My lovely wife is buying one of these for me as a Christmas present, so I wanted to share the results of my research. There are two timer systems, one made by Longacre and the other by Intercomp. Longacre sells several types of systems distinguished by the transmitter type and display size. Intercomp sells one type of system.

Starting with the transmitter first, Longacre makes a standard transmitter powered by 4 C cells that can transmit up to 60 ft. The Intercomp system uses a transmitter powered by 4 AA cells with the same claimed range. Alkaline cells are recommended by both Longacre and Intercomp and yield run times of 60 and 40 hours respectively. Longacre also makes a double-range transmitter (120' range) that is powered by an external 12v battery (e.g. motorcycle battery or gel cell).

The receiver with either company is powered by a 9v "radio" battery that runs either Longacre system for 35-40 hours and the Intercomp system for up to 200 hours. The receiver must be mounted with a line-of-sight to the transmitter that is located on the side of the track. In the S2000, I've seen people mount them behind the rear view mirror.

Longacre makes a "standard" display that houses the battery and the LCD window in a case with dimensions of 5.5" W x 3.25" H X 1.25" D. Their "compact" display, 4.375" W X 2.5" H X 1.25" D, must be matched with their receiver that houses the battery. The Intercomp display is smaller still, measuring 4.0" W X 2.5" H X 0.8" D. It has one button to cycle through the modes, wheras the Longacre unit has two buttons.

Longacre Systems: http://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/catl...st.asp?catid=10

Intercomp System sold by Northstar Motorsports: http://www.northstarmotorsports.com/cart/g...4791&ItemCat=81

So there's the information. I've decided on the Longacre system with compact display, but would like advice from people that have used the systems. Here are my questions:

1) Is there a real world problem using the standard transmitter? I'd prefer not to have to transport and maintain a separate battery if I don't have to.

2) Where should I buy the system? Back in May, Tedster provided the following link: http://www.racesearch.com/ , but the site no longer lists hot lap timers.

Thanks!

 

Both sfphinkterMC and I have the Intercomp system. At first I thought the Longacre transmitter can be used with this, in case someone has that transmitter already set up.

At Buttonwillow, my receiver would not pick up the signal when the sensor was looking out through the front window, then I taped the sensor under the side view mirror and this worked when looking at an Intercomp beam, though I don't know if I had done this for Longacre beam if this would have worked. SfphinkterMC says it needs its own brand of beam.

I like the lap savings of the Intercomp which can be recalled (200 laps or so), if I am too lazy to write them down, but want to save them anyway. Also the ability to transfer data to a computer via hardwire.

Can Longacre's display be backlit?

Btw, nice Christmas present! Congrats!

 

Joshua,

I haven't had any problems with the intercomp once I figured out where to put the transmitter/receiver... The receiver is much smaller on the intercomp and you can change its direction in the holder--so you don't get stuck with undoing things just because the transmitter has to be on the other side of the track.

The intercomp has a 50 lap display, 200 lap memory and can be downloaded into a PC or printer if you get the $50 cable... Or make your own for a few bucks.

The longacre has been around longer and I was concerned with the range issue also. After my first trip to sebring with the intercomp placed on the inside of 17 and it not working I was real concerned! But after changing the location of the receiver(lowering on the windshield) and moving the transmitter closer to the track all problems are cured. Homestead and Moroso it worked perfectly. Atlanta MS someone had a transmitter up and I didn't use mine. I know where to put the transmitter up at sebring now so there won't be any problems with that on the 22nd!

Call the folks at www.pegasusautoracing.com 800-688-6946 and talk to them. The tech folks were very informative and they sell both the Intercomp and longacre.

 

I have the Intercomp system.

Here's what I like about it:

-> Larger lap memory. 250 lap vs. 60 lap with Hotlap.
-> Display unit is nicer than Hotlap. Easier to use, backlit, smaller overall, larger LCD's .
-> Built-in RS-232 interface for downloading data.
-> In-car infrared pickup unit very compact.
-> Can set up transmitter where I want it, even if others have hotlap transmitters out.
-> comes in a cool little carrying case :-)

Here's what I like better about the hotlap:

-> Cables disconect. On the Intercomp, they are permenantly attached.
-> More standard, so you don't have to set up transmitter as often (but see above).

I mount my infrared sensor to the roll bar hoop (when top is down) using some 1" wide double sided velcro straps. You can also strap it to the visor using a similar technique. I mount the display unit either to the windshield using a generic suction cup radar detector mount (radio shack) or by using velcro straps and tying it to the air vent directly to the right of the steering wheel.

As a third option, I've seen the motorcycle guys using the "AIM Mychron Light MCL" lap timer quite a bit. Looks very nice, and is the least expensive option at $239 with a transmitter.



See it here: http://www.victorylanedata.com/mychron_lite.htm

I'd also like to see about hooking one of these up, also by AIM...

Displays and records RPM, up to two temperatures, speed, gear position, built-in shift lights, records it all and allows you to dump it to their (free) pc analysis software via USB. About $470. A hell of a bargain, IMHO.

 

If you decide to get the Hotlap anyway, www.racerpartswholesale.com and www.ioportracing.com both discount it slightly.

 

I run hotlap because that is what everyone else runs.

There is always a hotlap transmitter at just about every event I got to.

 

Thanks for all the feedback - keep it coming! You've succeeded in getting me to reconsider my decision. I do like the compactness of the Intercomp system and my main worry was short transmitter range. According to the feedback, that doesn't seem to be much problem

 

i think longacere sells an extra(?double) strength transmitter unit if u are having detection problems with hotlapper.

i use intercomp as Prolene stated....at my most recent track event
it started to hang up and no longer detect in mid session after detecting a few laps normally. Not sure why, but i plan in placing it at the closest side of track in future and probably swapping out all batteries.

 

I'm doing some further research on the AIM M3 systems...

Looks like an amazing unit, with RPM, programmable shift lights, Speed monitoring, what amounts to two electronic temp. gauges, *AND* a track timing system! Max and min values for all measurements look to be stored for later analysis on a PC. At a price not much above a lap timer and the cost of a couple of decent gauges.

I'll let you know how it works out



http://www.victorylanedata.com/M3Plus.htm