AiM Solo DL and adaptronic

[Roadrunner]

Just wondering if there are any users of the Aim solo DL with serial connection to an Adaptronic on here? What are your thoughts?
Looking to get into in car lap timing, and above the standard accelerometer/g-forces etc it would be nice to at least have rpm logging for video overlay.
One of the only non race dash displays I can find, The Aim Solo DL can data log from an Adaptronic ECU's serial out while providing gps timing for in car display, and give me plenty of info to make snazzy gauge overlays for videos with the GoPro using dashware (rpm/speed/boost/coolant etc)

It is getting up there in price though, similar to the performance box but vbox doesn't have adaptronic support.
Alternatively, forgoing engine logging I could simply use Harry's lap timer with a 20hz x-Gps module to my iPhone. Cost about $250 including gps and app and it can control the GoPro.

Just don't want to spend $800+ if the adaptronic logging is sub par or the solo itself is average or finicky to use.
It'll be mostly for Wakefield and Marulan. Maybe one day SMSP.

**im not looking to use this for in depth detailed analysis of every detail of the lap, more to use as an overlay for video to show my family and friends. however it would be used to compare differences in my laps to my wife's.

[Magpie]

If only for comparing lap times then go with Harry's lap timer.

Vbox can do what you want (Performance Box) however it involves getting a micro module. The micro module will allow RPM and up to 4 5 volt linear sensors to be connected.

The next choice in Vbox is the Vbox lite however this maybe getting out of your price range. This can be hooked up via the CAN and log up to 8 CAN channels from memory. This is one thing I still need to get working is the CAN from the PS1000 to the Vbox Lite. This way there is no need to merge video and data separately. currently I have to export the Vbox video and sync with separate data using dashware.

Looking at the http://aimsolo.com.au/ Aim solo DL it would appear to be a much better choice than the Performance Box due to already supporting your ECU. I guess it comes down to budget.

An alternative is this http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=849057#p849057 a RaceCapturePro data logger.

[Dan]

Just don't want to spend $800+ if the adaptronic logging is sub par or the solo itself is average or finicky to use.
It'll be mostly for Wakefield and Marulan. Maybe one day SMSP.

I can't help you with Adaptronic connectivity as I log off the OBDII on my NC but I've got an Aim Solo DL which I find easy to use and not finikey at all.

I got it from the Aussie Distributor so Wakefield and all of the SMSP tracks were already in it which made it a show up and drive affair for me, not sure about Marulan though (you could make it if you need it).

The display is simple, I can easily switch between my preset views some of which have multiple data points on them (predictive, last & best lap, temp etc..) and when I finish a session I can quickly flick back throgh the last few sessions.

It's also good having an easy way to setup gear calculations on it, you just tell it how many gears you have, row through the gears once (I did it on the road) and it calculates your ratios by comparing RPM to speed.

Unless you have the Aim camera the only thing that is a little finicky is that you need to do is the overlay of the data onto your video manually by exporting the data and then using something like Racerender to overlay. it does take a little bit of effort to learn how to do it but once you've done it a couple of times it becomes easy (takes me about 10 minutes now after I get home). The videos in my signature were all made using Aim Solo DL data and a Racerender overlay.

Not sure if you'll find someone who has used a Solo with Adaptronic but I'd say if you can confirm that you can get all of the data out of your Adaptronic you'll love the unit, Here's the site that shows what channels are preconfigured and can be used if they are available on your ECU http://www.aim-sportline.com/eng/downlo ... racing.htm and I'd also call the local distributor to talk about your requirements and confirm what you need to buy to do what you want to do http://aimsportsystems.com.au/eng/

[Roadrunner]

I got it from the Aussie Distributor so Wakefield and all of the SMSP tracks were already in it which made it a show up and drive affair for me, not sure about Marulan though (you could make it if you need it).

That's good to know! I downloaded the Aim GPS Manager and it only had the Gardiner GP Circuit for SMSP. No Brabham, north or south circuit so was a bit worried about its "plug and play" capabilities.
I told the software to import track updates from the Aim website but it only updated a few American tracks.
I'll ask the dealer is there is a database of tracks I can download or look at. Surely someone with an Aim unit has done Marulan? (even Harry's lap timer has Marulan and a lot of smaller tracks)

I've also read a few reports of people having issues with the inbuilt accelerometer being out of calibration if you set the unit up in a different position in the car? (ie have the unit on a different angle/tilt to last time)
This wont be a permanent install so if it needs to be calibrated every time I connect it up that will get tiring.

