MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS (updated 6 Jun 24)

From the simple necessity ($2 whistle) to the high-tech (E-card for electronic punching) to the completely frivolous (mini control flag). See the "Vision" section - magnifiers and specs. And at the bottom, mapholders for mountain bikes.

Good quality Pre-Owned Equipment sold on commission. Slightly marked demonstration products often available. Check out the current "Bargain Bin"!

STOCKING FILLERS

• Whistle, sensible safety precaution, sometimes a requirement at events; clips onto garment, $2. Prevent losing it with a cord to hang round your neck $3.
• Mini control flag, 6cm high. Hang from mirror or backpack to be identified as an orienteer. Price bobs around $8-10, its currently $9.
• Hard-Shell Compass case. A zip-up case to hold your thumb compass. Snug fit but it has two pouches inside, could also store your whistle and Sport Ident card. Any colour so long as it's black. This comes from Russia so its currently $14 $16 incl Russian duty.

ELECTRONIC CARDS AND DESCRIPTION HOLDERS

• Sport-Ident E-cards look similar, but hear what's under the skin.
  • Version 8, records 3X faster than the original e-card, stores 30 controls, choice red or blue, price $67. This is absolutely fine for most courses/people but sprints/M21E tend to have lots of controls.
  • Version 9 and others, no longer stocked as their extra capacity is rarely required. We think that if you need the extra capacity you'll also want the contactless feature, see below.
  • SI Active Card. Holds 128 controls, but that's not its major feature. When the SI stations are suitably enabled, it registers within half a metre! No more fumbling for the hole! Fly by at 100mph. Or on your bike without stopping. Can be used with "ordinary" SI stations in the usual way. Price $145. Colours (subject to stock) yellow, blue, green, black, pink, red, orange, turquoise.

    NOW THE DRAWBACKS. The SIAC has a battery, at present replacement requires sending back to the manufacturer in Europe. They recommend replacing after three years, and MAPsport cannot promise to be in business when this becomes necessary. When flat the SIAC will still work by putting it in the hole. **STOP PRESS** We are advised that Hawkes Bay timing provider O-Lynx can replace batteries - see their contact page.

    THE OTHER DRAWBACK. The contactless feature is not available at every event, as it uses up the batteries of the control stations, too. You should ask your club how often you can use air punching.

  • Number Select: if you are after a memorable or a lucky SI number, we can supply the numbers we have in stock. Small charge for this service of $5.
  • Trade-ins: we'll give you $30 for a saleable Sport-Ident version 5 card, we put new straps on and sell them at just $35. Or trade your version 8 for $35 (we'll sell at $40). But if you're hoping to buy, these are not often available:-(( You're better to look at your club-mates who have flash new SI sticks and ask "what did you do with your old one?"
  • Security wrist line (elastic) for your SI card. Insure against dropping it, especially on the bike. $3.
  • Thumb strap (elastic) for your SI card. They come with a thumb strap but they don't survive being stood on. Replacement just $3. It also fits most thumb compasses.

• Vapro Control-description holders: choose from two types and two sizes. You need to consider how many controls you may have and how long your arm is. Calcs below are based on 7mm description lines, the rules say 5-7mm so this is conservative. Price for all models $20.

  • The COMBI goes along the arm and attaches with two elastic straps with buckles. Can be adjusted to any sized arm.
    Small 140mm holds at least 17 controls; Large 190mm 24 controls.
    
  • The TUBE slides onto your arm with an elastic sleeve. You need an "average" hand and fore-arm size
    Small 140mm holds at least 17 controls; Large 170mm 21 controls

IMPROVED VISION

• Moscow Magnifier. Seeing the detail on the map is challenging for older eyes. There are various solutions, none of them perfect. One way is a magnifier attachment for the compass. You want it to swing out of the way to get "the big picture" and then swing it in around the control. All Moscow thumb compasses come with a hole which takes a magnifier. This is mounted on a post which keeps it the right distance off the map. The 50mm diameter one we sell at $50 which includes a $10 Putin import duty and a price rise. We still have a couple of the previous 45mm ones at only $25. The size difference may not sound much, but the 50mm one is 23% larger by area (Pi-R-Squared:-))

• Zoom Magnifier. A magnifier which attaches to the later Silva Race and Nor compasses (the ones with the cutout for your thumb). We have always been embarassed about the price of such an apparently simple item and we're selling at cost, $90. Yes I know it's ridiculous.
  
