Track data recording systems

**RyanD** · February 28, 2013, 08:23 AM

http://www.qstarz.com/Products/GPS%2...T-Q6000-F.html

I'm thinking about ordering this one because it seems like the best bang for the buck. The Traqmate system with color screen is 3 times the price.

Any other good options out there?

**Richard Buckingham** · February 28, 2013, 11:51 PM

Have you considered this?

Harry's Lap Timer Pro

Even if you dont have an iphone you can buy an ipod touch and use that and still be in the money. I have his app on my iphone and it's really good but I dont use it much as I have a race-tech video4 in my SRA already plus I use a GoPro for video.

**DarthChicken** · March 1, 2013, 07:56 AM

This is the one palatov used to video their win on pikes peak

CMS Lap Timer - Data Acquisition - HD Video Recorder for iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch / Mac

**FourFather** · March 1, 2013, 08:27 AM

I really like the Traqmate, and it has helped me tremendously, starting with the first AtomFest in '07.

So much so, that we became a dealer for them. The shift lights alone on the TraqDash system make it worth the price to me. The lights are up high, right in my forward line of vision, and I don't have to look directly at the unit, to know when to shift. As a perk, if you order one direct from Traqmate, and tell them to give me credit for the sale, (no increased cost to you), I will email you a run or two or three at Hallett and/or Eagles Canyon, and you can compare acceleration, braking, cornering, etc.

Back at the second AtomFest, when DP35 and I were trading all-time lap records for Atoms, we emailed our best runs back and forth, and each of us could see where we were gaining or losing time, relative to the other. Extremely helpful -- to me, at least.

You can replay your best lap as red car, against your next-best lap as blue car, on screen on your desk or lap top, and see in real time where on the track you passed yourself.

The new one now will auto-start a GoPro, and synchronize it with your track data, so you can see on-screen what is happening when you are generating max gee, etc.

I have had more lap time improvement per dollar spent, with TraqMate, than anything else I've tried.

When you figure how much you have invested to date in your car, and the percentage of that, that this TraqDash unit is, I think it would be a good investment for you.

Eddie

**RyanD** · March 1, 2013, 09:49 PM

I have a similar program on my Android phone. The issue I see is that the GPS is only 1Hz versus 10Hz for the Qstarz. I could use an external 10Hz GPS with my phone though.

**Positron** · March 5, 2013, 07:40 PM

Also great for narc'ing out idiot bimmer driver's using the pit out lane to pass just as subi boy is about to pit out (left) at 0:10.
I brought the laptop to download, bimmer boy was like whu?

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168671...24604495817554

**Richard Buckingham** · March 5, 2013, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Positron

Also great for narc'ing out idiot bimmer driver's using the pit out lane to pass just as subi boy is about to pit out (left) at 0:10.
I brought the laptop to download, bimmer boy was like whu?

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168671...24604495817554

Wow! Who was this with, Speedventures or NASA? Admittedly the WRX is all over the place (obviously a beginner) but the white bimmer is way out of order. I'd demand he never be allowed to sign-up again if I saw that, he's not the kind of driver I would like to share a race track with ever.

**Positron** · March 6, 2013, 06:30 AM

Speed Ventures, did take appropriate action based on my vid. Had I not had it, it would have only been my word against his, which he (bimmer) thought he was somehow justified. Which is the worst, drivers that are oblivious/denial to their actions.

To WRX's credit he had indicated he was going to pit out and had the right of way, which is why I was going way to his outside and slowing down, (just in case they change their mind) he fortunately looked behind before he went left and had to take evasive action, fortunately I had left him room and we didn't sandwich him in, tagged me.

To the value of vid, my car had the all the AIM data acquisition but this is the first time with the camera and data overlay. I already knew but it was clear to see that I'm still used to a much heavier car and much can be gained by braking later and harder. Something I continue to work on, but seeing is the best reinforcement.

**Richard Buckingham** · March 6, 2013, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Positron

Speed Ventures, did take appropriate action based on my vid. Had I not had it, it would have only been my word against his, which he (bimmer) thought he was somehow justified. Which is the worst, drivers that are oblivious/denial to their actions.

That's good. I have been driving a lot with Speedventures recently, some times the guys there are out of control, other times they are well behaved, its a bit of a crap shoot. I may end up moving up to the Red (advanced) group just to stay clear of the idiots who think track events are races. Have you been able to drive the Radical or an Atom with NASA? They gave me some trouble with my Atom because it's open wheel (no fenders on my SRA) but they have always rescinded and let me drive so far. No such trouble with Speedventures.

**Positron** · March 6, 2013, 09:14 PM

I've run with both since 2005, and have not had trouble with either, however have not run with NASA in a couple of years. I stayed in SoCal HPDE3 because I liked Mike the team lead the best. He was a good instructor and didn't put up with anyone's crap if they weren't on their game or unsafe. NorCal was even more structured/strict but but they run way too many cars in a group.

NASA seems to be discouraging (my words) the people who are not on a "racer" path. In the early years I found them to be beneficial to instruct and the teach the nuisances of track etiquette, which I give them high marks. The last couple of years I've felt like I was rushed to get to my car and grid up. They seemed to always run over time on their downloads, necessary for training but one) I don't like to rush to mount the car and two I always seem to be fiddling with something or other. (Darth says I'm tuning it to death..) Radical seems to take a good bit longer to mount the car and be go hot ready.

Which leaves a gap between over organized and under organized groups. I've instructed a few times until they don't listen or I get scared. Newbs tend to listen, it's the sophomores with a couple days and more money/car than sense fill up the lower groups and as last resort move up to a too high of a group who are dangerous. I typically run in red and drive defensive, give a wide berth because I'm there to enjoy the car/day and track and want to bring my car home in one piece. I'm typically fast enough to get around most anyone and patient enough to either wait until it's safe to get around or pit out and find some clear track, which I enjoy more anyway than what we call "roller derby". I've got enough track days, hey you want to go around? no problem I'll let you by I'd rather have you in front where I can see you.. spin out.

Radical still has current SCCA inspection sticker so I'm sure it's fine for NASA, I just got an email they are requiring annual inspection for anything that has a roll bar so maybe that's a good thing. Radical is a different fast and 400lbs lighter with bigger tires and brakes and a wing that puts down 800lbs of downforce at 150 mph a whole different dynamic. It's still counter intuitive to go faster and trust the aero.