[Dan]

I got it from the Aussie Distributor so Wakefield and all of the SMSP tracks were already in it which made it a show up and drive affair for me, not sure about Marulan though (you could make it if you need it).

That's good to know! I downloaded the Aim GPS Manager and it only had the Gardiner GP Circuit for SMSP. No Brabham, north or south circuit so was a bit worried about its "plug and play" capabilities.
I told the software to import track updates from the Aim website but it only updated a few American tracks.
I'll ask the dealer is there is a database of tracks I can download or look at. Surely someone with an Aim unit has done Marulan? (even Harry's lap timer has Marulan and a lot of smaller tracks)

I've also read a few reports of people having issues with the inbuilt accelerometer being out of calibration if you set the unit up in a different position in the car? (ie have the unit on a different angle/tilt to last time)
This wont be a permanent install so if it needs to be calibrated every time I connect it up that will get tiring.

I'm sure someone has done Marulan with one they probably just never shared the file with AIM (I checked the database and I don't have it).

The process for making a new track isn't very hard, here's a video of how to do it - https://vimeo.com/45278158 (lots more AIM training videos available from there, the series from Roger is particularly good if you want to look deeper into the data).

Yeh I guess that is a bit of a pain recalibrating for a non-fixed mount, I have mine in a fixed mounting. If it's straight the first time you put it in and you calibrate it I would just make sure you try to put it in close to straight again and not worry too much about the calibration being slightly out.

[Roadrunner]

Thanks Dan, I appreciate your input. Thanks for pointing me towards those videos too. Very informative.
Iv been in touch with Ron at aim systems. Hooking it up to the adaptronic is dead easy.
Wife permitting, I'm going to buy one next week

[Dan]

Awesome Hope you like it!

[Roadrunner]

So took delivery of the solo DL last week.
Soldered the RS232 +/- & earth to a 2.5mm stereo jack and plugged it into the adaptronic. Changed the required setting in the adaptronic and bam, every data stream the ecu saw I could select to display on the screen!
Designed a removable mount that bolts to the head unit frame and calibrated the solo sensor.
Easy as.

Very very happy with this unit. Can seeing clearly in bright sunlight with polarised sunglasses.
I created a Marluan track in GPS manager by putting the start finish line coordinates in from Google.
As soon as I turned it on it detected what track I was at and as soon as I crossed the finish line it started timing! Even automatically split the track into sectors. How good is that!
Automatically starts logging so no need to remember to hit start. Very fool proof.

Now just have to find the time to learn the software.

Only issue I had was after I soldered the power cable to accessories, the DL wouldn't detect the ECU after the car started, only when on ignition.
I cut the cable and it ran off battery fine. Spoke with Ron from Aim on the phone and suggested try a power source not associated with cig lighter. Yet to play with this.

[Dan]

Awesome to hear it worked out for you and it was easy to connect

You mentioned you need to learn the software, I went through the same thing a while ago. Here are a few links that I found helpful:
- Page 15 of this doc shows how to do the gear calculation calibration procedure, it's pretty easy to do http://www.aim-sportline.com/download/d ... 08_eng.pdf
- These two videos go through the basics of using the software - Some of it is a bit simple but it's good to understand it:
https://vimeo.com/106352090
https://vimeo.com/109091107
- When you get into the software you'll need to make maps in race studio and will probably want to have less segments than it comes with, these videos show how to do that and other stuff with the map feature in race studio:
https://vimeo.com/29707974
https://vimeo.com/103848718
- These 3 videos are helpful for learning to interpret the data and improve your driving:
https://vimeo.com/112834687
https://vimeo.com/32178690
https://vimeo.com/84929470

Give me a yell if you need data for Wakefield or any of the SMSP tracks.

[Roadrunner]

Thanks Dan!
Watched a few of those vids already so slowly getting there in understanding the data and how it all works.
Forgot to do the gear calibration before Marulan so that's on my to do list too.