Punch Method Guide
Punching is the action that records that you reached a spot or checkpoint. The organizer configures the punch method for each category. This page explains how each method works and how you use it.
Punch basics
These rules apply to all punch methods.
- Punch range - You can punch when you enter a certain distance from the center of the spot. The organizer sets the distance in the category's "punch response distance" (10 to 60 meters; when unset, 20 m for Manual Punch and 40 m for Auto Punch and Camera Punch)
- Feedback on success - When the punch is recorded, the app notifies you with vibration and sound
- Recorded information - Punch time, location, split time, and traveled distance
Auto Punch
When you enter the punch range of a spot, the visit is recorded automatically. No button tap is required.
- You do not need to take your phone out as long as you approach the spot
- The finish spot is also punched automatically
:::note If the course uses Auto Punch and Manual Finish Control spots are punched automatically, but you still need to tap the finish button manually at the finish spot. This prevents accidental finishing. :::
:::note Auto Punch is not available in battery saver mode If you start playing in battery saver mode, the location update interval becomes longer, so Auto Punch is not available and punches respond more slowly. :::
Manual Punch
When you are inside the punch range of a spot, tap the button at the bottom of the screen to record the visit.
- The button becomes active when you get close enough to the spot
- The visit is recorded as soon as you tap the button
Camera Punch
Camera Punch combines Manual Punch with photo taking. While inside the punch range, tap the button to open the camera, take a photo, and record the visit.
- Approach the spot until the button becomes active.
- Tap the button to open the camera.
- Take a photo. A thumbnail of the reference image for the spot may be shown.
- Tap OK to record the punch.
You can review the photo later from the results screen.
Re-taking photos on a photo-required course
On a course where photos are required, each spot shows whether its photo is complete or incomplete, and you can act based on that state.
- Incomplete spots - Spots you have not photographed yet can be completed by taking a photo
- Completed spots - Even spots you have already photographed can be re-taken. Re-taking updates the photo to the new one
If you are not satisfied with how a photo turned out, or if you took it at the wrong moment, you can simply take it again.
Uploading right after you take a photo
After you take a photo and tap OK, the button changes to an "Uploading..." state so you can see that the photo is being sent. The punch is confirmed once the upload completes (the same on iOS and Android).
:::tip Difference from Rogaining Camera Camera Punch records visits at spots defined by the organizer in an event. If you want to keep a free-form photo record outside event spots, see Rogaining Camera. :::
Beacon Punch
Beacon Punch uses Bluetooth beacons, specifically Eddystone-UID, to detect arrival. It judges arrival based on beacon signals instead of GPS.
- Useful for indoor events or places where GPS accuracy is poor
- Punching is recorded automatically when the beacon is detected
- It can also be used together with GPS
QR Code Punch
You punch a spot by scanning a QR code posted at it. This is available when the organizer has enabled QR punching for the event or for a specific spot.
- On a course with QR punching enabled, a scan button appears at the bottom of the screen
- Tapping the scan button opens the QR code reader
- Scanning the spot's QR code records the punch
How GPS is involved depends on the organizer's setting (QR mode).
| QR mode | How to punch |
|---|---|
| QR only | Getting close with GPS alone does not record a punch. You must scan the QR code |
| GPS or QR | The punch is recorded automatically by GPS, and you can also record it by scanning the QR code |
| GPS + QR (both required) | The scan button becomes active when you get close to the spot, and scanning records the punch. Scanning has no effect while you are away from the spot |
:::note What happens after scanning follows the punch method Whether a camera or quiz appears after you scan the QR code is the same as the category's punch method (a photo for Camera Punch, an answer screen for a quiz spot). For a finish spot, a confirmation screen appears before the punch is recorded. :::
Start spots are not subject to QR punching; you start with GPS as usual.
