“Lap timers” thread

[GoatAutomotive]

The phone's internal GPS has a frequency of 1Hz, and acquiring position information once per second is too slow to accurately position your car in space. You use the phone to connect to the external GPS receiver via bluetooth to accurately record the position of your car. The app you are running on the phone will merge that data stream with the data it is gathering. An OBDII scanner is optional - for your needs as a novice to data acquisition I would just start with your phone and the external Dual 10Hz GPS receiver. You can always add the OBDII scanner later. You'll need mounts for the gadgets and RAM Mount is the best source for those.

Another option would be to buy a GoPro that has an internal GPS receiver (Hero 5 black or newer) and import the GPS data from the GoPro into RaceChrono for subsequent analysis (https://racechrono.com/article/2753). Nearly new GoPros are easy to find at a good price on Ebay. The GoPro camera is probably going to capture better quality video that your phone, and it removes the bluetooth connection from the mix. I used to use an iphone running TrackAddict with an external Dual GPS receiver and OBDII scanner (edit: and multiple GoPro cameras). The bluetooth connection was brittle and my devices would occasionally stop talking to each other. If you're out on track then you can't fix this without pitting. It was not an infrequent occurrence and that was one of the annoyances that motivated me to move to an AiM Solo device 6 years ago (currently using an AiM Solo2 DL).

I have some friends whose opinions I value and they have settled on RaceChrono as their smartphone software of choice, so for what it's worth, there is a software recommendation for you. I don't have personal experience with this software.

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!

I am a tech Luddite, and this does a wonderful job at explaining how each of the optional devices interact with one another.

I would be furious if I had a BT device disconnect at random and ruin my lap data.

I will look into external GPS receivers and acquiring a GP Hero 5, since I need a second, newer GP anyway.

Amy idea of the Hero 5 and newer have serviceable batteries that can be replaced or upgraded? Battery life has been the bane of GoPro products for decades now...

I will also look into RaceChrono.

Unfortunately since I can BARELY afford my track admissions this year, I won't be able to spring for a AiM Solo for lap data. That could be a Christmas gift to myself later this year, perhaps.

Keep the good intel coming, fellas! I truly appreciate these posts and feedback.

 

[GoatAutomotive]

That's a great point about using a Gopro w/ GPS and just import that into Racechrono. I think mine is something like 18-20hz GPS inside the gopro.

What you miss out on is real time laptime display or the ability to overlay with OBD engine data.. But as others have said.... you've got plenty of other things to worry about while driving when you're new (myself included here). You'll also miss out on checking out the data between session too. Transferrring big files over wifi takes quite a while. I found file transfer over USB/sd card reader was much faster. The import into racechrono is seamless though.

Yeah I would just focus on capturing my runs and importing later. That way I can take my time watching my driving, lines, and evaluating my mistakes. I am hoping that with the new 28mm front sway bar I have coming + some camber mounts that I can carry more speed into the corners and use my brakes less.

The cornering speeds of the BMWs, Camaros and Miatas out there was absolutely sobering...

If I had the budget I would spring for dedicated 17x9s with ~255/40 200-TW tires or stickier.

But I like using my street tires to evaluate slip angles, break away, trail braking, and how the car will generally behave when pushed hard.







v v v Because chicks dig a man in aviators...



Last cheap mod: I should put a red ribbon on my left index finger for all the point by's I gift as I regain my track skills...

 

[GoatAutomotive]

Photo whore says whaaaaaat?

 

[Cliff]

Amy idea of the Hero 5 and newer have serviceable batteries that can be replaced or upgraded? Battery life has been the bane of GoPro products for decades now...

Yes, they are replaceable, except, I think for the Hero Session model, which doesn't have a built-in GPS anyway. I have 3 for my Hero 5 Black, and I have to swap batteries at lunch at a track day otherwise I'll run out of juice before the end of the day. The Hero 5, 6 7, and 8 all use the same battery. The Hero 9, 10 and 11 models use a different battery.

