GoatAutomotive
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Georgetown, TX
- Car(s)
- 2017 VW GTI SE, DSG
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!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.
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.