Smart Target Practice DIY

Ever wanted to have your own responsive fencing targets? Here's a quick guide to Calibur Target Practice to test the accuracy of your attacks with minimal to no additional costs.

Requirements:

  • 2 functioning Calibur pocket boxes
  • Free Calibur application (App Store, Google Play, Amazon Store)
  • A piece of conductive material (for example lamé)
  • Body cords or banana cables with an alligator clip
  • Two-sided glue tape
  • A pair of scissors

Step-by-step guide

  1. Once you have a piece of conducting material (recommendation at the end of the post) you can get creative right at this stage. What you can see below is a medium-sized target, which is ideal for beginners and for high-intensity lessons.
  2. Once you have your target surface, take a piece of tape and attach it to wherever you like it.
  1. Connect your pocket boxes to your smart device (via Calibur app). Then, if you are an épée fencer, switch the mode on the top of the screen to "Target practice (experimental)". If you're a foilist, you only have to choose the weapon type in the middle of the screen and leave it in "1v1 bouting" mode.
  2. Connect one pocket box to your weapon via the corresponding body cord.
  3. Connect the second pocket box to the target surface by a banana cable with an alligator clip (the banana plug goes into the "C" socket of the box) or Use an épée body cord and install an alligator clip to the "C" branch of the cable to connect it to the target surface. (Épée)
  4. Connect the second pocket box to the target surface by a banana cable with an alligator clip (the banana plug goes into the "A" socket of the box) or Use an foil/sabre body cord and clip it to the target surface. (Foil)

+1 Pro hint

To get a real feeling of challenge, use your target surfaces during lessons and fencing too!
Lead the cable through your fencing jacket to make valid fencing targets at the wrist or shoulder - take a look at our suggestions below.

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Loading the test firmware

If you have an older piece of hardware (that's still DVT 1.4.1.):
connect device -> "Firmware update" -> "Load test firmware" - this way, you will have the firmware with which the new sabre mode is available. Each time, you connect your pocket boxes with this firmware, a message box will inform you that it does not match the latest publicly available version. You can ignore this and go on with the test version.

This tutorial will be updated soon...

New Sabre Mode

The time has come: Calibur Sabre is here! Here's a quick tutorial for you to get familiar the world's first completely mobile scoring system for sabre.

Requirements:

After downloading Calibur (App Store, Amazon Store, Google Play), take the following steps to set up your wireless sabre scoring set:

  1. Plug the magnetic cable head in the USB connector of the pocket box.
  2. Attach the adapter to the pocket box.
  1. Connect the banana plug-snap connector cable into the 4th (next to C) banana socket of the adapter.
  2. Pull the conductive armband onto your arm, under the fencing jacket (whichever arm you prefer) so it's tight on your skin.
  3. Attach the banana plug-snap connector to the conductive armband.
  • After successfully connecting your pocket boxes to your smart device and having your armband connected to your pocket box via the adapter, continue just as it were your regular scoring machine - connect your bodycord to the box, take on your fencing jacket and lamé and fix the alligator clip of the bodycord to the lamé.
  • Once both you and your opponent are ready, test your equipment. Remember that both of your pocket boxes have to be connected in order to register hits on the scoreboard.
  • En garde ! Prêts ? Allez !
This is how your devices should be plugged in

In case you followed the instructions step by step but the device doesn't work properly, check if the banana-snap cable is still attached to your armband. If it is, please contact our customer support at calibur@caliburfencing.com.

Connect a bigger display via cable

Having a larger display for the Calibur scoreboard is possible through cables and wirelessly. Depending on what device you own, the opportunities are various. Here’s a quick summary about the possible ways to extend your scoreboard to a second screen by cables!

Connecting Apple devices

Mac

First things first, you have to identify the ports on your device. This guide can help you to do so.

  1. HDMI - if you have such a port, you'll only have to see if your desired screen has a matching input. If not, it is most likely that it has a VGA input, so what you will need to do so is an HDMI-VGA adapter.
  2. Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port: Connect to HDMI with an adapter such as the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
  3. Thunderbolt 2, Thunderbolt, or Mini DisplayPort: Connect to HDMI with a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or cable such as the Lightning Digital AV Adapter or Belkin 4K Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter.

iPad

  1. Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port: Connect to HDMI with an adapter such as the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
  2. Thunderbolt 2, Thunderbolt: Connect to HDMI with a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or cable such as the Lightning Digital AV Adapter or Belkin 4K Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter.

iPhone

  1. Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3: Connect to HDMI with an adapter such as the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.
  2. Thunderbolt 2, Thunderbolt: Connect to HDMI with a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter or cable such as the Lightning Digital AV Adapter or Belkin 4K Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter.

Connecting Android devices

If you are using devices powered by Android, you are likely to have either a micro-USB or a USB-C type of output. It's very important to check whether your device supports MHL, which is a technology needed to connect to an external TV or monitor via HDMI.

If it does so, all you need is the correct adapter (micro-USB to HDMI, USB-C to HDMI) - after plugging them in, you should be ready to go.

USB-C to HDMI (input) adapter

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Firmware update

What is the firmware and why is it important? Here’s your quick guide to update your firmware for getting the most out of your wireless fencing experience!

The firmware is a software that runs on your Calibur pocket boxes. It is important to keep the Calibur application, as well as the firmware updated, because we are constantly working on making Calibur easier to use while adding more features and with each update, you will get more out of your device!

To have a more in-detail guide, take a look at our user manual, or contact our customer support at roland@caliburfencing.com. 

