Looks like the last long thread on data acquisition system was back in 2005. With better GPS systems, I am sure there are newer and better versions now. Here is my question:

What system will track the following?

- Steering angle
- throttle position
- Brake position
- RPM
- mph
- g (if possible)
- position on track
- synch up to a video

I am looking to spend no more than a few hundred dollars (at new prices). Also, it will be use just for HPDE, no racing now or in the future.

 

I know of Racelogic VideoVbox but its more than few hundred dollars though...
http://www.racelogic.co.uk/?show=VBOX-Misc-About_VBOX
Maybe other experts can advise too

 

www.maxqdata.com

They won't give you everything you ask for for $2-300, but at least you can get an idea of what's available.

 

I have a Traqmate, which will get you everything you want, but it is more like $700 for the basic system (no display, just post-processing on a PC) and you will need to bring your own video camera and provide your own sensors for throttle and steering. If you shop around, you can find them on sale various places (I found a 20% off at SafeRacer.com, for example).

Traqmate Basic

Gratuitous video showing Traqmate integration

 

thanks guys. All of the above equipment don't seem to track throttle and steering input. Where does one get sensors for those?

 

RX-8 is throttle-by-wire, so you may be able to just tap into this, or there may be an ECU line?

For steering input, a quick Google search yielded the sensor from MyChron:
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/

Also:
http://www.advantagemotorsports.com/

 

Hi

From my understanding, Racelogic can read from CAN
http://www.videovbox.co.uk/_downloads/docs/vvb_data.pdf

I am pretty sure the vbox include steering and throttle input cause it has been fitted although to an motec ecu.

Hope it helps

 

Way more than a few hundred dollars for the system...
We've been using these with a DL1.
http://www.race-technology.com/strin...ing_8_968.html
http://www.race-technology.com/pedal...vel_8_969.html

Thought about using their CAN interface, but after hearing about some mysterious throttle-cut issues, have reconsidered.

Overlays created with trackvision.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3RiZVPHPWE

 

As Ivan referred to, it appears the CAN interface for RPM and Throttle position is not totally passive, but sends inquires to the ECU through the OBD2 port connection at a faster rate than the ECU likes.

Our car experienced a hard fuel or spark cut at approximately 54 mph in 2nd gear (very repeatable) and the butt dyno was indicating that the car was down on power throughout the rev range. We first suspected another faulty fuel pump but turned out that simply unplugging the DL1 CAN interface from the OBD2 port solved the problem.

This was the first time Race Technology had run into the issue on the RX8, but they believe it can be solved with a software update.

Chris H
06' RX8 B-stock

 

Unfortunately, as others have said, it's a pay to play thing, and the current price point is $700-1000+ for a decent system such as the Traqmate, other similar tools are similarly priced. I've seen capabilities ramp up, but the price point stay the same or actually go up as these tools become popular, even essential to get the most from your driving.

For cheap you could try an EFI Dude that will get you started recording engine parameters. But to be truly useful you need a GPS recorder and software to play it back to catch your own failings vs. your car's capabilities.

 

Thanks guys. It looks like a whole system will cost more than what I am looking for. I may wait for prices to come down or try to rent one for a weekend HPDE.

 

The other option is to buy stuff a bit at a time. Most of the systems can be upgraded as you go, and the total cost buying it a piece at a time is little more than buying it all at once (and may actually be less, if you take the time to watch for coupons vs. buying it all at once at list price).

For example (using the Traqmate I am familiar with), if you get the basic system for $550 ($700 - 20% coupon somewhere), you will be able to measure lap times and look at lines around the track to find the fastest line. Next year, buy a display unit and your steering/throttle sensors, which will give you real-time feedback on lap times (display unit) and more info on the car (sensors). The third year, add video integration.

To be honest, there is so much information provided by these systems that you are going to be completely swamped. Professional drivers have whole teams of people doing analysis on their data acquisition systems. You may actually be better off starting with a more basic system just to get used to the basic information (lap times, track lines, G-forces, braking/acceleration zones, etc.) and use this to improve your driving first, then decide what if anything else you want to know next. I know that for a 20 minute drive session, I can easily stare at the Traqmate analysis for over an hour trying to figure out what line to take to try next time out.

