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How Can I Get Online Controls at My Event?

This guide helps organizers decide how many Blueboxes are needed, how to arrange a rental, and what to do if they already have their own online controls.

🔢 How Many Online Controls You Need?​

  1. Best practices for online controls
    • Add around 3 online controls in the forest per major category (e.g. M21E, W21E, or other featured classes).
    • Online control at the finish prewarning (usually control 100) for commentators and at the finish if you want to avoid waiting for the readout.
    • Arena passage controls or spectator loops benefit greatly from online coverage.
  2. Event examples
    • Local/club event: 2–3 Blueboxes (finish prewarning + forrest).
    • National event: 5–8 Blueboxes (finish prewarning + 3 controls per elite category + finish).
    • International event: 10+ Blueboxes, depending on number of featured classes, spectator areas and TV controls.

🛠️ Getting the Right Equipment for Online Controls​

🏢 Renting Blueboxes​

  • You can rent Blueboxes directly from OResults.
  • Try before the event: It's possible to borrow Blueboxes in advance of your competition, free of charge, to test them at a training or smaller event.
  • Event rental: For your actual competition, rented devices are normally shipped to you in the week before the event.
  • To request a rental, contact us via OResults.eu with:
    • Event name, date and location
    • Estimated number of online controls
    • Any special requirements (e.g. SPORTident SRR stations if needed)
  • You'll receive confirmation with:
    • Number of Blueboxes provided
    • Delivery and return instructions (we ship and receive primarily via Zásilkovna in all countries where it operates; for other countries, we will arrange alternatives)
note

If your event uses non-SIAC cards, you may also need SPORTident SRR stations to make online controls work. These can be rented free of charge together with the Blueboxes based on their availability— just mention this in your request. See Setup Radio Control guide for details.

tip

Order Blueboxes early — rentals are subject to availability, especially during peak season.

📦 Return Blueboxes​

  • Returning rented material is simple via Zásilkovna:
    • Use the return code you received with your rental.
    • Bring the box to any Zásilkovna location, provide the code, and they will handle the return for you.
  • If Zásilkovna is not available in your country, please contact us for custom return instructions.

🔧 Using Your Own Online Controls​

If you already have devices that can work as online controls, you have several options:

  1. 📱 Using a phone with the Bluebox Mobile App
    • Install the Bluebox Mobile App.
    • Register your devices in the Admin → Devices section.
    • You can then use the phone as an online control, just like a rented Bluebox.
  2. 💻 Using other existing equipment
    • First, check whether your device is already supported by OResults directly or through integrated software (e.g. OE12).
    • If supported, you should easily connect it and start sending live data.
  3. 🆕 New or unsupported solutions
    • If you have a new type of online control, or you're unsure if it can connect to OResults, don't hesitate to contact us.
    • We'll review the options and may be able to work out a solution together.
note

OResults is free to use today. In the future, there may be a small fee for connecting your own online controls — but if that happens, organizers will always be informed well in advance, so no surprises.

➡️ Next Steps​

If you've arranged your online controls (either rented Blueboxes or your own devices), you can move on to the Organizers Cheatsheet which covers everything to check before, during, and after the event for smooth organization.