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Looking to possibly purchase a Racepak G2x or Traqmate data acquisition system. Do any of our sponsors or other vendors offer NASA discounts? Most of the sites seem to all show the same list prices.
Has anyone compared these two devices as to the usefulness of the associated software packages for analysis?
Thanks.
I can’t speak to any discounts, but I can say I have the Traqmate and it is pretty brain dead simple to hookup and use. Very easy to swap in and out of different cars too.
Haven’t compared to the others since I had seen a demo, etc. and had my mind made up given its simplicity.
2-3 graphs will clearly show you all the time you’re losing, and if you can compare it to a faster driver will make it even more obvious.
Well the fact that my son and I share the car and he is 1-3 seconds/lap faster than the old man, this should give me great points of reference to where all the time differences are!
The two are supposed to be about equal in terms of equipment, but the Traqmate apparently has better software (which is arguably most important, because that’s where you get useful info). The display is better on the G2X, I think, but it depends how important that is to you. I’ve only really used the G2X (borrowed) and the software is powerful but just plain quirky and annoying in many ways.
I would probably go for a Traqmate.
Keith,
I have the Racepak G2X and have been pretty happy with it. The only advantage that it has over the Traqmate is the display which is really not so important in terms of reducing laps times.
As Mike suggested the software for the G2X is a little quirky and not very user friendly. I have never used the Traqmate but I have heard that it is a better program for comparing and analyzing data.
The other downside to the G2X is that not as many racers use it so there is not much useful data for comparison. I have had mine for a year or so and never used it to compare lap segment times with another driver which in my opinion this is most important use of data aquisition. Obviously, in our case, it is only useful to compare data for another SE30 car. If some hot shoe wants to borrow mine for a test and tune day and collect data (that I can use to get faster :woohoo: ) let me know.
I’m a Traqmate user. Tried another data logger, but the Traqmate’s software won me over. The interpretive software is the whole ballgame on these devices. Anyone can put a gps receiver and a couple accelerometers in a box. My only regret is that I didn’t go ahead and get the full Traqmate "Complete" with Video to start with. Instead I got there piece by piece so I could spend more money.
The Traqmate guys show up at a lot of SE area events. Good guys and very helpful.
Its funny Jack from elephant motorsports called me today about doing some data aquistion next year. I think we’re going with the Racepak G2X. Not sure what kind of deal he can offer but you might give him a try if that is the system you want. Just let him know you’re a Spec E30 racer and Simon sent you, not that it will get you very far :laugh:
I can see if I can get a deal on Traqmate. We have one and it’s very useful. I’ll talk to my sources in the morning and see if we can do anything.
Jeff
I’m a dealer for Race Technology equipment (DL1, DASH2, etc…) and I was planning on discussing with them if something could be worked out for SE30 deal or if I could do something individually (current agreement doesn’t allow for this). I may also start doing the Racepak line (G2X, etc…). Guys in the Ohio/Indiana region might appreciate the extra benefit that I would be at many of the events.
I’ve used all the GPS based systems, before I ever got into the business end of it I might add, and each has their advantages/disadvantages.
I’d be happy to answer any questions on or off forum.
Has any one used the MaxQData system? I know alot of autocross guys like it, but what about for road course?
If you you alread have a windows mobile device this has to be one of the cheapist options.
That’s a good deal that JP lists. The Traqmate guys have numerous charms, but price-breaks aren’t normally one of them.
Dan Pereda wrote:
[quote]Has any one used the MaxQData system? I know alot of autocross guys like it, but what about for road course?
If you you alread have a windows mobile device this has to be one of the cheapist options.[/quote]
I’ve been using it for the past couple of months. Compared to other systems, it’s a toy but a fun toy. I just upgraded to the new 10 Hz system and I’ll be testing it in couple of weeks.
The set up and the software is not as simple as Traqmate but once you get use to it, it does have most of the basic functions. It’s definitely for a nerd type tinkerers. (ok, so I’m a nerd)
The best quality is that it’s a low cost system especially if you have a WM PDA device or a PDA phone which runs WM. You can do a DIY set up for about $200 if you have a PDA. If not, you can pick up a used PDA on ebay for about $150. So for less than $400, you can have a complete GPS data logger.
Here is a video of RRR with MGPS data merged in.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2124804672770113101&hl=en
Chi - thanks for that info. It appears as if you need blue tooth on the pda. Is that correct or can you do a cable hookup through a DIY option? I didn’t see one on the site.
Thanks,
Ed
Ed,
Yes you do need a PDA (or a WM phone) with a bluetooth. There use to be a serial or USB version but I no longer see it on their product page.
I have been running with the device attached to my dash but the reception can vary depending on the surrounding tree lines as well as the tracks elevation changes (Barber is pretty bad) and the time of the day (satellite locations).
So, I am going to attach the device to the center of the roof for the best reception using this mount;
http://www.affordableracingdata.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=23
I don’t think it will be legal for racing but some people also duct tape the device to the roof (put the device inside a plastic sandwich bag first).
One charge lasts all weekend and the device activates itself when there is a bluetooth signal. Also the software recording starts automatically when the speed goes aboave 25 mph. So, you can set it up once for the whole weekend. It also has a real time lap and segment time display.
Thanks Chi. I have and older WM pda without bluetooth, but it has a CF card slot, so I can add bluetooth to it.
Ed
Ed Davidson wrote:
[quote]Thanks Chi. I have and older WM pda without bluetooth, but it has a CF card slot, so I can add bluetooth to it.
Ed[/quote]
I use Harry’s LapTimer. http://www.schlangmann.mynetcologne.de/HarrysLapTimer/ It’s simple but cheap.