Cockpit Accessorizing

[Jack Olsen]

I've had a DL-90 datalogger for a while, now, but have never actually used it. I've had it so long, in fact, that it's now been replaced by a better unit (the DL-1). The sad fact is that there have always been other priorities in the paddock that make unpacking, plugging in, and connecting to the GPS sender too much of a hassle.

Today, I decided to change that, and took an hour to install a permanent place for it to mount under the dash. I also wired it so that I can run off the power supply Pelicanite Hawgryder made for me. I permanently put in the DL-90's GPS reader, too, securing it to the roll cage.

So now I've got no excuses for not using the thing. All I have to do is press the button. I'm going to drive around the blocks a few times tonight to test it out. (Annoying data to follow.)

While I was at it, I put in a fixed mount for my iPod, since the thing tends to fly out of my lap in spirited driving.

In the picture, you can see the iPod in a red case next to the seat. The DL-90 is under the dash, to the right of the ash tray.

[RoninLB]

interesting

[cegerer]

Jack, is the iPod hard-wired? If so, how? I've got an FM transmitter on mine and I'm not thrilled with the sound quality.

[IanW505]

any closeups of the iPod and the dock? i'm about to do the same thing with mine....

which dock did you use?

-Ian

[Jack Olsen]

Originally posted by cegerer
Jack, is the iPod hard-wired? If so, how? I've got an FM transmitter on mine and I'm not thrilled with the sound quality.

I use noise-cancelling earbud headphones. No stereo or speakers in the car at all.

This is the old (non-docking) iPod. I use a docking one in my other car. I have this one wired directly into a power source that was added to my car. It has regulated power with circuit-breakers.

[TimT]

Im pretty sure the DL 90 needs to be mounted in a level position.

[Jack Olsen]

It is. It looks funny in the picture. But I made a bracket that keeps it level and steady.

[Wayne 962]

Late model dash?

-Wayne

[Jack Olsen]

The dash is a leather-covered one from a 964 Turbo. TRE modified the underdash area for the later style defrost vents and a center AC duct.

I played around a little with the DL-90 data. Three laps around a fixed section of Los Angeles. I wasn't thinking about it, but my lap and segment times kept coming down. When my wife looked over my shoulder at the real-time playback, she yelled at me for speeding.

Only downside to the DL-90 for me is that it's only PC-based, which leaves me feeling like an idiot as I try to operate a Windows laptop. Back on my Macintosh, the world seems to make sense again.

[Fishcop]

Dude, you're adding weight!

[mjshira]

I was waiting for Tyson to make that comment!

[na2ub]

With that iPOD I can't help but think of Iron Eagle. You could always strap it to your leg.

[GettinHeadStuds]

Originally posted by na2ub
With that iPOD I can't help but think of Iron Eagle. You could always strap it to your leg.

Lol!

[}{arlequin]

Ha ha... add to that some Top Gun soundtrack and you're good to go! "I feel the need... the need for...."

[304065]

Jack,

Nice install.

The DL-90 is, next to seat time and hanging around with Tyson, the single greatest investment you can make in becoming a better driver.

The only trouble is information overload- there are so many ways to slice and dice the data that you can get in pretty deep- I started with basics like GPS speed and RPM measured at a certain point on the track. Eventually you get some "packaged" analyses you can run quickly, after each run session, to really evaluate the impact of braking later, different line, etc.

Of course, using the DL-90 requires that you have your act together- the car has to be set up, and all of the other nuisances (video, etc.) have to be resolved before you can concentrate on analysis between sessions. It makes going to the track seem like work, but nothing's better than actually seeing a quantitative improvement.

[Drdogface]

Re: iPods and FM transmitters. There are many FM transmitters available most of which received pretty lousy reviews by users. There is one, however, that I am using that perfroms wonderfully. It is sold by C.Crane in Fortuna, Ca. Unlike most transmitters this one can be tuned to ANY vacant FM frequency..not just a selected few. It works very well in the car and in the home where i plug it into my Mac and broadcast from iTunes to anywhere in the house where there is an FM radio. Cost is a bit higher but, IMHO, worth it. Works on AA batteries which last quite a while. Available at CCrane.com.