Photo finish camera system
Built from 30 years of experience:we were unhappy, so we built the photo finish system we wanted to use.
Quick buyer comparison
Compare the choices that shape race day.
Scan the questions that matter before you choose a photo finish system: evidence, backup recording, control options, and real purchase scope.
| Feature | Lion Timing Pro | Lion Timing Advanced | FinishLynx / EtherLynx / Vision PRO / Vision PRO X | TimeTronics Argus | ALGE OPTIc3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line speed / scan rate | Up to 5,000 real optical lines/s, chosen for racing speeds and light balance. |
Up to 5,000 real optical lines/s, chosen for racing speeds and light balance. |
Higher advertised rates vary; ask what is optical and how the image looks in real light. |
Higher advertised rates vary; ask what is optical and how the image looks in real light. |
Higher advertised rates vary; ask what is optical and how the image looks in real light. |
| Light-adaptive line rate | In development: Auto Line Rate is designed to use line rate as part of exposure control, keeping the lens near its sharpness setting while aspect correction keeps review images readable. |
In development: Auto Line Rate is designed to use line rate as part of exposure control, keeping the lens near its sharpness setting while aspect correction keeps review images readable. |
Equivalent automatic line-rate exposure control is not clearly stated in reviewed public material. |
Equivalent automatic line-rate exposure control is not clearly stated in reviewed public material. |
Equivalent automatic line-rate exposure control is not clearly stated in reviewed public material. |
| Sensor architecture | Sensor-agnostic architecture; sensor choice is matched to race-day light, timing, RAW evidence, and workflow needs. |
Sensor-agnostic architecture; sensor choice is matched to race-day light, timing, RAW evidence, and workflow needs. |
Ask how the evidence workflow performs beyond the sensor specification. |
Ask how the evidence workflow performs beyond the sensor specification. |
Ask how the evidence workflow performs beyond the sensor specification. |
| RAW/source evidence | yes |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
| GPS/GNSS | no |
Yes, with optional GPS module. |
Verify current package. |
no |
no |
| Continuous backup recording | yes |
yes |
Ask for a live demonstration and current public documentation. |
Ask for a live demonstration and current public documentation. |
no |
| Interface/timing box | Optional; not required for camera operation. |
Optional; not required for camera operation. |
Ask whether camera operation requires an interface box. |
Ask whether camera operation requires an interface box. |
Ask whether camera operation requires an interface box. |
| Package scope / required add-ons | Clear core package plus event-ready scope discussion: camera, software, setup needs, support, and optional accessories are separated before buying. |
Clear core package plus event-ready scope discussion: camera, software, setup needs, support, and optional accessories are separated before buying. |
Ask what is included in the quoted package: lens, software license, start controls, arrival controls, interface boxes, UPS/battery, PC/network requirements, shipping, and support. |
Ask what is included in the quoted package: lens, software license, start controls, arrival controls, interface boxes, UPS/battery, PC/network requirements, shipping, and support. |
Ask what is included in the quoted package: lens, software license, start controls, arrival controls, interface boxes, UPS/battery, PC/network requirements, shipping, and support. |
| Custom Dashboards | yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
| Approval system | no |
Yes, with approval server. |
no |
no |
no |
| API/external control | no |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
| CLI / automation control | no |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
| Stream Deck / operator control | no |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
| ID camera / bib video | no |
yes |
no |
Verify current package/options. |
Available as an option; verify package. |
| Multi-desktop workflow | no |
yes |
Verify current package/options. |
Verify current package/options. |
Verify current package/options. |
| Multiple cameras | no |
yes |
Verify current package/options. |
Verify current package/options. |
Verify current package/options. |
| Scoreboard/display output | yes with box |
yes with box |
Verify current package/options. |
yes with box |
yes |
| Pricing/licensing | 7000 |
subscription |
Ask for current quote and license scope. |
Ask for current quote and license scope. |
Ask for current quote and license scope. |
Evidence becomes visible
The image has to answer.
A photo near the finish is a picture. A photo finish is a measurement.
Race-day pressure
Fast results. Zero room for doubt.
At the track, the next race does not wait for a complicated workflow. The crowd needs a result they can trust, not a private decision hidden on one monitor.
Before
One operator. One monitor. One disconnected workflow.
The result lived on one screen while the race day moved around it.
The idea
Built into the race day, not beside it.
Camera, video, review, approval, and communication belong in one operating picture.
When things go wrong
When race day goes wrong, evidence still matters.
After thousands of races, the pattern was clear. A missed race. A wrong setup. A new operator. A picture that is too dark.
| Backup recording | For the moment nobody wants to miss. |
|---|---|
| RAW-first review | So the image still has a chance. |
| Explainable export | For the result the team has to defend. |
The price frustration
We wanted a new camera. We stayed with the old one.
A lot of the frustration came from the price of new cameras. They were too expensive, and even when a team bought one, the workflow still missed too many practical race-day pieces. Lion Timing is our answer to those missing pieces: clearer evidence, backup recording, RAW-first review, and a system that feels built around the whole day.
Built for real finish lines
The environment changes. The need for trusted evidence does not.
