I often get asked how much a "top of the line" RFID timing system costs, so I thought I would share an email I just sent this morning:
I'll list out what I would recommend (what I use for races), however since my software works with an unlimited number of readers at the same time you can always add to the system at any time if needed. For example I'll only list one backup reader, however you could purchase a handful of wireless readers so that your "backup" system is more robust and if a race director ever wanted you to capture reads at points along the course you can use these wireless readers (or the USB powered backup readers) on the course.
You may already have some of the items listed below, and you might also be able to find some of the items below cheaper than what I can supply them at, so it's a little difficult to give you an exact cost, however this should give you a very good idea on what the price roughly would be.
***Software (RFID version) - $900
I've probably mentioned before that I do not charge any kind of yearly fees, and you get free upgrades and support for life. Also after buying the software you are free to install and use it on any computer you personally own. So if 5 years from now you replace your computer you can easily put the software on your new computers for free. Also, you are free to purchase some, or all, of the RFID equipment and test everything out (hopefully even time some real races) before buying the software. I do this so that people can get everything in and ensure it will work for them before committing to the system. If you find that it does not meet your needs or expectations then you can let the software expire and I can either buy the equipment back from you or I can help you sell the equipment since I move a lot of systems. I've never had anyone not keep the system, however I offer this so that it's easy to risk-free to try my system out. Many people start out with just the TR200 and a single antenna to try the system out (total hardware cost is around $550), and then they either add on the main reader or they find that the TR200 is enough to fit their needs.
***1 X Motorola FX9500 8-Port reader - depending on availability from a few different suppliers I use the price can be anywhere from $1,200 to $1,700 for this reader. Of course search online and see if you can find it for a lower price if you want, but that's about as low as I can find them for. Typically, I can get them for around $1,200, but if that supplier is out of stock then you may have to wait a couple of weeks or of course you can pay more and I can get them from a different supplier if you wanted it shipped immediately.
The FX9500 is a very rugged reader that is better suited for outdoor use than the Motorola FX7400. The FX9500 also pushes more power out of the antennas, so even though the FX7400 is a very reliable reader that easily achieves 100% read rates, there is a noticeable difference in performance with the FX9500 compared to the FX7400.
The FX7400 4-port reader can usually be found between $800 and $1,100.
My software also works with the Impinj R220, R420, and R1000. It also supports the Alien 9650, 9900, and 9900+, however I don't really recommend Alien readers because I haven't found them to be as reliable. There is a few "discontinued" readers that you can purchase for $150 - $300 that can also work, but they take a little bit of work on your end. For example the Motorola XR series readers are supposed to be able to work with my software if you upgrade their firmware to the newest version. The Impinj R1000 is a discontinued model that seems to work just fine, however you have to tell my software it's a "Motorola" reader in order to program tags and then switch it back to "Impinj" in order to time races.
***4 X Thinkify TAC-060 all-weather UHF RFID antennas (the reader can support up to 8 antennas, however 4 is usually enough) - $85 each
Most other RFID antennas start out around $120, and they don't include mounting hardware. So these antennas offer the best value on the market and I haven't noticed any difference in performance when I compare them against more expensive brands.
You can use any type of UHF RFID antenna (mat antennas, standard antennas, threshold antennas, etc.), however other antennas styles are VERY expensive and they don't give you the coverage area or ease of setup, transport, and storage as the standard square antennas that I recommend. For example you could spend around $800 for a single 8' wide mat antenna, but with a single Thinkify TAC-060 antenna you can easily have a 20 feet wide coverage area. So it's a lot cheaper, and way more reliable to have multiple antennas positioned throughout your finish line so that when the runner runs through your finish line you have multiple read zones they must pass through before exiting the finishing area. Each antenna should pick up 99+ percent of the tags, so going by multiple antennas and getting missed is very unlikely.
***4 X Antenna cables (15' long) - $42 each
I would recommend getting one of these cables at a 40' or 50' length so that you can put at least one antenna on the opposite side of the finish line - at this length the cable is nearly $100 though).
