XC course-walking App - minute markers at every level of xc course?!?!?

[kerilli]

I just found out about this, here: https://www.facebook.com/coursewalkapp?sk=app_208195102528120
and there's a short vid about it here
http://eventingnation.com/samanthalclark/2011/10/course-walk-app---the-proof-of-the-pudding.html
You can photograph all the fences and input them, share them etc, nice idea (although there are websites such as www.shoestringeventing.co.uk which already allow this.)
this App automatically calculates where all your minute markers should be...
Hmmmm. I have only ever paid attention to minute markers at 3-days, and tbh it is just another thing to have to remember (I only ever memorised 2, 4, 6, 8 min markers, couldn't possibly remember and check them all as well as everything else!) I already have 100 other things running through my brain every second xc. No way would I want to know my minute markers xc at the lowest levels, when I'd rather be concentrating on building confidence in the horse.
But on that vid the rider (at Prelim level) says it's much easier than using a wheel... is it usual to use a wheel at low-level one days in the States, I wonder? i've never seen anyone using a wheel at a 1-day over here...
What does everyone else think? Great idea, the future, or that this aspect of it anyway maybe isn't so great?

 

[SpottedCat]

I used it at Aldon for the PN3day! It was great, and super useful. I can't see myself bothering to use it at PN normally though - but I would probably use it at N to give myself practice at using the watch more than anything else. I know I found the whole watch thing a bit much at Aldon!

I am impressed you memorised minute markers, I wrote them on a bit of paper I taped to my arm!!

 

[Vickijay]

I've got it and I'm not sure how much I would trust the actual metres. Sometimes you would take 2 steps and it will say that I've walked 4m, my steps arnt that long!!

I still use it though, just if it was really important I'm not sure I would trust the distance, maybe it's my phone though, or the lack of Internet that I've had whilst walking the courses.

Good app though

 

[ArcticFox]

LOL! I'm loving the image of walking an intro and seeing someone with a measuring wheel!

I'd feel a bit of an idiot if it was me. Unless you can wear a watch was is the point anyway!

Good app for the 3 days though

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

LOL! I'm loving the image of walking an intro and seeing someone with a measuring wheel!

Come to Australia.....
I've seen people doing it, it Intro, then 1/2 the time not actually paying any attention or walking seriouly wide random lines,I think it must be the latest 'gadget' to look the part

I must have missed that memo

 

[PaddyMonty]

I cant see it being very much use (for timing).
I'm assuming it simply calculates the distance and then uses time allowed to give you minute markers. This would give you 4 minute markers over a 5 minute course exactly spaced. Fine if the course is just a bold forward going course but that doesn't happen much these days.
Surely your minute markers have to take in the type of fences you are jumping in each section. Some parts will have fences requiring little set up so time will be gained, others will have more complex combinations, water, skinnies etc where time will be lost. If these type of fences are towards the end with kick on fences at the start and you follow the minute markes you are going to end up out of the time.