Hey guys, in the market for entry data aquisition. Budget is 300$-999$. Ive had mixed reviews on a couple of options. Purpose is 80% autox and 20% track. Im mostly interested in cornering g's, accurate lines, velocities. A glorified g-tech is not what im looking for.

In for what you use, experience and why its great.

Thx.

 

Race Technology DL-1 is great. It will provide everything you mentioned, and more. Not sure about auto-x functions as I have never used it except on track.

 

DL-1 does have open loop/autox functionality now, and apparently it's pretty nice. However, you also (apparently, as I've never used it personally) have to download the run file before you can view it. That makes viewing data between runs next to impossible.

Other options are Traqmate and MaxQData. The MaxQ operates on a PDA I believe, but the benefit is that you can see all the data immediately. Traqmate would be like DL-1 in that you have to download it before viewing, but Traqmate is also cheaper than DL-1 (though I believe a bit less comprehensive in the data it provides).

There are some other options (AIM Mychron?), but I don't know of their autox capabilities.

Edit: I found Traqmate great for track use. Very user-friendly, easy to read and understand data, and throwing the unit in someone else's car to get more data was simple and fast. I never used it for autox though.

 

DL-1 is an excellent system but it's not the most basic, has multiple channels but requires download after to view lap times, without the added display screen.

Aim Mychron and XG log would be a comparable system, no gps, but has a display screen. You'd need to set up beacons at start/finish.

For more basic functions in the middle of your price range, I've used the Performance Box gps logger. Dead simple to set start/finish lines and sector markers. You can set them while walking the AX course. And it'll give you line and accel, speeds, etc for basic analysis. No room for expansion though if you need to log vehcile data. Has a small screen to display lap times/sectors.

 

http://www.racepak.com/Road_Racing/
Made by MSD so you know the electronics are good. Software has mixed reviews

 

DL-1 here. If I wanted to download data between runs and look at it, I could do so. I've got enough practice to know what to look for and with a pre-configured auto-start/stop I can overlay runs very easily. The DL-1 SW is easy to use, and trackside setup of the logger is a no brainer.

 

I have a MaxQ and I like it. The instant feedback and ability to quickly compare runs is helpful. I used to co-drive someone else's car and being able to compare our runs to each other's helped us both get faster. I also teach at schools every now and then, so the ability to carry the unit from car to car is nice. I have used the MaxQ for HPDE and it was fine.

 

I would definitely look at the PCS data logging dash. It's very afordable and all touch screen. I'm using one right now and I love it.

 

This does not allow for track data though, correct? As in, lateral G's, braking points, track map, etc.

 

I don't autocross these days, just road race, but I'm very happy with the Traqmate Complete. The RacePak G2X and Race-Technologies DL-1 were other options that I looked into. The G2X has a nicer display and a lower price, but the software leaves a lot to be desired. The DL-1 seems to be Traqmate's strongest competitor right now, but what it came down to for me is that other people I share data with were already using Traqmate, and I already had hands-on experience with Traqmate and it impressed me. Plus, Hornswoggler on NasaForums.com is a dealer and got me a good price.

The instant lap time reporting and real-time predictive lap indicator are very useful to me. I go out for qualifying, put the Traqmate in qualifying mode, and it lets me know when I run a good lap, and if any of my following laps are shaping up to be better or not. That's great for instantly knowing if I just did a corner better or worse than before, knowing when it's a good time to take a cool down lap, and deciding when to come off the track. Afterward, I can do deeper analysis and see my theoretical best lap, what lines are faster, where I could be doing better, and where I'm already doing good. It often surprises me to see that areas where I feel like I'm going too slow, I'm actually doing better than many of my competitors, so it's good to know that I should focus on improving other turns instead.

Traqmate is also the best one for exporting data to overlay onto video, or if you want to analyze the raw numbers. The other loggers don't export the lap number, so you have to do additional work to figure out when you crossed the start/finish line and started a new lap.

