Planning on finally getting into track days this year. With that my interest has peaked in some sort of timer. My plan was to just run something super simple. Im thinking I start of with Harry's lap timer. However Im gathering that this runs off of my phone GPS. Well my network isnt all that great. Should I look into an onboard GPS setup too?
Network cellular coverage is separate from GPS coverage. That said, an external GPS antenna will have better resolution and accuracy.
Best to not worry about timing your laps at all the first few times out. There's more important things to keep track of. Not to mention that some track day outfits may discourage lap timing at least within the novice run group.
Honestly, at this point lap times calculated from session videos when you watch them later should be plenty good. Plus you'll be seeing what was going on and should be able to pick up instructor commentary.
Norm
I agree with not trying to time stuff right now. For your first few days at least you'll want a right-seat instructor and to focus on lines, smoothness, looking ahead, friction circle, proper timing of gas, brake, steering, etc. Worry about timing once you get to driving solo, and at that point the most useful part of it is a predictive lap timer so that you can tell if the last corner was a + or - on your time,
I used Harry's with and iPhone 7+, the phone's internal GPS and a Sony FDR X-1000V. It was nice to push one button and have both start recording when I cross the start/finish line. My phone mount is low and on the passenger's side of the center console I didn't look at it while I was driving. You might even want to throw a beanie or something over it while you're on the track. It was nice to see my lap times improve progression during the day though. My best laps were in my 5th session when a lot of guys had left for the day.
I do agree that I wouldn't put a priority on it. But when it does come time for that, if you have a modern phone with better than 1Hz update rate, it'll be fine. I feel like I've only ever seen people struggle with getting Harry's lap timer to work right but I've never used it myself. I've been using racechrono for a long time now and am a big fan of it as long as you don't need video integration. For you needs the free version of it would probably be plenty functional, or the full version is $20. Basically all that gets you is the ability to output data for video overlays.
I've used Harry's a few times now and it's a mixed bag. For the $20 or so I spent, it's been useful, just not 100 percent reliable on when it's going to collect data.
I personally think starting out with the data from Harry's can help you on your later sessions. It can let you know how much speed you can carry into specific corners plus what speeds you are hitting before braking zones. Going over the info has helped me tons in seeing where to try to push things a little further one sector at a time. I do understand the idea of focusing on the learning part, but this actually can be a tool to use FOR learning in a way.
OK, let’s say an older guy (a.k.a. dinosaur) with track experience were to ask the same question. Keep in mind dinos don’t have “smart” phones.
What would be an inexpensive (not necessarily “cheap”) simple way for the dino to collect his lap times and perhaps some other data to download to his lap top? Yes dinosaurs have lap tops.
In reply to L5wolvesf :
get the cheapest smart phone you can. It can be used, or whatever.
Trackaddict is another good one. Connect an external bluetooth GPS (qstarz bt-q818xt is a popular one), use the phone camera and you're off to the races with some pretty snazzy looking video / data recording.
Next level up would be to use something like an AIM Solo
L5wolvesf said:OK, let’s say an older guy (a.k.a. dinosaur) with track experience were to ask the same question. Keep in mind dinos don’t have “smart” phones.
What would be an inexpensive (not necessarily “cheap”) simple way for the dino to collect his lap times and perhaps some other data to download to his lap top? Yes dinosaurs have lap tops.
Race Capture Pro is an affordable version of the SRS BZNS race car data loggers, I have one in my Corolla, however using the data captured by this kind of system requires more skill than using a smartphone IMO.
Another good option might be one of the driving-oriented action cams with a built-in data logger, they don't offer much flexibility with the kind of data capture but they're easy to use: You start recording, then you stop recording, then you view your video with data readouts already embedded and synchronized.
morello159 said:Next level up would be to use something like an AIM Solo
AIM Solo is the easy button. Find a used Solo 1 for a couple hundred dollars and you basically don't have to do anything other than remember to charge it, bring it to the track with you, and turn it on.
<$100 tablet and an app that lets you output data if you really need to look at it on the computer. But chances are it's going to be easier to look at it in app on the tablet than exporting it anywhere.
Or the AiM Solo 2 is probably the most standalone thing out there,but it's $400.
I forgot about the new Racepak cl2 that's priced about the $250 range. I know the guys at Speed Academy have been using it for live lap timers and data acquisition but haven't heard much about it other than that. It sends data to whatever device I believe through Bluetooth, and seems like a good inexpensive alternative to the AIM solo 2.
https://www.holley.com/products/data_acquisition/vantage/cl2/parts/20100-2004
GameboyRMH said:L5wolvesf said:OK, let’s say an older guy (a.k.a. dinosaur) with track experience were to ask the same question. Keep in mind dinos don’t have “smart” phones.
What would be an inexpensive (not necessarily “cheap”) simple way for the dino to collect his lap times and perhaps some other data to download to his lap top? Yes dinosaurs have lap tops.
Another good option might be one of the driving-oriented action cams with a built-in data logger, they don't offer much flexibility with the kind of data capture but they're easy to use: You start recording, then you stop recording, then you view your video with data readouts already embedded and synchronized.
This sounds interesting, more words please like brands and models. Thank you
Here is Harry's on my Galaxy S7 in a cheap mount. Video is from the phone and service was at&t...I was thinking about buying a gopro but this worked ok for me. I can't seem to export the whole session with the overlay but I was able to do laps at a time.
Yes the Mustang is so much faster :)
CAinCA said:<video clipped>
I was at that event too. :) Black (well, really dark blue) E46 M3 in open. :)
In reply to codrus : 
I might have a couple pictures of your car.
I'm headed back on the 14th.
You'll need to log in to post.
