WHAT IS A FINISHLYNX?
WHAT IS A FINISHLYNX?
HOW DOES GC RACING'S CAMERA WORK???
Many riders have asked me this question especially when it's a super close finish. When I try to explain it to them they get confused when I say, "the entire image is the finish line." So, to provide a little insight.
The Short Answer
It's not a photograph like using a normal digital still photograph camera (Canon SLR for example). It's not a video camera set on high speed shutter mode (the WSBA camera). It's not some high speed camera used to capture a bullet being fired from a gun like on Myth Busters. It's a specialized digital line scan camera recording only one thing - the Finish Line.
The Long Answer
A conventional video camera has a small rectangular electronic sensor, whereas the sensor inside GC Racing’s FinishLynx camera is far taller and only a fraction of a millimeter wide. This sensor only sees a very narrow piece of the world - the Finish Line. GC Racing’s FinishLynx camera can look at the finish line as often as 2,400 times a second and send these images to the computer. GC Racing’s FinishLynx can record up to 0.0004 seconds difference between 2 riders – that’s 4 ten-thousandths of a second!
As this data is received, the software places these single-pixel wide images one beside another. Each image represents a fractionally later moment in time. Reading a time is simply a question of identifying which "image" contains the moment when the leading edge of the front tire of the riders bicycle crossed the finish line by placing the cursor there. Because every line of the image is time-indexed by the software, the competitor's time is instantly displayed when the cursor is positioned.
View the following ANIMATION.
THE FUNKY SPOKE PHENOMENA
Since GC Racing's FinishLynx camera only records a millimeter wide sliver of the world, the camera is recording the position of your spoke at each position during it's rotation as your wheel is rotating. Thus, on the computer monitor your spokes are all funky looking. Check out the image below from the 2008 Washington State Individual Time Trial.
HED 3 TRI-SPOKE WHEELS RECORDED BY THE FINISHLYNX CAMERA
THE END RESULT
Thus, the next time you're involved in a super tight sprint and GC Racing is present with their FinishLynx camera, rest assured your finish will be scored correctly. To obtain your own FinishLynx image visit the 2009 Pricing page to learn more.
GC RACING AT NIGHT
Being a photographic camera, GC Racing's FinishLynx camera is light sensitive. Even the smallest change in light conditions can change how the FinishLynx records an image. For night time events especially GC Racing's work at the Marymoor Velodrome, filming at night is a challenging task. Granted GC Racing uses a large apperture lens, a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 - there simply isn't enough light to record quality FinishLynx images.
Pairing up with PNTA, a local threatrical equipment supplier, GC Racing came to the 2009 velodrome season with a solution. Using an ellipsoidal spotlight aimed and focused directly at the finish line, GC Racing was able to "lighten up" the finish line.
2009 FSA GRAND PRIX - MEN'S MISS-N-OUT - MIDNIGHT RACING IN THE DARK
THE FINISH LINE WITH GC RACING'S ELLIPSOIDAL SPOTLIGHT
GC RACING - RUNNING EVENTS
Just as bicycle racing has a finish line, so does running events. However, in running you're not hunched over and you don't have a bib number plastered to your back. In order to identify an athlete, GC Racing employs a second FinishLynx camera for running events called IdentiLynx photographing the front of the runner. Combined with the FinishLynx shooting from the side aimed at the Finish Line recording the exact time each runner crosses the Finish Line, GC Racing's IdentiLynx records the athletes front and their bib number. No more using hand timers and tearing off the runners bib number as they filter through the chute. GC Racing's Cross-Country and Track & Field set-up is quick, easy, and accurate.
2009 EDMONDS X-COUNTRY INVITE
GC RACING'S FINISHLYNX CAMERA
PURPLE BEAT RED BUT WHOSE WHO?
GC RACING'S IDENTILYNX CAMERA
RED IS #340 - PURPLE IS #193
