Data loggers - what do you use?

[Toilet Duck]

Hello all

I'd like to buy a GPS data logger to combine with my GoPro 3 to make the footage more "interesting" and also so that I can see where I can improve/where I am completely crap etc. I would like to be able to overlay a track "map" onto the edited GoPro footage, as well as speed and engine rpm, and if possible accelerator/brake position and maybe even steering angle.

I have been trawling the net, but there seems to be such a variety of data loggers that I would welcome the opinions/experience from the PH experts

I don't want to spend anymore than I need to, but by the same token I don't want to buy "cheap" and regret it if I end up with a POS. I don't really know what sort of budget I need to get something fairly decent?

Any help much appreciated.

Cheers

[DiscoColin]

The cheap solution is the Harrys Lap Timer app (iPhone or Android) paired with a Bluetooth or WiFi OBD widget. You can use it to overlay data on footage shot with an external GoPro or the devices own camera. Alternative solutions get a lot more expensive very quickly.

[rex]

I have been using a VBox lite for a few years. Very accurate when zoomed in and you can see the results of different lines around a particular corner on a given session.

Enjoyable to watch back the data to see how smooth you are, or not as it is in my case. Had a professional race driver use my car and the difference was night and day with smoothness of the lateral g and highly corner speed.

Not cheap but worth it.

[Toilet Duck]

Thanks for the replies chaps, much appreciated.

I've got a bluetooth OBD widget thing that I used with "Torque" on my Android phone for seeing any faults on my daily runabout. I will have to check it on my "fun" car, as I'm not sure how much data is available on this (its an Ariel Atom 3 300). I might give that "Harry's Lap Timer app" a go and see what thats like, but I think I would like to invest in a "proper" data logger for improved accuracy and functionality etc.

I've looked on the VBox website but I can't really fathom what product I would actually need. I see they do video packages but I already have a GoPro so I don't need a "complete" package, I can't decipher what I actually need just for logging GPS position for map overlay/speed/rpm/possible throttle, brake and steering wheel position, that will work with the GoPro footage (I assume I need some specific software to integrate the video with the data?).

I've also looked at the Race Technology stuff but I've found that even more confusing

Sorry if I'm being "thick," but I'm having trouble filtering out what exactly it is that I need, and therefore being able to price it up.

Again, thanks for the help/comments so far.

[loggyboy]

Check out racechrono and racerender, both free and combined should give you a good set up.

[rex]

Give race logic a call re integrating other cameras with the VBox. Very nice bunch of people and very helpful with customer support.

[RobGT81]

RaceChrono on Android with a Bluetooth OBD2 adpator so it logs ecu data. Garmin GLO is a decent GPS receiver if you fancy an improved GPS rate. As Loggyboy mentions, use it with RaceRender or Dashware to overly the data over your videos.

Edited by RobGT81 on Thursday 19th December 09:18

[andycaca]

i use a racelogic performance box, which also doubles as a highly accurate speedo
then pull the gps log off the performance box, add the datalogging from my motec (engine management) and squirt it into racerender along with the gopro footage. suprisingly straightforward to do, nowadays

[DiscoColin]

Toilet Duck said:

I might give that "Harry's Lap Timer app" a go and see what thats like, but I think I would like to invest in a "proper" data logger for improved accuracy and functionality etc.

All a "proper" solution will give you is better telemetry data from the car (assuming wired through the CAN bus) than a WiFi OBD widget. For positional accuracy you can use Harrys with a Dual 150 GPS (5Hz), the new Dual 160 (10Hz) or the VBox Sport GPS logger (20Hz, but you pay upwards of £250 for that IIRC). If you are competing it is one thing, but for track days I honestly thing that the phone solution with external GPS and ODBC widgets is beyond adequate, has many more features and is much cheaper even without assuming that you already own a suitable phone. No other solution that I know of will do you 1080p video with overlays straight from the device either (even 720p versions of pro solutions usually have to do it via a PC). If your GoPro is a newer WiFi enabled one, Harrys will also remote trigger it and allow you to import the footage for picture in picture overlays if you don't mind a little faffing about afterwards too.

Anyway - give it a try and see what you think. You pays your money and makes your choice in this game

Edited by DiscoColin on Thursday 19th December 18:59

[spyderman8]

I have a VBox Lite in the race car and use Henry's on my iPhone 4S on track days. One things for sure though - the 1Hz GPS sample rate of the iPhone is totally inadequate!

[dapearson]

Isn't this inappropriate given the "no timing" rule on trackdays?!

[spyderman8]

A very good question but "no timing" can mean a variety of things - I've never had a problem with anything I've used but "your mileage may vary". If in doubt, ask the TDO.

[Wh00sher]

dapearson said:

Isn't this inappropriate given the "no timing" rule on trackdays?!

