Great Deal at Safe Racer
11-28-2010, 09:18 AM
#16
Race Director
It's not all bad once you know how to work it.
I got it 2 years ago and they have gotten better.
It's just that people asked me often about my "Flatout" video's on youtube and how I get data and film and I would answer them with what I have, thereby selling for Traqmate. Their slogun used to be "Timing made easy" that was BS, now it is "Learn to go faster" I think.
Anyway, I like what it does, but it is very counter intuitive software and the manual and tech support forum suck. very slow and lot's of technical terms.
Without help you will throw it against the wall in frustration.
Manuals were terrible, did get better. When I asked about better manual 2 years ago, they insisted it was fine. OK.
Now that I have a dealer within an hour drive I am fine. basically it is OK stuff, but I am just warning people that if you are not very technical like me, you better have a friend or a good dealer near by who will help you out during the first track weekend, or be prepared to be frustrated.
Even when you know how it works it can be time consuming to merge data and film, other systems might just be easier to use.
If you buy, pay for training and install and make them help you do a lap (Around the block if you will), learn how to look at data, have them merge a video with you and have them upload it to Youtube, etc. There is trouble and surprises every step of the way, if you don't know how to work around the issues you'll get stuck..
I got it 2 years ago and they have gotten better.
It's just that people asked me often about my "Flatout" video's on youtube and how I get data and film and I would answer them with what I have, thereby selling for Traqmate. Their slogun used to be "Timing made easy" that was BS, now it is "Learn to go faster" I think.
Anyway, I like what it does, but it is very counter intuitive software and the manual and tech support forum suck. very slow and lot's of technical terms.
Without help you will throw it against the wall in frustration.
Manuals were terrible, did get better. When I asked about better manual 2 years ago, they insisted it was fine. OK.
Now that I have a dealer within an hour drive I am fine. basically it is OK stuff, but I am just warning people that if you are not very technical like me, you better have a friend or a good dealer near by who will help you out during the first track weekend, or be prepared to be frustrated.
Even when you know how it works it can be time consuming to merge data and film, other systems might just be easier to use.
If you buy, pay for training and install and make them help you do a lap (Around the block if you will), learn how to look at data, have them merge a video with you and have them upload it to Youtube, etc. There is trouble and surprises every step of the way, if you don't know how to work around the issues you'll get stuck..
11-28-2010, 05:23 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
I am really surprised to hear people say this about Traqmate. I am pretty computer illiterate, and have been using it since 2006 with no problems whatsoever. It is as "plug and play" as I can imagine. I've used it in 2 cars now, and it has been great. I've been able to compare laps that friends have sent to me, and it takes about 30 secs to download and open the comparison laps.
No affiliation...just a satisfied customer...
No affiliation...just a satisfied customer...
11-28-2010, 05:31 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
I am really surprised to hear people say this about Traqmate. I am pretty computer illiterate, and have been using it since 2006 with no problems whatsoever. It is as "plug and play" as I can imagine. I've used it in 2 cars now, and it has been great. I've been able to compare laps that friends have sent to me, and it takes about 30 secs to download and open the comparison laps.
No affiliation...just a satisfied customer...
No affiliation...just a satisfied customer...
Yup. Agree 100%.
Professional Racing and Driving Coach
11-28-2010, 06:34 PM
#19
Rennlist Member
I am really surprised to hear people say this about Traqmate. I am pretty computer illiterate, and have been using it since 2006 with no problems whatsoever. It is as "plug and play" as I can imagine. I've used it in 2 cars now, and it has been great. I've been able to compare laps that friends have sent to me, and it takes about 30 secs to download and open the comparison laps.
No affiliation...just a satisfied customer...
No affiliation...just a satisfied customer...
Yup. Agree 100%.
Just looking at data it is OK to use and it has gotten easier over the years to sync data with video.
Still recommending HD camera's and then telling me HD is not supported by their studio software until months later is a bit iffy and that was earlier this year and a bit embarrassing for the dealer who sold it to me.
The dealer is great, but still more then an hours' drive away and with his help (He can call Traqmate directly.) everything got sorted out.
Also, once you know what does not work and they tell you the work around, it is no longer a big deal but such info was impossible to come by for the first years.
For example, if you happen to record in a format it does not like, you click on "write video" and the button just does not work, no way to know why.
On my (crappy, slow) laptop, it still takes 2 hours to merge 8 minutes of data and video, then I have to re-save it 8 hours in Movie maker to have a file that will upload on Youtube. I'm sure there is another way, I just finally found a way that works and don't know the better way.
We've had no local support until 6 months ago. .
I sell software for a living, so not that technical, but not completely ignorant either.
The software I sell is as counter intuative as Traqmate, but my forum does not take minutes to load per page and if I have a frustrated customer I don't deny him access, my support people answer within hours..
My manuals suck as well, but I don't pretend they don't, we just answer all questions quickly and post lots of helpful tips on the forum.
I think there are easier systems out there, but can't say they are better because I have only owned Traqmate. The end results of my Flatout video's are cool and a good tool in addition to just looking at data..
11-28-2010, 07:11 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
I picked one up this past spring with video, and use the Sony 150 they recommended. You push the button and everything starts up and overlaying the video with data is easy, after your do it a few times. Software is not very intuitive and manuals are OK at best. Only issue I had was getting the RPM hookup to work and if you search here you will find the answers. They are great fun, waive one in - get the video....
11-29-2010, 12:54 PM
#22
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Just an FYI, I tried to buy a HANS device and they would not honor the 15% discount at Safe Racer.
