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Sept. 1, 2011 8:38 a.m. NineLivesJohnny New Reader

hello everyone, last weekend my gps and i pod was stolen at a local auto-x. it was my fault i left them unsecured.

my real issue is my gps, my ls1 Miata doesn't have a speedometer. i went speedometer-less because on track i find them generally distracting (on straits ill have my head berried in a gauge and not looking at the next turn) also they are silly expensive. i was using my Garmin for street driving and keeping my self from flying threw residential zones.

now that i need to spend $200ish bucks to replace my getto speedometer i was interested into getting a gps lap timer. i was looking at a few brands but was wondering if anyone has had some good or bad experiences. i'm considering units in the sub $400 category. i'll need a unit to tell me my current speed and if i could get it to work on an auto x track that would be amazing!! my racing brakes down into auto x, sometimes high speed auto x, and some nasa events next year.
thanks ahead of time for any help guys -johnny
Sept. 1, 2011 8:49 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

I picked up an AIM Solo for road racing and it is excellent. It does lapping, predictive lap timing, has configurable screens and is a small, self-contained unit that mounts easily and can be swapped from car to car.

It logs lap, GPS, and 3 accel positions too so you can analyze using AIM's Race Studio 2.

It has a setting for road width so you can make it narrower which should be perfect for an auto-x course to avoid false triggers when doubling back on itself.

$399 at BimmerWorld.
Sept. 1, 2011 9:02 p.m. NineLivesJohnny New Reader

aim seems to be on the top of my budget. any other alternatives?
Sept. 2, 2011 6:09 p.m. SupraWes Dork

I have no experience whatsoever with it but G-Tech has one at $299 now.

http://www.gtechpro.com/rr_fanatic.html

I owned the original G-Tech and also now currently have the old non GPS G-Tech Pro RR and I like it quite a lot other than the mounting bracket design which was over thought and sucks. I will probably get this new one in the near future unless I hear something bad about it.

-1 for having something stolen at an auto-x, that's the first time I have heard of that happening. I generally have left expensive things laying around, with the idea that if someone has the expendable income to go racing, even if just autocross, then they have no reason to steal. Scumbags.
Sept. 3, 2011 12:14 p.m. NineLivesJohnny New Reader

how does your old unit work at the track?
Sept. 4, 2011 7:58 p.m. MattGent New Reader

Iphone or Ipod touch + Harry's LapTimer app + mount (ram, or Tom Tom).

I've been playing with it lately, its a super value.

Here's a lap of mine at Homestead. It can also do autocross.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHcApwC0keg

App is $6 or $17 for pro version. Great support by Harry through his forums.
Sept. 4, 2011 8:10 p.m. ProDarwin Dork

MattGent wrote:

Iphone or Ipod touch + Harry's LapTimer app + mount (ram, or Tom Tom).

I've been playing with it lately, its a super value.

Here's a lap of mine at Homestead. It can also do autocross.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHcApwC0keg

App is $6 or $17 for pro version. Great support by Harry through his forums.

^^ This.
Sept. 6, 2011 7:54 p.m. Teggsan New Reader

^^ Specifically which mount is best? Looks like some of them cover the camera lens.
Sept. 6, 2011 8:30 p.m. ProDarwin Dork

S2k Guy said:
I have it mounted along the upper edge of the windshield. See photo. This using a Panavise and a SnapMount Tripod Mount. I already had the Panavise for camera mounting.

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/861324-smart-phone-data-acquisition/
Sept. 7, 2011 4:52 a.m. MattGent New Reader

I use the Tom Tom. It can be put in a position where the video isn't blocked, at least on a Miata.

I like the SnapMount, and would use that if I had a convenient place to put it.

The Tom Tom mount is more compact than the one pictured above. I wanted to avoid having a large moment arm, both for video stability and safety.

The Tom Tom also gives you enhanced GPS through its antenna. I'm not convinced this is required if you have an iPhone 4 as I do. Also, it is available locally (Best Buy), while just about all the others need to be mail ordered.
Sept. 7, 2011 11:35 a.m. NOSLO6 New Reader

MattGent wrote:

I use the Tom Tom. It can be put in a position where the video isn't blocked, at least on a Miata.

The Tom Tom also gives you enhanced GPS through its antenna. I'm not convinced this is required if you have an iPhone 4 as I do. Also, it is available locally (Best Buy), while just about all the others need to be mail ordered.

I use and love this setup too.