Speed gates with two phones: flying 30, metres a second, miles an hour

Timing gates cost hundreds and take an afternoon to align. Two phones on the same meet code do the same job for a flying segment: one tap connects, turns on the camera and arms the gate; enter the spacing; run.

Open the speed gatesFree, no account. Opens on your phone.

How it works

Each phone watches its own line. The start gate starts the clock when the athlete breaks it; the finish gate stops it. The finish phone shows the segment time, metres a second and miles an hour, and keeps a clip of the run if you want one.

  • Any spacing, typed once
  • Both phones set up with one tap each
  • Live speed on the finish phone, filed under the athlete's name

What it is honest about

The speed is the average over the segment, which is what gates measure. It is not the instant top speed, and a segment placed too early in a sprint will read low because the athlete was still accelerating.

What you will compare it with

Said plainly, because you will find out anyway.

Freelap
Transponder gates: the reference for this job, priced for a programme.
Beam gates
Accurate, a case to carry, alignment every session.

Questions

How far apart can the phones be?

As far as the meet code reaches: same Wi-Fi or both on the internet. Ten to forty metres is typical for a flying segment.

Does it need a start phone with a gun?

No. The first gate is the start.

Open the speed gates · What is free and what a plan adds · Results, free to read