Does anyone have experience with the G2X laptimer and datalogger? The price sounds attractive and the simplicity of installation and use as well. But, does it have in its programming software actual maps of the tracks you run, or does it just map your pathway around a track based on your pushing the initiation button? Any issues with hooking it up? How about being able to take interval times on different segments of the track?

http://www.g2xtreme.com/main.htm

 

Eagle,

I have a G2X I have been using for a little over 1 1/2 years now. Before I bought it, the company sent me a demo CD to see what kinds of data it will capture and what can be done with the data.

The set-up/install is a piece of cake. In fact, I have moved it back and forth from one car to another during track events several times. There are additional bits of hardware that come with the kit that you can play with if you wish (digital lap time readout, shift lights, etc), but 95% of the features of the unit come with just turning on the power and taking off.

The unit uses GPS to map the track as you run it. You can then use the data and the track maps to see what is going on at any point on any lap. The online forums also have a section in which other people are uploading track map data for reference.

The software will also break your track map into segments. This to me is the most useful feature, as you can compare segment times and entry/exit speeds with different lines/gears/etc. It also calculates your "theoretical" best lap.

Anyway, as you can probably tell, I am a big fan of the G2X. Great value for the money, and does more than you think it can.

 

Bigdaddy:
Thank you for the very helpful reply. This sounds like a good unit and very much what I am looking for as an introduction to data logging and laptiming for analyzing driving.

 

Have you taken a look at http://www.corner-carvers.com/ ? A quick search over there might lead to your specific product answers, as I believe that there are several guys on that board who use the G2X.

 

I had not, and that is a great idea. Thank you.

 

Let us know what you decide on, and how you like it.

 

I seem to remember reading an article on one of the big car magazines recently that tested this type of equipment. Too bad my wife makes me throw away all of my magazines after I read them.. Perhaps try searching on the car and driver website.

 

I've used the G2X a couple times... but I haven't used the actual software yet (I've borrowed it from Trackpedia.com and they've processed the data for me).

It is VERY easy to set up... uses a Compact Flash card to store its data, so you can hardwire the unit and simply pull the card to download the data. It also comes with a dash display. If you don't want to hardwire it, just make sure your cig lighter works.

Check out some of the uploaded data that Trackpedia.com has from its members:

http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Categ...with_Telemetry

 

Stacy,

If you ever want to borrow mine and try it out, just let me know.

Sean

 

I'd like to take you up on that sometime. I have been wanting to try one out for a while. Do you have the software to look at the results at the track?

 

We are hijacking this thread...

Anyway, yeah, you can borrow it anytime. I usually don't bring a computer with me, and typically just download all the results when I get home. However, I know Eric has the software on his laptop now, so I'll try to get him to bring it along and we can all use it.

February can't get here soon enough.

Sean

 

You should take your laptop to the track when you are using the data logger because the whole purpose is to see where you can make improvements when you go out the next session. In the first two sessions get to know the track and then try two laps with a changed line in corners that you are a lttle unsure about. The overlay all the laps in that session and see if you can make any improvments based on time thru the corners. Keep in mind you need to remember what changes you made in which corners. Taking it home to review is like missing 90% of its value.

 

Before you go out and buy a G2X, check out Traqmate. It has many of the same features as the G2X, but you can also link its data to your in-car video.

One of my friends made a video of some lapping in his EVO:

http://warmpepsi.com/vids/Roebling_11-19.avi

 

i completely agree with you, to an extent. first off, i don't own the data logger, i just borrow it from work, so my need to get something out of it is lower than if i owned it. secondly, i get paranoid as all hell taking the laptop to the track. i know most everyone at track events are good people, but the what-if is enough to make me not want to deal with it. i have also found that i really just don't have the time to sit there and analyze everything in between sessions. i really only have a chance to look at lap times and some corner entry/exit speeds. that time is reduced even more by riding along with students while instructing. therefore, what i end up doing usually is making notes about different sessions and different things i might have tried during those sessions, and going over the full data set later with the notes in hand.

i can promise you that there is alot more to be gained by using these things than i have the time to figure out.

sean

 

add the $125 trackvision software (http://www.trackvision.net/), and you can do that with the g2x. i played with the DL1, traqmate, and g2x software before buying, and the g2x was the best IMO. The included dash is fantastic - bright, big and easy to read, and configurable (can show different data in the different sections per your preference). i'm not sure if the traqmate supports external sensors, but the g2x definately does.

i use it in my specmiata (i may buy a second antenna to keep on the z), and it has been tremendously helpful. i've been very impressed with the unit.

i think the most important thing if you're considering any of these devices is the software. most of them are 4hz gps receivers with accelerometers and built fairly tough (the dl1 and g2x APPEAR to me to be built better than the traqmate - no data to support that though). basically, assume that the data devices work as advertised and collect the data. ALL OF THE VALUE is in extracting that data into usable nuggets. where and why was i fast on lap <x> vs lap <y>. being able to easily segment a lap, look at entry/apex/exit speed, lateral and longitudinal g's, etc and quickly compare them between laps is where the value is.

play with the software for all the products you're looking at before committing the bucks to any of them - none of them are really 'easy' to use because of their power. go through the tutorials the vendors offer and see which one lets you most quickly and easily get useful info out of...

ahm