Have an Iphone? Neat App to take track day video & data log!

[Chad-1stGen]

I've checked in on Steve Rupp's video from RTTC where Nathan is driving a BFG VIP a couple of times. I really like the info from Steve's racepak. Got me wanting to spend $$$ on another thing I don't need but really WANT.

So today I'm playing around with my IPhone and a lightbulb goes off. The Iphone has GPS and accelerometers maybe someone has an app to record some data. Doing some basic searches on my phone in the app store showed fairly poor results.

However, when searching on google I came across an app mentioned in a few places. Harry's Laptimer. I'm still reading up on it but thought I'd ask if anyone here has used it and let others like me who haven't learn about it.

This thing will take video of every other lap and record data for every lap. It needs the off laps to process the video. You can even make a video on your phone with a track overlay with speeds.

EDIT: Figured I'd throw on of the videos I actually recorded on the first post for those folks reading the first time. I have a lot more discussion later in the post about the app.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGwdcnw7e1Q

Here are two samples I found on youtube.

Porsche guy in Canada
HUE1zTcywos

EDIT: couldn't get the subaru vid to work so I found one from Buttonwillow (track semi-local to me)
2SREIt6fUNU

You can download the data and slice and dice it off you phone too.

App only costs $6 right now for the regular version and $15 for the pro version on the app store. Though most people use a $100 tomtom cradle to attach the phone to the window for capturing video as well as use of the remote GPS sensor on the tomtom cradle for improved GPS accuracy. Some guys using the cradle are claiming lap time accuracy within 100th of a second of their transponders.

This thing is not substitute for a Racepak but if you already own the Iphone it sure looks awesome!

Here is the makers page: http://web.me.com/hschlangmann/LapTimer_Homepage/Home.html

I guess OBD II support is coming in the next version.

Gonna keep reading up on this.

[sik68]

I am running out of reasons not to to have an Iphone!

[ChevelleNV]

that's cool... have to bookmark this stuff for use at a later date, like when my car is actually done.

[thedodgeboys]

I just downloaded it, I think it will be a fun toy.

[formula]

I'll wait for obd2 support and then be all over this. Already have the phone and kiwi obd wifi adapter, I'm already almost there.

[tellyv]

That looks awsome but I don't have an IPhone, I do have a htc powered by android and found this http://trackmaster.trackaroo.com/web/trackmaster anybody using it?

[Mr. Anderson]

This is awesome, thanks for posting it! App downloaded, trial "lap" coming asap....

[Larry Callahan]

Too funny. I just posted a question on Facebook looking for such a thing. Wish I thought about it before RTTC.

Now, who makes a nice mount for the iphone 4?

[shmoov69]

Awesome! I used G-Tac Pro last year at MMCC, but couldn't get the gps to work. This sounds awesome if it does video also!! Thanks!!

[Mr. Anderson]

Yup, this app is the best one yet. I whipped up a quickie windshield mount (that I bet I use quite a bit now!!) using a spare iphone cover (the two-piece type that the phone slips into), a suction cup mount for my GPS unit, and some electrical tape.....then somebody took the car for a spin! It was not me. I did not shoot this video. I was not operating that motor vehicle.

on second thought....yeah, I'm not posting the video.

But the app is awesome. You need it!

[Chad-1stGen]

Too funny. I just posted a question on Facebook looking for such a thing. Wish I thought about it before RTTC.

Now, who makes a nice mount for the iphone 4?

Larry, all the guys I've found talking about this in forums are using the TomTom cradle for the Iphone. It has a much better GPS than the internal one for the Iphone. Some guys can't use the app in their cars because poor GPS signal. With the TomTom not only is the signal stronger but it updates more frequently so the data is much more accurate. TomTom also lets you mount the phone on your window for video and keeps the Iphone charged for all day use.

I posted on the developers forum (its developed by single guy who is a track day enthusiast in Germany) to ask if TomTom is the best or if there are other options. If you are not going to take video there are other cheap mounts that can be used if you get a good signal at your favorite track.

PS you and me both on the wishing I thought of this before RTTC :)

[Chad-1stGen]

Yup, this app is the best one yet. I whipped up a quickie windshield mount (that I bet I use quite a bit now!!) using a spare iphone cover (the two-piece type that the phone slips into), a suction cup mount for my GPS unit, and some electrical tape.....then somebody took the car for a spin! It was not me. I did not shoot this video. I was not operating that motor vehicle.

on second thought....yeah, I'm not posting the video.

But the app is awesome. You need it!

Cool thanks for the first PT.com testimonial. Nice that you had a "buddy" able to take it for a spin for us.

[rogue]

The contour GPS camera does this automatically. You just need dashware software and a contour GPS.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzUOUZmIpAo


In the past I have used trackmaster for times, and data.

http://trackmaster.trackaroo.com/welcome

[rogue]

Another example of ContourGPS with dashware

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOY5EzMEJ8k]

[Chad-1stGen]

What is the cost of that set up Rogue? This thread was mostly about a quick and dirty (i.e. cheap) way to get some fun video and data.