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Hints & tricks - guide to avoid errors

The aim of the Calibur system is to make fencing available for anyone, anytime, anywhere. In order to make this feature, we had to design a complex way of registering hits and transferring information.

Because of this, there are some, not so obvious ways in which Calibur differs from other scoring methods. Here, you can find a list of some elements that cause no problem while fencing, but sometimes are unusual to our users.

Most of the issues listed here can be avoided by testing your equipment in testing your equipment in full fencing uniform, in a realistic setting.

Bellguard for foil

With some equipment, bellguard distinction on foil has minor issues. We recommend that if you experience such things, turn on the switch for "register on-target hits for bellguard".

This also resolves the problem if you see that at some point, if you are sweaty enough (which means that your gloves are dripping wet), valid hits on you do not register as they should. This can also be resolved with a dry glove too though.

Bellguard for épée

One small bug that might occur is that if you test your épée's bellguard barehanded, while keeping the other weapon's point on it, it registers as valid. This is really easy to avoid, since in a realistic situation, since either putting on gloves or using a quick thrust never results in this error.

Testing without gloves extremely slowly can light the screen
Always test in realistic situations

Speed of registering hits

If you find that registering hits is somewhat slower than it is with the traditional scoring machines, you can augment the speed by:

Overwhelmed hardware can cause delay in regsitering

Things to pay attention to when testing foil

In some situations, you may experience peculiarities, but only in circumstances that are extremely rare during fencing, and in case they would occur, it’s probable that no points would be given anyway by a referee.

To avoid misleading test results,

Slower than realistic hits can cause error
Test equipment with a quick thrust to avoid error

+1 Hint for athletes: to eventually get better at competitions, you can do more besides training. Get an insight into your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly performance by using sports analytics tools - the most simple one is keeping a log about your bouts (on training and competitions too). Find out how Calibur's bout tracking system works and do everything you can do for that medal!

To have a more in-detail guide, take a look at our user manual, or contact our customer support at roland@caliburfencing.com.

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Bout tracking

Save your results and analyse your efforts

Keeping track of your results during trainings and competitions is essential to discover patterns in your performance and be aware of the things you have to pay attention to in order to become better at fencing and competing. Calibur offers a detailed log of your bouts to help analyze your performance against other Calibur users, so you can make the best decisions when planning your training. Here’s how!

1. Menu
2. My Profile
3. Upload

+1 Fun fact: Did you know that Calibur system comes with a free remote control for the scoreboard? Check our tutorial on Calibur Remote Control Mode!

To have a more in-detail guide, take a look at our user manual or contact our customer support at roland@caliburfencing.com. 

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Reaction time game

Want to know who's the fastest in the fencing hall? Stop guessing, start playing - our Reaction Time Mode is already out to help you show your skills! Here's a quick guide on how to access it within the app.

How to try the Reaction time game in the Calibur app
Open mode selector
Switch to reaction time game

Useful hint:

For better performance make sure to close every other applications on your phone and update the app to the latest version. Remember that hits must be sent and processed via a wireless connection. The system performs the best on the latest devices, however any device can perform better by making sure to dedicate as much resources as possible.

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Remote & referee app

How to use the Remote & referee app

Did you know it was possible to use remote controls for the Calibur scoreboard to start and stop the timer, add or deduct points, penalties, bouts and priorities? Here’s your quick tutorial on using the Calibur Remote Control Mode!

Toggle the remote slider in the mode selectord
Setting the scores, adding cards etc

Useful Hint:

Network speed and your hardware can influence the speed of registering commands; if you wish to improve it, try to close every other application and use a stable network without many users (offline hotspot is also an option).

To have a more in-detail guide, take a look at our user manual, or contact our customer support at roland@caliburfencing.com. 

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Use Calibur on  PC/Mac

Until we release the designated desktop version of our system here's a quick guide on how to to run the Calibur mobile app on computers. This tutorial will guide you through on setting up the Android system and Calibur app on your computer. Don't worry if you're not tech-savvy; just follow the instructions, and you'll have the Calibur system running on your PC.

We've tested this process on various PCs with successful results, but cannot guarantee perfect operation for every computer model due to the third-party nature of Android-x86. Please check our list of tested and verified computers. 

You can download the manual in a handy PDF or follow the steps below:

Mac/OSX

Requirements:

On a MacBook:

Windows or Linux PC

On a Windows or Linux PC you can use the Android-x86 emulator to emulate a fully functional Android system.

Requirements:

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the bootable USB using the Rufus software. This will load the Android-x86 emulator, which allows Android to communicate with your PC's hardware.
    • Download the Android-x86 emulator from their website and select the .ISO file compatible with your processor type (x64 or x86). If you are not sure about the type you have check this guide.
    • Download Rufus, a software to prepare bootable USBs, from their website.
    • Use Rufus to prepare the bootable USB with the downloaded .ISO file. Follow the prompts and select the recommended options.
    • Set the following options in Rufus:
      • Device: your USB stick
      • Partition scheme: MBR
      • Target system:
        BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)
      • Volume label: any name
      • Cluster size: 8192 bytes (Default)
  2. Plug the bootable USB into your PC and set your PC to boot from this USB. This process may vary depending on your computer's make, so do a quick search for specific instructions.
  3. Set up Android by following the steps similar to setting up an Android phone or tablet.
  4. Once Android is set up, connect to WiFi and turn on Bluetooth.
  5. Open Google Play, search for Calibur, install it, and connect the pocket boxes.
  6. Be careful not to disturb the pendrive to avoid freezing Android. You're now ready to start using Calibur!

Set up Calibur

As soon as the Android system is running you can do everything you could on a tablet.

Enjoy using Calibur on your PC! 

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