better data aq system, Traqmate or G2X?

[fredmeister]

Which is a better unit to buy Tracmate or G2X , list pros and cons of each?
Both relatively same cost, but interested in usablility and analysis features as well as combining video from my camcorder into mking videos with overlaid dashboard graphics.

Thanks,
Fred

[WestonP22]

There are some who swear by the G2X, but there's no denying that its software has a steep learning curve. Traqmate has the same features and is much easier to use. The G2X wins when it comes to price and their display unit. The Traqmate wins when it comes to usability and comparing your data with others. I went with the Traqmate myself.

[drew9146]

I have a G2X. I like the display. The onboard timer is exact to our club timing system. You can use TrackVision to put the data / gauges on your video or you can use the chase cam system which I understand works with the G2X to sync the data and video. There's a lot of good info in the data, but I admit it's not real easy to use or intuitive. I think a big part of the decision should be what your fellow racers, that you would share info with, are using. I don't know anyone else that uses the G2X at this time. If you have a peer group to share files with and figure out how to get the most out of the data, it's going to be a lot more usefull.

[jt1]

The G2x has a lot of capability, probably far more than most will ever use. All this capability means the software requires some effort to learn, simply because there are so many features. The G2X display is better, and the track maps can be customized almost infinitely.

After all that, the reason I bought the G2X is because several of my track friends have them, and we learn from each other and compare data. I have picked up speed, and destroyed a few myths.

John

[fredmeister]

so far we have 3 to 1 for G2X.
Thanks for the info so far guys. Keep it coming.
How easy is it to make video with a normal camcorder and overlay the dash board graphics, I don't have a chasecam system.

[TimT]

I have Motec, Aim, and Race-Technology... don't these impressive systems even make the cut anymore?


I started with a gen one Race-Technology Dl-90 years ago...Acquired a car with MoTec ADL, Then installed an Aim dash logger in my own car..

The data gathering capabilities of all these systems... including G2X and Traqmate are impressive..

Its the software that separates the the winners and losers.... The loggers themselves just collect info..

Any of the above systems are fine..knowing what do do with the data you collected is uber important....

Racecar Engineering magazine has a monthly column "databytes" which covers data analysis, and always leaves a monthly test question..

Very helpful

[TimT]

Additionally,

The Trackvision software is a really good product.. for combining data and video

[Plavan]

I have the Traqmate- I like it because I did not want a big X-wing fighter looking display in my Vintage race car. I like the stock dash for this old car. The Traqmate does everything I want it to. Easy software to use. I had problems with traqmate when it first came out 3 years ago- but since then they have updated the firmware and it fits my needs perfectly.

Here is my latest race with the dash overlay stuff from Trackvision.net. The trackvision software is superb.

from Chad P. on Vimeo.

[Tom W]

I had a Traqmate for a year and used it with TrackVision to do video and highly recommend the combination.

You ask how easy is it to use a 'normal' camcorder. The only real issue with TrackVision is getting the video into the computer in a standard format. Some recorders use a proprietary format. Do you do video on your computer now?

[Mike Metzler]

I agree with much of what has been written above. The data collection systems are similar but with what may be important differences (sample rates, ease of connecting additional sensors), but the two key items in my view are:
1) what are the people you want to compare data with using?
2) how does the software meet your needs?

Traqmate probably has the easiest to use software, but it is more limited in analysis capabilities than the RacePak or Race Technology (DL-1) packages. With the DL-1 (the one I have and am most familiar with) you can easily define "math channels" to compute, display, and map items such as "grip-limited cornering speed" or "rate of throttle application" or other variables that can help you determine what is going on. However, the additional capability comes with the cost of additional complexity and resultant steeper learning curve (or simply more difficult to use, depending on how you view it!).

In the end, I think one of the most useful features of data acquisition is providing the ability to compare your driving with that of someone else in a quantitative manner, and for that reason the system all your track buddies have is probably the most important consideration.

TrackVision (mentioned above and used to merge data with video) works with all of these systems.

[fredmeister]

Originally Posted by Tom W

I had a Traqmate for a year and used it with TrackVision to do video and highly recommend the combination.

You ask how easy is it to use a 'normal' camcorder. The only real issue with TrackVision is getting the video into the computer in a standard format. Some recorders use a proprietary format. Do you do video on your computer now?

yes i transfer my video from my hi8 tape to the computer via a converter and use roxio version 10 softmare to make movies.
some of my buddies have traqmate already, but i like the bigger display of g2x and it is $100 cheaper.
still weighing in on a decision based upon what everyone here has to say.

[38D]

You are really comparing different levels of product

Traqmate --> entry level for the DEer or basic club racer. Decent price.
G2X --> Solid club race choice. More sensors, more feature rich software. Cheap until you add sensors.
Motec --> Pro level stuff. By far the best software, and not that difficult to use either. Downside its about a $7k entry cost for a logger with the required sensors (throttle, brake, lat/long Gs)

I have a G2X currently but will be upgrading to motec for next season. Once you use the motec software you realize that everything else is mickey mouse. Plus its easy to use (believe it or not, its actually easier than the G2X software).

[Tom W]

Colin nailed it. As I said, I used Traqmate for a year as a trial to see what I could get out of it. I decided I could/would use the data analysis and when I had my car rebuilt I went with MoTeC. Once you get used to MoTeC's i2Pro, it's very hard to go back o the "simplified" stuff. The capabilities are incredible. MoTeC even provides for integrated video with the analysis and simple export to TrackVision.