Curious - what are you guys using for this?

I'm tracking as a hobby with a friend of mine in the same car as a hobby, and we were looking at Harry's Lap Timer application and a standalone GPS unit that would read at 10-20hz.

Not looking to drop $1500+ on a super complex unit, but we were more looking for something that would monitor G's, lap times and speeds (specifically corner exit speeds) to see if we could compare driving from lap to lap to see where improvements could be made.

On top of that, we were also hoping to be able to export this data into video format to layer over video of the lap similar to the way some of the youtube videos out there have the data laid out.

Any thoughts or inputs on how this could be done?

 

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HLT is a good solution for you. Pair it with a faster external GPS and overlay the video with RaceRender or DashWare. I had this setup for a bit over a year and liked it a lot.

 

Look into the QStarz unit with the color display. It's nice.

 

Some people like the AiM Solo DL. I was looking at it a while back, but then stumbled onto a used AiM MXL Pista setup. You likely aren't going to beat the price of a smart-phone configuration though. I guess it always comes down to cost vs features/support.



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Agreed! I currently use an AiM SoloDL and I like it a lot. It is definitely an upgrade from HLT; you get more accuracy and a good data analysis software. Here's where a proper system helps.. analyzing data and dissecting your laps looking for time.

 

I also just bought an Aim Solo DL, but haven't gotten to try it out yet. You just can't beat the features for the price, especially with my R3 having more sensors on it than a Sport, I'll be able to log a lot of parameters to dig deeper into tuning the handling and my driving than with any simple lap timer.

 

what extra sensors does the R3 have?

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

 

 

I'm currently on a Traqmate and pretty happy with it all things considered, esp the price I paid to get a secondhand unit.

If I were to buy again with a bit more budget I'd get something that more easily handles video input & integration. I'd love to be able to play back a video from a session with the "gague" stuff already added in (speed, gs, etc). Bonus for multiple video streams integrated together if possible without blowing the budget.

Biggest piece of advice is I'd get something that you can manage the software to do analysis with and do said analysis quickly/easily between run sessions, and also see what's popular with the people you run with. Comparing data highlights things that you're doing right/wrong easier than looking at it solo. Data is useless if you don't look at it and understand where you need to improve and what you did do right and keep doing.

You'll see a good increase in accuracy and capability going to a "real" logger over smartphone stuff. Wether it's easier and/or more helpful depends on how your choice meshes with the software and yourself and your needs and all that.

 

I don't think the R3 (or S2 in general) have more sensors. However, the way devices use CAN-BUS and the PCM is different on S2 hence the SoloDL have access to more sensor data.

 

I swear by my AIM Solo. It helped me learn the fast way around new tracks WAY quicker than without it, and you truly get to learn something if you know how to read it. For what it costs vs. what the setup costs in the GT3 Cup race car I work on, it does a very respectful job of getting amateurs like us the information we can truly utilize

 

I have a Traqmate too...when I got it about 6 years ago there was nothing Like the AIM Solo around. I think for the price now there are better options

 

Biggest thing is to download it and look at it for good/bad between sessions.

 

I recenting got HLT for my iPhone5.
Like the way it can control a GoPro.
Waiting on my ram mounts to come in so that I can play.
Interesting that HLT has the extended Jefferson Track.
I checked it out last November with the BMW club.
Does not show up on Goggle maps yet

 

I use Trackmaster for lap times and gps data. I also run Torque on my phone's screen for throttle input, OBDII speed, and coolant temps. I use the qstarz818Xt for my gps.

I use Dashware for the gauges. I clap twice when I start recording and use the two audio spikes to sync up the videos. I haven't quite figured out how to get the data exact, but it's close enough.

This is what it gets me.

 

Traqmate with Traqdash and (2) HD replay cameras that self charge and auto-synch

 

Well if you look at the link below, an owner of a Sport reports that they can't use all of the channels on the SoloDL due to his car being a Sport and not having DSC/traction control that came on the R3 (plus GT and maybe others?). That system gives you more sensors which would seem to be able to be logged, which could be useful.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-racing-...alysis-244151/

 

Thanks for the input everyone.

the Aim SoloDL setup looks pretty solid, though likely not needed for our skill level at this time. I think the standalone GPS + HLT and the video overlay with DashWare looks pretty solid for what I'm looking for. The car we are using doesn't have an OBDII sensor/output (carbed 13b), but would work for when I have the rx8 out.

Perhaps as we move forward and outgrow the capabilities of HLT, then something like the SoloDL would work better. At the moment, the money spent on the unit is probably better spent on seat time and tires haha!

 

For a not so heavy on the wallet timing device I suggest the QZTARZ Lap timer.
LT-Q6000


I personally use the qstarz lap timer and absolutely love it. Best part its acurate when compared to the AMB timers at your local tracks. You can also log in video with the timer and see where you are braking or not taking a proper race line.


Real-time analyze diversified Racing tracks Real-time compare
Laps/Splits/Sectors 2.4” Color display to illustrate data precisely
Drag/Circuit/Rally Race & Performance test eXtreme 10Hz Log to record
10 times per second G-force plots and Auto Start trigger
Instantly review database with 4GB capacity
Device configurable & IPX-3 Water-resistance
Bundled with QRacing powerful track analysis software

 

Cool alternatives mentioned in here.

 

After all this, I ended up getting an Aim Solo (not the DL) from Marcos on this forum. Works like a charm. The Solo DL would have been nice, but the pricepoint on the Solo was pretty solid, and one of the cars we would use this on doesn't have an OBD2.

For the time being on the 8, we'll be using 2 sets of data, one from the OBD2 (monitoring temps and whatnot) and one from the Solo for track data.

AlexRodriguez - a buddy of mine uses the QSTARZ unit and it works just as well for lap timing/etc. We also set both in a car, and the results were pretty damn close. I think they were off from each other by 0.025s...!

 

Transponders on two different ends of the car can see laptime differences in that range - that's pretty good accuracy/consistency.

 

we figured as much (in this case, one was on the left side of the windshield, the other was on the right). As far as accuracy is concerned, i'd say that's pretty darn accurate for a lap time it's... within 0.02%!!