Ughh… thanks for the update Ric. I was reading for hours about these the other night and your answer just confirmed it. I’ve read so many articles/forums online and I’m just as angry as everyone else about the new lease program transponders, along with the crappy website. Since I now have a flashing red paperweight that the guy from here decided not to say anything besides “transponder for sale”, I’m currently finding a way to crack it.

A transponder “should” be a simple device, transmitting a certain frequency signal to a receiver (loop/timing system). If a track is still using the old loop hardware (AMB 160 and up) and software for timing, the subscription shouldn’t matter, should it? There has to be a way to reset the internal clock or flash it back to it’s original settings. The thing was never connected online, so there would have to be an internal clock to set off the red flashing subscription expiration date of 1, 2, or 5 years. If anyone has any thoughts about this and is equal or a few steps ahead of me, please let me know. Reading into it more before splitting the thing open.

Perfect example

Thanks Ric!

I’ve had an account ever since I’ve been renting AMB transponders to check my results. I’ve been to the site, typed in the number and says it’s incorrect since it’s not registered to my name, which would be another $43. I downloaded the software and it says “not activated, click here to purchase a subscription”.

I don’t see how paying a hefty subscription every few years is worth it for a little yellow box that puts out a radio frequency, AFTER that little yellow box has been purchased for $170+. I look at it as them cheating me since they provide nothing, except keeping that red light from flashing. It’s like buying a new car and then after 1-2 years of owning it, {insert manufacture} remotely kills the car and says “pay us $XXX or your car won’t work anymore”. All AMB, now MyLaps are doing is further monopolizing on a market they they have cornered years ago, only because EVERYONE has AMB/MyLaps and the tracks have the loops and software (before there were subscriptions). Companies have been doing this with phones, electronics and PC games over the years, so that’s why this gets me a bit irritated. You buy it, but you still don’t own it.

Thanks for the response Ric, but could you elaborate how and why you think a subscription based transponder is worth it to you? Maybe I’m missing something… Are there any features besides checking your times online?
Check this company out. http://www.westhold.com/products_timing.html
Kart transponder, 3 year battery life and replaceable for $99, no subscription.