to waste one when I can just use a cheap sheet of paper that also does the job.

The image with the paper being bound vertically reminds me of a welder's mask.

Me, too Hmm, I thought Homer had one in the Simpsons intro, but I can't find it. Found a quite nice one instead...

 

[MichaelErskine]

This is a great idea Stefan.

Now I just need someone create me a Stackmat timer out stationery/haberdashery

 

[Stefan]

Now I just need someone create me a Stackmat timer out stationery/haberdashery

Reminds me of the one I wanted to build out of an mouse and a CD case...

 

[MichaelErskine]

Reminds me of the one I wanted to build out of an mouse and a CD case...

Would a hamster and VHS box suffice?

 

[Stefan]

Would a hamster and VHS box suffice?

Are you offering me your hamster?

 

[MichaelErskine]

If you can make a stackmat out of her then sure...

 

[Stefan]

I think I'll use the eyes as the power/reset buttons.

 

[MichaelErskine]

I think I'll use the eyes as the power/reset buttons.

...and little front paws to start and stop! A powerful but disturbing image.

 

[4.]

Do you have to bring your own blindfold to competitions?

 

[Stefan]

Do you have to bring your own blindfold to competitions?

"B1b1) Competitors must bring their own blindfold."

I'm not 110% sure, but it sounds like it.

 

[Chuck]

Inspired by Ramadan (from [thread=25465]this thread[/thread]):

I tried that, but it was a bit cumbersome getting the paper under the blindfold properly.

I've done it too for 54 cubes multi BLD! Yeah I think these ideas are very good for home video and cube meeting. But for official competition, we still need to assure there will be zero chance of peeking.

 

[PalashD]

I would like to do a blindfold solve wearing one of these. But I think it would be hard to determine whether I am cheating I guess.