 

[DerHase]

I meant to respond to this when I originally saw it but life's been busy lately.

I've used a little bit of everything. I've downloaded and paid for a handful of apps using external bluetooth GPS (since phone GPS cannot be trusted as stated above by @Cliff .

Frankly I found them all to be a pain to operate in one form or another. DISCLAIMER: I was using an old Hero 3, no GPS so no auto-sync possible in Racerender, etc.

I bought an Aim Solo 2 (NON-OBDII version). If you strictly want lap times and/or +/- lap deltas, it's pretty great for that. It's fantastic for swapping from car to car as well if you want to compare to a buddy.

What does suck is trying to sync data to a non-GPS Go-Pro. Not the end of the world, but if you do some weird stuff before pulling out on track (I like to stab the brakes a couple times) then you can look for the corresponding speeds and G-spikes vs the video.

Video example here:

To do anything over I think 2 or 3 min long, you'll need to pay for Racerender beyond the free version. I think I spent $35-50. Well worth it.

At one time I was running the non-GPS gopro, AIM solo 2 data, AND an OBDII interface for some VERY basic info. I mainly wanted temperatures. Update rates are SLOW over OBDII. Even more of a pain to sync everything up. BUT if making fancy videos is all you want to do, it's not terrible. I had another $40 into this dongle + $10 app for iPhone. I detailed how I did it here. Not great but it's something. https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...ing-to-be-testing-obdfusion-next-week.401821/

Video example here:

After some time getting comfortable with the car on track - I wanted to actually USE the data. Realistically the Gopro I've been using for 10 years needed to go, and I was not happy with the Aim Solo 2 and Racestudio Analysis 3 (the native Aim software) because it's a bit of a chore to make it do what you want. You CAN learn it and get proficient - but without buying a $1000 AIM smartycam, you won't get data + video overlaid quickly or easily in between sessions.

I purchased a Garmin Catalyst before an even back in December. It is much more simple than the Aim, and realistically doesn't have as much advanced capabilities (custom channels etc) - BUT it overlays everything instantly, gives you 3 areas to improve, and you can track your overall consistency throughout the weekend in each session. It's expensive but the price has come down to I think $800 just recently. Since I wanted to replace the Aim and the Gopro I racer-mathed convincing myself into buying one.

It is fantastic for reviewing between sessions, watching your "optimal lap" right before going out, and knowing exactly where you're leaving the most time on the table. For USEFUL data to actually GO FASTER, I'm convinced this is the way if you're lazy about actually using the Aim how it's mean to be used.

Video example:

NOW since I'm on Simos Tools and patched with the high speed logger - I can use an A0 dongle to gather ALL the information from the car. It logs stuff FAST. Like 30x per second for 70+ things being recorded simultaneously. There's literally not enough room on the screen of a video to put it all on there (and really most isn't useful).

I DO seem to have some issues losing connection mid-session, so I've had to get data just here and there sporadically on track. I suspect hitting lots of curbs is jostling the dongle around and losing connection for a split second at a time. Not 100% sure just yet. The nice thing about running this in conjunction with the Catalyst is that even if I lose OBDII connection, I still have my speed and GPS data from the Garmin. To be clear - I only use the Garmin itself at the event. I'm not worried about overlaying anything as the G force data provides plenty of insight on throttle/gas.

Video example:

All that said, I think I'm ready to sell my Aim Solo 2 (DL?). Again it is the NON-OBDII version. So it will not plug into the OBDII port to do anything. The battery doesn't seem to last super long (I'll get a full day of 4-5 (15-20min ea) sessions but I typically leave it plugged into the car in between sessions. It's always been that way since I got it (used, a few years ago). Send me a PM if you're interested @GoatAutomotive .

To be clear - it says "Solo 2 DL" on it, but does not have an OBDII hookup. I think functionally it's a Solo 2, but it is a VERY early serial number so I don't know. Works great as long as you understand that though.