When you press the normal punch button at a QR-only control
If you press the normal punch button near a spot set to "QR only" or "GPS + QR (both required)", a guidance dialog appears: "Punch this control by scanning its QR code." Tap "Scan" to open the QR code reader, then go ahead and scan the QR code.
When scanning the QR code does not punch
Even after you scan a QR code, the punch is not recorded if it does not fit the situation, and the reason is shown in a message. The common messages and what to do are as follows.
| Message shown | Meaning and what to do |
|---|---|
| This QR code is for a different event. | This is a QR code for a different event. Scan the QR code for the event you are taking part in |
| This QR code is not part of this course. | This is the QR code of a spot that is not part of your course. Scan a spot that belongs to your course |
| This control does not support QR punching. | This spot is set not to use QR punching. Punch it with GPS or manually |
| This isn't the next control to visit. | On a course you visit in order, it is not yet this control's turn to be visited |
| You've already punched this control. | This spot has already been punched |
| You haven't started yet. | Scan after you start |
| The start time hasn't arrived yet. | This is a mass-start event and it is before the start time. Please wait until the start time |
| Please resume before punching. | You are paused. Resume before scanning |
| Get closer to this control, then scan its QR code. | This is a "GPS + QR (both required)" spot. Get closer to the spot, then scan |
| Punch at least one control before finishing. | You need to punch at least one control before the finish |
| Could not verify this QR code. | Shown when the QR code cannot be read, is damaged, or is not the correct QR. Check that the print is not smudged and that it is not a different QR |
:::note The level of detail in messages varies slightly by device The level of detail in the messages shown may differ slightly between iPhone (iOS) and Android (on some devices, QR codes that cannot be read are all shown together as "Could not verify this QR code."). The meaning is the same, so use the table above as a guide. :::
:::note Bonus QR is a different feature What is described here is the QR punch that records passing a spot. Score courses may also offer a Bonus QR that adds points only, and it can be read at any time regardless of your distance from a spot (the proximity rules for the QR modes above do not apply). Messages about scanning a Bonus QR (such as "You have already received this bonus." or "This bonus QR code is not currently available.") are collected in Bonus points (QR & combo). :::
:::tip You can also finish indoors with QR Even somewhere indoors where GPS is hard to receive, scanning the finish spot's QR code lets you finish without any check of whether you got close (this also works for a "QR only" finish). :::
:::tip This is a different feature from QR check-in The QR punch described here is a feature for recording that you passed a spot. It is different from the QR code used for check-in (matching against the participant roster), and the two cannot be scanned interchangeably. :::
Quiz Punch
If a quiz is set for a spot, a quiz screen appears after the punch.
- Punch the spot in the normal way, whether Auto Punch, Manual Punch, or Camera Punch.
- The quiz screen appears.
- Choose your answer from the options.
- If your answer is correct, you can earn additional points.
- After you answer, an explanation is shown if one has been set.
You can review quiz results from the results screen.
Shake Punch
If you enable "Punch by shaking" in the settings, you can shake your phone instead of tapping the punch button.
- It can be used in place of button taps for Manual Punch and Camera Punch
- It only works while you are inside the punch range of the spot
- With Camera Punch, shaking the device opens the camera
- With "Adjust shake sensitivity" in the settings, you can adjust the shake sensitivity (from light to very strong) to suit your device
:::tip Useful in rain or while wearing gloves Even when it is hard to tap the screen, you can still punch by shaking the device. :::
Sound and vibration
When a punch succeeds, the app can notify you in the following ways.
- Vibration - A short vibration
- Punch sound - A short electronic "beep-beep" sound plays
- Notification - Even when you are not looking at the screen, you are notified through your device's notifications (OS notification permission is required)
You can change the Auto Punch sound under "Auto Punch sound" in the settings screen, choosing from chime (8 seconds), electronic tone (2 seconds), or electronic tone (2 seconds) with voice, and you can preview it with "Test Auto Punch sound". You can also change volume and vibration settings from the app settings screen.