10a) Whom can I buy equipment from? (College Bowl)
Description
This article is from the College Bowl FAQ, by George Atendido aten0001@tc.umn.edu with numerous contributions by others.
10a) Whom can I buy equipment from? (College Bowl)
(After John Palmatier)
The most popular clocks for CB are made by the GraLab Instruments
Division of Dimco-Gray. You can get models for as little as $59 or as
much as $316. The phone is (513) 433-7600 and the fax (513) 433-0520.
(end attribution)
Gralabs are also available from resellers, such as photographic and/or
lab equipment stores, and some purveyors of buzzer systems. GraLab clocks
aren't strictly necessary. Pretty much any count-down timer that "buzzes"
when time is up and that players can see from across a room is acceptable.
--==--
(from Joe Neff)
If you are looking to buy an inexpensive digital timer, check out
the Aldrich catalog, easily found at your univerisity's chem or bio
department. The timer is in the "1995 New Products" supplement, so it
may take a year to get into the main monster of a catalog (2000 pages).
"Here's how to order..."
Phone 1-800-558-9160, Fax 1-800-962-9591
Or write to PO Box 2060, Milwaukee WI, 53201.
There is no minimum order, Visa and MC accepted.
OAKTON dual timer/clock, item #Z25,329-4, $20.00 + shipping.
[If you forget the Z, you'll order
Item 25,329-4: 3-(2-Isothiocyanatoethylcarbamoyl)-PROXYL, 10 mg, $29.30]
The timer is made by Cole-Parmer, and is available directly from them for
$20 plus shipping. There are quantity discounts: 10% off for orders of
10-24 clocks, and 20% for orders of 25+ clocks. Item #H-94440-10.
To order:
Cole-Parmer Instrument Co.
625 E. Bunker Ct.
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Phone 1-800-323-4340 Fax 847-549-7676
Several companies sell buzzer systems. A few are described below. Before
ordering, call the company and ask them to mail you a brochure, as
several companies offer more than one model.
(After Gaius Stern)
--==--
Creative Electronic Design "Quizwizard II"
Designed for High School Certamen. System is a box with 12 or 16 thumb
activated buzzers held in hand at end of long chords. Only moderator can
tell who rang in from display (i.e. players can not see). System can be
set for individuals or teams of 4 players each. System is delicate.
Major advantage: can seat 12 or 16 people
Special features: System tells who rang in 1st, 2nd, AND 3rd.
Price: x8 players = $420 x12 players = $495 x16 players = $570
Address/phone:
Creative Electronic Design Inc. (513) 426-1506
2565 Celia Dr.
Beaver Creek, Ohio 45434 - 6815
******* contact Gaius Stern (gaius@uclink2.berkeley.edu) before
ordering, as he may be able to arrange a discount for you.
--==--
Electramatic Inc. "The Judge"
Comes in a briefcase. Players hit "footpedals" to signal an
answer which lights up green or red light corresponding to each buzzer.
Locks out all other responses until reset.
Major advantage: Very durable and portable.
Special features: None
Price: x8 players = $350 x10 players = $375
Address/phone:
Electramatic Inc. (612) 781-9588
1815 Jefferson St. N.E.
Minneapolis, Minn 55418
--==--
(after Gaius Stern)
Specialty Design Corp.
Each player presses a thumb activated, hand held buzzer which is
connected to a light sitting in front of him/her. Lights look like
volunteer firefighter sirens, triggers are long thin cylinders with a
thumb button on the end, and the entire system is connected with modular
phone wire. I'm advised that the little tabs on the modular jack break
every few years, forcing replacement of that little connector, but other
than that, low maintenance.
[Note: Please note the correction to the system from Specialty Design in
Alabama. In truth, this is the exact system that Patrick's Press sells.
If one calls the company and says that they heard about the system from
me (or the newsletter) they can get some sort of discount.
I would not discourage callers from trying to obtain the same
price as is posted in Patrick's Press (if that is lower than the ACF
discount) simply by mentioning "Well I've heard of this other system
sold by PP which goes for XX less ..."
Gaius
]
Major advantage: very portable.
Special features: None
Price: x8 players = about $489 with shipping
x10 players = ca. $550 ??
x12 players = maybe $610, with a possible discount
Address/phone:
Specialty Design Corp.
715 N. 19th Street
Bessemer, Alabamas 35020
Phone 205-428-1224 or 428-1223
Wats 1-800-284-6377
Contact gaius@uclink2.berkeley.edu for more info
--==--
Zeecraft Tech. "Challenger I, II, or III"
Each player has a little box with a buzzer and a light on it.
Everyone can see who rang in first. They sell several different models,
so I advise calling and getting their brochures. Prices refer to
"Challenger II" Models for 8 - 16 players can be ordered and they rent
out for weekends, as well.
Major advantages: none (a 16 person set available)
Special features: built in clock can be ordered for extra
Price: x8 players = $445 x12 players = $545 x16 players = $635
Address/phone:
Zeecraft Tech. 1-800-662-7475 or (717) 465-7475
Ridge Road
RR2 Box 157 -H
New Milford, PA 18834
[This is the new (Fall 1995) standard for CBI. CBI sells a modified
version of the Challenger I system for $414. In addition, CBI sells a
carrying case for $125. Both prices include standard shipping.]
--==--
Academic Enterprises
This system comes disrecommended to me by Univ. of Oklahoma. All
I know about it is that it is a 10 person system. Eric Bell says the
manufacturer may no longer be in business. If you call Information in
Lexington, Kentucky, you can find out for sure. Sorry I have nothing more.
(end attribution)
--==--
Patrick's Press
Makes very affordable buzzer systems. 8-player model with
indicator lights on the moderator's panel is only $298. Separate
indicators for each player (8 total) is $498. Models for more players are
available.
Patrick's Press 1-800-654-1052
P.O. Box 5189
Columbus, GA 31906
It is possible to make one's own buzzer system, but that's beyond the
editor's expertise :)
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