Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I set different deliberation and answer times on Bonus Questions?
2. How do I play a multi-round competition format (2 halves, 4 quarters, etc.) with Slam-In?
3. Will I experience interference from flourescent lighting or other computer devices?
4. How do I keep multiple Slam-In systems from interfering with one another at tournaments?
5. How durable are your slammers, really?
6. What is the range of your slammers?
7. What kind of warranty do you offer?
8. Why is wireless technology so expensive, compared to wired buzzers?
9. If I ever need a slammer repaired, how much could it cost?
10. What kind of support plan do you offer?
11. Can I expect software updates in the future and will I have to purchase them?
12. How do I get upgrades to the Slam-In software?
13. What kind of computer should I use with Slam-In?
14. Do I have to have a projector to use Slam-In?
15. How do I turn off the doorbell ring-in sound (or any other sound) in Slam-In?
1. How do I set different deliberation and answer times on Bonus Questions?
2. How do I play a multi-round competition format (2 halves, 4 quarters, etc.) with Slam-In?
3. Will I experience interference from flourescent lighting or other computer devices?
4. How do I keep multiple Slam-In systems from interfering with one another at tournaments?
5. How durable are your slammers, really?
6. What is the range of your slammers?
7. What kind of warranty do you offer?
8. Why is wireless technology so expensive, compared to wired buzzers?
9. If I ever need a slammer repaired, how much could it cost?
10. What kind of support plan do you offer?
11. Can I expect software updates in the future and will I have to purchase them?
12. How do I get upgrades to the Slam-In software?
13. What kind of computer should I use with Slam-In?
14. Do I have to have a projector to use Slam-In?
15. How do I turn off the doorbell ring-in sound (or any other sound) in Slam-In?
In our conversations with clients about Slam-in, these are the questions we've routinely heard, so we've documented our answers to them below. If your question about Slam-In isn't in this list, please submit it to info@slammersystems.com. We'll respond to you as quickly as possible.
How do I turn off the doorbell ring-in sound (or any other sound) in Slam-In?
You can customize all the sounds that are played within Slam-In. In the Setup screen, select "Custom" on the "Play Sounds?" dropdown box.
You can customize all the sounds that are played within Slam-In. In the Setup screen, select "Custom" on the "Play Sounds?" dropdown box.
Academic Competition Systems
Durable, Reliable
Wireless Slammers
With a 100 ft. Range!
Wireless Slammers
With a 100 ft. Range!
Scoreboard software that automates everything!
(And can be used by itself....)
(And can be used by itself....)
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Order a Slam-In System Today!
1395 Horizon Drive
Johnsburg, IL 60051
Phone: 815-261-4586
Fax: 847-497-9680
Johnsburg, IL 60051
Phone: 815-261-4586
Fax: 847-497-9680
Will I experience interference from flourescent lighting or other computer devices?
No, you will experience no interference when using Slam-In's wireless radio-frequency transmission system because it's FCC (and CE) certified. It works at the approved FCC frequency and power level for radio signals from computer peripherals, and there are over 8,000 of our systems in use every day in the United States. Unlike other systems you may have used, ours is guaranteed to be interference-free or your money back!
No, you will experience no interference when using Slam-In's wireless radio-frequency transmission system because it's FCC (and CE) certified. It works at the approved FCC frequency and power level for radio signals from computer peripherals, and there are over 8,000 of our systems in use every day in the United States. Unlike other systems you may have used, ours is guaranteed to be interference-free or your money back!
How do I keep multiple Slam-In systems from interfering with one another at tournaments?
That's easy. Each Slam-In system uses a specific letter code. The code (a capital letter such as A, B, etc.) is shown in two places: on the face of the USB receiver and on the front nose of each slammer in that set. Since there are 32 different Slam-In letter codes, you will avoid interference by using systems with different codes. As long as you aren't running more than 32 simultaneous matches all within 100 feet of one another, you will never experience interference.
That's easy. Each Slam-In system uses a specific letter code. The code (a capital letter such as A, B, etc.) is shown in two places: on the face of the USB receiver and on the front nose of each slammer in that set. Since there are 32 different Slam-In letter codes, you will avoid interference by using systems with different codes. As long as you aren't running more than 32 simultaneous matches all within 100 feet of one another, you will never experience interference.
How durable are your slammers, really?
Extremely durable. They were initially designed for children with special needs, and they stand up to just about anything your contestants can dish out. In over 10 years of providing these systems to schools and industry, their failure rate is much less than 1%. They're so durable that they come with a 3 year warranty.
Extremely durable. They were initially designed for children with special needs, and they stand up to just about anything your contestants can dish out. In over 10 years of providing these systems to schools and industry, their failure rate is much less than 1%. They're so durable that they come with a 3 year warranty.
What is the range of your slammers?
The stated range is 100 feet, but they may actually work at greater distances, depending on the characteristics of the facility. The only limiting factor, mentioned in the User Manual, is the danger of placing either the wireless slammer or the USB Receiver on a metal surface. A metal surface will absorb the RF signal and limit the limit the transmission distance. So they should always by placed on a plastic or wooden surface for use.
The stated range is 100 feet, but they may actually work at greater distances, depending on the characteristics of the facility. The only limiting factor, mentioned in the User Manual, is the danger of placing either the wireless slammer or the USB Receiver on a metal surface. A metal surface will absorb the RF signal and limit the limit the transmission distance. So they should always by placed on a plastic or wooden surface for use.
What kind of warranty do you offer?
We offer a 3 year warranty on the slammer system hardware
We offer a 3 year warranty on the slammer system hardware
Why is wireless technology so expensive, compared to wired buzzers?
