StartTime IV

The StartTime IV is an electronic starting device made by Swiss Timing Ltd of Corgémont, Switzerland. It generates the start signal for a race: a sound through its built-in high fidelity loudspeaker and any connected external loudspeakers, an optical flash, and a start pulse to the timing device.¹ It manages up to three sports or disciplines and is sold in two versions, with a start and microphone unit (article 3481.900) or with an e-gun trigger (article 3481.901).¹ It is the predecessor of the StartTime V; the later unit’s e-gun and microphone unit are not compatible with the StartTime IV.² Swiss Timing no longer publishes the datasheet for the discontinued device online, so this article cites it by document number rather than hosting a copy.¹ This article covers the StartTime IV specifically; the start-systems overview covers the shared background that applies to every starter.

Naming and product line¶

Swiss Timing introduced the e-gun as a new-generation electronic flash gun to replace the powder pistol and its transducer, and first used it at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, operated with the then-new StartTime IV.³ Independent coverage of the design notes that the gun makes no report of its own and sounds only through the loudspeakers, so that every athlete hears the start at the same instant rather than as the sound reaches them across the pool or track; the same account describes an earlier, unsuccessful attempt to wire a real pistol to loudspeakers, to which athletes reacted to the live shot rather than the speaker sound.⁴ The acoustic reasoning, that a single poolside signal reaches the far lanes later than the near ones, is set out in the start-systems overview.

Swiss Timing presents the StartTime IV as combining a new design with what it calls the latest security and safety standards.¹ The device was succeeded by the StartTime V in 2015.²

Design and hardware¶

The main unit measures 376 by 215 by 205 mm without its connectors, weighs 6.4 kg without the charger and microphone, and is protected to IP41. Setup is menu-driven through a multifunction LCD and a keypad, with presets for up to three sports or disciplines, and the unit carries an enhanced internal amplifier and an integrated optical flash. Power comes from an integrated 12 volt, 7 Ah lead-acid battery with an indoor-only charger; the battery holds its charge for up to 12 months when not in use, a battery indicator shows four levels of charge, and Swiss Timing rates the battery for more than 1000 starts before a recharge. The operating range is -10 to +55 degrees C, the storage range -20 to +65 degrees C, and the unit is rated for 20 to 80 percent relative humidity, non-condensing.¹

The unit has two start-out connections, and its rear panel carries connections for the microphone or e-gun, two timing devices, the flash, the speaker, a line out, the battery charger, a telephone line, and a serial RS422 line.¹

E-gun and microphone unit¶

In the microphone-unit version, the starter gives the start from the microphone unit while the microphone amplifies the verbal commands; two indicator LEDs on the microphone unit show the status of the timing device, and the microphone unit also accepts an optional external microphone and headset. The microphone unit measures 118 by 25 by 80 mm and carries a 7 m cable. A telephone line accepts a telephone headset for clearer communication.¹

In the e-gun version, pulling the trigger of the electronic gun plays the sound, fires the flash, and sends the start pulse to the timing device simultaneously, and a second pull within a programmable delay plays the false-start sound. The start and false-start sounds can be changed or downloaded from a computer over an RS422 serial line.¹ Swiss Timing describes the e-gun as a new-generation flash gun that replaces the powder gun and its transducer; the company notes that recent import and security laws make it difficult or prohibited to import powder starting guns in most countries, and that the StartTime IV can be operated with or without the e-gun depending on the sport, discipline, or client’s needs.¹

The e-gun measures 280 by 35 by 140 mm without its cable, weighs 350 g without the cable or 1 kg with it, and carries a 7 m cable. It takes a 7 to 18 volt DC input, draws up to 1.6 A at 12 V DC and 10 mA in standby with the flash loaded, and is protected to IP65, a higher rating than the main unit. Its integrated flash lasts 0.1 s, is visible in sunlight beyond 200 m, and radiates 360 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically.¹

Audio¶

The StartTime IV contains a high fidelity loudspeaker and an enhanced internal amplifier, with a public-address output of up to 2 x 19 W. Optional loudspeakers connect to a line out so that the start signal reaches each athlete as closely and simultaneously as possible.¹ In swimming, those outputs drive Swiss Timing’s in-block and mobile lane speakers, positioned so that all swimmers hear the start at the same instant.¹

