Taking part in a competition
Three steps to the start: join code, download the event map, go. What happens on the course, tasks, no signal, results.
This page is for anyone who got a join code (or QR code) from an organiser. You compete from a phone or tablet; the web app is the organiser’s desk.
In short: three steps
- Join with the code or by scanning the QR.
- Download the event map — while you still have internet.
- Go when the organiser starts the event. The app does the rest.
Before you set off
- The join code or QR code from the organiser.
- A phone/tablet with GPS; camera permission if there are photo or QR tasks.
- Charger or power bank — GPS runs all day.
- Battery saver off, so the system does not put the app to sleep.
1. Join
Bottom bar → Community → Competition centre → Join with code. Type the code (case and accents do not matter) or scan the QR. No account needed: you can run the whole event as a guest with a nickname — that is the name the organiser and the leaderboard see.
After joining, the Competition centre shows the event in a green box marked “Waiting for start”, and an orange trophy button appears on the map: that is the competition panel.
2. Download the event map
In the green box (or on the trophy button) tap Offline pack. The app offers the map pack made for this event — usually a few megabytes, a corridor along the course — and tells you whether every checkpoint is covered. You want to see “Ready offline”.
Do this at home or in camp, on wifi. Much of the course has no signal, and that is fine: the event runs on the downloaded map and the phone’s GPS.
3. Start and the course
The organiser starts the event; with a start gate your clock starts at the line. A blue strip at the top shows the event name, the next checkpoint with distance and bearing (as the crow flies — you pick the road, as the roadbook says) and your score.
Reaching a checkpoint is detected automatically; if it carries a task, it pops up:
- Typed answer — enter what you find on site; the organiser grades it after the event.
- Quiz — pick an option; graded instantly.
- Photo — take a picture on site; the organiser approves it.
- QR code — scan the code placed at the point.
- Wait — a countdown; just stay there.
The Roadbook (trophy button → Roadbook) lists every checkpoint, done and next; tap one and the map jumps there.
No signal
Everything is stored on the device: checkpoint hits, answers, photos, your track. When signal returns the app uploads in the background — nothing to press. Until then the organiser cannot see where you are; with signal, they follow you live.
Penalties and zones
If the organiser set speed limits or no-go areas you see them on the map (red: speed limit, black: no-go). Exceeding them triggers a warning and the configured penalty. In a neutral zone (e.g. refuelling) the clock pauses.
SOS
SOS on the trophy button sends your position to the organiser. Real emergencies only.
Results
Once everyone is in and the organiser has graded the answers, they close the event. The final standings then appear in the Competition centre, and under Routes you can replay your (and everyone’s) track in 3D. If one of your answers was rejected, the Roadbook row shows the organiser’s note.
In the car (Android Auto / CarPlay)
The car screen shows the map with checkpoints and zones, the next checkpoint’s distance and bearing, and checkpoint/speed alerts. Tasks (typing, photo, QR) are done on the phone — the car shows a “Task on the phone” card meanwhile.
If something does not work
- “Wrong code” — make sure it is the organiser’s current code, with no spaces.
- No “Ready offline” — the event map is not downloaded yet, or not published yet; ask the organiser.
- A checkpoint does not trigger — poor GPS (buildings, forest); get closer to the centre, the radius is usually 20 m.
- Score missing from the leaderboard — it updates only with signal; wait for the sync.