which clock?

[jupiter_19630]

Hi,

    Just starting up. Got my loft. Got birds. Now I need a clock. Been looking at used clocks on ebay. After reading the RPRA rules on approved clocks it seems to be a bit of a minefield. The last thing I want to do is buy a clock then find out it needs an expensive mod to come up to standard.

Found a junior T2 12 bird that seems to foot the bill.

RPRA say it can only be used in conjunction with approved printer. Do I need to buy one or would the club have a shared one for members.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tony C]

T2's & T3's need their batteries replaced every 5 years I think it is, if its due a new one it could end up costing you around another £50 or so.

[jupiter_19630]

Thanks mate I,ll bear that in mind

[Wiley]

personnally i would try n get a T3 these clocks i believe are the best there is out mind you i dont no much about t2s but im guessing they could be simiular

[jupiter_19630]

ok thanks Wiley

[PIGEON_MAN]

Jupiter,if you are looking for a good seconhand clock i would recommend either a stb or a benzing,if you get a older one they are wind up models but the newer ones will be quartzs which need new batteries from time to time,but these are only the ordinary torch batteries which you can fit yourself,where as if you get a seconhand t2 or t3 you have to send them away to have a new battery fitted which i believe is 50-60 pound.

[jupiter_19630]

Thanks Tony.

                   That seems like good advice. I,ll keep an eye out for an stb or benzing then.

Thanks

[Guest]

There should be plenty of second hand clocks about if the RPRA go to ETS

[PIGEON_MAN]

Going to a few sales and trade shows over the last few weeks it does seem that the sale of clocks as allready started and at stupid prices,at one time every body seemed to be after a T3,now there,s loads of them for sale, i think perhaps people are beginning to realise that ets will be here in the very near future and are perhaps offloading spare clocks which they may have,or trying to get as much for them as possible while they can.

[carl]

I would say  get a t3 for now UNTIL ets is approved

[PIGEON_MAN]

Carl i cant see the point in any one spending money on a new clock at the present time,even a second hand T3 would cost quite a bit and would probably want the battery changing,just the cost of that would buy a good stb clock.

[jupiter_19630]

Thanks guys. I think Tony's advice makes the most economical sense so i,m gonna look for a cheap stb or later benzing.

Cheers.

[jupiter_19630]

Right got myself an STB windup for christmas. Seems ok but I need some info.

The print out is very faint, especially for the minutes.

I,m guessing it needs a new ribbon. Can I fit this myself and if so how? or do the clock people at the club that I,ll be joining do it? or does it have to be sent away?

The same question applies to the paper roll.

Also does any one know how to wind it up as I want to check it works ok now, rather than leave it untill the season starts and then find it needs cleaning or adjusting etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Wiley]

wind up clocks wouldnt use them myself personally they can cut out while ur waiting for your birds or even after uve timed in to much hassel

[jupiter_19630]

Ok thanks. But I have it now so I have to give it a go. Thats why I need find out how to wind it up and change the ribbon now so that I can check its reliability while theres still time to get sorted before the season starts.

[mac1]

i use a stb cannot fault them.ive heard a few things to go wrong on t3s such as the thing you press when timing on sticking or even bending.plus the batteries to replace.that my thought m8

[Guest]

Ok thanks. But I have it now so I have to give it a go. Thats why I need find out how to wind it up and change the ribbon now so that I can check its reliability while theres still time to get sorted before the season starts.

 

sent you a pm

[Guest TAMMY_1]

wind up clocks wouldnt use them myself personally they can cut out while ur waiting for your birds or even after uve timed in to much hassel

 

you old enough to remember wind up clocks

[jupiter_19630]

Nice one.

Got my clock wound courtesy of clockman. Its ticking so thats a start. Need to set the time now. Would that just be a simple matter of turning the minute hand untill I reach the correct time or is there some other method?

There are 2 small dials set behind the main dial face. Anyone know what these are?

Still none the wiser about changing the ink ribbon or paper roll.

[jupiter_19630]

Nice one.

Got my clock wound courtesy of clockman. Its ticking so thats a start. Need to set the time now. Would that just be a simple matter of turning the minute hand untill I reach the correct time or is there some other method?

There are 2 small dials set behind the main dial face. Anyone know what these are?

Still none the wiser about changing the ink ribbon or paper roll.

[stevie]

THE ETS IS THE BEST WAY TO GO I HAVE IT BUT IAM IN SCOTLAND

[Wiley]

 

you old enough to remember wind up clocks

 

nah tammy just heard alot of stories from other members up my club on how bad they were at times, and something about putting some ppl putting them in a fridge if i remember rightly

[gangster]

that the old toulets wiley

[jupiter_19630]

Thanks for all your input especially clockman who helped me with plenty of info.

 

As for ETS.....Well the first time round of keeping pigeons In the seventies I absolutely loved the buzz of working out when my birds were due home, then waiting by the loft scanning the skies for my first arrival, trapping it and removing the rubber etc. My birds were always tame as it was crucial to trap and catch the bird as quick as possible with the least amount of fuss. It was even more of a buzz clocking in a bird early sunday morning from a long distance or extremely hard race.

 

Surely the same buzz is absent with ETS as the birds effectively clock their selves.

Even a bad trapper could score well. And would you bother to get up at 5am after a long haul as you would using a manual clock?

 

I'm sure this debate will run and run.

[DEEJAY]

Hi, i'm new, but think the electronis are the way to go in the future,I believe it will bring in many more members that would not have the time to stand around and wait for the birds to arrive (which i love)! So many people are running their kids to soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming meets and the like that there is little time just to be there for the birds home coming, so the electronics may be the win--win situation for the future of racing pigeon clubs JMHO! P.S. If dad gets into it then the kids will follow and that is the real future as i see it!