It isn't. Over the course of the 7-10 years that you will use a ring-in system, how many wires, bulbs, and switches will you need to replace in a wired buzzer system? How much will you pay to ship faulty components to your wired buzzer system manufacturer for repair? All of this expense, trouble, and downtime will be saved with our reliable wireless slammer systems. (As an aside, how much time does it take you to set up - and tape down - a wired system? Our wireless slammer systems will save you that time as well.)
It isn't. Over the course of the 7-10 years that you will use a ring-in system, how many wires, bulbs, and switches will you need to replace in a wired buzzer system? How much will you pay to ship faulty components to your wired buzzer system manufacturer for repair? All of this expense, trouble, and downtime will be saved with our reliable wireless slammer systems. (As an aside, how much time does it take you to set up - and tape down - a wired system? Our wireless slammer systems will save you that time as well.)
If I ever need a slammer repaired, how much could it cost?
The cost of any repairs for the first 3 years is covered by our warranty. Any repairs after that time are minimal generally less than $50. Most units never need any repair, just new alkaline batteries every couple of years.
The cost of any repairs for the first 3 years is covered by our warranty. Any repairs after that time are minimal generally less than $50. Most units never need any repair, just new alkaline batteries every couple of years.
What kind of support plan do you offer?
At this time there is no requirement for a paid support plan. We have so few problems with the use of this hardware or software that customer support is available free of charge from 9:00am to 4:00pm CST Monday - Friday via telephone or email.
At this time there is no requirement for a paid support plan. We have so few problems with the use of this hardware or software that customer support is available free of charge from 9:00am to 4:00pm CST Monday - Friday via telephone or email.
Can I expect software updates in the future and will I have to purchase them?
We update the Slam-In software from time to time as we find and fix performance issues or improve the way a feature operates. However, you never pay for updates to Slam-In because updates are free. We want you to have the most reliable version of the product you've purchased from us.
We update the Slam-In software from time to time as we find and fix performance issues or improve the way a feature operates. However, you never pay for updates to Slam-In because updates are free. We want you to have the most reliable version of the product you've purchased from us.
How do I get upgrades to the Slam-In software?
Less frequently than updates, we add significant new features to Slam-In and designate a release an upgrade. We do charge for upgrades to Slam-In, but your upgrade cost is only approximately 50% of the retail price of a new version of the product. And it is always your decision as to whether or not you wish to purchase and implement a new release.
Less frequently than updates, we add significant new features to Slam-In and designate a release an upgrade. We do charge for upgrades to Slam-In, but your upgrade cost is only approximately 50% of the retail price of a new version of the product. And it is always your decision as to whether or not you wish to purchase and implement a new release.
What kind of computer should I use with Slam-In?
To use Slam-In, you need a computer that runs either Windows 2000 (or higher) or Mac OSX
To use Slam-In, you need a computer that runs either Windows 2000 (or higher) or Mac OSX
Do I have to have a projector to use Slam-In?
No, you only need a projector (or a large computer monitor or a large screen TV) if you want the audience to see the action. We highly recommend using a projector so that everyone - especially the contestants - can see the score, the buzz-in winner and the timers at all times. However, if you don't want to use one or if you simply don't have one in the room you're using, your not required to have one. Slam-In will tell you (the moderator) who rang in first, so you can call on them by name. You will always know the score, so you can announce it from time to time.
No, you only need a projector (or a large computer monitor or a large screen TV) if you want the audience to see the action. We highly recommend using a projector so that everyone - especially the contestants - can see the score, the buzz-in winner and the timers at all times. However, if you don't want to use one or if you simply don't have one in the room you're using, your not required to have one. Slam-In will tell you (the moderator) who rang in first, so you can call on them by name. You will always know the score, so you can announce it from time to time.
How do I set different deliberation and answer times on Bonus Questions?
Slam-In's Scoreboard software program is << aware >> that a Bonus Question should follow a correctly answered Toss-Up Question. So, all you need to do is edit the ring-in/deliberation and answer timer settings on-screen before you click Play Question to play your Bonus Question. Slam-In will remember those settings and use them on all subsequent Bonus Questions in the current round.
Slam-In's Scoreboard software program is << aware >> that a Bonus Question should follow a correctly answered Toss-Up Question. So, all you need to do is edit the ring-in/deliberation and answer timer settings on-screen before you click Play Question to play your Bonus Question. Slam-In will remember those settings and use them on all subsequent Bonus Questions in the current round.
How do I play a multi-round competition format (2 halves, 4 quarters, etc.) with Slam-In?
There are 2 ways to do this with Slam-In:
a) Design a Slam-In game for each round. You can even name them First Half or Second Quarter, etc. At the beginning of the 2nd and subsequent rounds - before you play any questions - adjust the team scores on-screen to be the cumulative score from the previous round. Slam-In will start counting from there in the current round.
b) After the First Half, suspend the game (which freezes all game timers). Then, when you're ready to play the Second Half, resume the same game but before you click Play Question to start the Second Half, reset the Round Timer.
There are 2 ways to do this with Slam-In:
a) Design a Slam-In game for each round. You can even name them First Half or Second Quarter, etc. At the beginning of the 2nd and subsequent rounds - before you play any questions - adjust the team scores on-screen to be the cumulative score from the previous round. Slam-In will start counting from there in the current round.
b) After the First Half, suspend the game (which freezes all game timers). Then, when you're ready to play the Second Half, resume the same game but before you click Play Question to start the Second Half, reset the Round Timer.