ShakeNBake

This is the one critical feature that the SoloDL/Smartycam does not have right now, that vbox does, and I wish I knew it before going AIM. I've been told this will be working in RS3.

The reason this is so important to me is that when you are looking at a segment analysis of a session to find the best corner strategy, especially if you have been experimenting, it is very difficult to find in video where that particular fast corner was or to compare it side by side with another lap. Seeing the data on a position graph is one thing, seeing the video with steering and brake pressure overlayed in real time with the data on the position graph is a real learning tool.

For me it means that the smarty cam is little more than a gopro with data on it - i.e not much use in the field (where I have very little time running around with students) except to play back a good spin. And the video is much lower quality to boot than the gopro.

Matt Romanowski

Smarty Manager will allow you to watch two videos, synced to the same time, side by side. Open Smarty Manager, then select movies, select your first movie, then second, get them synched, then choosing to link the first to the second or the second to the first.

Also, it's easy to find the fastest corner video. Look at what session and lap you find is your best in teh data. Then open the video for that session, go the lap and then the corner and your there. The lap data in the video is the same as the data, so it's all the same and easy to find.

Also, if you want good data for comparing corner strategies, you should do at least 3-4 of the same in a row to have a decent sample, not just one try.

audipwr1

Can we update this for 2014?

Want data acquisition and ability to overlay video

Assume solo DL + camera is one option what are the others?

Thanks

Izzone

Interesting as always Peter

Just put a pro version vbox in Steve cup last night.....its addressed most / all of my problems I've been having with connections on the lite kit...they come loose. Surprised how little we got off the can in a cup ( wish it had brake pressure, steering angle)

Vvbox is still my favorite thou....the predictive display is a great tool when sharing the car...like I do with Ron

Complaints
It always uses the grand course at vir, relating in a wrong location of start finish....and video is already written so it's not movable in the video
Savannah Harbor isn't in the system

ProCoach

Randy, the latest version of Circuit Tools has the right map and coordinates for VIR and a few others. Also, you can make start/finish coordinates for Hutchinson and load them before you get there. VBOX has a good video of using Google Earth to do just that.

Yep, Cup car CAN is limited, which is a pain, but surmountable in both systems (AiM and VBOX).

It's a great system, I am using it this weekend where you are! See you soon!

Matt Romanowski

Race Keeper has finally started to ship their HD systems. AiM has released the Smartycam HD and Smartycam HD GP. Their may be more developments, but they won't be announced for a week when everyone is at PRI.

ProCoach

The HDX2 is huge. And so are the cameras. Another option is the new VVBOX HD this spring, two cameras with data overlay onto the video...

audipwr1

The aim cameras are wicked expensive I don't get it

Solo DL box isn't bad, but having to drop another grand for video overlay seems crazy to me

Circuit Motorsports

GoPro 3-400 bucks.

no GPS, no connectivity, minimal support, no realtime data overlay

SmartyCam 1000-1100

GPS, connects directly to data systems, best support in the business, realtime data overlay.

audipwr1

Solo DL already connects to data system, has gps

That's all overlap one is paying twice for

ProCoach

The reason why is because it IS a computer...

It's got a CPU, it's own operating system and is able to encode the data stream onto 720P real time so you pull the card and play it.

Only other system that does that (and right now only in 480, standard definition) is Video VBOX.

All the others, including the current VBOX HD and Race-Keeper, put the information on the video using software AFTER the fact.

How much is your time worth? <grin>

Matt Romanowski

I know for me (and a lot of others) it only took one weekend of watching 20 minutes of driving, 3 hours of a hood, and then a dead battery with a GoPro (which is $400 now). The price of the SC HD is not bad when you consider what it does - realtime writing of data on a HD video, waterproof, and reliable.

pmason

Yes but I would agree if you have already the Solo or MXL or EVOx and you want to add a camera it is expensive. If they had two options on the camera, one with GPS and one without it would be better.

amso3

No one has mentioned quality of the SC HD camera and the lens. The camera body is machined aluminum. The lens is designed around a very bumpy racing environment. Way ahead of Go Pro in that department.

RickBetterley

When you get your new SCHD, if you notice what appears to be a foggy lens (mine in the upper right quadrant) and if its not easy to clean off, get in touch with AiM soon (during the warranty period).
I bought mine in the late winter, first used it in April and saw the foggy-ness. Figuring it just needed a cleaning, I didn't pay too much attention.
At the end of the season, I removed the camera and sent it into AiM who needed to do a lens replacement and since I was well past the 90 day warranty, had to pay for it.
I questioned the decision to not replace it under warranty (heck, I have video from April showing the blurring if we need proof). I didn't push too hard as I was busy at the time, but I'm somewhat unhappy about the decision.
My fault, as I could have removed the camera during the season, shipped it down and gotten it back in between events, but still...I've been a pretty good customer.
I really like the products and the support and service of the AiM folks and Roger's training, so I'll chalk this up to experience. But if you have a warranty issue, don't let too much time go by.