I'm a big nerd, so this stuff interests me

I've got an eeePC (solid state, no moving parts) so I'll be using that as the data collection device. I plan on converting the VGA to composite out and running it into the aux in on the head unit so I can see the display with the PC secured in my glove box.

Do any of you use a similar system? How does it work for you?

I mostly autocross with some track days thrown in here and there. I'd really like to be able to put the GPS/computer into other people's cars every so often to compare their data to mine just to see what's going on.

And I'd really like to mix the video with the data using TrackVision, but I have a hard time swallowing a $200 software purchase.

 

I have a NASA TT friend running MaxQData. Ill see if i can get him to respond.

 

I've used Max Q, and really liked it for day of event Autocrossing. I say "day of event", because you won't get the type of accelerometer based data out of it like some other systems, but they are clunky to use and almost useless in the few short minutes you have between runs. If your testing and doing setup work, and you have the time and can learn the systems, there are better ones out there.
The GPS data Bluetooth's to a PDA...very simple to use, no need for a PC, and your run is pre-loaded and ready for you to look at when you get back to grid. Extremely usefull for looking at your driving and where you went faster/slower...right away. The other systems I've seen take way to long to set up and actually see the data. Not sure what else to tell you.

 

I use the MaxQData Hi-Def unit to bluetooth to my phone (Windows 6.1 HTC) which then bluetooths to my Asus eeePC, so yeah, I guess I can comment.

Works like a charm. In fact, there are certain graphs I prefer on the phone (slight variance in interface).

My only issue is the speed calibration seems to be off >5mph, I need to see if I can get that adjusted.

 

Cool thanks for the feedback. I think I'm going to get a PDA from work (when they cycle back from the field offices) to keep in the car... It seems like the apps are really keyed for the pda form factor.

 

MaxQ kind of sucks, mostly because it has no accelerometers to assist the sparse GPS data. I would recommend spending the extra money and buying a quality, expandable system like Racepak, etc. Spend now or spend later...

BTW here's an example of the kind of data you get from MaxQ. Claims my stock motor Evo VIII makes 313hp on 17.5 psi...I don't think so.


http://forums.ndt.org/turn4_exh1.jpg
http://forums.ndt.org/turn4_exh3.jpg
http://forums.ndt.org/turn10_exh2.jpg

 

Thanks for the pictures. I really don't care about (worthless) hp guesses, but want to know how and where I'm futzing things up between runs at the autocross. I can't justify $1,000 when my cost is $60 for a GPS and $200 for some software (since I have all the other hardware).

 

I've used one three events now. So far it's most valuable in comparing A to B. Maybe you to a friend driving your car. Maybe an aggressive run against a conservative one. If you tend to improve thru the event you can compare your first run to your last and see where you picked up.

Suggest you turn off all the graphs except speed. Keep the two cars together either using "distance mode" or manually synching them together at points of interest. Then study the velocity curves to see what's happening.

 

Depends on what you're trying to do. I think the other systems suck because I cannot immediately load and interpret data in the 3 minutes I have between Autocross runs. Because it does not return what you want at your track/test session doesn't mean it sucks....it just may not be the right tool.

Pick the right tool for the job. "Day of event" use to look at your driving performance in comparison to other runs/laps = MaxQ. Gathering accurate performance data where you have some time to really study the info = other accelerometer based systems. (Bunch of good ones out there.) Just need to pick your poison.

 

OK so this weekend was my first chance to use the MaxQ system that I cobbled together. It was a two event weekend (same location, same club, slightly different course).

I logged all weekend between me, another driver (in his car), another driver (in my car) and yet another driver (in my car as well).

The best thing I used it for was as a training excersize. After the event on Saturday I had ratt_finkel (one of the better drivers [he daily drives an Evo, but races a BS RX8]) drive my car for a couple fun runs with me in the car. Then I drove a couple (after letting the brakes cool, they were smoking) with him in the car giving me pointers. I was still 2-3 seconds slower than him (in the same car).

I put the two plots over each other and could see in three corners where he picked up the biggest lead. Using that knowledge on Sunday I planned my trips around the pylons and was able to put down, what I feel was a respectable set of times (until I got fatigued and just started messing up).

So between ratt_finkel and MaxQ, I became a better driver this weekend. Ratt_finkel gave me the "what" and MaxQ data backed it up with the "why".

 

OK Here's a good example... I have no idea what cars or drivers these are since I didn't pay close enough attention.

Both of these runs were with my equipment on the same track...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI-Ct_c4bUI

Make sure you click "Watch in High Quality" if you want to see the numbers on the left.

 

Here's another one comparing me in my car (the red +) vs. Evo_Someday (the blue +) in my car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJHdpMJg3FM
Make sure you click "Watch in High Quality" if you want to see the numbers on the left.

I'm not sure what happened on the bottom middle section, but still pretty interesting.

My raw time was 93.393. His was 95.214. I was called for a cone (not sure where).

 

MaxQdata is a very good entry level system. When you realize you are getting an Asus PDA included in the price and its below what a stand alone system costs (eg: Traqmate), its just a hellva deal. It's best suited for auto-xs and can also be used in on the race track (as you know). The best part, as others have mentioned is you can actually check the telemetry data between runs.

I've been using one for about half of this season. For me, it is a system I can use to help tune my car with hard data vs seat of the pants feel. Ofcourse it doesn't have additional accelerometers that double check long and lat Gs. Like the more expensive systems it doesn't give you roll angles, roll rates, dive and squat angles, etc. But for the amount it costs, you can't complain. If you input all the weight parameters correctly, its pretty accurate. I wonder if USTCC EVO had the weight accurately set when he got those abnormal readings.

Also if you have a Windows Mobile 5 and above phone you can integrate the MaxQdata with it. After playing with the demo on my Moto Q, I opted for Asus touch screen PDA combo. I've found it to basically confirm what I believe to be the faster way around the course. If you happen to be a visual learner (ie. it only makes sense when you can see an overview diagram) then the MaxQdata system will help you greatly, as you'll be able to "see" where you are slow and/or messing up.

Very good beginner system to help get your feet wet.

 

OK I couldn't justify the $200 for TrackVision, so I wrote a little app to merge some of the MaxQData data with the video stream.

Here's a video of my 4th (fastest) run yesterday, merged with the speed, lateral G and longitudinal G data.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjqmZIEDa08

Sorry for the screechy brakes


Talking to myself, so I'll just edit.

Here's a video of Evo_Someday in my X with MaxQData data overlaid. This is ~3 seconds slower than the video above. I added a map too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9dCQbRGbvw

Here's an update video of my run with the mini map:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23YcO0JHyPU