Swim Meet Tip Sheet: Colorado Timing System 5/6

Last updated on April 28th, 2023 at 04:31 pm

Swim meet automatic timing systems are great, but getting an operator who knows how to run it is vital. One important step in running the console is remembering what to press, and when.  The fast past of a meet adds an extra challenge.  Fortunately, Linda Eaton and Marc Nankey, of Colorado Swimming have created a great tip sheet to help. It gives tips for working with the Colorado Timing System 5 or 6 console.

COLORADO TIMING SYSTEM (5 and 6) Tip Sheet

During Each Race

1. Write the race number for every heat on a heat sheet. At the end of the session, give the heat sheet to the Administrative Official to file with meet paperwork.
2. Identify watch/button operator issues early on and address

At the end of each heat/event, do the following to advance the system

1. Press the STORE/PRINT key
2. Use 2 fingers simultaneously to press the RESET key
3. Press the NEXT HEAT (if there are more heats of the same event) or NEXT EVENT (if all heats have finished) key for the next race
4. If times are questioned in a Menu prompt, hit OK TO PRINT in upper right.

Need To Know

• If there is no swimmer in a lane, use the ON/OFF key to turn the lane off.
• If console time does not start at the start of the race press the START key.
• For a FALSE START: immediately press the RESET  This will keep the existing event and heat numbers.
• If you get a VALID START menu prompt, hit YES

Purpose for Most Frequently Used Keys

STORE/PRINT

This key, used at the end of each race, tells the Swimming software the race is done. It stores the current race results in memory and prints. Note: Printouts are no longer required.

RESET

Clears the Swimming display and prepares it for the start of the next race, this requires two fingers.  The RESET message appears in the upper left-hand corner of the display when a successful reset has happened.  DO NOT press this key during a valid race.

NEXT HEAT

Advances the system heat counter by one heat

NEXT EVENT

Advances the system to the next event.  If the meet has been set-up earlier, the display will show the event number, heat number, gender of the event, age group, stroke, and distance of the event.

EDIT EVENT/HEAT

Allows operator to edit current event and heat numbers

+TOUCH

Use this key when, during a race, a swimmer has turned but the pad did not register the touch.  Press this key, type the lane number using the numeric keypad and press Enter. Note: The +Touch key cannot be used to finish a swimmer’s race.

-TOUCH

Use this key when, during a race, a person/swimmer inadvertently touches a pad.  Press this key, type the lane number using the numeric keypad and press Enter.

FINISH ARM

If LENGTH (and not FINISH) is flashing in the display over the lane number when a swimmer is on the last 50 (scy/scm) or 100 (lcm) of a race, use this button to change it to the finish arm.  It corrects a missed touch/turn during a race.

SPLIT ARM

When an inaccurate split registers because a person/swimmer inadvertently touches the pad, use this button to correct.

Online Help from the Manufacturer

Troubleshooting Tips from Colorado Timing Systems: https://www.coloradotime.com/support-overview/troubleshooting-tips/

User Guides/Manuals from Colorado Timing Systems: https://coloradotime.com/support/manuals

Need help connecting the console and Meet Manager?

Check out the post, Connect Swim Meet Manager and Colorado Timing Console. It has pictures, step-by-step instructions, and resources to teach a clinic if desired.

Sharing Colorado Timing System Tips via QR Code

By displaying this code on a device or paper, others can scan it and come directly to this post. If displayed high and large, it can be scanned by many from a reasonable distance. This allows people to read along during training. Thus, increasing retention and performance. If they bookmark the page, they can also refer to it later if needed.

What is a QR Code?

A QR Code (quick response code) is a type of 2D bar code used to provide easy access to information through a smartphone or other device. The Host Great Meets QR codes contain information that when scanned, leads a person directly to a specific post.

How to Use a QR Code

Many smartphones and other devices have barcode and QR code scanning built-in. Simply open the camera or barcode scanning app and point it at the code. Make sure all four corners of the code are in view. Let it focus and soon a link should appear on the screen. Click on the link. It will bring the device directly to the post. For more detailed instructions, see https://www.wikihow.com/Scan-a-QR-Code

Why use a QR code to share this post?

Sharing helpful information helps others do a good job. Boost their performance by sharing information in a way they can reference later if needed. Even if they don’t need it later, sharing both verbally and visually increases retention. Using a QR code also allows for quick, easy, paperless, and touchless sharing. This method is especially useful on wet pool decks.

Downloadable Colorado Timing System Tips Files

Clinic to Teach Others the Colorado Timing Console

Due to the nature of youth sports, turnover among parent volunteers is high. If you use hourly-wage workers to run the console, you may also experience high turnover too. So, you may find yourself needing to train new people regularly on how to run the console. Good news!  Linda Eaton, of Colorado Swimming, has created a terrific clinic to help others learn how to run the console at swim meets. PowerPoint and PDF versions of her clinic follow.

---

Preparing for a swim meet? Check out The Ultimate Swim Meet To-Do List. Then, get a bird’s eye view of Who does What at Swim Meets. Both include easy-to-follow links to related information. Doing a smaller, simpler meet? Host a High School or Developmental Swim Meet will help.

Need more help? See 20+ Ways to Get Swim Meet Timers and Officials: 20+ Ways to Get them for Swim Meets. 

Also, discover a few things you can do to Increase Safety at Swim Meets. Find ideas to implement before your meet as well as last-minute quick and easy tips!