The Quizbowl Resource Center

Does anyone have pics of "the judge" buzzer system? I heard so much about it at ACE and wanted to know if its really warranted.

The Judge seems to be the mainstay of a lot of college teams. Not so much high school. My team (Charter School) has two judge and trust me, they are pretty good. They have five buzzers which makes practice easier. But they are tough as nails. The company that makes them is really good on quality control too. My coach has sent them back multiple times when a piece became broken for a minimal (if any) fee.

I highly recommend them

I also like the Judge, as it seems to be the only buzzer system that we've used that I haven't accidentally broken over prolonged use.

I have two also and they survive my junior high who haven't quite figured out that you don't have to slap the buzzer to death to make it go off...

The Great Buzzer System Tradeoff:

1. All buzzer systems other than the Judge have components that will gradually fail.

2. All buzzer systems other than the Judge are superior to the Judge.

BuzzerZen wrote:The Great Buzzer System Tradeoff:

1. All buzzer systems other than the Judge have components that will gradually fail.

2. All buzzer systems other than the Judge are superior to the Judge.

In regards to number one, the Knot that we have has been pretty reliable. I think the center console had to be fixed like three years ago, but we've had absolutely no problems since then. I might even be so bold to say that the system is as reliable as the Judge.

The SVBZ buzzers on the other hand kind of all broke after about two months of using them. Even the new reinforced onces aren't really holding up. At least they have a warranty.

By the way, please don't buy a judge. They suck to play on. I'd rather paly on broken SVBZ's than on a judge system.

What the hell is wrong with you people? The judge is the best buzzer system on the planet.

theMoMA wrote:What the hell is wrong with you people? The judge is the best buzzer system on the planet.

If you mean all planets other than Earth ... oui.

I played the Judge at UIUC ..... it was all I knew until I became involed in the high school level ..... I'm with Buzzer Zen on this one.

We use The Judge, and I kind of like it, though it can get a little annoying--the pedals are really not bad for buzzing once you get used to them. We've got a new system on the way, though, so that, if nothing else, we can impress the freshmen with nice buzzers.

And anyway, there's nothing more fun than taking The Judge through security at an airport...

I do believe that my bunch at Brindlee Mountain might be the only team ever to cause a Judge to break in less than one year simply by using it... They could destroy anything. Most new buzzer systems last less than a month before we have to repair...

I love the judge.

I once played it as a foot buzzer, in fact.

Joe Wells likes the judge; hence, you can reasonably conclude it's in your best interest to stay the hell away from it.l

Seriously, don't buy the judge. I don't know what school you're at or whatever, but if you get the judge there's a tiny little chance I might have to play one more game on the judge if I ever attend a tournament it's used at. I'm just not willing to accept those kinds of odds.

At the last Penn Bowl UNC brought two Judges they knew were broken, resulting in clap-bowl games. So yeah, the Judge obviously isn't indestructable. Also in close calls I've seen cases of lights flashing on both the red and green side, providing for much hilarity and question replacement.

Bottom line, buy an SVBZ dude, it's the cheapest thing out there and if it breaks it's repaired (and updated) for free, except for shipping.

I'm just curious- why do those who hate the judge hate it so much?

It may not be good as many of the Zeecraft buzzer systems (admittedly awesome), but I think that it's a perfectly serviceable system.

I love The Judge, but it might just be because I associate it with some of the best tournaments I ever played. I don't understand the vitriolic hate for The Judge that some people had. I think we did get unlucky and get a lemon when we ordered one.

Bad things about The Judge:

1. The buzzing motion is completely unnatural.

2. Every buzzer is attached to one another, so if one person accidentally knocks their buzzer or even the extra fifth buzzer on the ground, everything else comes down with it.

Philip Marschall wrote:Every buzzer is attached to one another, so if one person accidentally knocks their buzzer or even the extra fifth buzzer on the ground, everything else comes down with it.

This reminds me of another couple of problems.

1) A problem can affect every buzzer on the system beyond the point of the problem. So, instead of one buzzer going out, often 3 or more will die at once.

