Data Acquisition

[veilside180sx]

I'm contemplating buying a MaxQ MQGPS-HiDef

http://www.maxqdata.com/MQGPSCustomOrder.htm

It's a 10 hz version of the MQGPS, which is 5 hz. It looks iike a good bang for the buck without jumping all the way to the MQ200, but it does lack the extra inputs of the higher end model.

Ryan I know you have a MaxQ....anyone else?

[ecugrad]

I had a MaxQData last year. Sold it in October.

I think it may work better for autox than track.

First things first a disclaimer: I realized pretty damn quick that I didn't "get" DA. It does not strike chord in me. I am totally a "feel" guy not a "numbers" guy.

With that said for AX, it did work "ok", I bought mine in January of 07 and by mid year they had an update that fixed most of my issues with it.

For track, it sucked ass. It would loose the track at certain points, the data never seemed right (indicated speed in places was 20-30mph off). Would not count laps or give lap times. This all may very well be user error.

It worked AWESOME as a GPS navagation system and I even have some software that I would let go for cheap if interested.

The tech support from MaxQData is top notch. Quick to respond to a question and seem to always be upgrading their product.

Hope that helps!

[veilside180sx]

Very interesting. I wonder if your track is in a bad satellite location.

I'll have to continue to research i guess..

[ecugrad]

Very interesting. I wonder if your track is in a bad satellite location.

I'll have to continue to research i guess..

VIR isnt exactly "urban"

[veilside180sx]

LOL fair enough=P

[vw_nissan]

I bought it in summer of last year and used it for maybe 5 autocrosses. So far, my impression is that this thing doesn't work as good as people have praised it for.
My biggest issue is with comparing 2 runs simultaneously. I can never align the starting point or the two runs at any point during the run at the exact same position. That means it's almost useless to look at 2 different runs together. It's true that you can still see the differences between two runs based on the position, but I would love to be able to see it from the start and not have to guess the position for comparison. What happens in mid-corner and corner entry will be different.
Another issue is with the track map "drift". For some reason, the map won't overlay each other even though you start at the same position. Again, this makes comparing 2 different runs difficult.

However, if you are not ready to spend a lot of money on data acquisition, this is a pretty good tool to get some basic info. I have yet to use it at the track, but I hope it will do better with less transient movements.

[ecugrad]

Ok, so I am not a complete moron. I had the EXACT same problem.

[AceInHole]

How are you guys designating your start laps? For autocross it's been great when it works (had a few software issues that I think were updated recently). The one I've used was set to start logging at like 15 or 25mph and backtrack the starting point 10 or 15 seconds. It's worked well for both rolling start autocrosses as well as pro solos.

[vw_nissan]

I set mine to begin at 5 mph and everytime I make sure I wait at least 5 secs after I pull up to the starting line before launching. I have a feeling that it might be better to trigger the start manually, but that's a bit of troublesome and distract myself just before the launch.

Theoretically, this way if you track back, the car should start at 0mph, but it never does, so I can't really tell where the start position is, and when I compare two runs, I can't align the two crosses together.

[Blair]

For track use, you can't go wrong with a DL-1. All the fast IT guys I know use them.

[veilside180sx]

DL-1 or G2X are kind of on my list as well now...

[Def]

DL-1 or G2X are kind of on my list as well now...

My friend had a G2X - he wasn't really impressed with it from what I remember.

He wants an AIM Pista now I think.

[AceInHole]

I set mine to begin at 5 mph and everytime I make sure I wait at least 5 secs after I pull up to the starting line before launching. I have a feeling that it might be better to trigger the start manually, but that's a bit of troublesome and distract myself just before the launch.

Theoretically, this way if you track back, the car should start at 0mph, but it never does, so I can't really tell where the start position is, and when I compare two runs, I can't align the two crosses together.

I'd raise the starting mph and try the backtrack thing. I would think 5mph isn't as easy for the GPS to distinguish.

[veilside180sx]

I'm thinking the VBOX Performancebox might not be too shabby as well. It's only $500, but seems to be a very reliable 10 hz setup.

[sr20goofus]

My brother and i share a Trackmate, i have yet to use it until the end of this month at VIR, but he has used it at both summi tpoint and VIR with some pretty good data to help himself off of. We compared him laptimes with those of honda challenge drivers hes friends with to help him realize where specifically he is slower, differences in line and such. It is a more expensive setup than the ones you guys seem to be talking about, but it works great once you learn the software.

i will be posting up my track information regularly as i get used to the trackmate, assuming my brother doesnt take it wiht him back to Chicago after our PCA event in May.

[AceInHole]

Ony of my friends runs a trackmate (traqmate?). It seems pretty easy to use. I haven't looked at it much further, though.

The DL-1 started as my favorite, but now I'm leaning towards a MaxQ200 (more inputs and a built in G-meter). The fact that you can interface with it on the fly without a laptop (in the pits, between runs, or even use the screen for real-time monitoring) is a nice plus.

[RBbugBITme]

Ace,

The DL-1 has a built in 2 axis G-sensor doesn't it? I just picked up the DL-2 for the FSAE team which I felt was a worthy upgrade from the Advantage Motorsports stuff, particularly in the software department. We'll see though, its in the mail.