***1 X Thinkify TR290 or TR200 (backup reader).
The TR290 is an all-weather wireless reader unit, it's a reader & antenna in one and it's got a built-in battery that keeps it powered on for around 10 - 12 hours and it sends data to the computer over a Bluetooth connection up to 100 feet away. These are in "beta" phase right now, but many people have decided to buy them because they are extremely easy to set up and use. In my testing I have been getting around 96% - 98% read rates, so I would not yet recommend using these as the only reader(s) on your finish line, but they work well for backup readers or remote read points on a course. The TR290 cost $780 each.
The TR200 is a smaller, less powerful reader, however it's VERY reliable up to 6'. You can expect 100% read rates for tags that cross within 6 feet of it's antenna. The TR200 has been used as the backup (or primary) for many people for the last two years and people love it. Its USB powered/operated - which means that even if you lose all power at the finish line that reader will keep working without any problems as long as your laptop is running. The TR200 cost $420 each, and for each one you buy you'll want an extra antenna cable and antenna (see those prices above) to hook up to it.
***Canon SLR Camera
You can find a list of compatible cameras in the "FAQ" section of my software. Typically the T3, T3i, or XSi are the least expensive models that will work with my software. This time of year is the best time to buy one of these cameras because of all of the holiday specials. Two days ago I purchased a refurbished (from Canon's website) for a little over $200.
***Tripods - $45 each
The number of tripods you need is determined by the number of antennas and TR290's you decide to get, and of course if you have a Canon SLR camera you want to hook up to the laptop (my software triggers the camera to take a photo of every finisher). I use the Dolica AX620B100 - 62-Inch Proline tripod. These are a heavy duty tripod and the legs can spread really wide, which means you don't have to worry much about the wind blowing your camera or antennas over.
***1000 X RFID tags - $0.75
You can use any UHF tag you want - including bib-tags, however I don't recommend bib-tags because the read rates are nowhere near as good as what you'll get using my custom all-weather re-usable shoe/hip tags. I recommend using a tag on the outside of each of the runners shoes (so two tags per person). This way if a tag falls off because they didn't tie their shoe well, then they still have another one on. This also means that you're twice as likely to pick everyone up.
The only reason why I developed my own tags was because I was not reliably achieving 100% read rates with any other tag I tried and after much testing I found that placing the tag on the outside of the shoe was the most reliable place - the shoe holds the tag away from the skin and water (sweat) and it presents the tag at a perfect 0-degree angle to the antenna. Also, by placing them on the shoe (or pinned to the side of the shorts) the tags come across at the same level for everyone and this makes antenna placement extremely easy. Oh, and as you can expect, reading through a bunch of skinny runner legs is a lot easier than reading through a bunch of torso's, so when a large group comes in at the same time you're more likely to pick everyone up without any problems. Oh, and with these tags the runner simply removes it from the shoe lace and returns it after the race (usually I place a bucket near the finish line for tag return) and you're not having to buy more RFID tags every time you time a race! :)
Other companies sell their disposable tags for $1, each, and their reusable tags for even more. The tags I sell are clear (so not really noticeable while running) and they are paper-thin and very light. I've had many runners tell me they prefer my tags compared to any other because they are very easy to put on and you will not feel a thing while running (even the light-weight D-tag that loops through the top of the laces causes a flopping sensation that can be bothersome). My tags basically fold back against the side of the shoe will running, so very aerodynamic.
***Shipping cost - Typically around $50 for everything.
***Results Kiosk
If you want to offer a results kiosk (you probably saw this in some of my videos) then you will want a Brother QL-700 (typically between $30 and $50 online) and at least one 100' roll of thermal paper ($7 each). You'll also need a computer to run it, and if you don't have an extra one laying around you can do what I did and purchase a small 10" laptop for around $200. The final piece is the display that shows the results kiosk. I used a 23" touchscreen monitor that I purchased refurbished for around $350 I believe, but you can use any monitor you want. If you don't use a touch screen then you may want to supply a USB number pad or a keyboard so that people can enter their bib-numbers. The results kiosk can also have a RFID reader (like the TR200) hooked up to it so that as soon as people walk up to it with their RFID tags their information automatically appears and all they have to do is click "Print" or "Email" to receive their results.
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