Buying a dibber
Dibber, SI Card, SIAC - what does it all mean, and what to buy.
A dibber or SI Card is the timing device which records your progress around an orienteering course. At each checkpoint, the dibber is inserted into the control unit until you hear a beep confirming it has registered your visit. The lowest cost option is an SI Card 8, (at the time of writing), and costs about £35 from the SI website. The benefit of the SI Card or basic dibber is that you should never need to change it - it is a passive device so no batteries or electronics to go wrong. On the downside, it only has a 33 punch capacity, so will not be suitable if you do a course with more than 30 checkpoints. The SI Card 9 has a 53 punch capacity and costs about £45.
The dibber is usually worn on the finger to facilitate punching the control. In cold weather, if you have numb hands or are wearing gloves, it is possible for it to slip off. To avoid this you can purchase an additional safety strap for a few pounds.
However if you want the latest in technology, most people are opting for a SIAC version, which supports Contactless use. The main difference is that you only need to pass the SIAC within 50cm of the control unit for your visit to be registered. The SIAC dibber flashes and beeps so it easy to confirm, and means you can move through the checkpoint at speed without having to stop and physically punch the control. The benefits of this are most evident on a sprint or urban orienteering event, but is great in the woods too. Almost all clubs support contactless at all their events regardless of discipline. (And even if they don't, you can use the SIAC in basic 'punching' mode too). SIACs are about £70 and require a replacement battery every 3 years or so. The process is pretty quick and easy, and most would argue a small cost to pay to access the latest technology and ease of use!
The SIAC is normally worn on the wrist; this keeps your hands free and ensures the dibber doesn't fall off.