Timing / Data Acquisition: What are you using??
 

Trying to attend as many DE/TT events as possible this year. Many of these do not have rental timing equipment. What are you guys currently using and what are the pros and cons of each.

I would like a unit that has a lower intoductory cost (sub $1000) but, is upgradable in the future.

Thanks for the input.

Evan

I use a Nexus 4 with an external GPS, running RaceChrono (free software). It's great for timing, but doesn't really tick the data acquisition box.

I've been running RaceChrono on an older Android phone (phone gps only), and lap times are consistently within a tenth of the track-supplied timers. It spits out splits and lap times in realtime- so you can check if new lines/technique are working. Plenty good for my needs, but again- no data acquisition or predictive timing or anything like that.


Maybe that is all you need to get started? Save the $1000 and get some tires and a few more days out there?

same as these two guys. you can get a bluetooth OBD2 module from amazon for like $10 and get RPM+TPS on the race chrono. haven't actually tested mine, but the forums indicate that its currently work (although maybe a pay feature in the future on race chrono).

GS3 with external GPS and solostorm. I wish I just took a sip of some man the hell up and bought a real data system like a DL1. Phone acceleration data is meh at best. Would probably be fine if I could figure out a better damn way to mount the phone.

Note, soloist. I would not attempt to use solostorm on something where you got more than 1 shot at a row at a course. It cant handle laps, and its best feature is that it allows you to review data and video within seconds of completing a run, so you can attempt to get better based on the data in the limited attempts you have.

RaceCapturePro - Autosport Labs

not using it, but I want one bad.

I have an AiM Solo: AiM Sports - The World Leader in Data Acquisition

+Predictive timing
+Point to point (autocross) and circuit (road course) modes
+Easy to set up new tracks
+$400
-Very basic. Logs speed, lap times, g force, elevation... probably some other things I'm forgetting.
-Not upgradable
-$400

I previousley was using android Race Chrono or Trackmaster.

On advice from Reverant I bought the Aim MXL with GPS, in theory it can canbus direct in to his ms2 enhanced.

Tried an install a few months ago but had MS2 problems.....now that is sorted I will be installing again and playing with the data logging. I want it to try and help with lap time / suspension setup experiments...max g, avg g on a corner etc..predictive lap times

I can also see it being very helpfull in qualifying sessions and also will let me play a bit coy in our race 2 and race 3 handicapped start races. We are allowed approx 1 sec leeway against best lap times (what the handicap was based on) before getting a post race time penalty added. I may not have enough spare brain power to monitor this mid race but am hoping to be able too..

In hindsight it is massive overkill for my purposes (and the value of the car) but we came in to a bit of money at the time and decided that the unit should last me a while and be able to work in a few vehicles...so it will hopefully have a long and usefull life.

Anyone has experience with Qstarz units? Tested: Qstarz LT-Q6000 GPS Lap Timer

Priced the same as basic AIM at $400 and has a color screen.

Go find out what everybody is running in your club/scene/whatever and buy that. Being able to compare data in the same datalogger program is worth it's weight in gold.

For what it's worth, there are already a bunch of threads on this topic. If you haven't already, search the Race Prep subforum for "data acquisition."