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TR · ENTry Orienteering

How electronic punching works in orienteering

How do you punch at controls in orienteering? What is an SI chip (SPORTident) and how is it used?

Short answer

Each control has an electronic unit. You touch or insert a chip worn on your finger (most commonly SPORTident, or SI) into the unit. It beeps and flashes, and the chip stores the control code and time. At the start you clear and check the chip, and at the finish you download it. Results and split times appear instantly.

By the coaching and mapping team of Kanyon Orienteering · Updated:

Step by step

  1. Clear — wipe old data at the start.
  2. Check — confirm the chip is ready.
  3. Start — punch the start unit at your start time or follow the starter’s signal.
  4. Controls — punch each control; a beep and a flash confirm it.
  5. Finish — punch the finish unit.
  6. Download — at the results tent; you get a printout of your splits.

Contactless chips

Newer contactless chips (e.g. SIAC) register when held a few centimetres from the unit, saving seconds in sprints. Not every event enables contactless punching; check the event details.

Mispunches

If you skip a control or visit them out of order, the download shows it and your result is marked as a mispunch (MP) or disqualified. At club training events this doesn’t matter — we’ll look at where it happened together.

Results and analysis

Results are usually published the same day. Split times show where you gained or lost time on each leg. You can compare your GPS track or drawn route with others on Livelox or RouteGadget.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to buy my own chip?

No. Most events hire out chips. Once you race regularly, your own chip is more convenient; you give its number when entering.

What if the unit doesn't beep?

Try again. If the unit has failed, use the pin punch on the flag to mark the backup box on your map or description slip, and tell the officials at the finish.

What if I forget to download at the finish?

Your result won't be recorded and the organisers may think you're still out on the course. Always download, even if you retire.

Sources and further reading

Related guides

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