Using the G5 Timer

The G5 Timer has two physical buttons. One for power and the other to reset the time. The power button is the larger of the two. Hold it for about a quarter of a second to turn the timer on or off. Visually, a light indicates that the timer is on. The timer will automatically turn off after a period of inactivity.

Start and stop the timer using its touchpads. The timer has four pads, two large pads for your fingers, and two smaller pads for your thumbs. However, competitions  use 2-pad mode, in which you start and stop the timer using only your fingers on the two larger pads. Get sighted assistance to review the printed instructions and ensure your timer is in 2-pad mode.

To start the timer, place your fingers on the two larger pads for about a quarter of a second. Visually, the light will turn green to indicate the timer has started. During a competition, you can request that the judge announce the green light. But you’ll develop a feel for starting the timer, and a verbal confirmation will become unnecessary.

To stop the timer, again place your fingers on both pads. The elapsed time is displayed on the timer screen. Use a text-to-speech app on your smartphone to read the display.

Reset the time to zero by pressing the smaller of the two physical buttons and holding it for about half a second.

Timer Websites

Timer websites such as CSTimer and CubeDesk work with your G5 to record your solve times, compute averages, and indicate elapsed inspection time. They make reading the elapsed time easier despite their accessibility issues, and they’re a great way to simulate  competitive solving.

To use these websites, you’’ need the following:

  • A computer running Windows or MacOS.
  • A G5 (or Stackmat) timer, available from speed cube retailers.
  • A data cable, sold separately, also from speed cube retailers. One end of the cable has a 2.5mm pin for connection with the G5. The other end is a 3.5mm audio connector.
  • If your computer doesn’t have a microphone input jack, you’ll need a USB audio adapter. Typically, audio adapters have two jacks, one for headphones and one for microphone, with a USB plug at the other end for connection to your computer.

Connect your G5 and configure your computer as follows.

  1. Plug the data cable into the bottom of the G5. Connect the other end to the microphone jack of the adapter. Plug the adapter into an available USB port on your computer.
  2. Change the system sound settings to use the G5 as audio input. In MacOS, go to the Apple menu, System Settings, Sound, Input, and select USB from the table of audio input devices. Windows should have a similar system setting.

Once your timer is connected, configure the website to use your G5.

CSTimer

The main accessibility issue with CSTimer is that it’s nearly impossible to open the settings and options menus from the keyboard. Fortunately, you’ll only use these menus once, during setup.

  1. Open your web browser and go to https://cstimer.net.
  2. Get sighted help to open the gear icon settings menu and change the input to Stackmat.
  3. The web page will ask for permission to use your Stackmat. Click OK.
  4. While in the options menu, turn on inspection time. Find the option called Use WCA Inspection, and set it to Always Up. Set a male or female voice to announce the 8 and 12 second warnings. Also set the volume at 20. After testing, you can adjust this louder or quieter if needed.

Every time you open the website, it will ask to use your Stackmat. Click OK.

CubeDesk

The main accessibility issue with CubeDesk is that settings buttons are unlabeled, making it impossible to know whether you’re turning something on or off. Fortunately, you’ll only need to change these settings once, during setup.

  1. Open your web browser and go to https://cubedesk.io.
  2. If this is your first time on the website, create an account and password.
  3. Open the Settings menu.
  4. Change your Timer Input Type to Stackmat.
  5. Click the Limit Inspection Time button to enable inspection timing.
  6. Click the Play Sound button to announce 8 and 12 seconds.
  7. Under Stackmat options, select the Give Mic Access button. If a confirmation dialog opens, grant mic permission.
  8. Select the timer link to begin using this website.

Using Your G5 With a Website

Both CSTimer and CubeDesk work similarly.

On Google Chrome, if you navigate into the tab bar, you should hear the following announcement: This page is accessing your microphone. If you don’t hear this announcement, check your sound and microphone settings.

Both websites generate official WCA scrambles. These scrambles use the apostrophe to indicate counterclockwise rotations. If necessary, copy the scramble into an editor window to make it easier to read. CubeDesk provides a Copy Scramble button that places the scramble on the clipboard.

To start your solve, hold the spacebar about a third of a second. This begins inspection. You’ll hear a verbal announcement at 8 and 12 seconds. Start the G5 timer normally and begin your solve. When you stop the timer, the website will display your elapsed time and generate a new scramble. The time display is easy to find with a screen reader. In CSTimer, it’s the first element on the web page, and in CubeDesk, it’s an HTML heading.

According to WCA regulations, starting the timer after the 15 second inspection interval incurs a +2 penalty, and starting after 17 seconds is a DNF. Both websites support this scoring.

Both websites allow you to review past solve times and various statistics including Ao5.