Track data via Android/Iphone

[dinoracer]

OK, I'm not nearly the gadget-geek a lot of you are, so help me out please. I don't own an Iphone, Ipad, Android etc, I have an ultralap timer in the car and a laptop computer.

If I want to get a bit more info, but not a full-on DA system, is there any real value to just getting an Android phone and the trackmaster app (or similar), or are the phone based apps like this just toys for goofing off on the street?

Thanks

[Dave_G]

The big limitation is in the phone-based GPS receiver. Most phones have a GPS refresh rate of 1 Hz, i.e. once per second. That's OK for street navigation, but pretty slow for track-based use. I use an external receiver with a refresh rate of 5 Hz, which is useful. 10 Hz would be better, but 5 Hz is adequate.

I've been using my GPS receiver for a few years hooked up to a Pocket PC (i.e. PDA -- remember those?). One of these days I'll get around to seeing if I can get it to talk to my Android phone.

[bigjim]

Not to mention if you are in Canada as I was when I tried to use my Android at Mosport, you need to turn on data roaming at an outragous cost for it to work.

[paultg]

I know this doesn't answer your question directly, but I got one of these for Christmas, and I think they make an OBD-II compatible model (Solo DL) that provides even more data:
http://www.aimsports.com/products/solo/index.html

I never had much success with my Iphone and a good signal, and like someone else mentioned when out of the US our phone service plan can get expensive.

[6PAK72]

I tried data acq. O the Droid. Total Fail.

I have a data acq unit I used last year to good effect that I am selling since the RedHead is getting an OBD I dashboard. Nice pc based track map overlay, pretty good accuracy, runs off 12v. Let me know if you want to try it.

[dinoracer]

Since I don't already own the fancy phone, and don't really need one ( have a work cell phone already), it looks like I might as well get an application specific gizmo

Thanks for the link Paul, that looks like it will do the trick.

Jeff, I might be interested, PM me some info about it please.

Thanks

[WillM]

The Solo looks very interesting. I like the idea that it uses the same software as AIM's professional loggers.

That said, I haven't researched the Solo much, but I do know there are several other competing products on the market.

I'd advise picking up the phone or sending an email to the sellers to learn a bit more.

Neel and his team at Apex Speed Technology know a lot about the products they sell, and they pride themselves at offering the highest level of customer service.

I just checked their site and see that they sell the Solo and other similar products.

www.apexspeedtech.com

They are a great company, IMHO

[joncowen]

I bought the Aim Solo last fall. Really like it so far. For the money, it's amazing what it will do. The predictive lap times are awesome. The screen can also be custom configured to your liking, including the size of the numbers (depending on whether you choose to display 1, 2, 3 or 4 values on the screen).

The Aim software is a chore to learn, but is supposedly very powerful. It's not user friendly at all, but once you figure it out, its not bad.

[Chrispy]

I picked up the Solo based on Jon's review as well as positive online feedback, look forward to trying it out. Now I kind of wish I had the OBDII version though

[paultg]

I bought the Aim Solo last fall. Really like it so far. For the money, it's amazing what it will do. The predictive lap times are awesome. The screen can also be custom configured to your liking, including the size of the numbers (depending on whether you choose to display 1, 2, 3 or 4 values on the screen).

The Aim software is a chore to learn, but is supposedly very powerful. It's not user friendly at all, but once you figure it out, its not bad.

So Jon, when will you offer online tutorials or in class lessons, and what will the fees be?

[joncowen]

I'm no expert, but i'd certainly be willing to help out. I wish i had someone with knowledge to help me get started, as it would have saved me lots of time.

Tips:
Mount the unit to the dash board, or use a suction cup mount. The unit wants to be below the windshield, ideally, for the best reception.
Get the software installed, including GPS manager.
You don't really need a laptop to bring to the track. Although, it's fairly easy to get the data off between sessions and review it, once you are up on the software.
Search for online tutorials for the software. You probably won't find anything for the unit itself, as its new, but the software is the same for almost all AIM products.
Don't expect it to work your first few sessions, and don't be dissappointed when it doesn't. It's easy to set things up wrong. Be patient.

I did find some online tutorials for the software. The AIM software is used by lots of people. The Karters are big fans of it, and those are where i have found the most tutorials. I don't have the links in front of me, or i would post them.

Setting up the unit takes some practice, but once you figure it out, its great. You can put it in your street car, find a neighborhood with a loop, and run some laps. Then, you can see how the predictive lap times work. The unit will also do 0-60 runs and 1/4 mile runs.

If the track map is available from AIM, you can add it to the unit through GPS manager. That way, you just turn the unit on and drive. The GPS knows what track you are at, and where the start finish line is automatically. If not, you need to hit the button when going past the start/finish (just like you would in a neighborhood loop).

For most people new to data systems (me), the predictive lap timer is the best part. I would buy this unit at that price if that's the only thing it did. Once i got it set up at Watkins Glen (first time), and the timer was running, within a few laps i understood how the predictive times works, and i could immediately see when i went faster or slower around a turn.

Email me with questions, i'm glad to help. JCowenNER AT gmail DOT com

[dinoracer]

Thanks for the input guys, the AiM solo looks like a winner. Once the annual bonus is calculated, I'll know whether it's going to be the Solo or the Solo DL

Jon, I'll be at your pit bay looking for the class to start.!