RUFUS Cloud Timing App

Opening the app for the first time

The main screen appears immediately after launch. No registration is required within the app itself, but the user must have a RUFUS Cloud account to sync data. The interface is clean and functional, with a prominent "Start New Session" button. Below it, options for settings and help are available. The design is straightforward, focusing on ease of use during races. Tapping "Start New Session" begins the timing process, allowing the user to record participant passings manually or via an RFID sled.

The app is free and does not require an internet connection to time events. However, an internet connection is needed to create a new session or to sync passings to the cloud. This flexibility is crucial for race organizers who may be in remote locations. The app supports GPS location tagging for each passing, which can be enabled in the settings. This feature adds GPS coordinates to every passing sent to the cloud, providing valuable data for post-race analysis.

The RFID sled integration and how it works

The app is compatible with Zebra RFD2000 and RFD8500 RFID sleds. These devices connect via Bluetooth and enable semi-automated timing. When a participant crosses a timing point, the RFID sled reads their chip and sends the passing data to the app. The app then records the passing with a timestamp and, if enabled, GPS coordinates. This process significantly reduces manual errors and speeds up race timing.

The RFID sled connection is established through the app's settings. Users must pair the sled with their device via Bluetooth. Once paired, the sled appears as an available device in the app. The app supports both Android and iOS devices for the RFID sled connection, making it versatile for different user preferences. The Zebra RFD8500 is particularly versatile, offering compatibility with a wide range of mobile devices.

The original analysis: offline timing and cloud synchronization

The app's ability to time events offline is a key advantage. Race organizers can use the app in remote areas without internet access, recording passings locally. Once an internet connection is restored, the app syncs the data to the RUFUS Cloud. This ensures that no data is lost and that race results are available for analysis and sharing. The cloud synchronization also allows multiple devices to be used for the same race, with data consolidated in the cloud.

However, the reliance on Bluetooth for RFID sled connectivity and internet for cloud syncing introduces potential points of failure. Users have reported issues with RFID sled connections and passings not being sent to the cloud. These issues can disrupt race timing and cause frustration. The app's help documentation provides troubleshooting steps for these common issues, but they remain a concern for users who rely on the app for critical timing operations.

Permissions and data handling

The app requests several permissions, including Bluetooth, internet, and coarse location. The Bluetooth permissions are necessary for connecting to RFID sleds. The internet permission is required for cloud synchronization. The location permission is used for GPS tagging of passings. The app does not share data with third parties, according to the Play Store's data safety section. Data is encrypted in transit. The app's content rating is Everyone, making it suitable for all users. The app requires Android 7.1 or higher and is optimized for Android 14. The latest version, 1.4, includes a corrected visualisation for tablets. The app has been available since at least 2019, with version 1.0 released in March 2025.