[tellyv]

What is the cost of that set up Rogue? This thread was mostly about a quick and dirty (i.e. cheap) way to get some fun video and data.

I just checked them out on ebay there a little under $400.00 not that cheap!

[rogue]

What is the cost of that set up Rogue? This thread was mostly about a quick and dirty (i.e. cheap) way to get some fun video and data.

Its a solution if you dont have a track camera. They are $300 or so.

I've used trackmaster in the past on my android. its $5 and available on iphone and android.It also supports multiple cars.

Provides full telemetry, gps tracking, and even a little map with braking zones and accelleration zones. Top gear US uses it on their overlay.

It can export a playback movie of your session that topgear just through in the upper right.

[Chad-1stGen]

I thought trackmaster is Android only. You sure it's avail on iPhone too?

[tellyv]

I just put trackmaster on my htc, not sure how it will work but it looks cool, I wont be able to have any track time use of it for awhile but I'll let everyone know how it works. It seems really cool and has add ons for car setup and a camber gauge!

[formula]

since this whole thread is about saving cash over alternatives, here's an article about a homebuilt mount that might give you guys some ideas: http://lifehacker.com/#!5747897/how-to-build-a-car-mount-for-your-cellphone-from-office-supplies

[tellyv]

Here's some cheap options http://trackmaster.trackaroo.com/store

[Chad-1stGen]

I'll wait for obd2 support and then be all over this. Already have the phone and kiwi obd wifi adapter, I'm already almost there.

They now have OBD2 support out for this app. FYI

I tested out the app today and will post a teaser vid once youtube finished rendering it. Very cool app!!

Doubt I will rent a transponder anymore when I go to Buttonwillow.

[Chad-1stGen]

Ok that was quick. Here it is:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGwdcnw7e1Q

[Gitter Dun]

Hey Chad, so help me get this right. I am totally technology illiterate.....you take an iphone and mount it in vid mode towards track view to take the vid and at the same time the app you down loaded integrates with the vid?

[Larry Callahan]

Ok that was quick. Here it is:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGwdcnw7e1Q

Very cool! I love Buttonwillow. It's been a while since I have been there. Looks like it's time to re-pave it.

Thanks for posting the video. I think I will order the Tomtom mount today.

[Chad-1stGen]

Hey Chad, so help me get this right. I am totally technology illiterate.....you take an iphone and mount it in vid mode towards track view to take the vid and at the same time the app you down loaded integrates with the vid?

Hey Gaetano. It does not work quick like that. Everything is done from within the application itself which due to the phone platform faces some limitations.

How it works. You set your phone up in the position you want to use it (such as window mount). Ideally in a TomTom ihone car kit like device. This provides power as well as more accurate GPS readings. Once set up you start the applicatoin, load the track you are at (popular tracks such as buttonwillow usually will be set up already by someone) go to the racer screen and press video. It will automatically record the video and lap data for you.

Ok about the limitations. While the Laptimer will record track data for every lap that you do, it will only record video from every OTHER lap. This is because the phone isn't powerfull enough to process the video and record it at the same time. So it records a lap and then uses the next lap to process the video.

These videos are automatically stored in your phots folder. Later on when you are off the track you can go back though and select which laps that you have video for, that you want to have the data overlay applied. It takes the phone 2-3 minutes per actual minute of video to overlay the data so it can't do that on the track either.

If you get the technical itch you can buy dashware software and use the Laptimer data file from any lap to upload to any video from any device. That way you can customize the overlay and have overlay's from any lap not just every other lap.

Does that make sense lol?

[Chad-1stGen]

You can so some neat basic analysis with the laptimer too. Here is a PDF export from the program of my 2.16 lap.

For some reason it creats an insaney large resolution PDF so that by the time you size it down to fit the forum you can't read the mph.

How to read the picture:
1) I set it up so that yellow areas are where I am pulling over .6 G's. Red areas I'm pulling over 85 G's.
2) Most corners and straights there is a MPH number of my maximum speed at that point on the track. For example I hit 103 mph on the small straight after the esses but before the main straight.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/23346894027_large-1.jpg

EDIT: If this works, here is a cropped version of the above PDF zoomed in so that you can see the names and speed readings.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/23346894034_large-1.jpg

[Chad-1stGen]

Cool. You can overlay your track data on google earth too!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/23346894036_large-1.jpg

[Gitter Dun]

Thanks for explaining like I'm a 2 year old, lol. Yeah, actually sounds really simple. I dont think that its a a big deal if it only videos every other lap, for the cost. I dont think I'm going to buy an iphone any time soon, although I may be able to borrow my wifes. I've got the durable, meathead construction workers Motorola i580 phone, lol.

[gtncpa]

Man! That looks great! I am ordering an iPhone tomorrow. Broke my Blackberry at the track on Saturday ....

[shmoov69]

Wow. That is pretty cool! But I can't see any video from my iPhone!! I dont see a link that you posted, can you post one so I can see from my phone.....since that is pretty much ALL I use for surfing the forum!

[Chad-1stGen]

Wow. That is pretty cool! But I can't see any video from my iPhone!! I dont see a link that you posted, can you post one so I can see from my phone.....since that is pretty much ALL I use for surfing the forum!

