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GUIDECHIPS · 6 MIN READ

Which chip to use to time each sport

Passive or active, disposable or reusable, on the bib or on the ankle: how to choose the right chip for running, cycling, MTB, triathlon, swimming and motorsport.

Chippie reusable timing chip Trichip reusable triathlon chip
Two of our reusable chips: Chippie and Trichip.

The chip is what each participant wears and what the reader detects when they cross the finish line. Choosing the right chip determines how much each event costs, how many people you can read at once and whether the system works in water or at 200 km/h. This guide helps you get it right.

1 · Passive chip or active chip

It's the first decision, because it determines the reader you need.

UHF PASSIVE CHIP
  • No battery: it's powered by the signal from the antennas.
  • Very cheap: from 0,10 € per chip.
  • Mass reading: with anti-collision, more than 1,000 chips are detected at the same instant.
  • Overhead or ground antennas on the finish line.

Readers: SI91, ATL98 and the handheld readers BLUE 1 and the CRONOPISTOLA.

ACTIVE CHIP
  • Runs on a CR2032 battery, easy to replace, with a low-battery warning.
  • Reusable and water-resistant.
  • Reads at 200 km/h: the chip sleeps and only transmits when crossing the finish.
  • No obstacles: the antenna is a cable across the finish line.

Reader: ACTSLEEP2.45, for events of up to 300 participants.

Rule of thumb: lots of participants and low cost per chip → passive chip. Water, high speed or a finish with nothing in the way → active chip.

2 · Which chip to use for each sport

Running and trailPASSIVE

At the start and finish there can be more than 200 runners over the antennas at once, so the UHF passive chip on the bib is the way to go: cheap and with mass reading. For trail and checkpoints in remote locations, handheld readers such as the BLUE 1 or the CRONOPISTOLA.

Race timing →
CyclingPASSIVE OR ACTIVE

For amateur events, a passive chip stuck to the bib or number plate, with overhead antennas. For licensed events, an active system: just lay a cable across the finish line and it reads the whole peloton at high speed.

Cycling timing →
MTB and downhillPASSIVE OR ACTIVE

Passive chip stuck to the bike's number plate, at a very low cost per chip, or an active system with a cable at the finish, with no structures getting in the way. For downhill, photocells at the start and finish as well.

MTB timing →
Triathlon and duathlonANKLE

The chip is fastened to the ankle with a neoprene ankle strap, in active or passive systems, and it holds up through the swim leg. With the ACTSLEEP2.45, its two loops cover the transition entry and exit at the same time.

Triathlon timing →
Open water swimmingACTIVE

Water is a very unfavourable medium for passive chips, so active is the way to go here: it reads even underwater and lets you put the finish in the middle of the water. It's worn on the ankle or wrist.

Swimming timing →
MotorsportTRANSPONDER

An active transponder on each vehicle and a cable of up to 12 m across the finish line, embedded in the tarmac or buried. It activates when crossing and transmits the driver's code even at 200 km/h.

Motorsport timing →
Time trial, enduro and downhillCHIPLESS

If participants start one at a time, you can time without chips using the PHOTOCELL at the start and finish, and assign the bib after they pass.

Downhill Offer →

3 · Disposable or reusable

Within each technology you can choose the format depending on how you organise the event:

  • Disposable (Dorsalchip, Pegachip): ultralight and cheap. The participant keeps it and you don't have to collect them at the finish. The most convenient option for popular races.
  • Reusable (Chippie, Trichip, Tarjetachip): they're collected at the finish and can be used for many events. Worth it if you often time the same group, as in leagues or race series.
  • Active chips: always reusable. You only need to change the battery when the chip gives a low-battery warning.
  • Trackchip: it's not a finish chip but a tracking one, with GPS position, continuous location and an SOS button.

4 · Where to buy the chips

With Cronomach you don't have to buy your chips from us. We give you the specifications of the chips to use for each discipline so you can buy them from whichever supplier you prefer.

Then you encode them yourself: the SI91 includes the chip encoding program, and with the USB Writer you can encode, check and reprogram chips one by one. What's more, the system recognises the chips programmed for the current competition and discards those from past events, so there's no confusion if a runner turns up with a chip from another race.

5 · Summary

SportChipWhere it goes
Running, trailUHF passiveOn the bib
Amateur cyclingUHF passiveBib or number plate
Licensed cycling, MTBActive or passiveBike number plate
Triathlon, duathlonActive or passiveAnkle, with neoprene strap
Open water swimmingActiveAnkle or wrist
MotorsportActive transponderOn the vehicle
Time trial, downhillNo chip (PHOTOCELL)—

Questions about your event? Check the frequently asked questions or tell us about your event and we'll tell you which chip and which reader suit it best.

Which chip does your event need?

Tell us the sport and the number of participants and we'll recommend the complete system.

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