Aliexpress Roll-up Mat

[Telemax]

Has anyone tried these out? 

The roll up feature looks convenient!

[Telemax]

I'm not sure that that sounds very a reassuring so far. 

My race is a triathlon, with those blue chips on the ankles that also come from China. 

They walk across the finish Line with their bikes and wet after the swim. 

My FX7500 only has four antenna ports, so all four would be used up by the mat, correct? 

When you said your buddy had all of the reeds gathered by the panel, do you mean by the side antenna?

[Telemax]

Thank you for the prompt response. I really appreciate it. 

What's the price about what I posted? ~ $650 shipped

It looks quite a bit more manageable than the feibot.

[Telemax]

Two pieces of blue rubber hand sewed together over an orange sponge doesn't imbue confidence in you?

You know what it looks like to me? 

Money in the bank without setting up silly sideways antennas.

[Telemax]

Not particularly. Are you? 

What would you recommend for a mat antenna? 

[Telemax]

I mean, that's pretty typical. Brian's system is very well designed, and RFID antennas are quite sensitive. 

But there are very few professional races out there that have side antennas. You have to admit it looks a little bit wonky. 

Or maybe you don't. You still haven't answered what mat you use

[Telemax]

$1000 for feibot here: 

 https://www.alibaba.com/x/B1Bjz3?ck=pdp

Advantage is you can fold it up and get a side read antenna. 

Any better prices out there?

[Telemax]

Maybe the Feibot is the better way to go. Having an antenna that can stand up on the side would be an added bonus, built into the mat

[reece.bell]

We did a group order for feibot years ago. They gave us a better rate. If there is enough interest, we could see what they could do for us this time.

[Dan Garman]

I would suggest testing standing the antenna up on the end.  Fiebot has a linear antenna and they will set it up for a vertical or horizontal tag.  Some other are circular even as a ground mat.  I would not think a vertical antenna set on its side would pickup a vertical tag very well.  I think RR suggests not using extras at all but I'm sure it would take a minute to find the reference.  Having said that I don't have one but I do have one on order so I will test it when it arrives.  I do have some Impinj Thresholds with the same linear set up and they don't like to read a horizontal tag.

Just some thoughts.

Dan

On Friday, December 5, 2025 at 7:09:30 PM UTC-5 Telemax wrote:

[William Sanchez]

I do have a few of the rolling mats. They work very well. The only downside is if one of the antennas or cables goes bad.it cannot be repaired or replaced easily because of how it’s sewn together. Luckily only one antenna at the very end is affected. 

The mats performed very well for a thanksgiving race with 2200 runners. 

[Christopher Medina]

I would be interested in a group buy if enough people are interested.

[Pete Wareham]

did they work with bib tags or shoe tags?  What kind of tag did you use and if it was bib where/how was it placed

[Telemax]

I went to order a Feibot antenna from AliExpress.

$980 for the antenna, and $600 for the import fees!!