sorry guys for the off-topic post, but I know a lot of you regularly use data loggers, and i'm in the market for one.

I used to use a Datron Microsat for all my testing, back when I would moonlight as a motoring journalist in my spare time. That was an awesome piece of equipment, but at around $8,000, more than I want to spend for this sort of thing.

I've since narrowed my choices to:

- Racelogic Driftbox (www.driftbox.com)
- Racelogic VBox - probably the VBox II Lite (http://www.racelogic.co.uk/?show=VBO...s-VBOX_II_Lite)
- Race Technology DL1 (http://www.race-technology.com/conte...?pcat=2&cat=27)

the Driftbox is cheapest at around $750, and with the appropriate software, looks like it can do all one would need, such as circuit tracings, comparison of multiple laps, acceleration measurements, and all that. check out the screen shots: http://www.driftbox.com/data.html

But the DL1 and VBox look a lot more robust, less of a toy. remind me of the Datron, which is really for professional applications. ok, so who really needs a data logger with more accuracy and features than the basic Driftbox anyway... but then again, who needs a roadcar with over 500HP?

Logic suggests I save the money and go with the Driftbox. It will probably give me 95% of the features I need, will be easier to set-up and use (because of the suction mount and the built-in screen,) and based on a recent review by Car & Driver (http://www.caranddriver.com/features...-driftbox.html) it really works and is as accurate as its big brother VBox.

Hmm... there's also the Race-Technology AX22 (http://www.race-technology.com/conte...pcat=2&cat=29)... which is sorta like the Driftbox version of the DL1.

Aaargh! Someone help!

 

I think Deputy Dog is our local expert on this, pm him.

 

Hi. Describe what measurements you want to measure and record.
I use an AX22 from Race Technology. You should definitely down-
load the various vendor's software, and try it with some sample
data. Do find other owners of the unit to get some real user data,
because sometimes the vendor's sample data has been massaged
to make the unit seem like it records perfect data. If you want some
AX22 data, PM me.

Joe Weinstein

http://www.sfrscca.com/solo2/Results...nship/asp.html

 

I use and sell hoyttech. www.hoyttech.com. Check out and some of the links they have of videos and data recorders. Pretty cool stuff!

 

I believe Colorchange was also into this, might want to pm him also.

 

thanks guys!

yes, i've downloaded the software for the AX22/DL1 and also for the Driftbox/VBox familiy of loggers. haven't had a chance to try them yet, as I'm on a mac, and i need a windows machine to use the software.

i spent some time using the analysis software for the Datron Microsat, and from what i've seen, all of the packages seem reasonably similar. in the end, they all do similar analyses (at least the metrics i'm interested in).

will get my windows machine working again and then noodle around a bit...

cheers!

 

I'm curious on what you end up selecting and why. I'm curious about this myself (and would also love to put in an AFR meter and monitor that along with boost).

 

Here is a video using Race Technology DL1 as datalogger then use TrackVision to merge the data with the video for full display. Simply awesome.

http://www.hpaownersclub.com/993tt/p...%2004%2006.wmv

 

That video is awesome. That has to be one of the coolest toys around. How did they combine the data with the display? Not to mention the location of the car on the mini-track map. Does the datalogger come with the software?

 

Trackvision is separate but inexpensive $125 and can be use with most datalogger.
Here are some cool video

 

the track maps are created by the GPS recording the car's position. from there, the software takes the raw data from the logger's memory and reconstructs the lap. you'd be amazed at how much information you can exract from these things, and it really can improve your driving at any given circuit. you can overlay your laps for instance, vs other people's laps, and identify exactly where you are faster or slower than someone else, how your lines differ from others', braking points, speed maintained thru given sections of the track, etc etc.

while i haven't actually tried combining the data logger info with video, from what I understand, its a matter of indexing/synchronizing a point on the video with the datalogged information. say for instance, at the start/finish line. from there, you would upload the video to a PC, and the software would combine the "dashboard", track map, and other telemetry information and output the composite video file.

i'm sure there's lots of people on here who can explain it much better than me!

 

hesperus-did you ever buy the data logger? Which one did you get and what are your thoughts?

 

I just bought it last week, but its in transit and I won't get to use it until 20th December.

I went with the VBox Mini, which is the "big brother" of the DriftBox. at $1,600, its quite a bit pricier than the DriftBox ($750 from VBox USA,) but it has all the bells and whistles-- optional analogue input module so you can hook up all sorts of external monitors (Throttle sensor, brake sensor, EGT, RPM, etc etc,) plus it comes with the same software analysis suite that VBox includes with its $15,000+ top of the line VBoxII and III.

will i ever get to use all those extra features? of course not! but what the hell, who needs a road car with more than 500HP anyway?

thanks to everyone who chimed in with their inputs on which unit to get. special thanks to Toby who took the time to really answer my PM's. in the end, i made my decision based on:

1) ease of use (the VBox Mini, like the DriftBox is a self contained unit that you just slap on the windscreen. no external antenas.)

2) no less accurate than others (seems that the jury's out on whether the AX22 is any more or less accurate than the DriftBox, and for my purposes, i'm sure the VBox Mini will be more than enough). also, the VBox is 10hz GPS, whereas the AX22 is 5hz...

3) expandability. as mentioned above, if i ever decide to get really serious with this thing, there's a lot of options that will allow for that.

finally, i couldn't find a dealer for the AX22 in the states (i'm sure there is one, but it was a lot easier finding the VBox distributor). and Jim over at VBox USA was super helpful, responding quickly to e-mails, and generally answering all my silly questions.

you may wanna check them out here: http://www.vboxusa.com

Will let y'all know how I get on with the thing once I use it over the holidays (it's about 75 degrees where I live... )

 

The Trackvision display merged with video has got to be the coolest thing since sliced bread!!!

 

Trackvision does not seem to be compatible with the Vbox. Is there an equivalent program for the VBox? I ask because their's a group buy going on for the Vbox, but I would like to use the Trackvision program (or something like it) with which ever data logger I ultimately end up with. Any suggestions?