Because of a recent case of apparent cheating (not in competition, but in a cube club meeting), I thought about better blindfolds. Here's what I got: http://stefan-pochmann.info/spocc/blind ... lindfolds/

Hi Stefan, Yes, the current blindfolds are not the ultimate solution for blindfolded solving. I have been looking for the welding glasses recently, like you proposed long ago. I found the (almost) perfect glasses: you cannot see through them; they look professional; you can clean them easily; you cannot place them incorrectly, because they fall into place automatically; they can be bought all around the world. The only problem is: they have small air holes on the side, which still give the opportunity to cheat. The distributor is looking for a slightly better version. I like your pictures. I prefer the first option with the table. But maybe it would be better if someone can construct some kind of box, like they use for Bridge. Any one else with a proposal? Thanks, Ron

Can you show us pictures of those glasses you describe?

Wasn't the problem with the table that you could be taking signals from spectator? I would think the best thing would be a long hood that will normally stay above the head, and when you pull it down, it'll be tight enough so it's under your chin, but not choking you.

[quote:3n93vgrq]Can you show us pictures of those glasses you describe?[/quote:3n93vgrq] I think these are the ones: http://www.lasplaza.nl/catalog/product_ ... cts_id=782 Ron

I've just been reminded that there's actually two reasons I want better blindfolds. 1) To prevent peeking, i.e., fight cheaters. 2) To be more confident saying that nobody is peeking, i.e., to support noncheaters.

[quote="StefanPochmann":2l2qlyut]I've just been reminded that there's actually two reasons I want better blindfolds. 1) To prevent peeking, i.e., fight cheaters. 2) To be more confident saying that nobody is peeking, i.e., to support noncheaters.[/quote:2l2qlyut] Notice that there are also two ways to cheat: 1) During the event, which we're trying to prevent here. 2) By preparation before going on stage, such as by illegally obtaining the scramble. If we cover the former and indicate to competitors that we're suppressing cheating, we should find a way to effectively discourage the latter.

I think hdskull on the speedsolving.com forum proposed a very good idea to fix our issue. http://www.speedsolving.com/showpost.ph ... stcount=59 It's his 3rd point in that post. Also we could require the competitor to still wear the blindfold so that they can't receive messages from audience members. Chris

Hi guys, There is a thread on speedsolving, about a possible cheat of Matyas. If he is cheating, we really have to change the rules, because it is not normal that people could do such things. If he is not, rules must be changed, because everybody will have a doubt now, and thinks he's cheating. I thought to this possibility : (sorry i can not say it in english) http://www.nationsports-new.fr/photos/m ... 0-L-n3.jpg But, of course, black painted. Tell me what do you think.... BUT THE RULES NEED TO BE CHANGED.

I've tried swimming goggles again. If worn correctly, they're pretty safe. With "correctly" I mean so that the bottom part should firmly press against the skin. The top part isn't important unless the cuber holds the cube above his head. View from somewhat below: http://www.stefan-pochmann.info/spocc/b ... oggles.jpg Slightly deforming my face, I was still able to, at least temporarily, create an extremely tiny gap that allowed me to see the cube when I held it on my side. Not sure how easily this could be detected by the judge/audience: http://www.stefan-pochmann.info/spocc/b ... _cheat.jpg However, if I wear the goggles badly, I can create a larger gap easily. Then, deforming my nose and skin around it just slightly, I can open and close the gap. A great blindfold would be goggles that are only transparent at the front and have an external shutter mechanism ([url=http://www.niscosafety.com.au/ProductImages/Large/pg32_WeldingG_WG835.JPG:1yu0iohp]similar to this[/url:1yu0iohp]). Then the competitor could put the blindfold on and the judge could check that it's worn correctly, all before the cube is uncovered. And after the memorization the competitor would simply flip down the shutter.

hey guys loved the ideas but the seem impractical and uncomfortable i think what needs to be done is either have the solver wear a blind fold and solve with there hand in a box therefore easy to get to stack mat timer and not very cumbersome. or get something like a music stand to hold a piece of card board that way a judge dosen't have to stand there for 2 min holding a piece of paper just my 2 cents

Here are some examples of the paper stands that were used for Osaka Open 2008. http://i4no.main.jp/080329/bld.html Thanks, Ron

Hmmm... Let us know before we make it official/obligatory. We have to practice solving in this stupid position. For example I do a lot of vertical movements during my solves.

what happened to the other proposed idea of wearing ski goggles (black painted) ? those would be more comfortable then for example swimming goggles and people who wear reading glasses wouldn't need to take their glasses of. the obvious advantage is that there would be no other obstructions in front of cuber's body.

I think the swin goggles are the best approach to this problem. The solution needs to be both comfortable and reliable. When I was at the German Record show they gave me swim goggles that ware painted black and had the show's logo on them and I couldn't see anything because it was well squeezed on my eyes. There must be a version of goggles that can do that. Dror

My preference is for the Tempur-Pedic sleep mask, which is the best that I have found. Because the foam in the mask conforms to the face, I am unable to see around it no matter how I might contort my face. The biggest drawback is the price. Has anyone else tried this one? Jim Mittan

Forgot to enclose a link to a web site. Here it is: http://www.relaxtheback.com/tempurpedic ... 01-6389766

I posted something about the issue with the blindfolds in the announcement about blindfolded cheating. It basically restates the benefits of using chemistry-like goggles discussed about in this thread. -edwardb