lightspear27
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 09:01 AM |
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lo(w)cost lap timer
Hi,
I'm looking for a lap timer for my next track day ... but it has to be "locost".
I found a french web page explaining how to use a pocket pc as a lap timer.
There is a programme to download into the pocket pc ... a sensor to make (magnetic in this case) ... and you have to set up the pocket pc in order to
read the signals sent by the sensor.
The site explains how to make and wire a magnetic sensor but I think an infrared sensor could replace the magnetic one.
Did anybody here hear about this solution or a similar one?
Any comments?
Unfortunately my english is not really good and I do not feel able to translate the explanation I found on the french website below :
http://www.eneos.tv/alfacalendos/
What are your thoughts about this "cheap lap timer"?
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lightspear27
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 09:05 AM |
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here is a pic of the complete system
 
Rescued attachment pocket pc laptimer.jpg
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Hammerhead
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 09:21 AM |
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To translate (ish) go to http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr
and put the link in their site.
or try here:
http://www.geocities.com/gganio.geo/PalmCELapTimer/PalmOS/PoCLaTiPalmOS.html
[Edited on 20/6/06 by Hammerhead]
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givemethebighammer
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 12:19 PM |
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most track days specifically ban any form of timing and say they'll throw you off site if they catch you doing it.
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JoelP
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 12:25 PM |
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they definately do in england, but it might be different in france. In england, they try to play down the 'competitive side' so that
people are technically covered by their normal insurance, at least for damaged caused to others. Hence timing etc is complete banned.
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tks
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 12:26 PM |
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mhh
i would just do it the old way.
make a simple press button in your car and attach that palm toppie to it.
It should give you atleast a very good indication of your times.
the only thing is you cant forget to hit the button when passing your mark on the straight.
else iw ould give the task to your passenger..
Tks
The above comments are always meant to be from the above persons perspective.
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lightspear27
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 12:45 PM |
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Had my first track day last month in France and several cars had lap timers well visible and working.
No problems with the organisers.
I know the simple push button works and is the lo(west)cost solution but I would like to have something more accurate
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02GF74
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 01:33 PM |
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as for us by the driver insdie the car?
why not a Timex Ironman Triathlon watch, like the one that sits on my writst as I type?
You just press one button to time a lap and does at least 26 - think some of the later models will do 100 laps
Cost, about £ 20.
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jimgiblett
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 02:39 PM |
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At my last French track day the advice was "dont kill anyone but more importantly dont kill anyone French" 
In France the responsibility is far more aimed at the driver rather than the organiser as it is in the UK.
quote:
Originally posted by lightspear27
Had my first track day last month in France and several cars had lap timers well visible and working.
No problems with the organisers.
I know the simple push button works and is the lo(west)cost solution but I would like to have something more accurate
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Naccers
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 02:49 PM |
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I believe there are GPS systems that can be used to count laps but i'd guess they are mega expensive.
Sponsered by the LEA
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mark chandler
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 05:02 PM |
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Why not use megasquirt as an indicator ?
Even if you do not use it to run the car, connect it in parrellel to the existing system, RPM, Throttle posistion, engine load etc can be logged to a
lap top. Okay it will not give you a precise lap but you can pick a corner to base your plot on...
This will then allow you to compare how much welly you give it at bends, where you improve, smoothness of controls, gear change points etc.
If you are using a OBDII equipped car (I assume you can salvage this function if you run standard ECU) using a scanner you also get MPH on most cars
as well so you may already have it in the bag.
Regards Mark
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Guinness
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| posted on 20/6/06 at 06:15 PM |
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£70 if you already have the VR2 Digital Dash?
http://www.veypor.co.uk/xcart/product.php?productid=16138&cat=261&page=1
[img]http://www.veypor.co.uk/xcart/image.php?productid=16138[/img]
Mike
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