Equipment You don’t need a lot of gear to go orienteering. Here are a few things that can help you achieve your best performance or make the journey a little more comfortable. Note: at some orienteering events, you will need to scan a QR code to register online for the event. Please bring a smartphone. Registration volunteers are always ready to assist. If the event is using the MapRun app, you will need a smartphone with the app installed, or a bluetooth enabled, compatible smartwatch. Ensure your battery is fully charged, you have access to data, GPS location is turned ON, and any power saving settings are OFF. Visit https://maprunners.weebly.com/ for more information. Bush events Protective running clothes (usually including lightweight gaiters you can move quickly in, and shoes with “grippy” soles and good toe protection) Sportident card (“stick”) – hire sticks will be available at all events Compass – available for loan if you don’t have your own Control sheet holder (Optional) Watch or runners’ GPS (not handheld units) (Optional) Water bottle or hydration pack (Optional but recommended for longer events and/or in warmer weather) Park Street events comfortable running clothes/shoes watch/GPS/phone to tell how much time you have left torch/head torch (for night events) water bottle (post run or extra long events) Sprint events Normal running clothes or active wear Sportident card (“stick”) – hire sticks will be available at all events Compass – available for loan if you don’t have your own Watch or runners’ GPS (not handheld units) (Optional) Control sheet holder (Optional) Mountain bike events Mountain bike Helmet (compulsory) Sportident card (“stick”) – hire sticks will be available at all events Water bottles or hydration pack MTB clothes, shoes, spares etc Map board Small compass Where to find specialised equipment Note that links to other sites are provided for the users’ convenience. Orienteering Victoria does not endorse these sites or the products advertised therein, and is not responsible for the information on these sites, the use made of this information, or for the consequences of you having accessed any link. Sportident Cards “SI sticks” (as we call them in Victoria) are used internationally and can be purchased from: Australian Distributor: aussieogear (in NSW) Local stockists: check with your club, or the OV rep, Ian Dodd Manufacturer: Sportident (in Germany) The various models range in price from $50 to $110. Once you have your new stick, remember to add it into your Eventor profile, and tell Ian Dodd so the OV Victorian Stick database can be updated. Ian runs the DROC Shop, which has a small stock of version 8 and SI Air (SIAC) sticks. The DROC Shop can be found at most events. Recycle your old stick? Members with an older SI stick that still works, often ask what they should do with them. Here are a few ideas for recycling an older stick. Keep it in the glovebox as a spare Give it to the kids Lend it to a friend/new club-member/novice Sell it on ebay (you probably won’t get much for it) Donate it to your club, or to OV for use as a spare hire stick Use it for MTBO Note: the very old Version 5 sticks are at “end of life”, with the plastic tips cracking. Many are breaking mid-course. We suggest anyone with a Version 5 stick upgrade it asap – all models from version 8 upwards are much more robust. Compasses There are many different compasses made by various manufacturers, with each model designed for a specific use. Orienteering compasses are quite unique; whilst a general bushwalking compass can be used, best results come from using a model designed for the specific type of event you are competing in. Compasses must be balanced for each region, so they can’t always be used overseas, eg Australian compasses work in New Zealand, but not so well in Europe! Our recommendations: Borrow a compass for your first event or two – they can be loaned from Registration Ask other orienteers what they use Work out if you need a left or right handed model; decide whether you prefer a baseplate or a thumb compass Set your budget (a top end orienteering compass will cost upwards of $100, but you can obtain cheaper ones for $50-$80) Check out retailers of orienteering compasses: Orienteering Service of Australia (large Silva range) aussieogear (Moscompass and others) email Warren for details of the new Str8 compasses and magnifiers. OVic members receive 10% off Str8 compasses & magnifiers. MTB Map Boards, Bikes and Other Accessories Orienteering Service of Australia and aussieogear both retail map boards that fit your mountain bike. Melbourne Bicycles at 37 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill (9489 5569) have a range of bikes and gear. OVic members get 10% off bikes and 15% off accessories. Protective Clothing, Shoes, and Control Description Holders Buy from an online retailer such as aussieogear or Orienteering Service of Australia General Outdoor Equipment The Wilderness Shop in Box Hill carries a range of outdoor clothes and equipment and offers OV members a 10% discount.