I'm planning to buy a datalogger to help me understand how I can improve my lap times. I have seen so many different brands and models that I'm not sure which one is right for me. I have also seen versions that have the in-car monitor that lets you know lap times and other information. Does that mean those have built in transponder systems? What do you suggest and why?

Thanks in advance.

Ryan

 

Racepak G2x!

 

After weeks of research and downloading the different programs I bought the RLC Track Commander.
I almost purchased the G2X but felt like it did more than I needed and the software wasn't as easy to learn/use but it's very nice.
Best thing is to download the software and try them to see what you like, if you buy a data logger and don't like the software then it becomes a useless lap timer. imo

 

A lot of S2000 owners in SoCal have the RacePak G2X or the Performance Box datalogger. I have the G2X and I love it. They all do pretty much the same, but one consideration is to buy one that is common in your region so you can share and compare data.

 

Driftbox!

 

I have the performance box. The only downside to this model, at least where I live, is that I spend a lot of time rebooting the box in order to get a good sat signal. I've missed logging a few autox runs b/c I could not get a lock in time.

 

I have the PerformanceBox. It is a great unit that is very easy to use. You can pretty much figure out operation in fifteen minutes.

My gripes are:

1) Software is glitchy. Most of the time, I have no issues. But on occasion, I get this invalid floating point operation error. A Raytheon reboot fixes it, but it is annoying.
2) You cannot assign a name to your files during datalogging. So, after a run session, you simply get "PBOX_001, PBOX_002, etc" It would be nice if I could assign "14NOV09GRRCS2000" as the title name. I like to put my PBox in other peoples' cars to see how they are driving, and if they are doing something differently than I am(hopefully quicker).
3) I had bad luck with the power cord that came with my PBox. It melted upon the second use. I ended up splicing a couple connectors together so I could run my radar detector and PBox off of the same outlet anyways.
4) The mounting screws that allow you to rotate the display up or down need loctite to keep from coming loose.
5) The suction cups kind of wear out eventually. They also fall off the mount kind of easily. I JB Quik'd mine on.
6) On some SD cards, you have to press down on the write protection slide to keep it from engaging when you insert the chip. I think the Pbox also will not write correctly to anything larger than 4GB. I still use the Kingston card that came with it, as all the files are very small.

Most of those are very bitchy gripes, but things that I would change. Overall, it is worth every one of the $514 I spent on it. It is also a very useful tool for running off posers. A lot of idiots shut up when you break it out and ask them to do quarter mile pulls.

I recommend making a 9v battery adapter cable along with a battery mount for the occasional excuse artist who conveniently occcupies his cigarette lighter when you ask him if you can mount the Pbox in his car for lap times.

 

RT DL1 is simply awesome but I've had some technical issues with their products so who knows.....If I had to do it again I'd get AiM.

-Rob

 

This is the most important consideration, in my opinion. I race Spec Miata, and all of the local Spec Miata people use AiM, so that was my only option. One of my friends has a Race Technology DL-1, and although it many ways it seems technically superior to the AiM units, it's only of limited use to him because he has no one to compare against to see where he's losing time.

 

Good point. All of us local racers share our Pbox files from the track on an FTP.