Some questions on these 'data-logging boxes' thingymajigs
Discussion
Suppose this is not just Porsche related but i know some of you boys use them. So...
What do they actually do and how easy are they to use?
Are they as simple as just plugging into the cigarette lighter like eg a TomTom is?
A cheapo basic no-frills box that just records speed - how much do they start from?
And lastly - how accurate are they on something like a 0-60 / 0-100 test?
What do they actually do and how easy are they to use?
Are they as simple as just plugging into the cigarette lighter like eg a TomTom is?
A cheapo basic no-frills box that just records speed - how much do they start from?
And lastly - how accurate are they on something like a 0-60 / 0-100 test?
I don't know about cheaper makes, but I've used Racelogic PerformanceBox which ranges in price around £300-£400. Has an in-vehicle display which is easy to use and read, and can do simple 0-60 and other performance measures, though its primary purpose is analysing data traces for track work. I've also used the more sophisticated DL1 Datalogger which doesn't have an in-vehicle display but has pretty powerful software to analyse a whole host of on-track data. Starts at around £500.
IMO, these systems come into their own when you are analysing data traces to extract tenths of a second on track, rather than straight line acceleration figures. Not sure what makes will do just that. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
IMO, these systems come into their own when you are analysing data traces to extract tenths of a second on track, rather than straight line acceleration figures. Not sure what makes will do just that. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Big topic this one. If you want some thing very simply, start with an old S60 Nokia and RaceChrono, which is a free app for this sort of thing. Limited by the 1htz GPS chip in the phone, but you can buy a 5htz or 10htz bluetooth device to get you started. I've used this setup with success in a porsche.
Equally I've used a 400quid performance box, which is much more sophisticated but delivers the same stuff nicely. Then you move on to DL1s, Farringdon setups etc. These are black boxes that will record anything you attach to them, and will rely on something like a 20htz gps or simply accelerometers.
If you are starting out, consider something like a vbox that will do video with GPS overlap, they are quite neat, easy to use and great for sticking in the car.
How much do you want to spend, and what do you want to do with it?
Equally I've used a 400quid performance box, which is much more sophisticated but delivers the same stuff nicely. Then you move on to DL1s, Farringdon setups etc. These are black boxes that will record anything you attach to them, and will rely on something like a 20htz gps or simply accelerometers.
If you are starting out, consider something like a vbox that will do video with GPS overlap, they are quite neat, easy to use and great for sticking in the car.
How much do you want to spend, and what do you want to do with it?
I use the performance box
it does what it says.
great for people who mod cars to see gains and test other cars and mods added.
No one can question it either, I also use mine to catch tuners out who claim silly figures.
tell em to put up or shut up :-).
phone one's are pointless they are not quick enough to get true timings.
great things, but can cause other issues with people for some reason. (normally when their cars don't perform though lol)
it does what it says.
great for people who mod cars to see gains and test other cars and mods added.
No one can question it either, I also use mine to catch tuners out who claim silly figures.
tell em to put up or shut up :-).
phone one's are pointless they are not quick enough to get true timings.
great things, but can cause other issues with people for some reason. (normally when their cars don't perform though lol)
mrdemon said:
I use the performance box
it does what it says.
great for people who mod cars to see gains and test other cars and mods added.
No one can question it either, I also use mine to catch tuners out who claim silly figures.
tell em to put up or shut up :-).
phone one's are pointless they are not quick enough to get true timings.
great things, but can cause other issues with people for some reason. (normally when their cars don't perform though lol)
+1it does what it says.
great for people who mod cars to see gains and test other cars and mods added.
No one can question it either, I also use mine to catch tuners out who claim silly figures.
tell em to put up or shut up :-).
phone one's are pointless they are not quick enough to get true timings.
great things, but can cause other issues with people for some reason. (normally when their cars don't perform though lol)
PerformanceBox is a high performance 10Hz GPS engine, which measures Speed, Postion, Acceleration and Heading ten times a second.
As Ian mentioned it is good for lap times etc. It is also extremely good for straight line analysis including shift times, boost (e.g. using long G) and so on.
Only thing we use to measure performance.
The software is very good as well. You can do all sorts of graph including overlays and so on.
Edited by 996ttalot on Friday 23 December 00:24
Cool. Thanks for the replies all 
So, the 'PerformanceBox - 01' is recommended? Looks like it is £299+vat. I kinda thought a basic box would be a lot cheaper than that - thinking sat-nav price. Oh well. So just to confirm, can i literally just stick it on the windscreen, plug it into the cigar lighter and then record o-60/100 times etc? I don't want anything that's difficult to use and needs updating via computer every 5 mins. Just something i can share with a mate and swap between vehicles
So, the 'PerformanceBox - 01' is recommended? Looks like it is £299+vat. I kinda thought a basic box would be a lot cheaper than that - thinking sat-nav price. Oh well. So just to confirm, can i literally just stick it on the windscreen, plug it into the cigar lighter and then record o-60/100 times etc? I don't want anything that's difficult to use and needs updating via computer every 5 mins. Just something i can share with a mate and swap between vehicles
mrdemon said:
phone one's are pointless they are not quick enough to get true timings.
Not quite right. My phone, with a 10htz bluetooth GPS, gives the same speed as a basic DL1, which is nearly 10times the cost. If you use the phone GPS (1htz likely), then yes its slow. But I've run both (10htz phone and 10htz DL1) along side and the traces are pretty damn good.Don't get me wrong, the phone solution isnt as good as full peice of kit, but check the refresh rates of the GPS - as that's what determines how quick it is.
majordad said:
Anyone used the Vbox video one ? Thinking of getting one for my race car ?
I bought a 2-camera VBox Lite setup recently. Video quality isn't really as good as I'd hoped (just PAL 4:3), and with the wide angle lenses, you have to mount the forward-facing camera forward enough to avoid including most of the inside of the car - not generally a problem when you have a cage.The analysis software is, however, very clever and the overlay on the video is totally customisable. My instructor prefers the DL1 combined with a separate video - at least this can give high def - and could work out slightly cheaper. Just means you have more post-processing to do.
Phooey said:
crisisjez said:
Dead easy, plug and play in the cigarette socket, pop an SD card in and download the data later.
The box display will reset each time you stop.
Cheers Jez. If i remember, you had one in your The box display will reset each time you stop.
It says GPS based performance meter on the box and I got it for Sub £300 all in
Racelogic PB01 works a treat. Accurate enough to rely on the times you see. Only used mine for straight line stuff, but I find it very useful and fun to use.
I don't even have a need to go to Santa Pod anymore. Will see if I can crack mid 11s when the weather is right.
If you are still looking to buy: http://www.superhids.co.uk/racelogic-performance-b...
I don't even have a need to go to Santa Pod anymore. Will see if I can crack mid 11s when the weather is right.
If you are still looking to buy: http://www.superhids.co.uk/racelogic-performance-b...
Spyderman, only saw your reply now with Christmas etc. I have a reasonably good camera ( Samsung WB 700 HD ) and wondered if I could get the race logic system minus the cameras( S). I only want one camera anyway as I've no desire to look back or look at myself changing gear, I'm ugly ! Are you saying I can buy the race logic system less cameras ?
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