Anyone want to personally recommend some sort of data acquisition equipment for autocross? At first I was thinking maybe there was an iPhone software that could do this and it seems like there is, but I'd probably also be willing to shell out a couple hundred bucks for something dedicated if it offers more functionality to give a clearer picture of what is going on. The details kind of matter in autocross since the runs are so short.
What specific data do you want to capture?
Engine sensors, or speed/accel/direction?
Or perhaps chassis dynamics, ie suspension displacement, or even brake temperatures?
If you have a laptop, there is some very capable hardware within your stated budget.
If you can make a MS, you can assemble a DIY system, too. We had plans to make one that included a really nice GPS.
If your car is relatively recent, an Aim Solo DS gives you access to all the stock sensors, plus it gives you GPS and accelerometer data. I got one for track use and quite like it, but it's $700 last time I checked.
What kind of car?
on a car with OBD2 you can monitor many computer variables with a simple bluetooth OBD2 dongle and an app like Innovate LogWorks which also monitors G-loads via the built-in iPhone sensors.
http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/logworks.php
There's also the Torque App:
http://torque-bhp.com/
which also uses OBD2 data
and of course there's Harry's LapTimer which has some interesting features including OBD2 integration and video overlay, etc.
http://www.gps-laptimer.de/
For a standalone data capture solution that also does live telemtry:
http://www.autosportlabs.com/product/racecapturepro/
a bit more expensive, but if you factor in the expense of an iPhone or decent Android tab/phone plus dongles, etc. it isn't too bad in comparison.
They are also GRM-style folks that developed and use this product in CrapCan racing.
erohslc wrote: What specific data do you want to capture? Engine sensors, or speed/accel/direction? Or perhaps chassis dynamics, ie suspension displacement, or even brake temperatures? If you have a laptop, there is some very capable hardware within your stated budget.
I would think speed/accel/direction/braking would be primary. Chassis dynamics might be going past where I could really interpret things, but I suppose learning is fundamental. The most we will be able to do in BS autocross is adjust the shocks and even if we get double adjustables there still isn't much there for chassis that we can correct.
I'll be honest this is as much a what do I need or what can I use thread as it is a what should I use?
Ideally for braking you'll want a brake pressure transducer to get accurate braking data, so that goes toward a standalone data capture solution.
Bruce wrote: For a standalone data capture solution that also does live telemtry: http://www.autosportlabs.com/product/racecapturepro/ a bit more expensive, but if you factor in the expense of an iPhone or decent Android tab/phone plus dongles, etc. it isn't too bad in comparison. They are also GRM-style folks that developed and use this product in CrapCan racing.
+1 for this, it's the cheapest "serious" option and the most flexible option. I have one in my car, now if I could just get the car running again...
Solostorm is very useful, especially if you have a codriver. I was able to step up my driving quite a bit (though I still get sloppy) by being able to compare runs with my codriver this year. Being able to compare 2 runs right in grid is very helpful.
Oops, searched Google and found this thread on here.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/learn-me-data-acquisition-autocross/70565/page1/
Someone recommended this.
http://www.petreldata.com/product/solostorm-gps-obd-ii-and-video-logger-for-android-v2-2/
Though there was a good point made that autocross is limited in how much data you can pull given the amount of time you're driving.
boileralum wrote: Solostorm is very useful, especially if you have a codriver. I was able to step up my driving quite a bit (though I still get sloppy) by being able to compare runs with my codriver this year. Being able to compare 2 runs right in grid is very helpful.
That's actually what I was wanting to do, because my co-driver next year will be a lot faster than me, so being able to compare what he does to what I do will be very helpful for me. I'm sure there will be some advantage for him as well, but probably not as much as for me.
I'm assuming you get the Solostorm software and then use it with a data acquisition device though from what I'm reading.
I'm looking at picking up Solostorm, have been holding off only due to hopefulness that they'll have a cyber Monday sale.
Used it when I was codriving a C5 this past summer, very cool just looking at my runs vs the (faster) runs of the owner of the car, even before breaking down more specific portions of the runs.
If you can swallow paying $200 for an app, solostorm + 10hz gps puck is the best way to get instant feedback in an autocross setting. I've not seen anything else that can match it for that purpose.
A quick search shows a few other apps out there that might get you enough information when paired with a 10hz gps puck to forgo solostorm. TrackAddict, RaceChrono, Harry's LapTimer, etc.
From having used a friend's solostorm some, it is really a fantastic tool for quick run comparison. You'll instantly see where you're losing time. If you also have video paired, you can quickly compare car placement. Running it on a tablet is nice due to the larger screen.
The downside to that type of setup is that while speed information is pretty good, I've not been impressed with phone accelerometer data when compared to an actual stand alone system. You're also looking at the final result, not necessarily what caused the problem. Adding throttle and steering inputs can help give a much fuller picture of how your co-driver went so much faster.
If you're willing to put the time into it, video can be quite useful on its own. With a laptop or tablet in grid you can quickly review video from the last run. Helps to identify mistakes, remember the course, etc. After the event, you can step frame by frame though the video, create your own segments, and use the time stamps to create segment times to compare with your co-driver.
Edit: I've also used both DL1 and a RaceCapture Pro data boxes. DL1's are nice because they have good analysis software and can be found used for relatively cheap. Downside is that if you want some of the better features, the cost escalates quickly. I bought a RCP last year and used it on pretty much every run this year. It is not nearly as polished from a end user perspective, but you get a lot of features (higher frequency GPS, 6 axis IMU, CAN data logging, bluetooth interface, programmable outputs, etc) for your money. They're constantly improving things but right now there's no native analysis tool suitable for autocross. They're working on it, but nothing has been released yet.
Can't you use RCP with Solostorm?
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