Nationals 2018

[shrewdPanther46]

Is anyone planning on measuring the track there? Thoughts? I've been really debating about this because even small minute changes (like 2 cm or so) can make a big difference in the long run, so advice?

[windu34]

For the sake of accuracy- you made other people do your cleaning at Nationals. haha

Pro Tip: Harvard loves applicants that know their way around a swiffer

LOL will keep that in mind!
By the way you are at Harvard?!!!! Amazing!

No not me, my partner who did the swiffering at nationals will be attending

Is anyone planning on measuring the track there? Thoughts? I've been really debating about this because even small minute changes (like 2 cm or so) can make a big difference in the long run, so advice?

I measured it both times at nationals and it was off by 1-2 cm in 2016 and a few millimeters in 2017 based on the laser distance meter i used iirc. I definitely would recommend double checking using a system that you use when you test just in case your way of measuring it is different than that of the supervisor because it certainly could make the difference. I would caution however if it takes more than 20-30 seconds to measure it, you might want to be careful that you do not run out of time for your runs (took us about 8 seconds to measure it)

[shrewdPanther46]

The problem is, I am not sure if a laser distance measurement thing is allowed, because we aren't allowed electrical devices for aligning. I feel like its kinda shady, so I submitted an FAQ. The way we always practice is with a standard tape measure thing, but I fear that we would either go overtime or cut it very close if we measure the track with it.

[bernard]

The problem is, I am not sure if a laser distance measurement thing is allowed, because we aren't allowed electrical devices for aligning. I feel like its kinda shady, so I submitted an FAQ. The way we always practice is with a standard tape measure thing, but I fear that we would either go overtime or cut it very close if we measure the track with it.

See 3.f.

[shrewdPanther46]

That rule discusses the use of electrical devices for SIGHTING/AIMING, not for figuring out the length of the track.

[bernard]

That rule discusses the use of electrical devices for SIGHTING/AIMING, not for figuring out the length of the track.

Not official FAQ; are you aiming the laser, or not using it in its capacity as a laser?

[shrewdPanther46]

You would be aiming it at some sort of obstruction (ex:a piece of cardboard) placed by the target point, and then reading the digital measurement provided by the device.

[knightmoves]

Arguing that using a laser to measure the track length isn't "alignment" seems a bit risky to me. A standard metal tape measure from the hardware store will be accurate enough.

[shrewdPanther46]

I also agree that the accuracy will be more than sufficient from a normal tape measure. However, I am worried about the time it will take, because we already take around 7 minutes for both of our runs, so we are not sure if it is worth the risk or not.

[M017]

Would I be able to measure out to 12m, for aiming purposes? If we point our car at 65cm to the right at 12m, it gets center line and ends on the center of the line.