LVDell

Well, it's not so much that I need to keep saving for it. It more that I need to be able to look my wife straight in the eyes and say "it was only $1,000" when she says "very cool....how much?"

I already got "the look" when she asked how much the bypass pipes were when they came last week. I can't keep side-stepping these land mines with a pregnant woman unless I want to start looking for a good divorce lawyer

RonCT

Then here's another idea for you... Hold off for 6 months, and put TM on your Birthday or Holiday list. Try what I do - I buy what I want around my Birthday and Christmas and hand it off for wrapping My wife has gotten used to it - that way I get something I've wanted for a long time that I know she won't go out and buy me, plus I get her surprises...

Gary R.

Dell - do you use a PDA with Bluetooth capability? If so look into a MaxQData Systems GPS for a quick, cheap solution. Works well, gives you track segmenting capabilities, G forces, Speed, Lap times, etc. etc.

http://www.maxqdata.com/

LVDell

But I don't want to wait til November (B-day). However, it looks like that is the way I am going to have to play it.

That is perfect. Only caveat is that my Treo is PalmOS and that software requires PocketPC.

Carrera Mike

Dell,

Looking forward in meeting you and the rest of the boys this weekend. I'll be at the gate Thursday PM(if you arive that early), I'm helping the registrar with the waiver form signatures.

See you all!

Veloce Raptor

Dell, this is all you need, and it will only cost you $20.

LVDell

eclou

here is your solution

Veloce Raptor

I was serious. Velcro it to your steering wheel or your dashboard. Hit the button each time you pass start/finish.

LVDell

Mike, I'll be there Thursday evening as well. I'll look for you when I get in.

Cheers,

LVDell

I know and I actually thought about doing that but I really really really want the GPS based system and realize I am relegated to the stopwatch club.

chrisp

The stop watch on the steering wheel works. Super low tech, probably only accurate within a few tenths (human variability) but cheap and easy. I use an Ironman triathlon watch (50 lap memory) with the band removed. It's much smaller than a stop watch.

Veloce Raptor

The only caution is that, if you use an OEM wheel with an airbag, do NOT mount anything on it. Put the stopwatch on the dashboard. Velcro is amazing.

ltc

Dell,
+1 on what Ron said.

If you are really intent on measuring (and therefore improving) lap times, then a single lap timing system probably won't be the best (although it is the cheapest)
A data acquisition system, that allows you to download your time/data and analyze by (user defineable) sector(s) is definitely the way to go. Traqmate, DL1, AIM, etc....all good systems.

Although I have never timed a single lap for myself when driving (really), I know from experience that using an AIM Mychron system on my son's kart (speed, RPM, lap time, water/exhaust temperature) has made a tremendous difference in his driving...and consequently his laptimes.

LVDell

Sounds like we think alike. While it is very interesting to see what your "total" lap time is versus sector times you really don't get the data you need to improve. As I said, I have never used a timing device except for video uploads after the weekend. Looks the smart thing to do for what I am looking for is to get a stopwatch today and a data system for my B-Day.

Why do y'all have to make so much sense!