observer

I notice that AIM made a few changes to their Smartycam spec, with the introduction of the extenal gps receiver option as well as a wide angle lens. Is there a way to update the cam for wide angle? I guess is simply case of fitting a wider angle lens? But would AIM supply the spare part?

Carrera51

Here's info on the SmartyCam. http://www.smartycam.com/on-board-ca...-smartycam.htm


You should be able to purchase the wide angle lens from an AIM dealer in the UK. There are two listed on their dealer page here: http://www.aimsports.com/contact/distributors.html

Thanks,

observer

Sorry I should have mentioned I already have a smartycam which I bought from the US earlier this year, my is the older version with single output socket on the back and a 67deg lens, not the wide angle.

I have spoken to the UK dealers they dont supply the lens are they easy to change over by opening the unit?

Carrera51

Observer:
I talked with our AIM rep today and he said you should be able to send yours in to a U.K. dealer and exchange it for an updated version. That's what they are doing here in the U.S.

amso3

Hi Observer

I noticed that the latest release of Smarty Manager (may have been there before but I missed it) has the option to zoom electronically. I have not tried it yet. Maybe this will help.



Cheers

amso3

Observer

OK I was wrong. I went to the shop and tried changing the settings. It does not change the recorded image. Not sure why they have the option for zoom in the config area, I'll investigate.

I would contact your AIM rep and see if they can upgrade your camera since you have the pre external antenna version.

kgorman

Yep any authorized AiM dealer can help you. Also AiM is releasing a version of the Smarty with a bullet camera so customers will have a choice of form factors.

JoeMag

Hey Guys -- regarding this wide angle lens, what's the thoughts of using it in 911? Looking at the smarty cam site, it recommends the standard lens for touring cars. Why would that be? I could see if it was really wide, but it really doesn't look that different...

Also, does the software have steering wheel option to show steering wheel turning based on steering wheel angle data.

Circuit Motorsports

Joe, the problem with many of the wideangle setups in a touring car is that you run into issues with the huge variation in light between teh outside and the inside of the car. One will be over/underexposed while the other is correct.

Gary R.

The standard lens is plenty wide, the "wide angle" is for open cockpit cars or motorcycles.. Jerry - the reason AIM put useless stuff in the software is because that's what they do..

amso3

JoeMag

If you are using the SC with AIM dash the steering pot data is available, however there is no steering wheel graphic like Motec uses. You could trick it and use the "Generic Bar" in the SC Manager. I'd try clutch position or something like that as the reference, using steering pot data. Then config your steering pot to be in the middle of the bar while straight ahead and adjust the low and high figures to show actual steering changes on the video. I'd probably try +/- 10 degrees as zero and 100% to see if that works for you. Steering pots usually have a lot of jagged movement so not sure it will be effective, but worth a try.

JoeMag

Thanks Jerry... I don't have smarty cam yet. Probably will get in the spring. My steering pos'n does have some noise, but not too bad (attached is MidO, first turn is end of back stretch right hander). I'm running MoTeC string pot. AiM needs to get the steering wheel graphic.

amso3

I like the way you connected the pot. I had not thought of doing it there, and your trace is not too bad. Interesting spike at 75. Is that really a big steerring correction?

BGB Motorsports

Gents,

2 things:

1.) We struggled a lot this year with the AIM GPS stuff UNTIL the units were revised with the external GPS input for the Smarty Cam. AIM was great. I complained and whined, etc. and they had 3 engineers from Italy in our paddock in the middle of the summer and BOOM. The fix solved many GPS issues. As we all know, when you don't get lap times, it's frustrating. I can't stress enough how much the external GPS input helps.

2.) Attached is some in-car of a non-wide angle Smarty Cam setup in the Cayman. Joe Cooley is spot on; the wide angle is hard for sports cars because of the varying levels of light. The existing Smarty Cam software is great for spot focus and cleaning up a lot of that. As you can see, this frame width is pretty decent and the camera can still be mounted more forward or backward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNFjiU7V_TA

Gary R.

That's similar to where mine is attached Jerry! I wrapped the area in electrical tape to eliminate any edges that could cut the string (again).