Data Logger
 

Since there has been discussion lately regarding the Gtech pro.. I thought I might add this little tid bit of info.

I received in the mail today my DL-90 Race-Technology data logger. This is a GPS and two accelerometer based unit, with inputs for tach and 4 other inputs.

Since my race car is on blocks, I decided to test the logger in my truck. I installed the logger and GPS antenna in my truck and drove to the beach and back.

The accuracy of this unit is amazing, the map it drew for me when I processed the data was amazing. I could interpolate lane changes!!

Also the DL-90 comes in a Halliburton type attache case. I cant wait till spring and use this thing in my car.

Yes it costs more than the Gtech, but it is not a one dimensional unit.

Perhaps this logger will show me what a bad driver I am LOL

oh yea..... I got a .7G turn in my mountaineer

data-loggers are great tools to learn how consistant you drive on the track, remember consistancy is what makes good drivers stand above the rest :)
that should also have capabilities of adding laser temp sensors, these can come in handy for evaluating rotor surface temps/tire temps.
sounds like you're going to get to have alot of fun
:D

How much did you pay for your DL90?

I've seen them advertised for something like $650. Is this consistent with what you paid?

Thanks,

Brian

did you take the firestones off the mountaineer before that 0.7g turn?

I paid $655 with shipping

and yes the Firestones are long gone, (I took advantage of the recall program)

My '97 Mountaineer has 128000 miles currently, I think I am on my 4th set of rubber, and it pulls a trailer just fine.

This data logger is impresive though, the in car unit is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. ant the GPS antenna is about the same size.

Ive been playing with my "to the beach" run and finding out the capabilities of this unit. I think it will take a long time until I find all the capabilties of this unit..

Check out these guys if you are looking for a data logger:
http://www.race-technology.com
I have an AP-22 and while it doen't have the GPS capabilities, it sure is a good device for logging a few laps (it has longitudinal and lateral accelerometers) and then working on smoothness.

Bob......... Race-Technology makes the DL-90

Sounds cool. FYI, the G-Tech has 3 acellerometers, so it's three dimensional & measures side loads (I believe). I have mine in a box on the kitchen table - I need to test it tomorrow...

-Wayne

how good is your kitchen table going to handle wayne?
make sure you post the results :)

hmmm ok cough cough...

Wayne per the Gtech's website

At the heart of G-TECH/Pro is a precision 3-axis accelerometer, a sensor that measures acceleration also known as G-Force.

I read that as one accelerometer..

Im getting the hint that the GtechPro is on Pelicans bill of sale. Perhaps you should investigate the capabilities if the DL-90. It uses GPS (with a minimum of 3 satellites) and 2 accelerometers, along with the parameters you define to draw the track maps and provide the data for interpretation.

Lets compare notes if you like...... I am just amazed at how powerful a data gathering device the DL-90 is...... I will be learning all the cpabilities this winter by testing it with my truck..before I take it out on my race car this coming spring.

the DL-90 is a killer piece, i think waynes point was the g-tec pro has some basic affordable datalogging capabilities at a much lower cost.....but we all know we get what we pay for.

There seems to be some confusion here about which G-Tech Pro version is being referred to. The latest version Wayne was referring to, and the only one with data logging capabilities, is actually called the G-Tech Pro Competition model, and it DEFINITELY has 3 acellerometers total, one on all three axes! The earlier version that is several years old, now, had only one acellerometer, and was intended primarily for drag-racing enthusiasts.

I attempted to call G-Tech but couldn't get past the basic sales guys who weren't very helpful.

In order for the GTPComp to work for road race use is recording time and sampling rate. If you can record 15-30 minutes on the meter, or hook it up to an external recording device for real-time download of this data, then it could be a great analysis tool.

I think one of the aftermarket software tools could infer a track map using the speed and accel data.

TimT,

Any word about this device yet? The website listed it as $499 pounds which is almost $800US now.. Where did you get it for $650US?

The price may have gone up since they got a nice write-up in the latest issue of RaceTech. I haven't had time to read it yet, but it's on the newstands now.

Chris,

I ordered the DL-90 directly from race-technology. It was shipped to me from cb racing . Race-technology didmention on their website that the $650 price was an introductory price good till the end of 2002 (cb racing still lists the DL-90 at $650), but D2 Engineering now lists the DL 90 at $800.

I have played around with the unit in my daily driver and am really amazed at the accuracy it records to. For example I did some laps of a large parking lot near me, and varied the line incrementaly, (changing radius and diameter of turns). When I used the "overlay lap" function it actually showed the variances in line. I did my laps at speed less than 40 mph in my mountaineer so it was really easy to be consitent with the line and the changes were controlled.


ramble mode off

Also check the D2 schedule, they will be at gingerman in april with DL-90 rentals. (you do run gingerman?)

Do the DL-90 people site an accuracy? I thought that non-military GPS were only close to within a yard or two.

I think the accuracy restrictions were removed a few years ago.

Maybe we can measure to a few feet with a GPS and the military can measure to the inch now

THe website says that standard commercial accuracy is only 15meters... That;s like 45 feet! I think it's better than that, and what really matters in this case is resolution from point to point which supposedly is a lot higher...