Data Loggers - What they are and why you'd use them.

[Maxx]

Stephen,

Hope I wasn't speaking out of turn re: rental units, i'm sure I read that somewhere on your site. I would say that it would be better if it was on a day when you were actually attending the same track day, so you can get the setup right.

Also, if you do rent or buy a DL1 I would def recommend you take a laptop with CF card reader and software loaded so you can check the file as you go through the day. If your laptop doesn't have a CF Card reader you can pick up one that plugs into the USB port for about £10.

As for overkill, yes, no doubt you will potentially never use 90% of the functions in the DL1 software but the key is to differentiate what you actually want from a data-logger.

If you want to really improve your driving and are prepare to spend some time at it then you need a data-logger with accelerometers and software that allows you to easilly analyse braking and cornering g-forces etc. The product alone won't make you quicker, but with some further reading a focused effort you will improve. You have to have the desire to do it as it can be quite time-consuming. You don't have to have racing ambitions, I know loads of trackday only drivers that use DL1s and the like and have no intention of ever going racing plus I know [lots of] racers who are in no way interested in data-logging.

Of course, it all works best if done in conjunction with a driver coach, he will know exactly what to look for, be able to interpret it and advise you how to improve.

If you don't really have the time or inclination to go into that much depth and really just want a full featured laptimer with sectors & speeds and potentially performance calculations then GPS only units would suffice.

If you want a display then obviously you'd be looking more towards the driftbox/performance box products although there are also options from Race Technology and others (PDA options) and diplay addons for the DL1.

We've mentioned nitePace also which is a great product that can give you lap and sector times (little bit more work).

Maxx

[m3Chris]

Stephen has already offered to lend us their DL1 to try out when we are at Goldtrack events - so no problems there. I certainly will probably try the DL1, as Daz already has the Drift box and it would be nice to have comparisions.

Thanks for the advice.

[daz]

just uploaded Cadwell park,

hope it works properly this time,

not sure how I make sure the track is on my box?

[daz]

I have uploaded the file from the Racelogic site to my data box SD card.

there are three files

CIR file
KML file
DBOX Dsf file

I have switched the box on, and loaded the split file, I hope on the day that it will work, though I dont know if I am doing right.

With regards, the actual software on the computer, the KML file imported brings up the circuit overlay,

Can someone please tell me if I am on the right track pardon the punn

[Maxx]

Daz,

Did you mean "uploaded" to this site (i.e. in the tracks/cadwell/data logs section) ? If so I couldn't see it.

If you can post to the forum then great, i looked aorund for some sample Driftbox files a few days ago but couldn't find any.

Maxx

[daz]

Originally Posted by Maxx

Daz,

Did you mean "uploaded" to this site (i.e. in the tracks/cadwell/data logs section) ? If so I couldn't see it.

If you can post to the forum then great, i looked aorund for some sample Driftbox files a few days ago but couldn't find any.

Maxx

how would I upload here?

[daz]

http://www.performancebox.co.uk/dlfiles.html#UK

scroll down to Cadwell and then you can upload the files

[Maxx]

Daz,

It looks like you can attach files to forum posts see [ Manage Attachments ] below. Just zip it up and attach it, if they are like DL1 files they are very small.

Maxx

[daz]

Cadwell.zip

havent a clue if it will work

[Maxx]

It did