TXE36

That really is a shame. The downside of the high integration of today's semiconductor devices is most are no longer a standard part and they are sole sourced. Once availability goes away for a component, it can be very difficult to get around the problem. Usually, the first few components converted to unobtainium can be designed around using substitute parts and minor design changes. However, eventually the other shoe will drop and one has to nearly redesign the whole thing because a critical component has gone unobtainium.

Another factor is pricing pressure. The cost of MEMs devices, which make up the accelerators and the GPS components have been dropping very quickly. Today, a 3 axis accelerometer is a $7 part, and a GPS receiver is about $20. To take advantage of the lower prices, TM would have to redesign their box. AIM came later, and enjoys a cost advantage over TM because of this.

-Mike

DC640

I still use TM dash and been using it for past 1.5 years. I like it for my purpose. Yes I do miss the CAN info but I don't mind the video and racerender work up on a computer.

Interestingly, when I emailed Andre at TM, he says he will have a new firmware supporting GoPro 4 power trigger cable avilable w Traqdash USB port. Hmm but company is stopping production but still working on one last firmware?

I do like traqdash screen and rpm led shift lights. I wish aim made a touch screen that size (I guess vbox has something like that) at a reasonable cost and a better smartycam video quality (and easier software to configure) - I was helping a friend out trying to setup the overlay and oh man was that hard

ProCoach

Well, when I started selling and using TM, there wasn't a video option!

Then, the ChaseCam PDR-100 was produced and was pretty bulletproof. Then, the Sony HD camcorder option was introduced (the later ones shook apart), then sales really too off when the GoPro Hero 2 option was offered, but then GoPro broke that functionality with the Hero 3. Then the Replay, then the Mobius.

As a dealer who has sold nearly a thousand of these units, I appreciate the simplicity. The simplicity of the software (and the perceived complexity of the AiM and MoTeC) was enough to keep me a TM groupie for a long time, but the moving target of the video camera integration is what killed it for me.

I MUCH prefer taking a support call to walk someone through a configuration question on AiM, a setup question on VBOX or a calibration question on MoTeC than ONE more question about "why the video isn't synced" on a TM.

For those TM users that the system works well and are familiar, it's good to go. I still like it, still use it and have a few used Basics for sale for half what an AiM Solo costs, but time has moved on.

VBOX OLED displays are not touch screen, but they are good! Good luck!

Matt Romanowski

Technology always marches on. Just like computers, cell phones, etc. The only difference is that this is a much smaller market.

RickBetterley

When I hop in a car with data and its a TracqMate, I think "oh, a TracQate, don't see those much anymore."
Great kit in its day and still plenty useful. Sorry to see them stopping production.

trophy

Thanks Peter for taking the time to respond. Very Helpful. I like data, right now I do a very rough "Comparison" between my logged data from my ECU (Speed, Gear RPM and Throttle Position) on a separate screen to my Traqmate data, cumbersome but still provides great information.

I have brake pressure sensors at home ready to install and will be connecting to the ECU (May change) to log the data.

Of course if I can get all this via CAN to the AIM dashes all the better, and of course as you say the mission critical stuff can then be warnings on the AIM dash.

Thanks Again.

Thanks Matt for taking the time...

Good to know that those 3 dashes are essentially the same and its a preference for the style.


As soon as I get the system back from Traqmate I will have to make some decisions, most likely I will be selling and buying an AIM Dash of some description....

ProCoach

Steven, I can certainly help. To integrate analog brake pressure sensors into the mix, you'll need a dash. The Solo DL only accepts ECU data, and the brake pressure sensors won't go through the ECU.

Keep us posted!

Matt Romanowski

Any time. Let me know when you are ready to make the change and I'll give you a great trade in for any part of the Traqmate.

ProCoach

I do offer Rennlist discounts equal...

Matt Romanowski

So does Jerry (Amso3). Probably other folks too, though I didn't see them post in this thread.

trophy

Thanks for all the advise guys, Much appreciated.

Will do....

I have a 6 spare 0-5 volt inputs for the ECU so I have space for the Brake Pressure Sensors and can have the data in the ECU and then feed it to what ever Dash I end up with (I noticed there are a couple of ways to connect the ECU to the dash, using the serial output gives me tons of channels vs CAN). I already have additional ECU wiring going to the front of the car for my 997 Cup power steering so adding the wiring back to the ecu is super easy.

Matt Romanowski

Something to research (I haven't done a ViPec v88) is that the sensors that you feed into it will be transmitted as voltage and in RS2. You will then have to make a match channel to convert them to pressures.

trophy

Good point, I will add this to my list of notes

I am not sure what the output looks like from the v88, whether it outputs the Voltage or the Value (the logging, PC or ECU outputs the value). If it outputs volt then the math will be done, i assume if it outputs a value ie PSI then the AIM will display as such...

In the ViPec software there are calibration tables that does the math to then display the correct value.

Matt Romanowski

Here are the Vi-Pec protocols http://www.aim-sportline.com/eng/dow...g.htm#racing48

When I was looking through, it looks like the added analog channels get output as voltage. AEM does the same thing, so I'm not surprised.

trophy

Looks like the v88 with no adapter is the way to go, using the Serial TX/RX.

Setting up the math channels is not issue I assume, are there any limitations within the AIM dashes?