2) These are VERY hard to work on because the wires are run parallel to one another and wrapped in a plastic that can't be removed. You have to cut the plastic cover, solder the wires, and repair with electrical tape.

quizbowllee wrote:

Philip Marschall wrote:Every buzzer is attached to one another, so if one person accidentally knocks their buzzer or even the extra fifth buzzer on the ground, everything else comes down with it.

This reminds me of another couple of problems.

1) A problem can affect every buzzer on the system beyond the point of the problem. So, instead of one buzzer going out, often 3 or more will die at once.

2) These are VERY hard to work on because the wires are run parallel to one another and wrapped in a plastic that can't be removed. You have to cut the plastic cover, solder the wires, and repair with electrical tape.

Just send it back to whoever makes them. They'll repair it for free (or a minimal fee)

Gonzaga's broken the lights on our Judge before. I dont know how. Maybe Father.

gonzagaeagleahy wrote:Gonzaga's broken the lights on our Judge before. I dont know how. Maybe Father.

They may burn out. We have one on our Judge that we refer to as "the developmentally delayed buzzer," as it sounds, but doesn't light.

The grabbing motion of buzzing with the Judge is much more reflexive and much more natural than the thumb- or index-pushing that Zeecrafts require. A stick with a button on the end of it is a really uncomfortable thing to push quickly.

I'm waiting for a story from someone who had to take The Judge through an airport...

I cannot stand a Judge system. I had one once and it was the least dependabe system I have ever owned. Plus my kids complain every time we use one oin a tournament, which, fortunately, around here is not often.

Give me an Anderson system because it is cheap and durable and they fix it quickly and cheaply when needed. I have 4 of them and my oldest one just now needs fixing, after 6 years of use.

My Anderson system lasted a year. But, to their credit, I shipped it back and Anderson repaired the system quickly and inexpensively. I hesitate to send my Zee Craft for repairs. Eventhough the system is expensive, it is extremely delicate and the wiring appears to become brittle. We went from 16 working units down to eight over time. My vote is for the Anderson system.

I love my NEDs.

Sure, you have to replace 20% of the buzzers annually, but who else gives you TWO VOLUME SETTINGS? Huh?

TJ players--can I get a amen?

Eric

rchschem wrote:TJ players--can I get a amen?

Amen!

rchschem wrote:I love my NEDs.

Sure, you have to replace 20% of the buzzers annually, but who else gives you TWO VOLUME SETTINGS? Huh?

TJ players--can I get a amen?

Eric

We never even had to replace ours. I thought they were easily one of the best systems I ever played on.

We had a judge-like system in our first match at GSAC this year, and the moderator told me off for trying to use it as a foot pedal. Not my best match.

MahoningQuizBowler wrote:I'm waiting for a story from someone who had to take The Judge through an airport...

I've flown with a Judge at least 4 or 5 times, both checking it and carrying it on, and never had a problem. I don't think we've ever even had to plug it in to demonstrate what it does. Then again, I suppose a bunch of quizbowlers don't really look terribly threatening...

When I played Matt Keller he pulled out a gun and said "If you answer that Mohism tossup imma blow your brains out" and then he plugged in bombs to the judge buzzers on my side so we'd blow up the next time we buzzed in. True story.

Philip Marschall wrote:Every buzzer is attached to one another, so if one person accidentally knocks their buzzer or even the extra fifth buzzer on the ground, everything else comes down with it.

And it doesn't help that the cords are so short. You have to sit really close to the moderator and the other players.

We have a Judge and we really enjoy it. Its really good because we practice during homeroom (a random 25 minute free class right after lunch) and before our coache's next class can come in we can pack it up in a snap. Although it is kinda wierd buzzing in, you get used to it pretty quickly. It does tend to break if you slam on it or keep hitting it when someone has already buzzed in.

Steroid McBlooddoper wrote: In regards to number one, the Knot that we have has been pretty reliable. I think the center console had to be fixed like three years ago, but we've had absolutely no problems since then. I might even be so bold to say that the system is as reliable as the Judge.

I wouldn't be quite so quick there...I had to have the whole thing refurbed in the summer of 04. It wasn't just the console, there were several dead buzzers as well - including the mythical A1.

The company did a great job of cleaning it up and making it the Knot we all know (and love) today. It's been sturdy since then though, from what I can gather. Cable ties are your friend.

