Using a timer, is it 'legal'

[King Custard]

Today I shot a practice imperial round, shooting in sixes with a 4 minute electronic timer attached to my spotting scope, to get the feel of shooting a metric Fita round- you know to help me with timing of the six arrows.

Question is: is it legal to shoot any round with an electronic timer ( or other) visibly counting down on my spotting scope?Some opinions at my club were yes, others, No.
I fail to see how this would contravene any rules in any competition as it is only the equivalent of a watch and not attached to the bow...and at some events there is a visibl countdown timer anyway.
Whatever it cetrtainly is a great way of pacing yourself out through a round and avoiding rushing.

[Murray]

Well, every shoot I go to, I have a stopwatch in my quiver, no one has ever said don't do it. In fact it's very common to see stopwatches on the line so either it's legal or the judges simply don't care at the shoots I attend

Having looked through the rules, I see nothing to prohibit the use of a timer.

[slartibartfast]

Originally Posted by King Custard

Question is: is it legal to shoot any round with an electronic timer ( or other) visibly counting down on my spotting scope?

Yes

[GeoffT]

Yes no problem using a timer. at Lilleshall they have several giant timers that everyone can see.

[sky_high30]

It's fine.

What were the arguments behind "No"? Were they from the people that argue that you shouldn't be allowed a scope on the line, that everyone should be in the same class, shooting wooden bows, only shooting on Sunday afternoons, that compounds are the spawn of all evil...

[Random_guy]

Possibly they were getting confused with the rule about no electronic devices, but as far as i know that only applies to things on the bows themselves.....

[wingate_52]

I would advise all archers to get a big Salter or similar brand kitchen timer and use it.

[Wrexham Exile]

yeah they are legal, used to see everyone with them at one point but not many people seem to bother now.

[Robert.Potts]

I have only seen people use stopwatches attached to their quivers, as far as im aware its not illegall. as far as i can assertain the rules about electric/electronics comes under the bowstyles section (part 2) and the rule 303.

Robert

[King Custard]

Thank you all - this was never going to be a long thread. I believe the confusion at club practice today was fueled by the 'electronics' rule....and fanned by the fact that to reset it to the 4 mins, takes 7/8 short bleeps that some might find offputting.
I have never seen or noticed anyone timing theirselves previously- I was going to use it purely as a 'training aid' for a couple of sessions- but now I know that it is legal...and have felt the calming influence of so easily seeing how long I have left - that there is plenty of time to come down and still get all my shots off, I think it will become a permanent addition to my scope!
Unrushed, and unhurried I could have quite (well fairly) easily have shot a double Albion today...if not for the weather I would have.

So long as it becomes a part of my routine to start/stop/reset it, I think I've come across an very valuable piece of kit!

I might just disconnect the bleeper speaker before next use though....and get a spare battery and waterproof cover for it.
"How much time have I been on the line?" will never have to worry me again.

For £3+ p&p off ebay delivered 2days later- I expect I'll see a few more of these around very quickly....but keep it to yourself...it does provide some small advantage