Just like any sport there are varieties of equipment you can choose to use. Depending on your budget, how often you participate, what you prefer to use is up to you.

As a guide, start with sturdy footwear (joggers similar to those suitable for grass sports), then think of an affordable compass (remember you can borrow at each event until you are ready to purchase one). Protection with clothing and legwear are something to consider down the track, but remember the options are open and it is totally up to you how much you want to spend.

Compass

Compass are used primarily to assist the orienteer to navigate around the course and to provide a reading of Magnetic North for map orientation.

Traditional Orienteering Compass

Standard Style Base Plate compass

The classical competition compass with the "turbo" grip has a curved up back end for easy reading of the map. For distance control there is a detachable scale slide to assist when the map scale changes. Between controls, bearings are often required. A large and distinct direction of travel arrow will assist you with your direction. Stencil holes for start and control markings. Compass housing with stable needle, which settles quickly while running. Patented red/black North-South lines.

Thumb Compass

Thumb Compass

Thumb Compass is ideal for those who don't need much in their baseplate. The thumb compass provides a straight and wide needle for easy and fast reading. Strong magnet gives quick dampening. Clear baseplate for easy reading of the map. Easy to read markings on baseplate. Elastic thumb strap and rubber pad for safe grip.

What if you don't have a compass?

Compasses may be borrowed at events, but it is best to get your own if you intend to compete on a regular basis. There are a number of reputable companies producing baseplate and thumb compases. Please talk to a club member for suggestions on what to look for, alternatively please view our recommended supplier list.

Footwear

Footwear Footwear

Sturdy footwear such as joggers are adequate for those beginning orienteering. There are a wide variety of special orienteering shoes avaiable but many people find that shoes with rubber studs, designed for grass sports such as hockey and football, are also quite suitable. Standard running shoes do not provide sufficient ankle protection in rough terrain.

For more information please contact a club person, alternatively please view our recommended supplier sites.

Leg Protection

Leg protection Knee high socks

Gaiters are used to protect your legs against the vegetation and small branches that are on the ground. They are attached just below the knee, generally with a tie up cord, and at the bottom there are two holes that you will feed your shoelaces into for further protection.

The gaiters are made of nylon with a heavier material at the front that is padded which provides the actual protection and impact.

In some areas where the vegetation is "lighter" an orienteer may opt for the knee high socks with the nylon strip at the front to protect legs and shins from scratches and soft vegetation.

Orienteering Suits

Orienteering tops Orienteering pants

O'suits as they are known, are made from lightweight, breathable nylon or lycra. They provide protection against vegetation as well as being comfortable in Queenland's weather conditions. They come in many colours and designs. In Queensland we have a number of people that can make these outfits to your requirements. You can request your club colours or opt for a zany design to help you stand out in the bush.

If you would like more information please contact your club representative who can assist you further.

If you would like to purchase a ready made suit please click here for a list of recomended suppliers.

Sportident Timing System

SportIdent electronic card

In 2002, Orienteering Queensland purchased an electronic timing system known as SportIdent, which is now used internationally. Orienteering Queensland originally used this system at all major events like OY, Badge, Qld Championships and any major national event held in Queensland.

The system replaces the card punching system traditionally used at orienteering events. Because the units for the system have to be mounted on a support, the control flags are used to hang the timing device. The control number will be on the SportIdent device and in some cases on the control flag. SportIdent has been used internationally for some years and is now used for major events in other states. In Queensland we are now using the timing system at all major events as well as at special events ie National Orienteering Day, Forest Racing Series.

How is it used?

It consists of a small plastic electronic card (SI-card) which is of oval shape and 5 cm long. It is attached by a strap to a competitor's finger. It contains vital information:

Other information that the card contains is:

How does it work?

At The Control

At The Control

How To Punch

How To Punch

At the Start, Finish and control sites, the special electronic punches (SI-units) are mounted in plastic boxes and are attached to the control flag or stand. To record their start and finish times as well as the time at which each control was visited, a competitor simply places their SI-card in this unit. It will then flash a light and produce a beep to indicate the information has been successfully transfered from the unit to the card. The control number and the time it was visited will now be recorded on the card. After completing the course, this information is downloaded into a computer, producing information on the total elapsed time as well as the individual split times for each leg.

What if I do not have a SI-card?

At each of these events you can hire an SI-card for $2.00, however if you lose it or damage it you will be asked to re-pay the full replacement cost. Alternatively, if you are going to be a regular participant it is certainly worth your while to purchase one. The cost is $44.00 (incl GST) and they are available on request from our state membership officer Terry Cavanagh. Please remember that you need to be an Orienteering Queensland member to purchase one.

