I am interested in getting some better lap timing equipment than I have now, and perhaps a system with data logging capability for lap segments, etc.

What I have now is the Longacre Hot Lap Timer, which is a piece of crap. It malfunctions half the time, gets screwed up when the sun is low in the sky (like late afternoons at winter events), consumes batteries like crazy, is made from cheap materials, and is generally unreliable.

Some of the track events I attend rent transponders, such as Speed Ventures, and then they post everyone's lap times after each run session. However, a lot of other events I go to don't have any timing equipment, and even when I have a transponder, I don't get the immediate feedback that comes with a display in the car giving you a new lap time every time you pass start/finish (Hot Lap Timer does do this when it's working).

One system I looked at was the GX2, which is a GSP data logger. It costs $900, which is a helluva lot more than the $180 or so I paid for the Hot Lap Timer. Does anybody have experience with GX2 or any other good lap timing and/or data logging systems?

I'd like to see your reviews of whatever equipment you use. Thanks.

 

Talk with Tam on norcalevo...he has a GX2.

Percy

 

Ultra-Lap XT

is a good, yes.... look it up.

n

 

depends on what you're after - the UL-XT is a great timer by itself, but requires a trigger/sender at the track you have to set up. If you want integrated data logging (g-forces, etc.) the GX2 is very slick, and it's self contained so no trigger needed. Great for those track days where the insurance policy states that any "timed event" constitutes a race and thus voids all coverage .

 

The Hot Lap Timer has an infrared transmitter you have to set up on the track, and all kinds of things tend to interfere, including the sun when it's low in the sky. The transmitter is a pain and it uses up 4 "C" batteries in about a day and half.

I think GPS might be the way to go, although it's expensive.

Not sure what you mean by the insurance comment. Are you talking about your car insurance or the insurance that the event organizer has to buy to protect himself and the track owner?

 

nils-

Thanks for your thorough and insightful review of the Ultra-Lap XT.

 

Open track events and lapping days need to generally purchase some form of liability insurance (even though you have to sign a waiver anyway). I once asked if the driving school could use the track equipment to provide us with lap times, and was told that they couldn't, because that would make it a "timed event" which is considered racing, and requires additional insurance, standby medical personnel, etc. For that reason, some trach day organizers don't like it when you have a lap timer in your car either, and will not allow you to set up an external trigger unit. If you don't need an external trigger, there's little they can do it about a timer in your car though...

 

I run lots of HPDE track days. Well the only HPDE track day I have ever been told that timing equipment is not allowed is at the Buttonwillow Performance Driving Clinic. Buttonwillow Raceway is owned by the Cal Club region of SCCA, and the Club puts on the clinic 4 times a year. The reason they don't allow it is because some personal insurance policies will cover you at a driver's education event (I have personal experience with this), but not if there is timing equipment.

Every other event I have attended, timing equipment is allowed. I didn't know the insurance the event organizer buys has a clause about timing equipment in it. I know that insurance only protects the track owner and the organizer, not the individual drivers.

I thnk there is an ambulance and two medical personnel standing by at every event I attend, so maybe the groups I run with just buy the more expensive insurance that allows lap timers. I think that insurance costs like $1,000 per day.

 

this was in WA, maybe different from state to state, or depending on who organizes it

 

some of the guys i race with use this (i drive a H1 car and also a PS-1 car):

http://www.stackinc.com/predict.html

it seems to work well and is also run by quite a few teams out there....

good luck.

todd

 

yup, depends on where and who.
here and in socal there are nearly always transponders to rent.

and yeah, the XT is only a lap timer. but alot of people have them. Me and my local track buddies have several triggers for the XT, so we set up split lap times with them. So far so good, way better than my old one.

The XT is like a majorly upgraded (and downsized) hotlap timer. Richard, welcome to 2006... ha ha

n

 

after lookin at the gx2 and the traqmate, i purchased a traqmate.

nice little unit, portable to any car you wanna use it in, when i get it installed how i want it, i'll take a few pics, for now, no time, it came 2 days ago.

the gps antenna has a magnet base, super convienant....if you don't have an aluminium roof

 

Go with XT timer if you just want "some" data logging function. (I know, I have one myself. Kick a** timer. )

http://www.cc-2000.com/xtracing/en/ultra-lap/index.html

Go with DL1 if you want full data logging capability.

http://www.race-technology.com/WebPa...1/DL1Home.html

 

I found this. Hope it will help you. http://www.blacklinegps.com/fuel.html

 

Hi Naji -

How are you and your Nissan doing? Haven't seen you at the track lately. I keep working at it and am slowly getting faster. My best at Streets of Willow is 1:32, but I am really shooting to break into the 1:29s.

The link looks like a good unit, but it has no in-car display. I want something that shows laps in real time inside the car, and logs data for after-event analysis.

Hope to see you on the SoCal tracks soon.