Timer Accuracy
Our timers display finish times to within 0.001 of a second. There are many elements that go into determining a timer's accuracy. Two important factors are sensor placement and sensor size. The sensors rest under the lanes, and as the car passes over the sensor, it breaks the beam from the source above. This causes the timer to display the car's result.
The smaller the sensor, the greater the accuracy. At less than 1/8" in diameter, our sensors are very precise. Our timers always designate a tie in a race if two cars are closer than 0.0002 of a second. We feel this is the highest degree of accuracy that can be reasonably achieved outside of a controlled environment. Scanning the sensors faster than this tends to give false results in the real world of pinewood derby racing. Also, you should create a tie, if the cars are too close to safely determine a clear winner. It is better to have a tie than report the wrong car winning.