By Evan Yan
A gym scoreboard is read from the bleachers under steady light. A stadium scoreboard is read from across the field in sun, rain and cold. Those conditions decide the board’s size, brightness, weather sealing and structure.
| Indoor | Outdoor | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical sports | Basketball, volleyball, hockey, wrestling | Football, baseball, soccer, track, tennis |
| Widths | 2’6″ to 21’ | Up to 45’ |
| LED video pixel pitch | 2.5 or 3.9 mm | 6.67 or 10 mm |
| Brightness | 900–1,000 nits | 10,000 nits |
| Weather rating | IP30 (dry rooms) | IP65 or IP66 (rain and dust) |
| Mounting | Wall, center-hung, ribbon | Monopole, I-beam columns, exterior wall |
| Name sign | Flat top sign | Arch or rectangle truss |
LED figures are from Fair-Play’s Eclipse product data and are confirmed during engineering.
Size and Brightness
Outdoor boards are read from much farther away, so they are much bigger and brighter. Sunlight washes out a screen that looks fine indoors, which is why outdoor displays are rated at 10,000 nits. Tell your Fair-Play representative which way the board will face, since sun direction affects visibility.
Pixel Pitch
Pixel pitch is the spacing between LED pixels. A good rule of thumb: the closest comfortable viewer sits about 1 meter away per millimeter of pitch. So a 2.5 mm gym display looks sharp from about 8 feet, while a 10 mm outdoor display is meant for viewers 33 feet and farther. More on outdoor choices in 10mm vs. 16mm outdoor LED displays.
Weather Protection
IP ratings measure protection against dust and water. IP30 is for dry indoor rooms only; IP65 and IP66 are sealed against rain and dust. An indoor display should never be used outdoors.
Installation
Most gym boards mount flat on a wall; large arenas may hang a center-hung system. Outdoor boards stand on posts or columns, mount on a building or stand free along the field. Cold rinks and humid pools need the right product, so mention the environment when you send your design. Fair-Play’s Engineering Department confirms the structure, mounting and power for every site. See From Scoreboard Design to Installation.
Ready to see your scoreboard? Create a free preliminary design at design.fair-play.com. Your Fair-Play dealer or a Fair-Play sales representative prepares the quote, and Fair-Play’s Engineering Department prepares the final engineering. Questions? Call +1 (800) 247-0265 or email [email protected].