I don't know... The market for Solo 2 drivers that are NOT trying to win the National Championship (like Steve has, many times) spending $3000 for a system is pretty darned small.

I think there are solutions which we are not considering because of our interest in systems we that we ARE familiar with (AiM, MoTeC, Video VBOX, etc).

I'm really impressed by this: http://www.petreldata.com/product/so...-android-v2-2/ $200 for the software package.

With a QStarZ (not that great, IMO) or VBOX Sport (pretty darned good with 20 Hz GPS, $429) plus this software and a GoPro, you wouldn't even need a laptop to get full featured analysis of autocross runs.

It's pretty cool! And reasonable.

 

No doubt the market for top level autox data is pretty small. There are lots of workarounds on how to make different systems work, but they are workarounds that are not nearly perfect.

I agree the Solo Storm looks the most promising and why I posted it up a while ago. With a good GPS unit, it's probably going to do with the OP wants for the smallest investment with the best results.

I don't know anyone who uses it, but there must be a decent user base as it looks pretty developed.

 

Well I guess I'll just try Solo Storm . . . .

 

Traqmate has an autocross mode. You can probably find a used traqmate complete pretty cheap.

 

Good point. That's a good simple system! Plus easy video integration with GoPro Hero 2 automatically or manually with other camera.

 

Bye the way Peter; my integration hasn't worked right since I sent the traqmate in to be repaired. Instead of starting the camera at start/finish, it starts it as soon as I press LAPS. Maybe I need to roll back the firmware? Have you seen this before?

 

Scott, you can check with Glenn Stephens, the founder and head of Traqmate, but it is normal to have the camera start when the antenna gets a GPS lock, NOT at the start of the lap. Is it synced in your TraqView software automatically?

 

Ah! that's probably my problem. My laptop got a rebuild since then too so traqstudio was re-installed. I knew it used to start at S/F when I loaded up the video, I forgot it was in the software. Thanks.

 

I have used a Solo DL for auto X, yes it can be programmed at the start line and the finish line to "define" the track.

For the stated purpose - compare runs, not just overall time, its been good. I have had a great time doing just that with my sons.

Its basically not hard to do - it is a mode called "point to point" in the course (???) selection page

 

Update - my friend used Solo Storm and says it sucks.

 

Can solo storm be used with an Aim Solo for gps instead of a phone?

A local guy does use an Aim Solo for autox. He walks the course with it to set the start/stop.

 

I have been using a Solo DL for two years autocrossing. You can set a start and stop time.

I recently got a SmartyCam HD because I wanted a quick way of getting data overlay and this does it great!

You can set the SmartyCam to trigger start/stop when the DL starts and stops recording.

The stop works fine - set the DL to 5 secs after it hits finish; set SmartyCam to 5 seconds after DL finishes and it is perfect for a total of stop recording 10 seconds after you cross the finish line.

The start is broken. I have tried all trigger modes and SmartyCam will only start recording 10 seconds after it is told too. I emailed AiM support and they do not think it is a bug They just told me to set the DL to Speed/RPM trigger so that I am always recording. I could have saved $800 and got a cheapo camera if I wanted that! The solution is to manually push record on the SmartyCam before I launch.

The other annoying thing about the DL is it starts recording when your speed is greater than 10mph. So you get a ton small of data logs and videos of you driving to and from pre-grid. It would be so simple for them to add a flag to disable that feature - a feature that for the life of me can't figure out why anyone would want. Just trigger on the start line!

AiM make great hardware but software is not there forte. It would only take one to two days of coding (I am a software engineer) to make it work perfectly for autocross.

 

When I was autocrossing on a regular basis we used the Race Technology DL1. With some practice and refinement of templates we were even able to compare runs between drivers after each run. We didn't have video then, but looking at their site, they have an option to link with a GoPro now.

 

I did hear back from support at AiM USA and they submitted my requests to AiM Italy. So AiM USA have done their part and we will see what is possible. Here is what I requested:

In many ways the AiM Solo DL and SmartyCam HD is a great product. Only hindered by basic things that could be fixed in software very easily. If that software was open source, I could fix it in a couple of days (I am a software engineer). These basic things would be easy to fix/add:

1) Start Camera recording once DL starts i.e. no 10 second delay.

2) Option to configure Speed or RPM value to trigger on. Nobody wants small videos or a datalog when they move their car to pre-grid. Zero means do not trigger. I would set Speed to zero and RPM to 4000. Then when I rev to 4000 at the start it starts recording. As I cross start, the lap timer starts.

3) Increment Lap when in Point to Point mode. Currently every Lap is number zero. Best Lap never registers.

Fix those and you have just opened up the Autocrosss market.

Even (2) would keep the Track Guys happy - again who wants small videos or a datalog when they move their car to pre-grid?

 

Joining the party a bit late, but I've been using data logging in autox for many years. Currently, my setup is:

CMS Laptimer Pro on iPhone 6 ($17)
10Hz external GPS ($150)
module ($15)

I find the screen on the iPhone 6 is large enough for quick in-car reviews between runs. For good comparative analysis post-race, I export to CMS on an iPad using built-in bluetooth data transfer. Computer (Mac only) analysis tool is free. The laptimer app is also available on Android if iOS is not your game.

CMS Laptimer is very similar to the old MaxQData that was popular before smartphones became the thing and has a QuickView feature similar to MaxQ's "QView".





CMS data files are compatible with RaceRender if you do decide to add video analysis (I think a side-by-side video from two drivers with separate data overlays could be useful).

The author has been helpful and responsive to questions and issues with the app.

http://stoppani.net/