Raffman55

I've been searching and not finding an affordable logger that can record for two different drivers. I often share my car with my son at Autocross and some road courses. I downloaded the Harry's app but never got to try it out this year. Would like something we could study later on a laptop too. Any help is appreciated .

jpb1978

If you have an Android device, RaceChrono Pro is good, and only $8.00.

GSpeed

AIM solo is by far your best investment. Couple that with a Smarty cam, and you can leave it in the car, record everything with out tying up your phone, and never miss a session.

Mugen1516

​​​​​​I second this. I used Harry's LapTimer for the longest time on my Android device with an OBDLink MX for data and Dual XGPS160 SkyPro Bluetooth Receiver for more accurate GPS.

Overall, the setup worked okay. It was a nuisance having to verify all the sensors were connected before heading out on track. Sometimes the GPS receiver would go to sleep or the OBDLink would not be connected to HLT and therefor not record. Or sometimes the HLT app would not start the session timing automatically like it was supposed to or cut a lap when it was supposed to (and just record one big loop).

I have an AiM Solo 2 DL now and it is so much simpler. Just turn it on and get on track. No issues so far. Starts when it's supposed to automatically and records the lap likes it's supposed to.

If you can get an AiM Solo of some sort that's what I'd do instead of deal with the headaches of the lap timer apps. I tried Track Addict too and had similar problems with recording.

Raffman55

I have heard of problems with AIM Solo. So Solo 2 must be improved ?

GSpeed

We have never ever experienced any issues with the Solo, but thats not to say there were not issues. Having said that, the soloII is a nice update, lots of info and knowledge applied to that part, and happy with its performance!

lobsterroboto

What problems have you heard with the aim solo?


For parking lot cone avoidance I would change the track width from 30 to 15 on the aim.

If you use Harry's laptimer, an external 10hz GPS would be the most beneficial.

Raffman55

Some amazon reviews said it didn't work out of the box. I think someone here in the classifieds was selling one because of too much fiddling with it .....

GSpeed

It is absolutely a powerful piece of hardware, but once you learn the software (I can explain it over the phone, or you can watch the youtube tutorials) You will be blown away at the ability it has. If you want to go fast, you must be a student of the tools it takes to do so. Data Acquisition and data analysis are big in racing, so big you can do nothing other than data analysis and earn a living doing so. There is a learning curve, but its short and sweet.

Raffman55

Will probably wait till spring but will def check out the youtube videos

dclafleur

Now you might have sold me on the data analysis. You have a recommendation for a starting point learning the AIM's tools?

eric1855

Solostorm is great and works on track too, not just AutoX and can collect a ton of data and is relatively cheap.

I've become a big fan of HP Tuners Track Addict, it is a free app and has a ton of great features.

kdm123

I HATE, HATE, HATE AiM products.

I used both the AiM Solo and an expensive AiM Evo data logger with the SmartyCam video. I had multiple hardward and software problems until I finally just gave up and went to a RaceLogic data logger.

Besides the harward and software issues with AiM products, there are two other major flaws with these data loggers. First, you cannot do video and data integration--meaning you can't see your data and video on the same screen. The other problem is that they measure your distance from the start/finish line, not your actual GPS position at any time. This means that if you were to compare, say, where two drivers applied the brakes, you'd have to consider that with the AiM data logger the two drivers could be braking at exactly the same point, yet looking at the data they may appear to be braking 20 feet apart because one driver has a driven a different distance from the start/finish line.

My advice to the OP would be to continue to use the Harry's lap timer. I used to use that as well, and I think it's a really good system, especially considering how inexpensive it is. Once you get very familiar with using a data logger, then I would suggest moving up to a RaceLogic product.

I currently use a RaceLogic Vbox Sport. It's a basic, three of four hundred dollar system, and I'm very happy with it. That said, as with the AiM products and probably all other data loggers, it's not without bugs, and you do have to put a lot of time into learning how to use the software and to work around its problems.

argonaut

I have a two camera RaceLogic VBox system in my car. The data analysis software is called Circuit Tools. The system automatically integrates video and data: The video itself has a data overlay on it and then within Circuit Tools - the video and data are displayed together for analysis. A great feature is that you can load two separate videos with data at the same time and analyze together. For example - say you have a friend who is faster than you and also has a VBox. If you get his data and video files (for same track) you can analyze against yourself. Lets say turn 1 at VIR. Using data you can see exactly where he brakes vs you brake - i.e. look at the time vs distance graph. Then the video is syn'd - so you see exactly where that point is on track - like what brake marker he is braking at vs you. Its pretty amazing and very valuable - side by side comparison of two videos - with the data from both shown on the same graphs. So easy to pick out every little difference between two drivers (or two of your own sessions) and see where the differences are in the video.

But on the other hand - not many people run VBox. Far more use AIM. Thus its easier to get AIM data (even if the software isn't as good).

96CollectorSport

One thing that a lot of people overlook is what there friends are running - if you can share/compare data with someone with a similar car this will not only help you get better they can also help you figure out how to use the hardware/software. Even if the system they use isn't the one rated best you will get more out of it if you can work with someone who has had the system and is willing to share their knowledge.

That being said I'm also a big fan of the Racelogic VBox products - if you want video integration it's a very nice system - it can be pricey though.

lobsterroboto

that's a really good point.

I get so frustrated with Racestudio2 sometimes just randomly crashing when i open tests and what not.

But I share data and being able to easily compare laps with others in my class is worth the frustration.

NiceGuySanti

We just started using the Apex Pro digital track coach unit - It is very easy to use when compared to my Aim Solo DL. I am very impressed with how it tells you the real time available grip.

mattastick

This. Solo Storm coupled with a Race Capture Pro/DL-1. Solo Storm provides quick data analysis at the track/between runs/sessions, and the better data coming off of the RCP/DL-1 will give you plenty to look at after the event, should you choose that. We've passed my RCP around to a couple different cars, and used it for quite a bit of development, both car and driver, in both my C5 and my buddy's GTL Honda racecar. Solo Storm provides everything you need between runs for quick driver development: GPS, Ay, Ax, and time slip.

crimlwC6

I would disagree that the AIM stuff doesn't work. I have an AIM SOLO and a Smarty CAM. I don't use the AIM SOLO much anymore because the only advantage it gives over the the Smarty CAM is immediate feedback. If I went to a new track, I would use the SOLO because it can do immediate feedback about a current lap and you can see in real time what works in turns/shifting immediately. It can run a predictive lap that is extremely helpful in learning a new track. The post software analysis isn't intuitive but once you figure it out you can use the data to run multiple laps simultaneously in an animation and determine how to make your fastest lap.

Raffman55

Do you think Consumer Reports would do a "Shoot Out" ?