Colorado time systems Dolphin User manual

User Guide
F912 Rev 201710
For Dolphin version 4.3

Colorado Time Systems
Corporate Office
1551 East 11th Street
Loveland, CO 80537 USA
Sales: 800-279-0111 or [phone]
Service: 1-800-287-0653 or [phone]
Service Fax: [phone]
Web: www.coloradotime.com
Email: [e-mail]
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice. Pictures and illustrations may not
accurately depict your version. Please check our website for the most current information; our user
manuals are available online in the customer service section of our website.
FCC Compliance Statement:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interface, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Part Number F912, Rev. 201809
2018. Colorado Time Systems. All right reserved.

Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1
How to Use this Manual ....................................................................................................... 1
Theory of Operation.............................................................................................................. 1
Overview for setting up and using the Dolphin System:...................................................... 2
Initial Set Up............................................................................................................................. 3
Software Installation (Do NOT connect Dolphin hardware until software has been
installed)................................................................................................................................ 3
Software Set Up .................................................................................................................... 3
Dolphin Standalone Operation (Sports Timer not used) .................................................. 3
Dolphin with Sports Timer (System 6 or System 5)......................................................... 3
Hardware Set Up................................................................................................................... 4
Setting up the Base ........................................................................................................... 4
Setting up the Starter......................................................................................................... 4
Setting up the Stopwatches............................................................................................... 6
Regular Operation..................................................................................................................... 6
Computer Operator Instructions ........................................................................................... 6
Forced Reset ..................................................................................................................... 7
Confirm Set Up................................................................................................................. 7
Dolphin as Primary Timing System (Standalone Operation -- Sports Timer not used) .. 8
Dolphin as Backup; Sports Timer as Primary Timing System (System 6 or 5) .............. 9
How to Select a Data Set for your Meet ......................................................................... 11
Starting Official Instructions .................................................................................................. 12
Electronic Start System....................................................................................................... 12
Synchronized Start/Manual Stop ........................................................................................ 12
Lane Timer Instructions.......................................................................................................... 13
Synchronized Start (from Electronic Start System or Dolphin Starter).............................. 13
Blanking your lane.......................................................................................................... 14
Wireless Manual Start/Stop ................................................................................................ 14
Watch Operation ............................................................................................................. 14
Blanking your lane.......................................................................................................... 14
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................... 15
How to turn the Dolphin Starter and Watches on/off & how to change settings: ......... 15
Solution............................................................................................................................... 16
Dolphin Device Updates......................................................................................................... 18

1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Dolphin system! This system of wireless stopwatches makes
running a swim meet much easier and faster. It has been designed to interface seamlessly
with various meet management software programs; contact your software vendor about
compatibility of their program and Dolphin. Please note that knowledge of your meet
management software is required to use Dolphin effectively.
How to Use this Manual
If you like to start with an overview of the process, and refer to the manual only when you
need it, see the Theory of Operation and the Overview below.
If you like step-by-step instructions, turn to Initial Set Up, beginning on page 3, and start
there. After the step-by-step Software and Hardware instructions, there are separate
instructions for what needs to be done during the meet by the Lane Timers, the Starting
Official, and the Computer Operator.
Theory of Operation
The Dolphin system includes
-Dolphin Software to be loaded on the meet management computer (Windows XP or
higher required). The software accepts the information from the Base unit and writes
files that can be accessed by meet management software.
-A Wireless Stopwatch for each Lane Timer. Watches can be started
automatically via the Starter, or started individually for Manual Start/Stop
backup times.
-A Wireless Starter
oCan be used to start all of the Stopwatches with a
synchronized start
oCan be connected to an electronic start system
(CTS Infinity or Championship Start System, for
example). In this case, the start impulse from the electronic start system will
start the watches automatically.
-A Base unit, which is connected to the meet management
computer with a standard USB cable (included with the Dolphin
system). The Base unit receives information from the starter and
the lane watches

2
Overview for setting up and using the Dolphin System:
1. Confirm that your meet management software supports Dolphin, and is installed on
the computer you will be using. If it is not, follow the software provider’s instructions
for installing it.
2. Install the Dolphin software from www.coloradotime.com/dolphindownload. Refer to
Software Installation on page 3.
3. Configure your meet management software to use the Dolphin System. Refer to
Software Set Up beginning on page 3 for details.
4. Set up the Dolphin hardware the way you will be using it. Refer to
beginning on page 4.
5. At least a day before the first meet, practice with the Dolphin system so you are
familiar with what to do. Refer to the Computer Operator Instructions (page 6),
Starting Official Instructions (page 12) and Lane Timer Instructions (page 13). You
may also find the Troubleshooting section useful (page 15).
6. Note that there are separate instruction sheets for the Starting Official and Lane
Timers, and a sheet of Dolphin Basics. These instructions describe only what each of
those individuals need to do with their part of the Dolphin system. Many facilities
find it useful to print extra copies of these pages to use in training those individuals.
This manual was loaded on your computer (CTSDolphin\DOCS folder) when you
installed the software. The most recent version is available on our website
(www.coloradotime.com), in the customer service section.