Connections¶

A cable on winder (article 1865.050) links the StartTime IV to the timing device over a 50 m cable, and a multipurpose tripod (article 9051.6339, rated up to 8 kg) mounts the unit on deck.¹ The e-gun is supplied with a starter headset (article 3481.981, one ear and a microphone) or a starter telephone (article 3481.982, two ears and a microphone).¹

The OMEGA Flash Start (article 3399.951), a visual start signal for athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing, is powered by the StartTime IV and connects with a 25 m cable.¹ For portable installations, mobile loudspeakers (article 3399.931) are placed near each starting block and sold as harnessed sets for two to ten speakers (articles 3399.932.06 through 3399.940.03), where the suffix gives the cable length between speakers.¹

Compared with the StartTime V¶

The StartTime V succeeds the StartTime IV, and Swiss Timing states that the StartTime V e-gun and microphone unit are not compatible with the StartTime IV.² The two share the same overall approach, an electronic starting device with a built-in loudspeaker, integrated flash, and outputs for per-lane loudspeakers, but the specifications differ. The StartTime IV main unit measures 376 by 215 by 205 mm and weighs 6.4 kg, is protected to IP41, and delivers up to 2 x 19 W; the StartTime V main unit is smaller at 395 by 192 by 160 mm and lighter at 5.8 kg, is protected to IP43, and delivers up to 2 x 20 W.¹² The StartTime IV lists a telephone line and two start-out connections among its features; the StartTime V pairs its e-gun (820 g, IP64) with a handheld microphone unit and a 50 m cable on winder.¹²

Specifications¶

Main unit (with microphone unit):

Part numbers	3481.900 (microphone unit), 3481.901 (e-gun)
Dimensions (main unit)	376 × 215 × 205 mm (without connectors)
Dimensions (microphone unit)	118 × 25 × 80 mm
Weight	6.4 kg (without charger and microphone)
Microphone cable	7 m
Connections	Microphone/e-gun, 2x timing device, flash, speaker, line out, charger, telephone, serial RS422
Public address output	Up to 2 x 19 W
Battery	Integrated 12 V, 7 Ah lead-acid; self-discharge 12 months
Battery autonomy	More than 1000 starts before recharge
Battery indicator	4 levels
Operating temperature	-10 to +55 C
Storage temperature	-20 to +65 C
Relative humidity	20 to 80%, non-condensing
Protection	IP41
Certifications	CE, RoHS

E-gun:

Dimensions	280 × 35 × 140 mm (without cable)
Weight	350 g (without cable), 1 kg (with cable)
Cable length	7 m
Power	7 to 18 V DC input; max 1.6 A at 12 V DC; 10 mA standby (flash loaded)
Flash	0.1 s; sun-visible >200 m; 360° horizontal, 90° vertical
Operating temperature	0 to +50 C
Storage temperature	-20 to +70 C
Protection	IP65
Certifications	CE, RoHS

See also¶

• StartTime V: the successor electronic starting device
• Start systems: the start-system overview and governing-body requirements
• Swiss Timing lane speakers: the in-block and mobile loudspeakers this device drives
• Swiss Timing: the manufacturer

References¶

Footnotes¶

1. Swiss Timing, StartTime IV Electronic Starting Device datasheet (document 3481.0511-01). ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸

2. Swiss Timing, StartTime V Electronic Starting Device datasheet (10-2015) (the note that the StartTime V e-gun and microphone unit are not compatible with the StartTime IV; StartTime V main-unit and e-gun specifications used for comparison). ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

3. Swiss Timing, e-GUN Electronic Starting System datasheet (EGUN_3434_1303, 09-2013) (the e-gun as a new-generation flash gun replacing the powder gun and its transducer, used for the first time at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games and operated with the StartTime IV). ↩

4. Core77, Omega’s Olympic Electronic Starting Pistol Redesign (the electronic gun debuted at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, makes no report of its own, and sounds only through speakers wired behind each competitor; the earlier failed attempt to wire a live pistol to loudspeakers). ↩