Lap Timer for Track days

[Izzy]

I spent some time trying to "engineer" (aka jury rig) a simple lap timing system that would be accurate, hands free, and not cost $1000 like Trackmate (since I am not a pro at this).

The following setup works great for me, so sharing the information with all. The components you need are:

"The HOLUX M-1000 Bluetooth GPS Receiver is a total solution GPS receiver with Bluetooth, UART interface and built-in rechargeable battery for high sensitivity to tracking signal. M-1000 is a dual-function GPS receiver." Runs for about $45 in Ebay, with car charger. You can buy a carphone cradle at any automotive store or Walmart for about $10 that will hold it in.

The palm TX is one of the latest gens palm pilots. Big screen, great color, Wifi, bluetooth, all the cools stuff. It connects to the bluetooth Holux receiver. You can find more about in www.palm.com. I got mine at ebay for about $240. I use the device to track all my car maintenance information, and it is a great travel toy with the wifi full internet. I loaded it with the www.autoenginuity.com plam code reader too, so one device serves many purposes. Alos, many tracks offer Wifi, making it a nice toy to bring. You will need a suction cup pda holder, $10 or less at wallymart or ebay.

http://www.gps-laptimer.de/

The lap timing software from Germany, it is very cool, go through their website and look at the screen shots. Very easy to use, intuitive, and klutz friendly. I have used it to drive around a neighborhood loop, works perfectly. Will be on track with it next week. Cost for this is $29.

So if you have a new palm, phone or pda, with bluetooth, all you need is the gps receiver and the software and you have a great and simple system to track your lap times, map a course, see the g-forces around the track, acceleration points, brake points, etc. It cost me more since my old Palm M505 is obsolete.

Enjoy and let me know if you need help setting it up.