ggulik

The mount arrived today and I see what you mean, it's quite sturdy and I can't see that thing budging at all once properly attached.

The problem I am having is with Harry's Lap Timer. I think I have the Pro version (around $6?) and just from driving around my neighborhood I had a LOT of trouble with it.

The first is I couldn't get it to complete the calibration successfully. What is the trick?

The second is that during a "lap" of my neighbhood the App appeared to crash which means it's not tracking the lap time any more.

I really don't want to fiddle with it at the track and want to figure out the quirks this week. Track event is this coming weekend.

Tech inspection would check for loose items in the car. This thing is stuck pretty solid to the windshield, so no issue there.

You may run into an instructor that does not like the slightly obstructed view, but you can tuck it away pretty nicely just to the left of your steering wheel without any interference that could raise safety concerns.

JP

Do you get any problems at tech inspection for using a cradle that's a suction cup mount?

I am using this cradle:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...:EOIBSA:US:1123

JP

That's awesome!!!

I do have an iPhone so this might just do it. I'll just have to find a secure mount and then practice in the neighborhood.

Thanks!

If you have an iPhone 3G(S) or a Palm device lying around, I recommend Harry's Laptimer. It's GPS based and once you program the start/finish as a way point it records laptimes automatically. It allows export to google maps with G-force data. Pretty cool.

http://web.me.com/hschlangmann/LapTimer_Homepage/Home.html

JP

Wow, I'm not exactly "poor" but the traqmate gets kinda expensive.

Sounds REALLY nice though.

Still, I won't be doing these events THAT often so I want something decent but no need to go top of the line.

If you have the cash and like data and technology, check out traqmate - it is what I use - very rich in data, can integrate with chase cam too to make cool videos with dashboard data to impress your friends!

Pagid Orange - while I use the yellow and black as mentioned, I love the Orange - they just don't last very long compared to the yellows, but the bite with orange is better I think.

Thanks. I have done some events but it's been about 6-7 years. I used to use Pagid Orange back then in both my Boxster and '88 Carrera. If that's still the pad of choice for the guy who just wants to have fun but still have working brakes at the end of the day then that's cool.

For lap timers I'm looking for something automated. I'm a bit of a geek so something that I can then download and analyze later would be ideal. I will definitely be checking out the Racelogix box.

I've seen something called the Starlane Athon GPS timer that looks interesting, but the reviews haven't been that great.

I'm soon going to my first drivers ed in a few years and the first time in my current 996

What is the current best lap timer to keep track of my lap times? Back in the day we used the ones with the IR beam at the start/finish line but I assume there is something much better by now.

Any other tips for brake pads, and other prep I should do to the car?

Robic timers are popular because they are inexpensive (compared) and have bigger buttons - see lap timers at Robictimers.com

I've seen these mounted on dash, on center of wheel, on center console - Some people go real cheap and use their digital watch - I've tried that - the buttons are too small. I don't like the beemer lap timers - you have to find the right spot on the car, and on the pit road - depending on what kind you get, sometimes other beemers can interfere, etc.

On brake pads - if you haven't done a track day before, you can likely get away with your street pads. For the first time and maybe one or two events after, you may not be going fast enough to overheat your street pads.

If you want to invest in race pads, I recommend Pagid Orange as a good race pad. Personally, I use Pagid Yellow up front and Pagid Black in the rear - I just know from experimenting with various pads that that is a good combo for my setup. But Orange all around is a really good starting point. (Sorry, I am assuming this is one of your first track events - not trying to be offensive)

As for other prep - recommend a brake fluid change if you haven't done one in the last year. If you replace your fluid, lots of track guys recommend castrol SRF, which is expensive at about $70 a liter, but I have NEVER had issues with your basic Ate Super Blue and Amber Type 200 - it is much cheaper and if you bleed and change twice a year, should be no problems.

Mostly though, I recommend listening to your instructor and have fun, 'cause it is a hoot.

I'm soon going to my first drivers ed in a few years and the first time in my current 996

What is the current best lap timer to keep track of my lap times? Back in the day we used the ones with the IR beam at the start/finish line but I assume there is something much better by now.

Any other tips for brake pads, and other prep I should do to the car?

Thanks. Looks like I just need the switch then.

It would appear that all electronic control is in the switch - only cars with rain sensor have a relay.

Thanks but I don't know what I'm looking at here. I haven't read a schematic since college and that was a LONG time ago.

I don't believe I have the rain sensor. It's not on the original sticker nor does it seem to respond to rain in any way.

It is a different circuit depending on whether you have the rain sensor option (M265) or not.

Do you have this option?

I don't drive my car in the rain that often but in the past couple weeks I did and noticed the intermittent wipers don't work right. The knob that controls the delay seems to only range from no delay to less than 1 second of delay. I bought the car new so I don't know how long it has been like that.

Does this seem like a problem with the knob or with the relay that controls the wipers?

That's pretty cool. What software is that? What else can you do with it?

There is a sensor that looks at ambient light to control the cluster brightness.

If you have a PST2, PIWIS, or Durametric software you should be able to test the sensor.

If you're fairly handy and have a couple hours you can probably install it without too much trouble. Unfortunately I get nervous working with fiber optics and have little spare time.

That said I'm thrilled with how well the system works. The sound quality is outstanding and once I got used to the special controls on my CDR-23 stereo I find it's quite easy to use. An unexpected bonus for me was that USB port. It can play whatever MP3, OGG and WMA files you throw at it. Just so I didn't have to always have an iPod in the car I went out and bought a 4G thumb drive at MicroCenter for $16 and filled it with music so now I just leave it in the glove compartment permanently so I'm never without music.

Pictures of my install here

The Installation is very easy if you follow my instructions.

You just need to pay attention when you use the fiber and relax when do connections.

Liberato

I did mine myself and after figuring out the cable adaptors it was an easy job. The fiber is much stronger than you may think. I'd recommend going for it.

I ended up having it professionally installed by Karl Nitz of Quality Mobile Installations here in the Chicago area. He met me at a local Porsche dealer where they enabled the CD changer feature on my radio to allow the Dension Gateway to work.

I'm glad I got it done by someone else. I'm fairly handy but after watching much of the install I realize that it would turn out being a frustrating all afternoon ordeal if I attempted to install it myself. I'm fairly handy but not especially good with electronics.

I'm putting together some info including pictures of my install here

The Installation is very easy if you follow my instructions.

You just need to pay attention when you use the fiber and relax when do connections.

Liberato

It looks pretty involved. When it comes to fiber optic cables I'm afraid I'd break it.

Has anyone had a Denison Gateway professionally installed? How did you go about finding an installer? I'm in Chicago if anyone can recommend someone.