Hu Tag / Sport Tags tabs breaking
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Tim Irvine
Feb 2, 2021, 4:59:57 PM2/2/21
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Has anyone experienced breaking tabs on your hu tags or similar triathlon chips? Let me know. I have been working on a solution for this for some time and have come up with a way to save the chips.
Hronometar
Feb 3, 2021, 2:43:10 AM2/3/21
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I have some amount of the first HuTags made in October 2013 and they are still working perfect. Till now, none broken. But there are users that have experienced that problem. It looks like salt water and extremely tropical hot conditions break the tabs. I guess Edward from HuTags can say more words about it.
HuTag
Feb 3, 2021, 2:56:27 AM2/3/21
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Hi All,
The HuTag case/outer layer coating is TPE. This plastic was selected as it's very comfortable against the skin and easy to work with thus balancing out cost. For long life:
1. When not in use store in the dark preferably in a sealed box
2. Clean with cool soapy water and dry directly with a cloth
3. Don't dry in the sun
As reported here HuTags will last a long time if cared for but they're not indestructible. Individually they are relatively cheap. Please feel free to contact me for replacement offers.
Ted Finch
Feb 3, 2021, 4:50:12 AM2/3/21
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In over 5 years use over >100 events I had never had a genuine HuTag break.
Can you clarify if you are describing something other than Hutags as there are many ankle tags sold that are not HuTags
Ted Finch
Keep it Simple Timing
Tim Irvine
Feb 3, 2021, 10:29:27 AM2/3/21
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Actually, I have not personally had this issue with them and I do use their tags too, but a friend of mine on Timer's Talk had close to 200 Hu Tags experience this issue in a short period of time almost 2 years ago. I jumped in on the conversation and asked him to send them to me so I could look for a solution. I am not aware of other tags having this issue, but you almost have to think they would since Hu Tag is more or less the best option out there and most widely used, so you wouldn't hear a lot of the other tag issues. I did come up with a fix for this in case it happens to anyone. Doesn't add significant weight, still water proof and doesn't hinder the read ability of the chip. If anyone has need, you can send me the chip(s) and I can put the wrap on them. Message me for more details in interested. By the way, the timer that sent me the chips is based in Florida so I do think this is an issue with conditions and possibly salt water. But at least now there is an option other than simply replacing the chips.
Tim Irvine
Aug 7, 2021, 4:03:03 PM8/7/21
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This project was put behind me some time ago. I considered it a success, but had never tested the tags coming out of the water. Someone asked me if the extra layer would affect the tags from reading and I couldn't say 100% either way since I had not gotten around to testing that. So today I did 3 tests back to back. I used a 5 gallon bucket, two tags on my left leg, one pointed in, the other out. 2 MTI side panels and an FX9500. Here is the video from the test I did. Seem to work as normal. If anyone needs more information on what I did to fix these I am happy to share it. I do not personally use HU Tags a lot, but they are awesome tags and super dependable. These tabs however, do sometimes break off for whatever reason so here is an inexpensive way to hold onto them a little longer before replacing them. Enjoy, Tim
Zoli
Sep 6, 2023, 4:13:34 AM9/6/23
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Hi,
I have 1000pcs HuTags from 2016. I didn't had any problem with them till this year.
In this year start to broken, not important how many times used earlier.
Once I got back 40+ broken pcs from 130 pcs after the event.
Last weekend 22 of 510pcs.
Already have 150-200pcs without tabs, all from this year.
In this year start to broken, not important how many times used earlier.
Once I got back 40+ broken pcs from 130 pcs after the event.
Last weekend 22 of 510pcs.
Already have 150-200pcs without tabs, all from this year.
Seems the lifetime of the HuTags is
6 years
for me.
Very disappointing :(
I planned with them for a whole life :) Very disappointing :(
HuTag
Sep 6, 2023, 6:07:22 AM9/6/23
to Agee Race Timing Users Group
Hi all,
Sorry to hear your HuTag XC-2 or HuTag XC-1 tags have come to the end of their life. The good news is that we reworked the material coating HuTags in the latest XC-3 version to extended their lifespan in harsh environments. The advice remains though, particularly with regard to these older versions, XC-1 and XC-2, as per my response to this back in 2021:
The HuTag [XC-2 + XC-1] case/outer layer coating is TPE. This plastic was selected as it's very comfortable against the skin and easy to work with thus balancing out cost. For long life:
1. When not in use store in the dark preferably in a sealed box
2. Clean with cool soapy water and dry directly with a cloth
3. Don't dry in the sun
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