Hey Jimmy. That is because embeded YouTube videos use flash and Steve Jobs hates flash lol.

Here is a link to a video. Your phone should open it in the player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGwdcnw7e1Q

If you didn't know the YouTube app automatically reduces the quality of videos on the IPhone unless you are using a wireless signal instead of 3G. So make sure you use wireless to watch :)

[bingham72]

I built a lap timer for the Windows platform a while back. i'm working on a new version for WP7. The key with mounting these is to be sure you have a good line of site to the outdoors.

[shmoov69]

Thanks Chad! That is COOL!! I may have to invest in that!! What are some of the other items that can be saved? The Nashville event is coming up soon!!
Also, what if the track is not pre loaded? Will it pick it up after the 1st lap or what?

[Chad-1stGen]

Hey guys i wanted to mention a couple more features.

First, if other people are using Harry's lap timer at the track that day you can compare lap times. There were at least two other folks using it that day. I think you have to access the online screen for your own times to show up to others. Not sure.

Also, I have no idea how it works but the app also flashes alerts/warnings when there is an on track incident. For example if someone spins. Maybe it only know if there person that spins is using the app? I don't know. It was funny though maybe half the time I heard a spin walking around the pits my phone would beep and vibrate in my pocket and when I pulled it out there is the warning.

[Chad-1stGen]

Also, what if the track is not pre loaded? Will it pick it up after the 1st lap or what?

If you have to create your own track then you have to set POIs or points or interest. I haven't done this yet but from my understanding at a minimum you just need the start/finish POI. You can add others and name them which is why the Buttonwillow data files I posted have the corners named.

Something else cool is that you can set up intermediate POI triggers. The Buttonwillow track doesn't have these yet. But if your track has them then you can check your times for different sections of the track. This allows you to compare different laps and see where you were fastest or slowest in different sections. That way even if your overall lap times are similar you can isolate specific sections of the track to work on.

Like I said Buttonwillow doesn't have intermediate triggers so I haven't done that part myself yet but from reading online I think it works along those lines.

[bingham72]

[QUOTE=Chad-1stGen;788961]Hey guys i wanted to mention a couple more features.

First, if other people are using Harry's lap timer at the track that day you can compare lap times. There were at least two other folks using it that day. I think you have to access the online screen for your own times to show up to others. Not sure. QUOTE]

Interesting. Does it show you all lap times of other folks while you are out there or just recent times?

[Chad-1stGen]

It showed quite a few lap times. There were only a few of us that were showing up but for each person I seem to recall at least 3-5 times per person showing up. I wasn't too focused on it at the time.

[JonsGottaDusta]

Wow, I need this!

[Larry Callahan]

I just bought it tonight. Now I need to find a deal on the TomTom mount. I can't wait to use it.

[shmoov69]

What is the difference between the standard and pro version?

[65 Fastback]

Tagging this thread for future reference!

[gsxrken]

I just ordered this from ebay- for $7 and free shipping
"car holder windshield mount + charger for iPhone 4 4G"
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/KGrHqFiEE1K8q0fFRBNdr4B3dQ0_1JPG-1.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320642877331#ht_2005wt_1141

[Chad-1stGen]

What is the difference between the standard and pro version?

This page outlines all the features you get with each version, regular or pro.
http://web.me.com/hschlangmann/LapTimer_Homepage/Products.html

[Larry Callahan]

This is the one I ordered from Amazon yesterday. I has the built in GPS antenna.

http://amzn.com/B0046SF4S0

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/81Spx6NoWxL_AA1500_-1.jpg

[shmoov69]

Thanks Chad. I'm assuming you got the pro version?

[Chad-1stGen]

yup I got the pro version. Here is another video from a different track.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NH8hUpHM8c

[Chad-1stGen]

I posted this in my Streets of Willow thread but here is the data export view from a different track.

A data export from Harry's. I have the color change set at yellow = 0.5+ G's and red = 0.85+ G's. Still haven't been able to hold .9+ G's though I've seen spikes up that high.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/23346894038_large-1.jpg

[CarlC]

Very cool Chad. I see they have not fixed that hole in the back after the bowl yet. That thing is painful.

[Larry Callahan]

Probably works well on a road course. Not so much on an autocross. Here is MotiV8r on Sunday.

I0qsw6qvlDk

[Chad-1stGen]

Looks like your speed updated a lot better than mine has Larry. Though the G force meter doesn't move a whole lot but then again there weren't a whole lot of true turns in that course :(

[Larry Callahan]

yup I got the pro version. Here is another video from a different track.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NH8hUpHM8c

I think I found your laps listed in the hall of fame on my phone last night. I loaded a couple local tracks and it listed lap times and I see a bunch of laps times by a '68 Camaro. Driver name was CAR and the car name said something like Pro-Touri

Are those yours?

[Chad-1stGen]

Yup that's me!

My initials are C.A.R. so I was destined to be a bit of a gear head lol. Does this mean I'm now famous? :)

[Larry Callahan]

Lol!

[SicMonte]

getting an iphone 4 tonight...and getting this app!!!!