sorry guys for the off-topic post, but 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!

 

do you need real time, or can you wait for a pc afterwards? looking for a road course application?
I have not used it yet, but for the serious minded cheapskate
http://www.blacklinegps.com/screenshotsummary.html

 

I highly recomend the Racetechnology DL1 or AX22. I currrently own the AX22 because I switch from a few different cars. I put my AX22 in my buddys STI for one session at the track then put it back in mine and its great, we overlay the data and its VERY accurate. My AX22 was right on with pro timing and scoring every event I go to.

-Kyle

 

Lime Rock park data from last Friday

My friend in the STI wanted to see what parts of the track I was carrying more speed.

Red line is me and the black line is the STI.

I did a 59 and he did a 1:03... you can see alot with just a few variables.

 

very impressive stuff kyle, thanks for the inputs!

however, i took the plunge and got a RaceLogic VBox Mini, which is basically the "big brother" of the DriftBox.

someone i've been corresponding with on another forum has both the DriftBox and the AX22, and uses both for the VMAX events he joins in the UK, where they regularly datalog cars hitting 190-200mph.

he said that there was virtually no difference in accuracy between both units, but the RaceLogic product was just a little bit easier to use. and the VBox I got comes with the exact same software analysis package that RaceLogic provide to the manufacturers and racing teams (Honda F1 for example) that use their top of the line VBoxIII loggers, so i figured there's more than enough features than i could ever shake a stick at.

the big benefit of the AX would be that many of the guys at that other (Porsche) forum use the AX, and so exchanging files with them for analysis would have been a lot of fun.

anyway, i think this is sort of like a "what's better-- Canon or Nikon digital cameras?". there's no straight answer, and you can't go wrong with either.

thanks again for taking the time to reply. cheers!!!