I want video/data/display and don't own anything

[marka]

Howdy,

I want a system that has integrated video & data recorded (i.e. click on a spot on the track map, and the video syncs to there), plus has an in car display that at a minimum shows the last laptime. It'd be super cool if it could also show an instantaneous display that reads how much I'm up or down compared to my best lap / last lap / whatever.

I want the data to include GPS location data, not be solely accelerometer driven. I'd like to be able to capture stuff like RPM, engine temp, steering wheel position, etc. etc. but none of that is strictly required.

SD video is fine, but HD is nicer if it doesn't cost substantially more. Prefer two cameras, but not strictly required.

I want software that's easy to use, track day and autocross friendly, and allows easy comparisons between multiple laps for a track day or multiple drivers/runs for an autox.

I don't own anything currently. I'd been leaning pretty heavily toward the RaceKeeper setup, but the only way I can get an in car display is to use the iDash stuff which doesn't totally excite me (I don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch today, am not sure how I'd mount one in the car, and am not sure how I'd power one in the car).

The Chase Commander sounds interesting, but I'm not sure what else I'd need to make it do what I want and I have no idea what the analysis software looks like.

While I'm technically capable enough in the general sense, I'd rather have something that "just works". In particular, I don't want to have to manually sync video/data or be soldering resistors onto circuit boards or anything even remotely like either of those.

What should I buy?

Thanks!

Mark

[RandallNoll]

Howdy Mark!

I think a Commander and PDR is right up your alley. The touchscreen Commander is very easy to use, and in roughly 2 months we'll have a CAN expansion for it that will allow you to hook up to any number of sensors and OBD2, and it already includes GPS.

The real-time updates are very cool. The Commander sets 20 GPS "beacons" around the track and updates your difference vs. fast lap at each beacon in large, readable color-coded text so you'll know, for instance, that at turn 3 your lap is trending to be 0.3 faster than your best so far. You can see this on the screenshots on the Commander page. Here's the one I'm referring to:
http://www.chasecam.com/files/images/predictive2.jpg

If a single camera is fine, I'd suggest a PDR100, possibly even a refurb model if that helps the budget. If you want multiple cameras, and can wait a couple months, the PDR200 will handle 4 cameras.

Both RLC's Race Analyzer and ChaseCam's DashWare (very soon) will work with this setup. We record data and video to a single file and the software automatically reads both--synching is a thing of the past. Both software pieces are available for download:
RLC Race Analyzer (http://www.rlcracing.com/race-analysis.htm)
DashWare (http://www.chasecam.com/dashware/email)

Here's a quick video of me using DashWare that shows how easy it is to analyze the data and create really cool data overlay videos.
http://www.youtube.com/chasecam#p/a/u/1/7m3MxRhEWTw

Hope this helps. Feel free to give us a call if you have any more questions or would like to order over the phone. 858-397-1777.

Thanks!

[marka]

Howdy,

Thanks Randy!

In my further quest to confuse myself, I'm looking at the software for the chase cam setup vs. the racekeeper...

Is the RLC software setup to deal with autocross well? Does Dashware cost $250 extra if you're buying a Commander?

Any sample autox files?

Thanks!

Mark

[RandallNoll]

Mark,

We're working on a discount on DashWare if you buy a Commander/PDR kit. Stay tuned.

I haven't used the RLC software on an autox run yet. I'm going to play with it some this week though.

I've uploaded some sample files of our DM10 Data Module and DashWare from Andy McKee's car here: http://www.chasecam.com/videos. I'll try and get some Commander samples up soon.

Thanks.