Should a unit fail, what do I do?

If for some reason the unit does not produce a flash and beep, the stands still have ordinary punches and the competitor should punch the side of their map instead.

Things to note about the use of SportIdent:

  1. As your SI-card becomes your personal competition identifying number. It is very important that each competitor uses their own card at each event. Family groups should pay particular care not to mix their cards as this will create major problems in the computing system and for the system operators. We endeavour that each regular competitor in Qld is already in the database, however it is important that competitors always produce the SI-card when they register for an event to confirm their details are correct.
  2. Before each new event where SportIdent is being used, it is important to remember to "clear" your card before starting your new event. It is important to ensure that you do this as there is only so much information that can be held, so we want to ensure that you have a clear card prior to your course commencement. To assist there will be positioned before the start a "clear" and "check" station.
  3. Where start times have not been allocated, the start procedure will be that competitors will mark their map in their own time and then insert their SI-card into the Start control unit before proceeding on the course. Their start time will commence at this point.
  4. As no control card is being used for these events, competitors may need to invent imaginative ways in which to carry their control descriptions. Suggestions that are currently in use by some orienteers are: plastic sleeves strapped to the wrist, a list wrapped in plastic contact attached to their o'suit, alternatively tape the descriptions on the back of the map. There are control description holders that are available from our OQ Coaching Director for a nominal fee. These are available for purchase at most major events.
  5. Because competitors do not carry control cards, some people using SportIdent have experienced difficulty in remembering which controls they have visited and where they are up to since there are not punch marks in a card to remind them. It is also very important to remeber to insert your SI-card at the Finish control or you will be classified as DNF'd - Did Not Finsh. The Finish control will be placed under the finish banner and there will be multiple stations to avoid any waiting. The SI-card carries the course information until you download it in the Master SI-unit at the administration tent. From here you will recieve a print out of your course information including your total elapsed time and the split times between each control leg. If the competitor has inadvertently gone to a wrong control for their course, this will be recorded as "mp" Missed Punched and you will see this result on your print out.
  6. Should a competitor visit a control out of order, this information will be recorded on the card. If the competitor realised there error and then goies to the right control in the right order (one control visited twice) then the "mp" will not be recorded. Similarly, if a competitor visits a worng control, punches it but then later realises their error and finds the correct control the "mp" will not be recorded.

Suppliers

There is a vast array of equipment orienteers can use and there are various ares where you can get this. We have put together suggested vendors to make it easier for you.

Here is a list of preferred suppliers:

Equipment and Clothing

Silva compasses are particularly recommended – these and other Silva equipment are available from:

Scientific Instrument and Optical Supplies

Unit 1, 62 Bishop St, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059
Ph: 07 3356 0233
Email: sales@sios.net.au
Website: www.sios.net.au

Orienteering Services of Australia, Victoria

Orienteering Service of Australia, Victoria, is an Australian distributor for SILVA, and carries a wide stock of compasses, MIRY MTBO Products, control flags and punches, books, headlamps and maps, etc.

Ph: 03 9017 4835
Fax: 03 9388 1916
Email: info@osoa.com.au
Web: www.osoa.com.au

Wildfire Sport

Specialist provider of Garmin watches, compasses, clothing, map boards and other sports equipment.

Contact Brenton Gray (available at all major Queensland Orienteering events)
Ph: 07 3339 1433 or 0422 248 549
Email: brenton@wildfireteam.com.au
Web: www.wildfiresports.com.au

Southern Orienteering Supplies

Southern Orienteering Supplies, South Australia, sell O shoes, compasses, gaiters, clothing, and other equipment by mail order:

Robyn & Stephen Dose
19 Cronulla Drive Redwood Park SA 5097
Ph: 08 8289 5195
Fax: 08 8289 5095
Email: sos@picknowl.com.au

Aussie O gear

Aussie o gear is the Australian Distributor of Sportident Timing Equipment , Importer of Vavry Orienteering Clothing & Trimtex Orienteering Clothing.

Colin Price
Email: colin@aussieogear.com
Ph: 02 43845003
Mobile:0415210339
Website: www.aussieogear.com

Hart Sport and Leisure

Hart Sport and Leisure, sell orienteering control flags, compasses, books, and games:

Building East 2/605 Zillmere Rd Aspley QLD 4034
Ph: 1300 764 719
Website: www.hartsport.com.au

You may be able to purchase material/order O suits to be made through your local club.
Please contact your local club.

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