The ultimate referee watch?

Discussion in 'Referee' started by Yale, Jan 12, 2013.

  1. Yale

    Yale Member

    Nov 26, 2012
    So the Pebble wristwatch is due to start shipping later this month. Don't know why I didn't hear of it before, but now I'm wishing I'd been a backer. Anyway, I was looking at it, and it has some pretty cool features:
    • Bluetooth
    • Accelerometer
    • Vibration
    • E-paper display
    • Customizable apps
    In short, it's a pretty cool piece of technology. I was starting to think that, with a custom app designed for it, this could make for a pretty awesome referee watch. I'm not entirely sure what the SDK is capable of, although from the description it sounds like you could do quite a bit with a customized app. I was thinking about the following features:
    • Dual timers, one counting down and another independently controllable one that counts up for keeping track of stoppage time
    • Alerts when you get towards midway through the half (useful for those of us who have to call for substitutions)
    • Kick-off start — Prime the countdown timer with the button, then blow for the kick-off. The timer starts when you lower your wrist
    • Switchable between vibrating and audible alerts
    I'm sure there are some other features that could come in handy. Perhaps some sort of data logging functionality? Maybe if each of the referees had one they could be linked, and the AR could just press a button to get the center's attention discreetly. :D

    Once these come out, I'm seriously thinking about picking one up and looking into writing a custom app for it. Can anyone else think of any features they'd love to see in their dream watch?
     
  2. SA14mars

    SA14mars Member+

    Jan 3, 2005
    Dallas
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    GPS, etc. doesn't appear to work independent of a phone. Not really planning to keep my phone on me during a game. If they make a model with GPS built in then maybe.
     
  3. Yale

    Yale Member

    Nov 26, 2012
    Well, that's what your backup watch is for! :p

    Personally, I've never really seen the benefit of GPS in a watch, so it's not something I've ever looked for. What's it going to tell me—that I was running around on a soccer field for a few hours? To me, the ability to customize the way the watch works is much more important.

    That said, if GPS were really an important feature, I don't think it would be that big a deal to carry my phone with me, maybe with something like this tucked under my waistband.
     
  4. Wahoos1

    Wahoos1 Member

    Oct 31, 2004
    It covered my butt once in a serious way. A PIA HS coach reported to assignor that I never told him why his kids was carded and that I did not cover the field to see anything. Assignor asked me and I emailed him my Garmin GPS report which clearly showed a nice, clear red line moving from the middle of the field to both benchs in second half as well as 5.2 miles of running for an 80 minute game.
     
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  5. chwmy

    chwmy Member+

    Feb 27, 2010
    Awesome idea!

    For high school, perhaps if the clock-starting and stopping motions could actual start and stop the watch?

    I'd love a graphical representation of time left, like the time timer watch does: http://www.timetimer.com/store/product/26/watch-plus---adult

    Perhaps you could have the watch pick up weather alerts from your phone?

    Lots of potential!
     
  6. SA14mars

    SA14mars Member+

    Jan 3, 2005
    Dallas
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This could be very useful for hazardous weather games. For instance, watch will tell you when lightning is close. Or tornado warning, etc. Both functions appear to be built in already. I just wonder what the BT range is. If it could cover the field, then leave phone in bag.
     
  7. Paper.St.Soap.Closed

    Jul 29, 2010
    Bluteooth 4.0 (which the Pebble has the capability to run on but isn't yet) has a theoretical range of ~50 meters but in reality you couldn't leave it in your bag. Not a deal breaker, though -- I workout with my phone on my bicep and, as long as you get a good, custom fit armband, you pretty much forget its there.

    These smart watches (the Pebble isn't the only one other there) should provide a nice platform for specialty use cases like refereeing.
     
  8. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
    I guess if I were buying a "referee" watch for $150, I would simply gets a Spintso and be done. 4 timers and vibe, what more do you need?
     
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  9. Paper.St.Soap.Closed

    Jul 29, 2010
    Features that let you use it for more than just match day? :)
     
  10. andymoss

    andymoss BigSoccer Supporter

    Sep 4, 2007
    Nashville, TN
    Club:
    Manchester City FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Beeper flag receiver on one arm, radio on the other. I'm all out of arms....
     
  11. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
    I am not overly picky but I suggest you watch how "commercial" your posts are here. I would feel better if you offered "justifications" based on actual use and experience... and less "buy from me".

    I am merely a poster here... kinda new at that.
     
  12. wykell

    wykell Member

    Jun 9, 2009
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I can't imagine what some of us refs must look like out on the field... Two watches (one being GPS of course), heart rate chest strap, flag beeper on one arm, phone on the other, radio in a waist strap, ear piece/mic for said radio, wireless foot-pod pedometer... all in the name of getting calls right or whatever.

