Data Recorder | FerrariChat

Data Recorder

Discussion in 'Tracking & Driver Education' started by Rob in Potomac, Dec 17, 2009.

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  1. Rob in Potomac

    Rob in Potomac Formula Junior

    Mar 3, 2006
    454
    Potomac, MD
    Full Name:
    Robert
    I am looking for a data logger to record, view and analyze my lap times in DE events. It would have to be mounted in my 360 spider and, obviously removable for daily driving.

    Any thoughts and personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks and happy holidays,

    Rob
     
  2. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    Ian Anderson
    Hey Rob,

    I've been using a "Traqmate Complete" for over 3 years now and love it! - The device itself is completely "non-intrusive" to the car - My "sensor unit" is mounted between the seats and is "hard wired" to 12v, but you can obviously get that from the cig-lighter or it's own battery pack.... I made a little bracket that mounts just in front of the reverse lever for the "display unit" and it even looks pretty good IMHO - On a drive it even displays the *time* (and speed/direction etc) in a format that's readable with the roof down!.....[Very possibly the worlds most expensive solution to the unreadable clock issue? :)]

    The S/W is very easy to use - The only downside is it's "PC only", but if you're Mac or Linux based it runs fine in a VM.

    Suggest a search herein for "Traqmate" and many comments will pop up. [Many from me of course ;)]

    If you want to go to "the next level" (recording RPM, throttle position etc) I wrote a "how to" on the Traqmate site: http://traqmate.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=821

    Any more Q's, feel free,

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  3. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
    Full Name:
    Peter Krause
    PM me, I recommend the TM for it's ease of use.
     
  4. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    Another Traqmate user here. It's perfect for your application.
     
  5. gatorgreg

    gatorgreg Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 13, 2004
    1,944
    NAPLES
    Full Name:
    Greg Griffin
    traqmate!!!
     
  6. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
    Full Name:
    Peter Krause
    Rob, just to amplify. The purpose of a data logger is so much more than just lap times. While I use the lap times recorded to identify, select and analyze each lap, what I'm looking for in a data logger and it's software is the ability to quickly jettison the 80% I'm doing well and zoom in on the 20% of my driving technique that will make a real improvement to my driving.

    I have found that people can make great strides just making their braking performance more consistent and closer to the levels that the car is capable of FREQUENTLY and nearly every time you commit to the brake pedal. A simple Longitudinal (Accel/Braking) G versus distance will help you with that.

    Another area is the cleanliness and efficiency of transitions in control inputs, i.e. how quickly you can go from full acceleration down the front straight at Summit to maximum braking rate (in g's) without "anticipating" having to brake by letting off the gas pedal inadvertantly and even sometimes without realizing you're doing so.

    The software for the Traqmate is such that you can pull up a colored map of the track, based on the forces acting on the car, and identify instantly many of these areas for improvement. That way, you can go right back out with a plan rather than pore over a bunch of user-arranged parameters that you need to set up before you can get the usable (and valuable) information.

    All of these units (Traqmate, Race Technology DL-1, RacePak G2X and IQ3, RLC, V-Box, etc) measure the same thing with roughly the same accuracy (far more than you need to find improvement), but it's the ease-of-use that make the difference.

    If it's not easy to use, it turns into a glorified lap timer, which is a waste. If it is easy to use, you'll get to the point where it's the first thing you do when you get out of the car and you can't imagine living without it.

    After analyzing over 6000 sessions of data, from N00bs to professional drivers, certain trends emerge. It's gotten to the point now that I "see" as I'm driving the "shape" of the graph I am generating in my mind! :D

    It's cool and it is a must-have tool for quantifying objectively what you're doing on-track.

    Best, Peter
     
  7. Rob in Potomac

    Rob in Potomac Formula Junior

    Mar 3, 2006
    454
    Potomac, MD
    Full Name:
    Robert
    Peter, thanks for the most comprehensive description and application. Looks like I have my answer.

    Will be in touch.

    Rob
     
  8. gatorgreg

    gatorgreg Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 13, 2004
    1,944
    NAPLES
    Full Name:
    Greg Griffin
    Well said!!
     
  9. Seth Thomas

    Seth Thomas Karting

    Jan 25, 2006
    246
    Atlanta, Ga
    Full Name:
    Seth Thomas
    What he said.

    Peter and I both sell and use the Traqmate to do our private coaching with. It is easy, very intuitive for the users to learn to use, and supplies 85% of the data newbies need to learn what to look for. Let me know if you need any help with the Traqmate.
     
  10. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
    10,676
    Worldwide
    Full Name:
    Steven
    Another vote for Traqmate.
     

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