psreynol

I'm interested in a better timing, data solution but I'm a little reluctant to pull the trigger without more information. I know people like the gen one, i'm sure the new one is better but no one likes to spend hard earned money on something that ends up being the wrong solution. I remember buying the intercomp lap timer from back in say 2003 ish. it sucked, it was never reliable for me at the time it seemed not cheap. I can pull the trigger on the basic one, but the DM seems pretty sweet, but at 700 bucks I would love some info from someone who uses it. any thoughts? anyone use one yet?

UrbanSoot

iTrader: (24)

Have you looked into Harry's Laptimer? It's pretty damn accurate when paired with an external 10 Hz or 20 Hz GPS. I was recently looking into maybe getting an AIM Solo 2 but decided to just stick with a smartphone based laptimer since it's significantly cheaper, upgradable, and has way more features.

Gee Emm

Following with interest.

I'm looking for a datalogger for the SE to replace the Racepack IQ3 setup I used in the racecar. I was looking at the SoloDL, this new one is more expensive, though I like the wireless downloading.

I lol'd the harrys homepage with a laptime/datalogger on the windscreen - sloppy! Anyway, I'm not buying a phone to use an app if I can help it.

black bandit

The new solos are not out yet, should be in customer hands next month sometime. Also, they're the same price as the gen 1 solos which is fantastic marketing on AIMs part. I do plan on purchasing one.

Bronson M

iTrader: (1)

The mounting of the AIM can be just as messy, with a good phone mount that mounts solidly like the AIM there's no physical difference.

Quite a few of my track day Bros use the AIM and honestly I don't see any major functional difference in the data from Harry's with a 10hz gps unit. Both can be exported for analysis, both collect tons of data. Really the only difference I see is the user interface is a bit cleaner with AIM display. Most folks have an old phone they can use or don't mind using their main phone so that gives the Harry's a 75% cost advantage which is pretty hard to ignore.

Gee Emm

Over $100 extra here.

'Just as messy' - what is this referring to?

Doesn't look like there is a connection to my ECU for datalogging. With no OBD output it is academic for me, but if it was an option I would be looking for answers to OBD bandwidth/data rates/data availability questions.

UrbanSoot

iTrader: (24)

Harry's Laptimer has that

Bronson M

iTrader: (1)

I was replying to your comment about a phone flopping around on the windshield.

Yes Harry's has obd2 capabilities, and can talk to a go pro to overlay the data on it or use the phones camera but I don't like the windshield mount options. I use a MS3 so I too can't get the ECM data in the logger easily, but there is a module out there that will allow you to get basic engine data into obd2 format, but I honestly haven't seen the need. I have speed and G data as it is now which plenty to see where I'm leaving time on the table.

Gee Emm

I don't have OBD output, which is what I think you are referring to ... please correct me if I have that wrong.

Haha! That was a comment about the fact that as well as a phone, there is another non-hlt on the windscreen (bottom rh corner IIRC) - sorta suggested that you needed a backup/additional laptimer/something, and that was sloppy marketing. Marketing should have caught that and either done another run without it, or PSed it out or something.

I see that need, for me. I don't want a kludge fix when I know I can get something that will work, and do what I want.

UrbanSoot

iTrader: (24)

Bronson M

iTrader: (1)

You're beeing cryptic, what exact functionality does the AIM have that Harry's doesn't? The only functionality I'm aware of is the ability to add sensors to the motor and directly wire them to the AIM...... If that isn't a kludge I don't know what is.

Oscar

iTrader: (2)

We've been using the Solo DL on our car for the past 3 years and it's really nice. We're lucky though that we can get all engine and chassis data from the car directly through CAN. Looking to upgrade mainly for the wireless downloading during pitstops. If you don't need that, get a Solo DL for slightly cheaper.

Gee Emm

The Solo connects directly to my ECU. Harrys does not (as stated above, my ECU does not have OBD output and neither does it have CAN). End of story. Just accept that for some people, Harrys is not as attractive as you find it - choice, it's a great thing!!

Now that we have heard about Harry's, let's get back to the subject of the thread - AIM Solo/SoloDL second generation.

The OP and I would love to hear from any early adopters out there ...

Thanks Oscar, but it looks like Gen1 unavailable here, though may be some stock around if I really dug. I think I am prepared to pay extra for the wireless anyway, and I guess a few more bells and whistles with it, so right now am leaning towards the Gen2. That may change, depending on any negative feedback here, or if I stumble across a really good deal on a Gen1.

z31maniac

I don't think the Gen2 is even going to start shipping for another 2-4 weeks.

http://www.trackhq.com/forums/f303/n...22/index3.html

Bronson M

iTrader: (1)

Dude......you never once mentioned that the AIM communicated with your ECM nor did you say what ECM you were using. Of course if the AIM communicates with what you have and Harry's doesn't then it makes sense to go with the AIM. My only beef is you were throwing around your personal opinion as if it were facts. I was simply trying to communicate all the facts of both systems so someone other than you can search this thread in the future and make an informed decision as to which system is best for them.

Gee Emm

Updating, SoloDL2 still not available here.

However, the new and also-yet-to-be-released AiM MXm has caught my attention, still more expensive, but more of a logging dash like my old IQ3. Small, but a lot cheaper than the other logging dashes, I think I would like to do a comparison of the features of both when they are all available, before jumping one way or the other.

UrbanSoot

iTrader: (24)

MXm is $1,299.

Gee Emm

Exactly. A premium of nearly $400, or nearly 50% over the Solo2DL. Having said that, I would probably need a decent shift light with the SoloDL, that narrows the gap a little. Yes I know that it comes with shift light capability, but I would, for Reasons, likely mount it to the side and not in drivers line of sight.

My first event is not until early May, and it will be basically a shakedown. The more I look at it, the more I want to do more homework on the pros and cons of each. For which, thanks for that link, that is the most informative that I have yet found.

Gee Emm

Solo2DL now available here, no sign, nor ETA, of the MXm. That probably rules the MXm out, buuut ...

Solo will not accept analogue inputs from anything other than the ECU, according to the local distributor. This raises two issues for me, whether the serial bandwidth will be sufficient, and whether I have sufficient inputs left on my ECU, for my requirements. Fortunately I have a scheduled visit to my tuner this afternoon, and hopefully that will resolve both questions.

If you are using CAN, then my problem will likely not be your problem, but worth asking anyway.

Update: Plenty of inputs available, ok bandwidth. I see a Solo2DL in my future, just got to pay a couple of bills first ...

psreynol

today I went to the local ( 1 hour away) race shop and picked up a solo 2 dl and the race cam plus a new setrab oil cooler series 6 25 row, hope it fits. absolutely stupid money for a lap timer and camera. funny, I never purchased a go pro because I thought they were too expensive. ha. well this obviously has a few extra features and the way I see it getting some track data is necessary to improve and if I can shave a second or 2 it will be money well spent. We all buy track tires wheels, coilovers, turbos, ecu so why not data? for others balking at the price, i get it, there are many other options to play with. harrys lap timer with the gps beacon is pretty amazing for the money. for me it always seemed to flake out and miss laps due to bad connection or battery, or sat acquisition . I think with more effort, beacon placement I could get it to perform but I'm not doing as many track days as I once did so I really wanted to get some decent data to work with. I'll post my thoughts after my track day on Monday.