For a simpler and lower cost option, the MaxQdata looks interesting, and probably fits your description of "glorified G-Tech" a bit more than the higher-end options. I'm under the impression that it's strictly GPS and no accelerometers though.

And since it's only a matter of time until this comes up, the iPhone dataloggers are neat gadgets, but they don't compare to purpose-built hardware. The biggest problem is getting GPS reception inside a car... the iPhone tends to have intermittent GPS reception; the best I've seen is a 2Hz GPS sample rate and 9 meter accuracy, but 0.5 - 1Hz and 17 meter is more common. I've tried the top 3 apps...

G-Tac Pro: This is my favorite, but mostly because I'm looking to overlay data onto video. It has some features inside the app itself, but it's most useful for exporting data, and it's the best app I've seen when it comes to that. My experience and an accelerometer comparison to Traqmate is here: http://www.rm944.com/weston/iPhone/G...%20090419.html

Harry's GPS LapTimer: This is a very nice app, and the best for functionality inside the app itself. You'll want to learn how to use it before you go to the track, so do a test in your street car. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't export data for an entire session; it only lets me do individual laps, which means you'll have to do some work if you want to overlay a session onto video, but that could still be useful for comparing laps or autocross runs on your computer.

LogBox (from Dynolicious): This simply logs data, and doesn't offer much in the app itself. The data produced does not have a consistent sample rate (even if you tell it to), nor does it provide individual timestamps for each sample, so that really hurts its usefulness. It has some potential if they improve it, but I can't recommend it right now.

 

Careful at looking at it during the day time! It is hard to see in direct sunlight!

PCS is a very basic unit, I have one and think it is O K. It is less suited for RR type applications and more for drag racing. It does provide easy data graphs and very very easy to use.

Adam, it does have an available accelerometer, I ordered one and am waiting for it to arrive. No "GPS" track mapping though.

 

Thanks for all the great replies gentlemen. I knew I could count on you. :D

 

DL1 download is very fast just reads a compact flash card. You can set segments/waypoints also to compare individual turns lap to lap to experiment and get the best line.

There is some degree configurable of blend between accelerometer and GPS positioning. I never got a chance to really dive into it, but if anyone can give the scoop on that please do.

 

performance box ?

 

DL-1 would get my vote....

The sample rate, ease of moving data from the car to the laptop, software flexibility is why I like it. If you want to have a few sample files from local tracks to you let me know.

Dave
IP2 GSR

 

Doesn't the "Gold" version of the XG Log have a gps for track mapping?....in for more AIM info.

 

You can add it on, but it doesn't come standard with any of the AIM dashes.

It comes built into the AIM Smarty cam though.

For what this guy wants to do i don't think AIM fits the bill. It is a very permanent thing and isn't easy to move from car to car.


For the track the AIM XG log gold is the best bang for the buck in terms of data loggers. Nothing else comes close IMO.

 

The advantage of AiM products is it comes with a display and can eliminate the need of several other gauges and warning lights.

Unfortunately none of the MyChron 3 series have GPS capabilities.

If you can deal with beacon, the XGLog is the best bang for the buck IMHO.

We sell them. So I might be a little bias. But I think as far as the software in the entry level type of data logger, the Race studio that comes with the unit kicks ***.

 

Th gold version is actually a step below XGLog. The gold only have 4 analog input, while XGLog has 5. This is in addition to 2 speed input, RPM input and lap timing. It also has 2 axis accelerometer.

 

The one we have is a Gold XG Log....or XG Log Gold??
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...&highlight=aim
trying to learn more about the system, can you tell me more???..thanks...

 

 

GPS is available for the Mychron series. The CDS GPS module is built to work with it.

 

What do you think about the software packages with these systems? Although I like the MaxQData for ease of use, the Traqmate and DL1 appear to have software packages that would support years of driver development. Logging data points with hardware is much easier than presenting it for useful and correct interpretation.

Thanks for any insight,

Steve

 

AIM doesn't make any GPS that will work with mychron series. I verified it this weekend working with them trying out the smarty cam at nationals. Is this CDS module third party unit?

 

you are a mychron dealer??????