 

^+1 on that ...but it really does help!

 

Excellent advice Joe RX-8. A little data can go a long way...you don't want to overload and get locked into analysis paralysis.

 

http://www.performancebox.co.uk/ its vbox based and uses a gps + accelerometers. For 5\600$ might be the best bang for the bucks out there today!

 

You using performance box too........great stuff and value for money in the far east......but no very sure whether they can get it in US and what can of vendor support do they get.

 

They should have some good support and dealers there too!
The Vbox is a world wide known product so i really think that they should be able to get one directly from the U.S.!
If only Charles R. Hill sold this stuff as well as performance parts

 

There wes a link on the uk site to a USA site where you could buy this. It looks pretty good for the price. The only downsides I see compared to others - mounting - it's a rather bulky box because it's an all-in-one device, the graphing could be somewhat limited, and the GPS data rate appears fixed at 10/sec. Not sure if you can select a higher rate (20/40) for better resolution. Still...for the $$

 

It's not that bulky indeed, it's rather small! Like a compact camera but deeper
Yes the display is not the best but how about traqmate's small one? It is very similar to a gtech but with a pretty accurate gps data acquisition feature. It also recreates the "Missing" points in the acquisition via software if i am not mistaken.

With a limited budget that's what i'd suggest, or a bit more expensive smartycam from Aim but that's because it is italian :p
http://www.smartycam.com/index_ita.htm 1000$ or so i think though, and no can interface

 

No very sure abt changing the reflash rate but I thought the mounting is quite brilliant, either in front where you can get instaneous sector/lap time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsoDaPLF2_k
or you can mount it anywhere or even dont mount it (just leave it on the carpet if you have the GPS antenna.

 

Yeah agreed, Charles should add another value product too his arsenal...
The AIM smartycam really looks good with both recording and all the data available.....much better than the Go-Pro camera imho......

 

...not knocking it .. just observations... Anyone got a pic like in your hand holding it for seeing the real size?

- mounting gadgets where I track MUST be fixed, bolted in, screwed down, no window mounts allowed, no magnets, no sticky pads, no just laying it on the carpet, nothing in the glovebox, etc. Basically the car must be empty unless it's permanently fixed somewhere. That's a challenge and it's getting more strickly enforced around here lately.

..not comparing to Traqmate display but rather its PC sw graphing shown in the user manual. For sure the Traqmate display sucks pretty bad, making it fairly useless IMO except for showing lap time. Anyway if you have enough time to ponder ANY little screen whilst track driving...well.. frankly 1) you're simply not concentrating enough..2) it a track w/those boring long straights..3) or your not driving the twistie bit fast enough I had my TM up there in front for a while and I basically never even saw it...the focus point is just to close to keep looking at it.

The SmartyCam looks amazing...I might get that if I didn't already have the TM...but yah expensive too

 

Hi Spin
No problemo and I am not taking it negatively. I am merely sharing what I am currently using. Sorry I cant really compare to Traqmate as I dont have experience with traqmate. Performance box is about palm size as shown in the video infront of the dashbox. I will try to take a pic of performance box in my hand soon.
Its secured by 3 suction cups behind the unit and not a problem even up to 1.3g of corner. However I have a feeling it might not pass your area's tight scrutineering.

Haha...........I guess I am guilty of all 3.....
But you are right, you can set your own splits and most of them are set on straight....where I normally take some time to monitor the other vital stats as well...

Cheers

 

I fully agree. The Traqmate display is very simple and I don't care much for the buttons on the display as they don't have positive detents so it can be hard to know if you have pressed the right place -- the only real value is making sure the device is running instead of guessing whether it started recording. However, after the first turn I have completely forgotten about the display until the cool-down lap. Oh, and all the data is stored on the display so it is all you have to pull from the car to go to the laptop.

If you have enough time to take your hands off the steering wheel during a session to fiddle with the display, you need a more challenging track

 

Fully agreed, we are not formula 1 drivers.....no need to adjust anything on the fly.........so best to keep hands on the wheels........