App: WatchOut! [Devices: ForeAthlete 920XTJ, Forerunner 920XT, epix , fēnix 3]

parkrun barcode success!

Just tested Opticon 2001 on a Fenix 3 Sapphire and it works perfectly!

It may work on other watches but can you put it back on the app, and restrict downloads to Fenix 3? And change to all lower case parkrun?

Thanks!

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It is indeed the Opticon 2001 as mentioned above and is used for all parkruns as far as I am aware. The parkrun wiki link for the scanner is here:

http://wiki.parkrun.info/index.php/Opticon_2001

You will notice it is the only scanner referenced (see also http://wiki.parkrun.info/index.php/List_of_Barcode_Scanners). Different events have different timers, but I am pretty sure all events use the same scanner.

Hi Gasteropod,
Thanks for this details. I dropped parkrun from the WatchOut! list. It's a pity when old technologies win on new ideas.

In the while, on this thread on facebook page WatchOutCards an athlete just reported that the scanner have read WatchOut! barcode! at Torrens parkrun yesterday.

We need more investigation.

Thanks Neil for your message. I don't think the success is related to the Fenix3 good screen but more likely to the good testing scenario.
Screen not derty, backlight enabled, no direct Sun or shadows.

Let's put parkrun available again with a warning for test.

What do you think?

I've tried it with backlight and without, indoors and outdoors and it works fine. Yes, please re-enable it. If you could add to the warning "If this app fails to scan at a parkrun then you will not receive a finish time. You are advised to carry your regular printed barcode as a back up"

Mine is a fenix 3 too. We have 5 scanners, I only tried one. I will try others again.

Mine is a fenix 3 too. We have 5 scanners, I only tried one. I will try others again.

Hi Gasteropod,
Thanks for your testing, let us know!

Having thought about this some more, I think you should probably not call it parkrun. It could give the impression that it is endorsed by or has been tested and approved by parkrun, which it hasn't. Particularly as parkrun have an exclusive partnership with fitbit. I don't think fitbit would be happy with Garmin.

Obviously you can't copyright a barcode so I would suggest you call it '5k barcode' or '5k time trial'.

From http://wiki.parkrun.info/index.php/No_Barcode_-_No_Result

"We cannot currently scan barcodes from smartphone screens so please do not encourage runners to ditch their paper barcodes. You could also encourage them to purchase a durable plastic barcode from our authorised supplier sales of which benefit parkrun."

This will likely extend to smart watch screens. This is done to reduce delays, anyone without an easily scanned barcode can be refused a time if it causes holdups.

Hi Gasteropod,
Thanks for your testing, let us know!

I tried several scanners on Saturday and as long as you get the angle right they scan quite easily. Not sure what the problem was when I originally tried it. I will continue to keep various paper barcodes scattered around though since it is unclear if this will be accepted.

I tried several scanners on Saturday and as long as you get the angle right they scan quite easily. Not sure what the problem was when I originally tried it. I will continue to keep various paper barcodes scattered around though since it is unclear if this will be accepted.

Thanks for the feedback!