• Silva Magnifier, which attaches to the older Silva thumb compasses (the ones where your thumb goes ON TOP of the base). Ahhh Mr Silva doesn't think owners of such compasses will ever need a magnifier and he has stopped making it. We have one only for a RIGHT hand compass. Yes $90 and that's at cost. Nuff said.
  
• Vapro Look-over magnifying glasses. Another way of seeing detail instead of, or as well as, a magnifier. We have a range of strengths from 1.0 to 4.0 in steps of 0.5. Once you recognise you need help you're probably ready for 1.5. Their low profile lets moist air escape from your face, prevents fogging. Plus easily see over the top for distance vision. They come in a protective case, Dec 2019 review drops the price to $35. Thin elastic string keeps them on while running, but we also sell a neoprene retainer band for $6.


• Vapro Look-though magnifying glasses. These are bi-focals, with the magnifying bit in the bottom of the full-size lens so you get eye protection as well. What's more you can replace the lenses if your eyes change! Latest review drops price to $60, that includes hard case, extra head strap and spare tinted lenses. Replacement lenses for previous model $20 pair while stocks last.
• Headband. Comfortable, absorbent, keeps the sweat from your eyes. Black or white $8; half-width band with control-flag motif $4. Vavrys sweat-absorbing bandana $12.
• Transparent Visor, keeps the rain off your glasses while giving you maximum light. Previous product is no longer available, best we can find looks somewhat crude - actually its awful. However its better than rain on your specs. Priced accordingly at just $5.

MTB-ORIENTEERING

• Miry MTB Mapholder for Mountain-Bike orienteering! Yes you can make one from an upside-down icecream container but Miry is the state of the art! Fits on the handlebars via a solid lightweight bracket and pivot which allows the map to be orientated. The special circular support prevents flutter which stops you seeing fine detail on the move.

  Improved two-screw bracket, screws now go down from the top so you don't drop them, fits easily in 2 minutes. We have brackets to fit 32mm handlebars (the usual these days), the older 25mm bars and the new 35mm bars. Measure your bars close to the stem, the bracket arms are 65mm apart. The LH pic gives a view of the whole board; the RH pic shows the bracket; click pics for bigger view.

  The days of the strong dollar/weak euro have gone and prices have risen as well. A4 rectangular $149; popular size has been 275mm square $152; 300mm square is taking off now $155; and new sizes 325mm square and 300X350mm $157.

• HH mapholder. This is a NZ-made home workshop model which attaches to your bars/stem with small bungies (supplied). The rotating top is 300mm square with velcro-held plastic cover. Specify bar diameter. Half the price of the imported ones at $75.
• El Cheapo mapholder. Gets the map onto the handlebars while you see if you're going to like orienteering on a bike. Its a just a piece of thick corflute slightly bigger than A4; some big rubber bands; and some re-usable cable ties. Doesn't rotate, may not suit every bike, but look only $5! NB it costs more than this to post, we intend it mainly for onsite sales:-))
• Magnetic Thumb for MTB mapholder. Thin steel sheet goes under your map, plus extremely powerful magnet which acts as your thumb to indicate your position. Might not seem a big benefit, but often you only have seconds to glance at the map, and most of it can disappear focussing on where you are! Specify board size; price down to $20. Note that the thinnest steel we can get (.55mm) is a bit on the heavy side, a large biscuit tin lid is a good alternative. We're happy to sell the magnets separately at $10. But don't use whiteboard or fridge magnets, they'll fall off.
• Spare Parts for Miry. Bracket only $99. Board only, the difference between the bracket and the full price above. And if the transparent cover gets scratched or torn we can probably supply a replacement at half the price of the board only. (Give us the stud pattern eg 3-1-1-1 as they have changed over the years.) We also have replacement nuts and bolts for when you drop them in the grass; $6 for the central assembly, $1 for the little ones.

For mail order phone 027 232 4310, or write to at 23 St James Ave, Lower Hutt 5011. We'll invoice with the goods, and you can pay by bank transfer. Prices shown include GST.