View Full Version : Trackday Apps, GPS etc
Im just after peoples opinions of apps to use on trackdays to record track position, lap times, lap counters etc etc. Ive used a couple before with various results but only ever used the inbuilt GPS on my phone. Im in the market for a bluetooth GPS receiver to use alongside a phone app. What do you guys use on trackdays etc to record your times and the like?
Tim in Belgium
08-10-12, 08:39 PM
Race chrono on an old Nokia N95 using a Qstarz blue tooth GPS unit.
Ive used Race Chrono when I had a Nokia. Was a bit gutted when I switched to Android and couldnt get it, but its available now, albeit in a slightly less advanced form than the Nokia version. Its a pretty good app. What Qstarz GPS unit do you use and how accurate is it?
Tim in Belgium
08-10-12, 08:53 PM
I think I only had the 1 hz one, good enough for the ring, nut the 5hz one might be better. It's a bit old and bulky, I'm not sure what's the latest and best.
You could get a cheap old Nokia to run race chrono on!
Ive had my eye on one like this for a while:
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/260784523470?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&cbt=y
Im not sure if it a decent one or not, but it seems to get recommended a lot. I know the GPS in phones is also 1hz and I found it not great on track. Not accurate enough at all with lots of "holes" in the recordings.
Track master on android is good.
Used that one too! Did you use a separate GPS unit when you used Track Master L3nny?
No. I just used my galaxy s2. The lap times seemed to be accurate but top speed was a bit off. Would definitely be better with an external gps. Unfortunately you have to pay for an extra bit of software to use one.
I think Id rather pay an extra few quid if it ensured accurate results. I also have an S2 and some of my lines according to that were in the infield! Now, I know Im no track God, but I dont remember going grass tracking ha ha. I might have to do a bit of research on the forums for the likes of RaceChrono and Trackmaster and see what they recommend GPS wise. Just thought Id ask if any other orgers had experience of anything similar first.
have you considered the real deal - http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=185527
More expensive obviously, but very good equipment. Uses built in pick up points that are embedded in the track to provide lap count and lap timing to an electronic dash.
Can you send me over some more details on that please Flymo. It could possibly save a lot of faff with apps, GPS units etc.
phil24_7
09-01-13, 12:18 PM
As trackday season fast approaches, does anyone else have any recommends for gps stuff?
I use Diablo superbiker on my phone for tracking routes on the road. It also has a track function but never used it. May be worth a look as it is free.
Ive checked with RaceChrono about exporting the data for overlaying onto videos and you can still do it on the Android version. I have used it before on an old Nokia running Symbian and it seemed to do the trick then. I was using the onboard GPS though which was rubbish so Im looking for an external bluetooth GPS device. The Garmin GLO and Qstarz BT-Q818XT are the front runners at the moment. Has anyone any experience of them?
phil24_7
09-01-13, 01:48 PM
What sort of price are they? No experience of any GPS devices other than my TomTom so can't help you there!
Regards
The Qstarz is about £50 and has been used quite widely, going off what people are saying on the RaceChrono forums. The GLO is about £90 though I think and Im still to hear what people think of it. It looks better on paper but seems a bit dear to me. Both do 10Hz
Still got an Alfano digital race dash for sale if interested. Much more accurate that GPS for lap timing as it works from an embedded sensor wire in the track itself.
See earlier post. Open to sensible offers.
Well Slow
12-01-13, 11:26 PM
Another vote for Race Chrono on android ( galaxy S3) and external GPS rx ( £20 off ebay)
Another vote for Race Chrono on android ( galaxy S3) and external GPS rx ( £20 off ebay)
Which external GPS receiver did you use?
Well Slow
17-01-13, 01:57 PM
Apologies for the late reply. Its a Holux GPS slim 236. About the size of a matchbox. Works really well , i just velcro'd it to the dash. My old phone which was a HTC desire whose internal GPs was not that good and would "drift " off the circuit so thats why i got the external GPS Rx. My new phone is a GalaxyS3 and is telling me the internal GPS is accurate to 20mtrs. I have tried it in my truck and it seems very accurate.So depending how accurate a time is needed maybe it doesn't need the external GPS ?
Apologies for the late reply. Its a Holux GPS slim 236. About the size of a matchbox. Works really well , i just velcro'd it to the dash. My old phone which was a HTC desire whose internal GPs was not that good and would "drift " off the circuit so thats why i got the external GPS Rx. My new phone is a GalaxyS3 and is telling me the internal GPS is accurate to 20mtrs. I have tried it in my truck and it seems very accurate.So depending how accurate a time is needed maybe it doesn't need the external GPS ?
That's only a 1hz receiver though, same speed as most phones, you really need a 5hz receiver which are £60+
You can get the 10Hz Qstarz BT-Q818xt for £50 which seems to get good reviews from people using RaceChrono. Ive got a cheap and cheerful 1hz GPS rx and it was pretty rubbish really. It made it look like I was dirt tracking at Oulton Park more than I was on the track!
Well Slow
17-01-13, 10:01 PM
well ok but i can only go on what results I get and they are absolutely fine.:confused::confused::confused::confused:
Well Slow, when you got your results, did you export them in anyway i.e. using RaceChrono2Avi or anything like that? Im due an upgrade on my phone in a few months (hoping for the Galaxy S4 if its out then) so maybe an updated GPS chip in that might help. Would be nice to see how your S3 compared to my S2
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