Fan Vision and FOM fail to agree

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105060

This is a nice service to have at many tracks. Not avail next year.

 

Another short-sighted attempt by FOM to squeeze more money from a vendor/partner, and the result is the fans get shortchanged.

I've used Kangaroo/FanVision at a few F1 races, and it's indispensable - the timing screens, video feed, audio broadcast feeds, really enhance the experience of a F1 weekend. Not getting a deal with FanVision is typical Bernie, doesn't give a damn about the actual trackside fans.

 

Won't be too surprised if alternate vendor or in house service is announced.

 

+1

Except you're far too polite - I'd say the fans get ****ed (again)!

A buddy went to his first F1 race in Austin - He rented one (on my advice) ahead of time and absolutely loved it.

I know I'm something of a Bernie "apologist" on occasion, but I just don't understand his thinking on this one - It's gotta be a piss in the ocean in the scheme of things and it's just not right.

I guess that as usual he's got something up his sleeve that will offer similar service but make him more $ - Something from Tata maybe?

BTW, does anyone know how it works? I guess they set up circuit wide wi-fi? Not cheap.

A real shame.

Cheers,
Ian

 

F1 is moving the opposite direction it needs to be with regard to the fans.

Shameful.

 

The fans at the track aren't FOM customers.

 

It was quite odd at Austin, we were told to promote the Fanvision, and also that was the only broadcast coverage of the event.

It turns out, it was on both XM and FM, and I felt quite badly I had given some fans the "wrong" info, as they were set up for broadcast media (FM is what other series use???)

Fanvision was chaos, they "Sold out"...then got more units, then on race day were hawking them at a discount!!!

I'll get used to F1.....

 

I hope you are right Dave! I do certainly agree with Gordon above. FOM playing tough for more money.

 

Whatever the amount is its small potatoes to FOM. It says something about the state of the sport when they're willing to alienate the attending fans over pennies. Or, more likely, for control over each and every detail.

 

Maybe someone more proficient in handing out money to the right people... anyone remember the old refuelling rigs?

 

They were a great little unit. I hired out one of the earlier model Kangaroo TV in 2010. The only issue was the lag which was noticeable when comparing them to the big screens (tho not really a big deal) but nfi if the newer models fixed the lag.

I'd be surprised if they did and even if there was an in house service they will charge stupid amounts of money and no one will use it. Just look at that crappy $30 timing mobile app they had last year.
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I wasn't suggesting that they'd be offering something better, but that they'd do it just for the income.

 

Beg to differ on the app being crap. It works very, very well IMO.

Sure, I too am pissed it seems I've got to buy it again this season but it certainly earnt it's keep for me this past year.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I was too cheap to pay up last year but had the previous free app. How do they compare?

 

I haven't used the free app so don't really know. I would say that while it works on the iPhone it's a lot better on the iPad - The (adjustable) 3D view of the track showing who's where in realtime is almost unreadable on the phone but great on the iPad. Split the screen in half and the second part is timing complete with comments from Charlie etc.

As I've said before, it really enhanced my viewing pleasure for less than the price of a coffee at each race. Hopefully they'll offer a reduced price to upgrade to the new version, but I somehow doubt it.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Thanks.
The 3D is an added feature.

 

and, of course, it's even better on Android. I've had it for a couple of years now. I don't see the value in it TBH

 

Apple people seem easily amused

 

It's a religion...Apple could put a turd in a box and people would buy it.

That said, I like my Iphone.

 

Cool. Good to hear.

Fair enough.

As I said, for me, I have no regrets about buying it.

YMMV.

Cheers,
Ian