Software: Qracing http://www.qstarz.com/Products/Software%20Products/QRacing-F.htm and Dashware http://www.dashware.net/
Qracing
Qracing software comes with the Qstarz and is mainly for the reviewing of data and setting tracks/splits etc that can be exported back to the recorder (not the purpose of this review) and it feels like the video part is just a bonus feature. Whilst it is capable of having up to 9 videos linked to the recorded data I found it very tedious to sync just one and would slash my wrists if I had to do 9! It may have just been me or something that I was doing.
However once you have synced the video you can watch the video at the same time as the GPS recorded data but it can not be exported as a standalone video.
Dashware
I used the same data as for Qracing. First I had to export the Qstarz GPS data, then import this into Dashware. Then the video file selected (not sure how many can be used). Syncing was very easy as you can adjust both the video and the position independent of the other and on the same screen (not like Qracing). Once the data and video is synced the gauges are put on the screen and then you trim and export the video. It took me about 15 mins to produce the video below.
One thing I did find out is that the gauges are linked to a GPS data and if you remove that GPS file the gauges do not function and you need to delete and place new ones. Not that you will be deleting the GPS data all the time.
The Contour does come with its own software for very very basic videos and it does use the GPS data provided you upload it to Countour’s site. However, when you export (from Storyteller) to You Tube it does not include the GPS data. I may try and use the GPS data (from the Contour Plus) and compare it to the Qstarz’s and see if the info (speed/position etc) is any different.
All in all the Dashware is a cheap and very simple programme to use and makes a nice end product that looks good, however the Qracing software allows you to analysis your driving a lot better. Further, it allows you to configure a track and splits and upload it back to the recorder for use next time as well as export the GPS points to Google Earth (however it is not accurate as there appears to be a slight difference in the projection being used). Also in Qracing you can compare laps (up to 3) and see where you are in relation to the other laps, it was interesting to put my first ever run against my best and see the change in lines and speeds (again this is not the reason for this review).
Conclusion?
I guess Dashware is geared towards showing people what you have done and Qracing is for you to understand what you have done.
Video