    And I sat there wondering last night why my girlfriend was making fun of me about my wanting to take RefTalk to a non-showcase youth tournament this coming weekend that I'm going to (note: I wasn't actually serious - except for the part where I think it would be nice to combat boredom and stay alert during some of the lower level games by being in voice contact with the crew the whole game).

    Did I miss any "Referee enhancing accouterments" one could possibly have on?
     
  13. andymoss

    andymoss BigSoccer Supporter

    Sep 4, 2007
    Nashville, TN
    Club:
    Manchester City FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    The new Sprintso PDA.
     
  14. Pierre Head

    Pierre Head Member+

    Dec 24, 2005
    All anyone should need to referee anything below top class
    professional soccer is a whistle, two cards and a notepad with pen.
    All these other items are just crutches for lazy referees and they actually
    hinder the development of good refereeing skills. Also referees get too
    dependent on them and have problems if they don't work.
    I would advise not using them at all until you get to the top levels.

    PH
     
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  15. wykell

    wykell Member

    Jun 9, 2009
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So you're saying that all these things won't be useful for the U12 girls games I'll be doing this weekend? What if I added the SPINTSO PDA? I could probably do that, but if I do, I'm gonna need a bigger bag to carry all this stuff to the field with!
     
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  16. Pierre Head

    Pierre Head Member+

    Dec 24, 2005

    Well, what I actually meant by 'other items' was things like radios and beeper flags, so yes.
    But since you asked, for U-12 girls games, you probably won't need the two cards!
    Sorry, I forgot the watch (basic) and a coin, (also basic, e.g.. a quarter).

    PH
     
  17. socal lurker

    socal lurker Member+

    May 30, 2009
    No watch?! :eek: I guess when you're good you read the time from the position of the sun . . . ;)

    On the serious side, however, I agree with the general sentiment that more is not always more.

    (In addition to the watch, I would add to the must-have list for our newer readers a second pen, second whistle, and a coin for flipping -- & a handkerchief to reduce the rattling as needed . . . I also always wear two watches, but I'm not sure that's really necessary, at least not if you have ARs . . . but I do think the spare whistle and pen are must-haves as whistles and pens can both get droped in the midst of the game.)
     
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  18. wykell

    wykell Member

    Jun 9, 2009
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Don't worry guys - I don't plan on going out to a U12 game loaded up with enough gear to invade Afghanistan - I was being tongue-in-cheek, and I think there's a good thread somewhere around that lists what a referee should have on themselves when going out to do battle based upon the level they are at. And if not, we should probably start one, as I'm sure it would be useful to New and Experienced referee's alike.
     
  19. Pierre Head

    Pierre Head Member+

    Dec 24, 2005
    I just did that, and of course I agree with having back-ups of the essentials as well.

    PH
     
  20. campbed

    campbed Member

    Oct 13, 2006
    New Hampshire, USA
    Humph! Too cool for school refs have no watch, cards, paper/pen. AR1 tracks scores, delivers the card to be shown from the touchline when needed. AR2, well, they are AR2, so all they can handle without injury is to run the watch and yell out when time is up.

    And the Referee? All we need is an electronic whistle and a drink with a little umbrella on it.
     
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  21. socal lurker

    socal lurker Member+

    May 30, 2009
    You forgot the elevated chair at the halfway line . . .
     
  22. aaronriley

    aaronriley Member

    Jul 9, 2011
    Pregame on one of my first games when I was 14-"I have the center circle, you have everything else. You want a foul? Flag it. You want a card? I'll stop the game and you walk out and show it. I'll get offside so you can worry about fouls." He was joking obviously but with that referee I wasn't sure.
     
  23. Scrabbleship

    Scrabbleship Member

    May 24, 2012
    Picked up this Adidas referee watch on Amazon last week. Got to use it over the weekend, and couldn't be more happier with it. Can't wait till I get a chance to use the interval timers to train for our fitness test.
     
  24. chwmy

    chwmy Member+

    Feb 27, 2010
    Cool! I've seen that watch before but that's the first description I've seen that says it has a vibrate function. What's the model number?
     
  25. NHRef

    NHRef Member+

    Apr 7, 2004
    Southern NH
    I know we all like gadgets, but a watch with bluetooth? Seems overkill to me. I want a watch (ok 2 of them) that will count up, sort of like a new fangled thing called a stopwatch. I can handle the math (well most of the time!) to answer "how much time left". The only challenge remembering how long the period is.

    I'd rather save the money and spend it after the game in the bar, you know, buying my AR a beer cause well he reminded me that we are only doing 35 minute halfs not 40 :D
     

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