A&H

Another buzzer flag thread...

A

alexv

RefChat Addict
Level 5 Referee
I always said that, if I got to L5, I'd look at getting buzzers. I recently got it, and I'll now be in the middle of a 3 more often.

Are there any decent deals out there? I know Touchline are the best but I'm not sure I can justify £550 while I'm a 5. I've been looking for second hand ones, but can't find any at all (perhaps I'm not looking hard enough).

I've seen Refstech and Ref Stop are both around £350. Are they any good?
 
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alexv said:
I always said that, if I got to L5, I'd look at getting buzzers. I recently got it, and I'll now be in the middle of a 3 more often.

Are there any decent deals out there? I know Touchline are the best but I'm not sure I can justify £550 while I'm a 5. I've been looking for second hand ones, but can't find any at all (perhaps I'm not looking hard enough).

I've seen Refstech and Ref Stop are both around £350. Are they any good?
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I have some RefStop ones which my parents brought me as an 18th birthday present. I’ve used them quite a few times and they’re efficient and do the job very well. I would recommend them.
 
I would say they're not necessarily 5, even if reffing with NARs frequently. I'd recommend using normal flags and getting into good habits so that when/if you get to 4 and get buzzers, you won't be missing them.

That said if you can afford it then go for it.
 
I have fairly strong views on this, in that referees shouldn't be using buzzers until L3. It can make them lazy and reliant on the technology, so when it fails it leaves them badly exposed. Bit like a pilot learning to fly using autopilot, great whilst it works but if there is a failure the plane will crash.

I had so many times on the line with my flag up and just being completely ignored because the buzzers had failed. If the referees involved had learned to referee properly they would have been looking over at me regularly rather than waiting to feel or hear the buzz.
 
I do get that, but over the years, I’ve middled a lot without buzzers. A lot of 5s have them here and whenever I get the opportunity to use them, I do get jealous! I’m not overly desperate, but I do enjoy using them
 
RustyRef said:
I have fairly strong views on this, in that referees shouldn't be using buzzers until L3. It can make them lazy and reliant on the technology, so when it fails it leaves them badly exposed. Bit like a pilot learning to fly using autopilot, great whilst it works but if there is a failure the plane will crash.

I had so many times on the line with my flag up and just being completely ignored because the buzzers had failed. If the referees involved had learned to referee properly they would have been looking over at me regularly rather than waiting to feel or hear the buzz.
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I agree on the whole. I do a lot of games without the buzzers and then only use them when I have netural AR’s and I feel that they do help. I have noticed that when I have the buzzers, I still look across at my AR’s and I haven’t fallen out of those habits and I’ll make sure I don’t !
 
dylanbailey4444 said:
I have some RefStop ones which my parents brought me as an 18th birthday present. I’ve used them quite a few times and they’re efficient and do the job very well. I would recommend them.
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What's the quality like? So far, out of all the ones I've used, Touchline are clearly the highest quality. Although I'm not sure if I've ever used the RefStop ones
 
alexv said:
What's the quality like? So far, out of all the ones I've used, Touchline are clearly the highest quality. Although I'm not sure if I've ever used the RefStop ones
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I find them good. I have used them (obviously) when in the middle with the receiver unit and I’ve also used them when on the line with the actual flags and I think they’re good. Touchlines are the best in my opinion but the RefStop ones are good quality and they’re a bit cheaper. I feel they’re a good starter for someone.
 
dylanbailey4444 said:
I find them good. I have used them (obviously) when in the middle with the receiver unit and I’ve also used them when on the line with the actual flags and I think they’re good. Touchlines are the best in my opinion but the RefStop ones are good quality and they’re a bit cheaper. I feel they’re a good starter for someone.
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Thanks! Will definitely consider them
 
alexv said:
I do - and higher, although I know how hard that is to achieve
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I purchased my set of Touchlines when I was 5-4 and have since gone on to operate higher than contrib both as an assistant and referee. There was far more criticism of them back in my day so I would suggest it's a personal choice in 2024. Whilst some get could potentially get lazy, they can be a valuable tool irrespective of level. When I think what I've subsequently earned from refereeing in the 10 plus years I've had buzzers, the cost is negated. If you do it, I wouldn't suggest going for a cheap option.
 
I didn't get buzzers until I got L4 as I didn't do enough middle with NAR's until that point. If anyone asked me directly, I'd advise them not to bother getting them until L4, but if you have the cash and wish to spend it, it's entirely up to you.

I would agree with @RefGod final comment. If you're going to do it and believe you'll get to at least L4 and maybe beyond, I'd go with the touchline ones. You'll earn the money back for them over the years and more.
 
I’ve been in the middle of 3s a lot, so the vast majority of the time has been without buzzers. I've used them enough though to know how valuable they can be. Think I'll probably look for a good Touchline deal, although they are very hard to find!
 
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