3
Initial Set Up
Software Installation (Do NOT connect Dolphin hardware until software has been installed)
1. Ensure that your meet management software is installed on the computer you will be
using for Dolphin. If not, install it first.
NOTE: If you have questions regarding using your meet management software,
please see the help files within the software, or contact your software vendor.
2. Download and install the latest updates for your meet management software.
3. Install Dolphin from www.coloradotime.com/dolphindownload
Software Set Up
There are two ways Dolphin can be used as far as meet management software is concerned.
Choose the method your facility will be using and follow the instructions below.
Dolphin Standalone Operation (Sports Timer not used)
In this mode, the Dolphin wireless watches are the primary times for results, and a sports
timer is not used.
1. Connect base unit to computer with USB cable, and open your meet management
software.
2. If required by your meet management software, configure it for Colorado Time
Systems Dolphin as the primary timing system.
Dolphin with Sports Timer (System 6 or System 5)
If you are using a sports timer (CTS System 6 or System 5, for example) in addition to
Dolphin, you may need a backup mode in your meet management software. For example,
Hy-Tek’s Meet Manager requires the Dolphin Backup Mode Option, which is sold separately
by Hy-Tek. Contact Hy-Tek for details (Shop online at www.hy-tekltd.com or call
866.456.5111). Other software packages may have their own specific requirements.
In this mode, the Dolphin wireless stopwatches are the backup watches, while the touchpads
and buttons are the primary timing system.
1. Connect base unit to computer with USB cable, and open your meet management
software.
2. If required by your meet management software, configure it for CTS Dolphin as the
backup mode
3. Configure your software for the primary timing system.

4
Hardware Set Up
Setting up the Base
1. Connect base unit to computer with a standard USB cable
(included with the Dolphin system).
2. Open the Dolphin interface, and set the channel on the base:
-Click the Channel box in the lower left corner of the screen
-Select the desired channel
Setting up the Starter
There are three ways to use Dolphin to start timing a race. Choose the method your facility
will be using and follow the instructions below. The Starter has a small cylindrical BNC
connector on top (see picture below).
Method 1: Wireless Manual Start/Stop
Wireless Manual Start/Stop means that the Dolphin wireless stopwatches are used strictly
like standard stopwatches: each Lane Timer uses the Dolphin watch to start, stop and reset
individually. The data is transmitted wirelessly to the base, and stored on the laptop for
access by your meet management software. This method meets all ruling bodies’ (FINA,
NCAA, USS, NFHS, YMCA) requirements for backup timing.
To set up for this method, put the Dolphin Starter back in the case. It is not used for wireless
manual start/stop. Go on to Setting up the Stopwatches beginning on page 6.

5
Method 2: Synchronized Start/Manual Stop
Synchronized Start/Manual Stop means that the Starting Official
starts all watches simultaneously with the Dolphin Starter, and the
Lane Timers stop them individually.
1. To set up for this method, turn the Dolphin Starter on (press
and hold the Reset button).
2. Enter the menu (press and hold both buttons).
3. Once in the menu, press Reset to advance to the CHAN
setting.
4. Press Start/Stop to change the channel to the same number
as the Dolphin base.
5. Press Reset to exit the menu.
Method 3: Electronic Start System
When using Dolphin with an electronic start system, such as the CTS
Infinity or Championship Start System, the Dolphin Starter is
connected to the electronic start system with a cable. When the
Starting Official starts the race with the electronic start system, the
watches are started simultaneously. The Lane Timers stop them
individually.
1. To set up for this method, turn the Starter on (press and hold
the Reset button).
2. Enter the menu (press and hold both buttons).
3. Once in the menu, the first setting is TRIG. Press Start/Stop to
select the correct trigger style for your start system:
-TRIG = CTS for use with CTS electronic start system
-TRIG = NC for use with a normally-closed electronic start
system
4. Press Reset to advance to the CHAN setting.
5. Press Start/Stop to change the channel to the same number as
the Dolphin base.
6. Press Reset to exit the menu
7. Follow the instructions for your electronic start system:
oCTS Infinity Start System
oConnect your Dolphin Starter to the Infinity Start
System’s Start Output jack with the Dolphin
Starter to Infinity Kit (K-DSS-1). DO NOT plug
the Dolphin Starter cable into any other jacks.
oThe start impulse from the Infinity will start the
lane watches automatically.
oCTS Championship Start System
oConnect your Dolphin Starter to the Champ Start’s Timer
Start jack with the Dolphin Starter to Champ Start Kit (K-
DSS-2). DO NOT plug the Dolphin Starter cable into any
other jacks.
oThe start impulse from the Champ Start will start the lane
watches automatically.

6
Setting up the Stopwatches
Follow these steps for each watch to be used at a meet:
1. Turn the watch on (press and hold the Reset button).
2. Enter the menu (press and hold the Reset button and either of the side
buttons).
3. Once in the menu, the first setting is LANE. Press a side button to
change the lane for this watch, and then press Reset to advance to the next
menu option.
4. Press a side button to select the TIMER for this lane (A, B or C), and
then press Reset to advance to the next option.
5. Press a side button to select the channel number. This MUST match
the channel on the starter and the base.
6. Press Reset to exit the menu.
Watches will show up on the Dolphin screen when set.
Regular Operation
This section describes the regular operation of the Dolphin system at a meet.
There are separate instructions for the Computer Operator, the Starting Official, and the Lane
Timers, describing only what that individual needs to do. This way, each can refer to his or
her specific section to know what to do. Many facilities find it useful to print extra copies of
Starting Official and Lane Timer pages to use in training those individuals. This manual is
available on the customer service section of our website (www.coloradotime.com).
Computer Operator Instructions
There are two ways Dolphin can be used as far as meet management software is concerned:
standalone, or with a sports timer. Follow the instructions for the method your facility is
using.
Dolphin Screen -- DO NOT CLOSE THIS WINDOW while using Dolphin. It’s OK to minimize it.