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Ok. I’ve read a lot on different forums and searched. But, I’d like to ask fellow Spec E30 racers, what are you using?
I’m seeing a lot of used G2Xs for sale in the 650-700 range. I can also pick up a brand new Traqmate for $900. Just curious what people think is the best deal for the money.
Thanks!
Alex.
I’ve used both, among others, and prefer the TM. G2X software is pretty awkward and many more people use the TM, so you will have more to compare to (assuming you can get people to share data). The only thing the G2X has going for it IMO is the display, but that is not enough for it to be a better package.
Get the Traqmate. It may be expensive but it’s the best out there.
On the other hand, if you are a type who had to take apart your sister’s music box just to see how it worked and then got in to trouble because you couldn’t put it back together again, then MaxQData might be for you. If you have a WM smart phone or WM based PDA with a bluetooth, then you can have a GPS logger running for about $300.
I say I use it because it is cheaper (which it is) but the real reason is that there is something wrong with me and can not just seem to take the easy simple way.
It must be related to the same reason I keep on buying crappy used cars thinking the next one is going to be different…
Traqmate. It’s not hard for folks to put a couple accelerometers in a box. The tricky part is the software to interpret the data. And that’s Traqmate’s strength.
Race Technology DL1
You may think I’m biased because I sell them but my business came after I was already a DL1 user. Originally I tried all 4 brands of GPS based entry level data acquisition and found the that the DL1 was the best balanced system available. I think there are very few people out there that have used all of these to the same degree that I have.
Some DL1 advantages are the number of built in inputs and the especially the software. The software can get incredibly in depth yet is easier to use than the G2X. IMHO the TM software is overly simplified/limited in depth. Being able to quickly get to the meat of what you want to look at and then having the tools for analysis is where the DL1 software shines – one example that helps you do that is the time slip variable so you can visually see at a glance where you are loosing or gaining time. I do data analysis for a 3 car Koni Challenge team and the drivers are amazed out how quickly I can get the answers to their questions or show them the data they want to see compared to the data systems/engineers that they have worked with in the past – this is all because of the DL1 software.
Also the small companion display, the DASH3, is shipping next week so wanting a small display is no longer a reason choose something other than a DL1. The DASH3lite does predictive lap timing, GPS speed, and has shift lights; and the non-lite adds configurable gauge displays & programmable alarms. There is even special bundle pricing for getting a DL1 with a display.
I don’t want to just be a rambling commercial so I’ll stop there but if anyone one has questions feel free to post them or contact me by email and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Traqmate is a great tool. The ChaseCam integration is pretty sweet, too. When I am experimenting with different lines & techniques, I don’t always remember what I tried on which lap. Having the data and video sync automatically sure helps me see and interpret what the heck I was trying to do out there.
I am new to the E30 crowd, but with the Miata guys I am always exchanging data with faster and slower guys trying to pick up a tenth here or there. Nothing helps gain speed more than seeing subtle differences in the hotshoes’ driving. Nothing helps me learn like trying to teach others.
I guess what I’m saying is get whatever most of your competitors have and trade data with them.
Steve D.
PS - I’ve had my Traqmate for 3 years and have never had to pay for an upgrade!
ukrbmw wrote:
[quote]How much are these including the display? Are they easy to install?
[/quote]
DL1+DASH3lite bundle is $1095
All the GPS based systems are about the same initial install time: mount the logger to a flat area - velcro works great and makes for easy swapping later, put the antenna on the trunk lid, plug in the power, display is connected by a single cable.
I’m a big Traqmate user. Had a MaxQdata, but have not tried the DL1. I’ve spent a lot of time using the TM sofware, to include TraqVideo and the new TraqStudio. The time with the TM software has been very useful. Spent a couple hrs today, in fact, studying my Roebling turn 1-2 data vs. someone else.
The TM integration with ChaseCam is darn convenient, and the new TraqStudio is more convenient then TrackVision was to put dashboards on videos. In fairness to TrackVision, an app that puts dashboards on videos, it’s more customizable.
My perception is that more of us use TM than the DL1 and being able to swap data is critical. If no one in your region uses the DL1, you’re hosed.