Our own Knot has majority dead buzzers now. A1 died, like, years ago (probably due to me using it and dropping it all the damn time...) It's a useful system due to long cords and lots of buzzers, but it's cumbersome to operate or transport and (at least in my experience) somewhat fragile.
Actually, that brings me to a point. The Judge is far and away the easiest system to set-up, take down, and transport (jokes about airport security aside,) which are often overlooked. To me, those are perhaps even more important than its legendary durability. Finally, relative to other buzzer systems, I've had a much easier time getting for and paid much less for repairs on the Judge.

Later,
MaS

I've used the judge before, and it made my palm itch. But to each his own.

Hey so I just found out that we have up to $1200 of school money to spend on a buzzer system. What is the most ludicrously expensive buzzer system out there?

Pimp Mike's Buzzer System

Personally I would get a couple or three moderately priced systems.. they are handy when you are doing tournaments or need to carry extra teams..

Bentley Like Beckham wrote:Hey so I just found out that we have up to $1200 of school money to spend on a buzzer system. What is the most ludicrously expensive buzzer system out there?

You could get at least two more knots with that much dough.

I really, really dislike the Judge. You really have to jam the darn "gas-pedal" system to make it work, and, as mentioned before, if one goes down, it takes the rest with it. I understand that there's a trade-off between ease of use and durability, but I just don't like it. It's clunky.

The buzzer system we have [which, regrettably, I forget the name of] is actually pretty decent. The buttons aren't too sensitive or too tough, and the only problem we've had is broken tips. We occasionally have worse problems, but our coach is an electrician by trade, so it's all good.

I don't care much for The Judge myself, it's too, as said before, 'clunky' and those pedals are hard to buzz easily.

I am quite partial to The Officiator myself...

GoffManProphecies wrote:

Bentley Like Beckham wrote:Hey so I just found out that we have up to $1200 of school money to spend on a buzzer system. What is the most ludicrously expensive buzzer system out there?

You could get at least two more knots with that much dough.

Out of curiosity, where would one purchase another Knot from? I looked online for "QuizWizard" and couldn't find anything.

Bentley Like Beckham wrote:

GoffManProphecies wrote:

Bentley Like Beckham wrote:Hey so I just found out that we have up to $1200 of school money to spend on a buzzer system. What is the most ludicrously expensive buzzer system out there?

You could get at least two more knots with that much dough.

Out of curiosity, where would one purchase another Knot from? I looked online for "QuizWizard" and couldn't find anything.

I believe it is the QuizWizard II - Google corrected me and produced this link after searching for "Quiz Wizard II"

http://www.c-e-d-inc.com/products.htm

This is the same place that we purchased our system from originally, and the place where I got it serviced. I suspect that this is the only readily locatable source for them.

So we're going to be buying at least one new buzzer system sometime soon. Does anyone have any recomendations?

I'm not getting any new SVBZs as even when restored they haven't been very reliable.

I'm not getting a Judge, because they suck.

Zeecraft is a possibility, but the cords are a little annoying and it's perhaps a bit pricey.

And I think one Knot is more than enough for a team.

I'd prefer to have a buzzer that doesn't require too much setup, is reliable and durable, and doesn't make annoying sounds.

Bentley Like Beckham wrote:I'd prefer to have a buzzer that doesn't require too much setup, is reliable and durable, and doesn't make annoying sounds.

The name of the system you want rhymes with Jhe Tudge.

MaS

The best system I have played is the Buzzersystems.com one, but those are expensive.

Trevkeeper wrote:The best system I have played is the Buzzersystems.com one, but those are expensive.

Thanks.

ImmaculateDeception wrote:The name of the system you want rhymes with Jhe Tudge.

No thanks.

If you get those strobe light buzzers I'll never come to a Maryland tournament again.

Going to tourneys is interesting just to see the variation of buzzers brought. We'll always have at least one Judge [referred to by some of the younger members of the team as "those gas-pedal buzzers"], the more traditional buzzers [Black, square red button, green or red light on the buzzer], perhaps one of those trigger buzzers [you know, the ones with the lights on the case and simple triggers with the buttons on top], and then the obscure one. The worst one I've seen was a bunch of connected buzzers that all "easily" packed into a thin yellow case. It was a nightmare to put away.