Traqmate

Anyone here use a traqmate?

I just acquired one with the lap time display. Coincidentally my wife also just bought me a gopro.

Does anyone know if I can just use the traqview software and video together or do I need to also get the pricey traqstudio?

I was hoping I only needed the dongle to hook up my go-pro.

In reply to Draven:

I have a Traqmate and a GoPro plus a cheapo SD Camcorder for a rear facing cam. The cams have to be manually started before going on track - and that's a pain. Have not tried the Traqmate cable that can start a GoPro.

I use a program called Race Render to merge them all. Costs like $30 or so. I think it is a great piece of SW for the price. Let's me overlay the Tmate data and also the rear view (placed and sized however I want). There is a learning curve, and you have to manually sync the video to the Tmate data, but it's not too bad.

I'm also looking at using Race Render to put data from my Race Capture Pro into videos. There are a couple of ways to do it for free but it's not easy...considering the other options right now Race Render looks pretty good.

In reply to sevenracer:

I'll have to check that software out. The go pro i got came with a wireless adapter for it which lets me start it with my phone so in a sense I can stick it to the passenger side rear window for the day and then just start it from the drivers seat. It would be nice to have the rpm indicator as well. I think I've come to the conclusion that i can get the traqmate cable and still use traqview software and watch the video you just can't output the video to display on youtube. Still not sure though. I posted on their forums but its kind of clunky to use.

You still have to manually merge the data and the video with traqstudio. It takes some time to learn, it's not as easy as the website makes it, but then again what is? I usually try to mate the files based on the time the data or video was recorded. If you use the Sony camera they used to recommend, you also have to get additional software to convert the video so you can save video with data embedded.

I've been using race render. I'm currently in a free trial of dashware video editing software, and I like that a bit better so far. Race render free is a good way to try it, but it limits video to 3 minutes. Race render doesn't like as many video formats fyi.

So just to circle back. The only thing the HD cable attachment is going to do for the traqmate/gopro is allow the start and stop of the video via the traqmate?

Can I at list watch the video with the data in traqview when I sync it or do I need traqstudio?

In reply to Draven:

I don't think you can see any video in Traqview. You need TraqStudio for that.

One other note. I use Race Render to create video's for "casual" viewing. They are not useful for data analysis. I do that in Traqview. I do admit that having video synced with the data would be very helpful. For instance, it would allow you to quickly see if traffic affected a particular segment. So TraqStudio might be worth it for that reason (now you have me thinking about springing for TS!).

In reply to sevenracer:

Yea after some more research the traqstudio is needed to compile the data with the video. The cord is however not needed you can sync it manually. I lost the ebay bid so I'll just hold off for now and borrow a buddies. What I'm really interested in is creating the Theoretical Best Lap with video. That way it can show me my fastest line in all segments in one compiled video which would be great for improving my line.