See the Best Swim Timing Equipment for Your Pool

What Is the Best Swim Timing Equipment?

The best swim timing equipment depends on your facility’s level of competition, accuracy requirements, and expansion plans.

For most 6-lane competitive pools, the best swim timing systems include:

• Touchpads or wireless swim timing stopwatches 
• A certified swim timing system like Gen7 or Dolphin Wireless Stopwatch Swim Timing
• A robust swim timing start system
• Backup buttons or wireless stopwatches
• Scoreboard integration (numeric or LED video)

Facilities that host championship-level meets often choose in-deck systems with relay judging platforms, visual start indicators, and integrated video scoreboards.

Option 1: Wireless Semi-Automatic Timing

Dolphin Wireless Timing is the Best Swim Timing Equipment for Entry-Level Meets

Best for: High schools, summer league, club programs upgrading from manual timing.

What This System Includes:

• Wireless swim stopwatches (up to 3 per lane)
• Wireless starter unit
• Wireless base that connect to the results computer
• Optional automated start integration
• Optional scoreboard 

Why It’s One of the Best Entry-Level Swim Timing Systems:

• Improves accuracy over manual timing
• Reduces paperwork
• Easy to deploy
• Expandable to touchpads later

Ideal for: Facilities not yet ready for touchpads but wanting accurate and reliable digital timing.

Option 2: Standard Touchpad Timing System

What Is the Most Accurate Swim Timing System?

Touchpad-based automatic timing systems are considered the most accurate and competition-ready swim timing equipment.

Core Equipment in This Configuration:

• AquaGrip touchpads
• Pushbuttons for backup times
• On-deck cable harness or in-deck titanium deckplates
• Championship Elite or Infinity Pro swimming start system
• Gen7 Swim Timer
• LED numeric or video scoreboard options

   

Why Touchpads Are Considered the Best Swim Timing Equipment

• Automatic finish detection
• Meets high school, collegiate, and championship standards
• Integrates with meet management software
• Provides official results

Best for: High school championships, college dual meets, large club invitationals.

Option 3: Elite Championship Timing System

What Equipment Is Required for Championship Swim Meets?

Championship-level swimming meets typically require:

• AquaGrip touchpads
• Pushbuttons for backup times
• In-deck titanium deckplates
• Championship Elite swimming start system
• External visual start indicats
• Gen7 Swim Timer
• Relay Judging Platforms
• Lane speakers
• LED numeric or video scoreboard options

Why This Is the Best Swim Timing Equipment for Elite Facilities

• Clean deck design
• Fully automated accuracy
• Enhanced athlete accessibility
• Professional meet presentation
• Expandable software ecosystem