Derby Gear Review - Penalty Timer iPhone App

I reviewed the new Jam Timer iPhone app a couple of days ago and I had promised that I would also review the penalty timer app from the same developers so here it is...

Format - iPhone/iPod Touch
Publisher - Fearless Code
version - 2.1(v190)
Price - £1.19


This app has been out for a while (although has been updated several times) and it's one that has caused many an NSO to coo over how good it is, while at the same time causing many discussions among the refereeing community.
The main benefit of Penalty timer is that it allows 1 penalty box NSO to time all 6 seats on 1 device and is programmed with the rules governing jammers in the sin bin.
The app is very configurable and has several timer modes including 1 team, 2 teams, 1 teams blockers, 2 teams blockers, 2 jammers and custom setup. The option is also there to enable the jammer rules from section 7.4.
The team colours can be chosen from either 6 pre-set colours or a custom RGB slider.
The main interface is well designed and clear and allows the individual seats to be timed and reset as well as providing overall Start and Stop buttons for the start and end of jams. There is functionality built in so that if one jammer is in the penalty box being timed and the other jammer starts being timed it automatically resets the original jammer and assigns the timed served to the new jammer.  This is also compliant with the 7.4.1 rulings about the original jammer returning to the penalty box and serving the full minute (The jammerless jam scenario).
This updated version allows the time for an individual seat to be increased or reduced by 1 minute (or outright edited) which allows for multiple penalty minutes to be served correctly.
When a timer counts down and gets into the final 10 seconds the clock turns red and then flashes when it hits 0.
Like the Jam Timer app this isn't a substitute for an NSO with knowledge of the position but can ensure that it takes the juggling out of the job.
I have found this app to be a lifesaver for scrimmage training sessions when NSOs aren't in abundance and so 1 person can be left in charge of the entire penalty box. 
As with any app that is installed on a phone/device of this nature, ensure that it is switched into Flight mode to avoid those embarrassing moments when a text or call comes in just as your jammers are sitting down.