So I know Forged is selling the Traqmate product on the forums as well, and this is in no way trying to take away customers from them.

But for a super amateur like me, I can't seem to spend $700 on such high-tech equipment yet.

A co-worker of mine (BMW instructor) recommended I look into using the Iphone as a lap timer. He currently uses one of those fancy dataloggers but said he was looking around the app store and found a couple apps that could possibly do what I need right now.

So in summary, has anybody used the iphone for recording lap times? Since it's GPS based, how will the iphone be effected when used in areas where service may be low (since tracks are normally located in the middle of nowhere). Also my last concern is the frequency of datalogging compared to one of the high end products.

If anything, I may purchase one of the $15 or $20 app and compare it with my co-workers $500 one.

Thanks!

 

I heard some people were going to try TrackPro but haven't heard back from anyone yet. Looks like a great app but don't know how well it actually works. I'm thinking about trying it myself

 

So a brief search during lunch provided me with a few options. Out of all of them I think Harry's GPS Laptimer looks pretty good.

http://www.gps-laptimer.de/

I like TrackPro, but I don't like how it's limited to certain tracks.

I'll have tons of time before I need it next year so I'll be doing more research this winter. Even though it's only $13 lol.

 

You can create a custom track with trackpro. Harry's app looks pretty cool as well. I'd like to hear feedback on either

 

MaxQData just released an integrated iPhone solution. The bluetooth GPS puck is $250 but it provides advanced analysis capabilities, cool functionality for track, drag, and autox, and 5 samples/second, similar to the $500-1200 solutions. I've been really happy with it running on a pocket pc. Best value telemetry system I've seen although I'm not familar with the strictly phone apps.

 

I too, am curious as to the accuracy the iPhone lap timing ap. Sounds interesting. If there are other systems you guys think we should carry, just let us know.

But for better or for worse, Traqmate is the club racing industry standard for in-car lap timing. And the one really great thing, is the ease of data sharing, capture, and post-session analysis.

If I am with a student or a coach, it is easy to throw a TM in his car (takes 5 mins to setup), and we can compare laps with one another.

 

MaxQ is a good system with the Iphone, and the new plugin is suppose to be ok.

Another one for non-iphone users is Racechrono. It has up to 5 hz gps sampling and 20 hz, OBDII and accelerometer sampling.

Software wise though, traqmate has some if the best analysis software out there, and their data sharing is the most popular. That may change soon though since MaxQ, DL1, Performance Box, and RaceChrono have found a common link with VBO files.

 

I found a free lap timer on the Iphone. It's called CMSLapTimer.
It's nice because it has large numbers you can see at a glance, but it's very basic.
Only lap times, nothing else. Also, I noticed that most of the Iphone stuff works just OK. you need strong GPS signal at all times and when comparing my lap times to an AMB system, the Iphone was close, but not right on the money. It's a good alternative for fun or to get an idea of what your running, but not something I would use when getting real data.

 

yeah I downloaded both CMSlaptimer and Maxqdata since they were free.

Since my car is stored away I won't be able to truly test them until next season. But it'll be something fun to play with on normal roads lol.

 

I love my Performance Box. I bought it from ebay for $200 (<1/2 of new), and it keeps lap times, g-forces, overlay plots, etc., etc., and can bounce from one car to another in seconds. You just need a cheapo SD card for memory. One can also get the ole' hot lap timer for ~$225 to see lap times real time.

 

I tried several iphone lap time app, they are actually quite accurate (for the time, I compared with the rental lap timer.), BUT, only if it was able to pick up the GPS signal. 6 out of 10 times, it will just miss the starting GPS location.

And the other problem with iphone is, you will not able to control the app with your racing gloves on, the touch screen only response to your bare fingers. After a few tries, I just gave up, lol.

 

Which ones did you try?

 

on some of these apps the default segment location has a set width of 5-10 feet. Since many of these aren't quite accurate to get it right on the nose (with in 1 foot) they miss the segment marker. By setting the default to 20 feet, they will acknowledge the marker better.

 

i use MaxQdata... for the iphone ... i use it for AutoX it works really well and its free!!!!
is a gps based app... it works ok for the 3G ...and flawless for the 3GS .... starts to map as soon the car moves and stops when the car stops for more than 5 sec .... it gives you detail data frame by frame.. like top speed, g-force, blah blah .. try it its worth it ....