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Smartycam just sucks.... Constant issues and not consistent

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Old 11-05-2022 | 04:31 PM
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Default Smartycam just sucks.... Constant issues and not consistent

Am I the only one having issues? I have the SmartyCam 3 Sport. I consistently have the following issues:

1) The RPM is never captured correctly, anything >5k RPM is just pegged at 10K (not ideal for a GT3RS where it doesn't drop below 7k)
2) The RS3 application does not allow you to snip a lap... so if lap 10 out of 18 is the one I want to share with a coach or friends, I have to import it into VLC to clip it out
3) It NEVER records every track session... So I end up getting some sessions, but not others. This is the most infuriating, as my last few best sessions at LRP and WGI did not record... yet of course the crap ones did

I do not have any of these issues with the excellent Solo 2 DL, which works nearly flawlessly (and records ALL sessions).

Is anyone else having these issues? Im about to list the smartycam 3 sport for sale... and if I want video ill just use Harrys....

Old 11-05-2022 | 08:31 PM
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I've had issues with the recording reliability. Can't count on it.
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Old 11-06-2022 | 12:13 AM
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Originally Posted by rcg412
Am I the only one having issues? I have the SmartyCam 3 Sport. I consistently have the following issues:

1) The RPM is never captured correctly, anything >5k RPM is just pegged at 10K (not ideal for a GT3RS where it doesn't drop below 7k)
2) The RS3 application does not allow you to snip a lap... so if lap 10 out of 18 is the one I want to share with a coach or friends, I have to import it into VLC to clip it out
3) It NEVER records every track session... So I end up getting some sessions, but not others. This is the most infuriating, as my last few best sessions at LRP and WGI did not record... yet of course the crap ones did

I do not have any of these issues with the excellent Solo 2 DL, which works nearly flawlessly (and records ALL sessions).

Is anyone else having these issues? Im about to list the smartycam 3 sport for sale... and if I want video ill just use Harrys....
I'm going to answer here instead of the email. Sorry for the late reply - just finishing up from a day at the track.

I haven't seen the RPM problem but we can look at it. Standard protocol or custom?

You are correct on clipping out the mp4 files. I am told its one of the things they are working on.

What is the off time set to on the camera? It really needs to be 30 minutes. Many people have been caught by leaving the system on and the camera will shut off before they go out. This happens with the S2DL as well.

Im back Tuesday and we can set up a time to go through the setup if you want.
Old 11-06-2022 | 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Matt Romanowski
I'm going to answer here instead of the email. Sorry for the late reply - just finishing up from a day at the track.

I haven't seen the RPM problem but we can look at it. Standard protocol or custom?

You are correct on clipping out the mp4 files. I am told its one of the things they are working on.

What is the off time set to on the camera? It really needs to be 30 minutes. Many people have been caught by leaving the system on and the camera will shut off before they go out. This happens with the S2DL as well.

Im back Tuesday and we can set up a time to go through the setup if you want.
1) RPM is standard protocol. It’s just not calibrated to the analog display

2) OK

3) unsure - is this a direct input to the camera, not on the settings in RS3?

Ping me on tuesday -
Old 11-08-2022 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by rcg412
3) It NEVER records every track session... So I end up getting some sessions, but not others. This is the most infuriating, as my last few best sessions at LRP and WGI did not record... yet of course the crap ones did
I had this problem recently with my Smartycam HD. Of course it was a session where I spun and went 4 wheels off. I really wanted to review the video, but that session was just missing. Grrr...
Old 11-11-2022 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by rcg412
Am I the only one having issues? I have the SmartyCam 3 Sport. I consistently have the following issues:

1) The RPM is never captured correctly, anything >5k RPM is just pegged at 10K (not ideal for a GT3RS where it doesn't drop below 7k)
2) The RS3 application does not allow you to snip a lap... so if lap 10 out of 18 is the one I want to share with a coach or friends, I have to import it into VLC to clip it out
3) It NEVER records every track session... So I end up getting some sessions, but not others. This is the most infuriating, as my last few best sessions at LRP and WGI did not record... yet of course the crap ones did

I do not have any of these issues with the excellent Solo 2 DL, which works nearly flawlessly (and records ALL sessions).

Is anyone else having these issues? Im about to list the smartycam 3 sport for sale... and if I want video ill just use Harrys....

Luckily I have not had problems with capture over the last several years. Don't think I have missed a session on either of my cars.

As to autosnipping, RS3 cut this lap out for me automatically
(Don't mind the awful noise as the nose pan was dragging after contact. The video is low quality due to very low light and somewhat foggy conditions condensing on the lens at 38F)
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Old 11-11-2022 | 08:07 PM
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We have given up on trying to use the SC3 - washed out video with no way to correct. Tried several units in different cars with no luck. Stick with the SC2's.
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Old 11-11-2022 | 08:13 PM
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I think the exposure control is a little better with the latest firmware. My issue is that it doesn't always record.
Old 11-11-2022 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by toddlamb
We have given up on trying to use the SC3 - washed out video with no way to correct. Tried several units in different cars with no luck. Stick with the SC2's.
The SC3 has the same exposure control settings the SCHD has through the menus. I haven't seen any with exposure problems.
Old 03-14-2023 | 04:40 PM
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Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but are there issues still outstanding with the SmartyCam 3 Sport, or has everything been ironed out? Any issues still?
Old 03-14-2023 | 04:44 PM
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We haven’t tried any recently but now that the SC2 is discontinued we will have to eventually. We were told that some of the exposure issues still exist but that recent firmware updates have made it better.
Old 03-14-2023 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by toddlamb
We haven’t tried any recently but now that the SC2 is discontinued we will have to eventually. We were told that some of the exposure issues still exist but that recent firmware updates have made it better.
Ah, in that case, I may just keep watching from the sidelines for a while longer...

I've read some opinions that the SC3 might not work so well for filming from inside of the car (i.e. mounted on a passenger seat headrest and filming a shot of the view of the dash and the view out on the road). Is this true?

Thanks!
Old 03-14-2023 | 04:57 PM
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That was our experience. However we did only try the first two firmware iterations and AIM confirmed one of our cameras was horrible with the exposure.
Old 03-14-2023 | 06:53 PM
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I've haven't seen any of the issues that the OP or Todd is having. I've reached out to the OP to help, but haven't had any contact back.

The SC3 Sport might be a little more sensitive to where the exposure is set to, but it works fine from the first FW versions. If I recall correctly, the FW changes were for CAN messages and some other configuration/communication issues, not exposure. The downsides to the Sport cameras is the rear screen, no USB, and mSD card. It's a great camera at a great price point. I think we'll see the SC3 GP and SC3 Corsa sooner than later as the Corsa has appeared in RS3 for configuration, but there hasn't been an official announcement.
Old 03-14-2023 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Matt Romanowski
I've haven't seen any of the issues that the OP or Todd is having. I've reached out to the OP to help, but haven't had any contact back.

The SC3 Sport might be a little more sensitive to where the exposure is set to, but it works fine from the first FW versions. If I recall correctly, the FW changes were for CAN messages and some other configuration/communication issues, not exposure. The downsides to the Sport cameras is the rear screen, no USB, and mSD card. It's a great camera at a great price point. I think we'll see the SC3 GP and SC3 Corsa sooner than later as the Corsa has appeared in RS3 for configuration, but there hasn't been an official announcement.

Any word/rumours on expected feature set of the GP and Corsa setups? I've read that the Sport only records in 1080P, which seems a bit odd to me in a world of 4K dash and action cams.


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