# Digital Number Display **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 1, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116 "2026-03-01T19:14:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/1 "2026-03-01T19:14:25Z")
I’m looking for an electronic handheld number display. Something like they use for substitutions in soccer. The numbers would need to be visible from about 100’ away in daylight and easily changed. Maybe a keyboard on the back or something. Three digits would work. I can’t find anything on amazon but maybe I’m not looking hard enough. Does it exist? ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/2 "2026-03-01T20:01:02Z")
You want an LED sign board - something like this one on Amazon [VEVOR Programmable LED Sign, P10 Full Color LED Scrolling Panel, DIY Custom Text Pattern Display Board, WiFi USB Control Message Shop Sign for Store Business Party Bar Advertising, 99x35cm : Amazon.com.au: Home](https://www.amazon.com.au/VEVOR-Programmable-Scrolling-Business-Advertising/dp/B0CZ6MHLKQ) Its about a metre in long dimension, which might be sufficient for your distance. Not cheap though. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/3 "2026-03-01T20:06:42Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > I’m looking for an electronic handheld number display. Something like they use for substitutions in soccer. I think those substitution boards are four digits; two each for the outgoing and incoming player. [Here are some Amazon listings](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=portable+football+substitution+board+digital). ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/4 "2026-03-01T23:57:03Z")
Might be too small to be seem at 100’: > **[Leadleds Portable Wireless Programmable LED Sign](https://untsmart.com/products/portable-led-signs?variant=49426306007326&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOoopk3SA-4QWRJV9AEQmtcY9ARkvQnouce7SGCjPL9aVCmAOsMzfPac&com_cvv=8fb3d522dc163aeadb66e08cd7450cbbdddc64c6cf2e8891f6d48747c6d56d2c)** > > Discover the versatility of our portable LED sign, designed for your display needs. This programmable and rechargeable sign offers endless customization options, making it perfect for events, advertising, and promotions. Lightweight and easy to set... [Or this on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Programmable-Handheld-Advertising-Restaurants-Lightweight/dp/B0F2T65MQ6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2R96STLP50PYI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.f0b9huTYJGZUEIlomsm3Wqo32Yhu7YGAx3wrp21yDp5bCPx92eED7QEQhcrqDbxmsagp9IdYICbW24ZrhHQubh7OQcO-IjWE2_V_GFcQFfOlawZM6yojGucOPiBQAMIxe0tLLPhGKKNMavpzxUt2IVi_OBmmn1GMqreUNbKoarrtfES3U9sMnfLqzsqhaYoRdt0pViZMlezS9MXghzkqKMe5aaoNIC-NHKsPCzbpjtEk_mOilsp0lzOVkxpGpNsxptDa6WruuQfONl88alIhhA7gqjJy0z6cbh9xb1vD_qk.aJh0e1j3EwJdpIXyzm0GUcrF3Ubo3SFg1wLpqWLbG_I&dib_tag=se&keywords=handheld+led+sign&qid=1772409461&sprefix=handheld+led+sign%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/5 "2026-03-02T19:23:16Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Might be too small to be seem at 100’: But it won’t obstruct your view of Venus. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/6 "2026-03-02T19:54:21Z")
The other question with LED display is how visible it is in sunlight. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/7 "2026-03-02T20:27:08Z")
I was thinking the same thing. If it’s intended for use in the daytime, you might consider a mechanical display. If you’re willing to do some DIY, there are many designs available that you can 3D print yourself, so you could scale it to whatever size is appropriate for your viewing distance. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/8 "2026-03-02T23:09:51Z")
Thanks for the tips. One of those substitution boards might do the trick. I’ll take a closer look. The description for one of them says “high polymer lithium battery, full charged can work 7 hours or more. According to the normal frequency, once full charged, it can be used 12 times or more in football matches.” I’m not sure what to make of that. When subbing in players, I can’t see the thing being on for more than a minute. Meanwhile, I’m constructing a flip number thing that will cost about $50 in materials. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/9 "2026-03-02T23:20:40Z")
[This is a ten-dollar flip board](https://www.amazon.com/Xiao-Gulong-4-Digital-Portable-Scoreboard/dp/B07HRW8XX4/). It’s actually meant for scoring but could work for substitutions. [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rR81lS03L._AC_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rR81lS03L._AC_.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digital-number-display/1028116/10 "2026-03-03T01:12:42Z")
Found what I’m looking for - an archery flip score board. Cheap, too! Thanks, all.