Couple of thoughts:

- now that I've had the car for a week or so, I'm finding that I'm using it for timing my commute, which recently changed radically
- I like how it lights at night when 'on'. Subtle lighting, which probably makes sense from a glare/distraction perspective
- I like seeing it moving, so sometimes I turn it on just for the heck of it
- It still works after I changed out the head unit for aftermarket. I use the stalk and the display in the dash.
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- I have a dedicated track car - 944 - and have used a hot lap timer in the past. It's really a great product - highly recommended!
- However, I use an AIM system currently that has a dash/steering wheel display, analytics, and ties in to in-car video for PiP with some data.

 

I meant to also add the when my car depreciates sufficiently, I'll sell the 944 and track the 997.1S. I'll probably move the AIM system over at that point. So - in my situation - the sport chrono is just a cute gimmick, which I really like!

 

I was under the impression that one you set a reference lap, it would automatically trigger the next lap each time you hit the preset mileage. Is that incorrect? Do you actually have to manually click the next lap from the stalk each time around the track? That makes it much less useful...

 

Sure I have used it. I used it to activate it and then clicked it once more to stop it. I did this to keep the back light on. If not, when set to Zero and you turn on your headlights it does not include this dial. I don't know, but the dash seems weird with a dial off at night. It looks to me like its broken.

 

as near as I can see is that the Sport Chrono package is two buttons on the dash that you pay for and you get a timer on the dash for free... What am i missing???

 

To me it is a useless waste of space and money. I tried reading the manual once, and after about the 5th page I gave up. It is the most user-unfriendly interface I ever saw, and despite being an engineer, I just got fed up with the complexity. Porsche should have outsourced it to the Japanese to come up with something usable. The same could be said for the radio.
Trip times can be tracked on the PCM "trip" function.

 

It does include other convenience options. See Porsche web sit for details.

 

From the web: Sport Chrono = "Analog and digital chronometer, sport button in the center console and display in the PCM, also adds ability to adjust lighting, wipers, AC and door locking to suit personal preference. In conjunction with PDK, includes Sports Plus button in center console to activate launch control function (Race start). Note: In conjunction with PDK, price is $1320."

 

AMEN !!!!!

So many capabilities and so much confusion... It should be so much easier... The dealer should have a check list on the different settings that are available and let the dealer set all the bells and whistles at the time of delivery.

 

The trouble is, most dealer personnel are less capable than we are at trying to figure these things out. I bought my latest car in January from a dealer in another city that had just CPO'd it, and yet there were numerous glitches in the PCM. It took 5 trips to my local dealer to get them resolved properly. The electronic complexity seems to be beyond the capabilities of many service personnel.

 

I've used mine for AutoX events, both during the event and when doing the set-up to get a good feel for a course time.

 

sport chrono is garbage, what you may like is this:

http://www.teamspeed.com/forums/auto...rformance.html

 

Question for someone out there: looking at a 2008 GT3, but does not have the sport chrono option. Am I missing anything other than a glorified timer?? Thanks in advance!

 

Personally, I think it is a waste of money, and I never use mine. It isn't even a good timer IMO. (too complicated). I'd only consider it if buying a PDK car, where it provides a benefit (SC Plus).

 

Thanks for your help, that's where my confusion was I think. It only makes more of a difference in PDK. Thanks!