All that being said, if someone with experience with both the TM and also the DL1 says that the DL1 has better software, I’m in no position to disagree.
But once you get the chase cam part of TM now you’re spending almost $2000, which is a bit more then I’m looking to spend on the system.
I’m leaning more towards TM just because so many people are using it and like Ranger pointed out I’d like to be able to get others info and make good comparisons.
ukrbmw wrote:
[quote]But once you get the chase cam part of TM now you’re spending almost $2000, which is a bit more then I’m looking to spend on the system.
I’m leaning more towards TM just because so many people are using it and like Ranger pointed out I’d like to be able to get others info and make good comparisons.[/quote]
The ChaseCam integration can be done on the cheap. Buy the ChaseCam PVR, there’s no way around that if you want the TM to control the camera(s). But with a little research you can get the camera(s) and, if desired, picture-in-picture video processor far less expensively on Ebay.
I have 3 cameras and a p-i-p processor feeding into the ChaseCam PVR. The single good camera points forward and cost <$100 as I recall. The driver cam and rear cam are cheap because since they just end up being little p-i-p insets in the video, they don’t need to be hi res. All 3 cameras were bought (new) on ebay for <$200 total. And with a little cleverness you don’t need to buy any trick camera mounts.
The p-i-p processor that combines all 3 video streams into a single video out is just a security grade device that I got on ebay from some outfit in Hong Kong. Cost ~$40.
So I paid maybe $750 for a 3 camera system. Tons of this stuff is on ebay.
If you were to do that all Chasecam it would cost:
$525 PVR
3 X $275 3 cameras
2 X $325 2 processors (required because their processor has only 2 inputs)
Total $2k
I can tell the difference between my system and the Chasecam gear. “Spherical aberation” is visible in the front cam because my lens is cheap. The p-i-p images lack crystal clarity. But once you’ve compressed your video down to a file size that can be shared, compression will cause more video degration then the corners you cut saving money on your video gear.
You can see videos at ftp:\FileSharing.BrasselerUSA.com Go to Videos folder. Choose a video from 6Apr08. Download before playing.
i agree with skeen…if choosing between the tm and g2x, i’d pick the tm…mainly because it’s what most spec e30 guys are using, its easy to use, and it’s very portable (i have a TM that i put in various cars)
you could also try to find a used aim or stack system…you will likely pay more for it but they make much better systems than tm and g2x
csrow wrote:
i guess that depends on what you are comparing it to…compared to good data systems, it doesn’t even come close…it’s good for what it is - a lower priced basic gps system
Ranger wrote:
i actually think this is a major weakness with TM…the software just isnt very good at all imo…
I have the g2x and I hate it. Even thinking about using the software makes me angry. I work in software though, so I may be guilty of obsessing about things that nobody else notices.
The TM and DL1 are on my radar. As others have stated, the tie breaker may be that others in the area have the TM so we can trade data.
Given my stellar review above, anybody want to buy a used g2x? 
You should definitely try the software of any product you are thinking about buying. The software is where you get the benefit of having the logger. If you can’t get what you need out of the software (either from frustration or lack of functionality) then it won’t do you any good to have that system.
If anyone wants some DL1 data to play with, just send me an email.
Ok. But TM and AIM/Stack are not compatible. So I guess I’m coming back to the fact that everybody mostly uses TM.
I’m leaning more and more towards TM.
Is there a way to try the software first? I figured you have to by the system before you can try something like that.
ukrbmw wrote:
[quote]Ok. But TM and AIM/Stack are not compatible. So I guess I’m coming back to the fact that everybody mostly uses TM.
I’m leaning more and more towards TM.
Is there a way to try the software first? I figured you have to by the system before you can try something like that.[/quote]
Link up with someone at the next event that uses Traqmate and brought a notebook. That will give you a feel for data interpretation, and having someone show you around the software saves a lot of puzzled head scratching.
Some folks have their TM’s running off of a batt pack and can swap them to different cars easily. You might find one you can borrow.
You can also send an email to the TM guys and ask them if they are going to be at your next event. They are based in Atlanta and travel to events in the region all the time. Don’t know how often they go to events in other parts of the country.