I'm thinking of adding some sort of lap timer system to my car for this year. I think I'm at the point where getting some instantaneous feedback on the track would be beneficial.

Background - I'm running NASA TTE in my 1991 Miata, time trials requires use of AMB transponder (I have the hardwired unit)

Options -
Longacre Hot Lap seems to be what you see the most of at the track. I'm leaning this way because I could just buy the receiver/display unit and count on someone else always having a transmitter set up. Plus maybe I can get lucky and find a used one. So figure it would cost me $100-$150.

Ultralap seems to have more features than the Hot Lap and is nicer looking. So far though I can't get a clear answer on if this would work with a Hot Lap transmitter so I'd probably have to buy one...and remember not to leave it at the track...figure $250 cost.
http://www.atomicsuperbikes.co...ct=19

AMB the new AMB system looks awesome and will work directly with my transponder. Problem is it costs like $475 I think. Ouch.

Are there any other options/recommendations out there? Last year I had a stop watch taped to the steering wheel or dash, which was a little less than desireable.

Thanx!

- Markus

 

I have a hotlap timer now, and its "ok". I'll be changing to the XT racing unit sometime this year. The AMB looks like a good idea, but I think they're trying to gouge people given their monopoly on the transponder market.

 

I have the Hotlap timer display and the pushbutton that Longacre sells separately so if there is not a Hotlap transmitter at the track, I have a manual system.

 

i have the XT unit as well and am quite pleased. i got the display, transmitter, and all the equipment to download to a laptop for like $275. i would warn against the AMB unit because of price, and unless the track turns on the loop (which they probably won't do for anything other than sanctioned race events), your AMB unit is worthless. and i'm pretty sure you still need the transponder for another $250.

 

I have the XT unit as well. I've only used it once since i picked it up last Spring, but found it to be a great little unit. I found guys that had the Hot Lap system were jealous of my Ultra Lap.

 

So - anyone who is using XT, does it work with the Hot Lap transmitter?

 

is there any lap timer software/transponder that works w/ a palm OS based smartphone?

 

Im getting ready to buy something like this this week for use in NASA Mid-Atlantic competition but Ive had not much luck in a transponders for dummies read on them.

I want something that has a display that will tell me my laps in the car as I run.

I want something hardwired.

My question is do I still have to set up my beacon at every track to get my results or does the beacon that timing and scoring uses trip my transponder anyway? If I need to set up the "beacon" does it require power? What do people do just find a fence post somewhere along the track and tie it up?

/Greg

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Markus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So - anyone who is using XT, does it work with the Hot Lap transmitter?</TD></TR></TABLE>

To my knowledge it does not. There were guys using the Hot Lap system the day I was at the track and I had no interference issues, which would lead me to believe that the Hot Lap transmitter does not trigger the Ultra Lap.

More info on the Ultra Lap: http://www.plavanracing.com/ultralapindex.htm

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bull &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

To my knowledge it does not. There were guys using the Hot Lap system the day I was at the track and I had no interference issues, which would lead me to believe that the Hot Lap transmitter does not trigger the Ultra Lap.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

i would agree with this. i actually think having it not work with the hot-lap is an advantage. i think there are so many hot-laps out there that on many occasions your times are off because it's picking up other people's transmitters.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by euro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My question is do I still have to set up my beacon at every track to get my results or does the beacon that timing and scoring uses trip my transponder anyway?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hey Greg, maybe this can be the "lap timer for dummies" thread.

Basically, the Hot Lap and Ultra Lap systems both require you to have a beacon at the track transmitting the signal that they then pick up. You can count on there being a Hot Lap unit there 90% of the time so you can skimp and maybe get just the receiver/display. The Ultra Lap system is newer so there aren't as many of them floating around out there - which means you pretty much need to buy a transmitter as well.

The AMB system is the only one that I'm aware of that will pick up the track's signal. It does look like an awesome system but you need a transponder ($300) as well as their lap timer unit ($500) so it ain't cheap.

Any other Q's, ask away. Somebody on here should be able to help explain it.

- Mark

 

&lt;---- XT Racing user and quite happy with it.

Nash

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by euro &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My question is do I still have to set up my beacon at every track to get my results or does the beacon that timing and scoring uses trip my transponder anyway? If I need to set up the "beacon" does it require power? What do people do just find a fence post somewhere along the track and tie it up?

/Greg</TD></TR></TABLE>

You will need to set up a beacon, but you can just set it on pit wall or on a tripod somewhere. It will need power, but you can get a $10 12v battery from radioshack and charge it before you go to the track - there is some info on the XT racing site on that. It wont work with the timing loop in the ground for T&S.

 

for the budget conscious, i had very decent results with my palm V running one of the various stop watch programs they have for Palm OS.

 

Hot lap timer has worked good for me over the past few years.

 

just got myself an XT last month.. can't wait to try it out.. can't beat it for the price..

 

my opinion....

don't waste that 250-500 on a lap timer when you can get a data aquisision for 250-500 more....if your class allows it....

that would be the best route!

cause lap times don't tell you anything cept how fast you are getting around....you don't know where you were faster the previous lap or slower....so a laptimer really does you no good...

cept for bragging rights....ya know when you tell those h5 guys how much faster you are then them!!!

 

A good Data Aq system (like the DL1) will cost you $1000 - quite a bit more than a $200 laptimer

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">don't waste that 250-500 on a lap timer when you can get a data aquisision for 250-500 more....if your class allows it....</TD></TR></TABLE>
except you can do split times with the ultralap.


We recently held a track day and did this. we had four transmitters and were able to pick up split times with our ultralaps.

It does take a bit of setup, but when it works... it's beautiful.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Driven &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
except you can do split times with the ultralap.


We recently held a track day and did this. we had four transmitters and were able to pick up split times with our ultralaps.

It does take a bit of setup, but when it works... it's beautiful. </TD></TR></TABLE>

this is what we were planning on doing.. at least it would narrow it down to sectors..

 

I wouldn't spend the bucks on a lap timer, I'd just use the money to get an entry level Data Acquistion system like the G2X (about $900). Does lap timing and a whole lot more.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A good Data Aq system (like the DL1) will cost you $1000 - quite a bit more than a $200 laptimer </TD></TR></TABLE>

The last group buy on the DL1 was around 750 per unit.

A lap timer will tell you that you're slow... A Data Aq system will tell you where you are slow!!!! I'd save up and get the DL1 or similiar systems. It's much more valuable.


Modified by StageOne at 9:05 PM 1/24/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StageOne &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The last group buy on the DL1 was around 750 per unit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You guys = teh suxxor. In reality I can probably only afford a used $100 Hot Lap....don't tempt me with data acquisition!

- Mark

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StageOne &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The last group buy on the DL1 was around 750 per unit. </TD></TR></TABLE>

*thud*

where? At that price, its very tempting.

 

see....chad does have some good advice now and then!!!
when i'm not ripping on ricers in the eg forum opps i mean the itr forum!!!