I believe the issue with timing is if people are timing laps on the day itself, either via pitwall, stopwatch or incar electronic device.

If you video your laps, you can easily work out the laptimes when you are home, a datalogger just makes it easier.

[GreigM]

dapearson said:

Isn't this inappropriate given the "no timing" rule on trackdays?!

Not a problem so long as the driver cannot see the lap times (or have them communicated to him) in real-time its ok - I have a racelogic performancebox and at all circuits I've been at, so long as the display is hidden out of the way then the marshals don't have an issue.

As for the original question, I think the racelogic performancebox is what the OP is after. You will need the micro input module as well but with this you can capture rpm easily and pedal positions etc (if you can be bothered installing the sensors).

The analysis software with the racelogic stuff is excellent and a whole new level compared to the competition.

A couple of vids with my gopro and performancebox data (Dashware used for overlays):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTvBJYwFAKY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khOqQZreeRc

[spyderman8]

If they don't want a display, the newer VBox Sport is £100 cheaper:

http://www.vboxmotorsport.co.uk/index.php/en/produ...

[GreigM]

spyderman8 said:

If they don't want a display, the newer VBox Sport is £100 cheaper:

http://www.vboxmotorsport.co.uk/index.php/en/produ...

I don't believe you can plug in the input module, so no rpm or other sensors.

[spyderman8]

GreigM said:

I don't believe you can plug in the input module, so no rpm or other sensors.

Good point - sorry.

[Toilet Duck]

Thanks for all the continued replies, much appreciated.

I tried my existing OBD2 blue tooth widget and unfortunately its not working, so I can't "see" what information is available from the Atom's OBD2 port. I tried the widget on my daily run around and its not working on that either. I have previously used it (ages ago) so I know it did originally work, it must have some how died/broke. I think I'll buy another one and give that ago first so I can see what info is actually presented by the Atom's OBD2 connector.

I think I will probably go for the stand alone data logger (performance box/race technology et) in the end though. If I'm going to have to spend £100 or so on an external bluetooth adapter for the Android phone (to get a suitably fast GPS refresh rate), I might as well put that towards a dedicated unit that does everything (albeit at considerable more cost).

Has anyone on here got any experience of Race Capture Pro by Autosport Labs?.

UK site is here. On the face of it, it seems pretty good value compared to the Performance Box as you don't have to spend another £150 on the "micro input module" to allow you to connect signal inputs like rpm, temperatures, throttle position etc. It also works with Race Render software according to here

Thanks again

Edited by Toilet Duck on Sunday 22 December 12:31

[Dr JonboyG]

Toilet Duck said:

Thanks for all the continued replies, much appreciated.

I tried my existing OBD2 blue tooth widget and unfortunately its not working, so I can't "see" what information is available from the Atom's OBD2 port. I tried the widget on my daily run around and its not working on that either. I have previously used it (ages ago) so I know it did originally work, it must have some how died/broke. I think I'll buy another one and give that ago first so I can see what info is actually presented by the Atom's OBD2 connector.

I think I will probably go for the stand alone data logger (performance box/race technology et) in the end though. If I'm going to have to spend £100 or so on an external bluetooth adapter for the Android phone (to get a suitably fast GPS refresh rate), I might as well put that towards a dedicated unit that does everything (albeit at considerable more cost).

Has anyone on here got any experience of Race Capture Pro by Autosport Labs?.

UK site is here. On the face of it, it seems pretty good value compared to the Performance Box as you don't have to spend another £150 on the "micro input module" to allow you to connect signal inputs like rpm, temperatures, throttle position etc. It also works with Race Render software according to here

Thanks again

Edited by Toilet Duck on Sunday 22 December 12:31

We've been playing with one to compare it to the Traqmate we run normally, but I'd have to ask my team mates how they like it as I just get in and drive when it's my stint.

[spyderman8]

Toilet Duck said:

I think I will probably go for the stand alone data logger (performance box/race technology et) in the end though. If I'm going to have to spend £100 or so on an external bluetooth adapter for the Android phone (to get a suitably fast GPS refresh rate), I might as well put that towards a dedicated unit that does everything (albeit at considerable more cost).

I'd agree with that.

Toilet Duck said:

Has anyone on here got any experience of Race Capture Pro by Autosport Labs?.

UK site is here. On the face of it, it seems pretty good value compared to the Performance Box as you don't have to spend another £150 on the "micro input module" to allow you to connect signal inputs like rpm, temperatures, throttle position etc.

£329 at the moment. For 10Hz GPS out of the box that's very good, but it doesn't come with CAN or OBD-II. If you're prepared to fit and wire sensors yourself, I guess it represents quite a saving over the Race Technology DL1.