When looking for a stopwatch, there are functions that can sometimes get confusing. This article will clarify what a lap / split time and accumulated time on a stopwatch mean. For most non-stopwatch experts, looking at lap / split time versus cumulative time as a feature of a stopwatch can get in the way of ordering. If you don’t know what the function is, how can you tell if you need it? We will explain the difference in a simple way with clear examples.
Typically the lap / split time means the time between events. For example, if someone is running the mile on the track (4 laps), they will start the stopwatch and each time they press the lap / split button, the time of each lap will be recorded. In this example, the runner will run the mile in 4 minutes with each lap in 1 minute, lap 1 will read 1.00, lap 2 will display as 1.00, lap 3 will display as 1.00, lap 4 will display as 1.00. So in this example, the runner ran every lap at 1.00, so that’s the split time that will be displayed on the stopwatch.
Accumulated time is the total time in each phase that a split time is clicked on the stopwatch. In the same example of someone running a mile in 4 minutes with each lap in 1 minute, they will start the stopwatch and each time they press the lap / split button, it will show the cumulative time. The accumulated for the above example will show the total time, so the division of lap 1 will be displayed as 1.00, the division of lap 2 will be displayed as 2.00. the division of lap 3 will be displayed as 3.00 and the division of lap 4 will be displayed as 4.00. So in this example the total time for each division will be displayed.
Some timers show both the lap / split and the accumulated time. I always think it is better to have the option of both, but in some cases where there may be children or volunteers using the timers, it is better to keep it simple and only have the function you need.
Here are some examples of simple timers with lap / split functions:
Oslo 2.0
Oslo 1000W
Robic SC501
Accuslit AX625
Here are some examples of simple timers with cumulative divided functions:
Ultrak 320
Ultrak 330
Ultrak 340
Oslo 2.0
Accusplit S3CL
Oslo 1000W
Ultrak 420
Robic 501
As you can see, some of the timers listed are on both lists and that’s because they can be set for lap / split timing or cumulative timing. Depending on what you are timing, you may need one type of timing over another.
Example one:
When you are timing a race with multiple runners you need to get your finish time for each runner, you will only see the accumulated times.
Example two:
If you are assembling a table and you need to know how long it took to assemble each part of the table individually, you would need the lap / split time.
Example three:
If you are timing an individual runner who runs something like the mile, you will want both the lap and the accumulated time so that the runner can see how he is running each lap and his total time.