Cool iPhone Apps for Car Nuts

[slomove]

I finally took the plunge and got an iPhone after I lost my old phone. I was a bit hesitant first because it is a somewhat larger than the usual cellphones but after playing with the available apps I am really excited what is all out there for little or no money.

 

What I found for racers:

 

Clinometer e.g. for camber measurement (using the accelerometer, can be set to 0.1 degree resolution):

http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/1101118857_Clinometer.jpg

 

Decibel Meter (that one is $0.99 but there are a bunch more out there, some better and more expensive):

http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/581334055_DecibelMeter.jpg

 

And, finally "Track Day" with various functions, e.g.:

 

Drag strip mode (using the built in accelerometer)

http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/913172441_Dragstrip.jpg

 

Cornering G

http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/138747727_Cornering.jpg

 

Acceleration G (Braking G works the same way)

http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/421128494_AccelG.jpg

 

Automatic lap timer (using the built-in GPS to trigger the lap start)

http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/296705235_Laptimer.jpg

 

I have no idea yet, how accurate the timing functions are but will try out at the next track day.

 

Oh, and with all the gadgets you get a decent phone with Internet access and other nifty functions

Obviously the online service comes at a cost of $30 month.....oh well. :toetap:

 

Anyway, I must stop playing with that in the office.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Apple or ATT, just wanted to share my toy experience.

 

 

Gert

[slngsht]

I've never been an "apple person", but that stuff is

 

Now, what can it do to help me break loose some rusty exhaust manifold flange bolts?

[WestTexasS2K]

I-phone has so many cool apps. one I heard of the other day is, a song comes on the radio that you like and want to find the artist you just hit a button the phone listens to the song then searches the data base and finds the match. Then you can upload it to the MP3.

 

The standard lap timer is pretty cool but I hope the GPS timer is accurate because the Iphone is on my short list.

[slomove]

..........one I heard of the other day is, a song comes on the radio that you like and want to find the artist you just hit a button the phone listens to the song then searches the data base and finds the match............

 

Yes, got that one, too (because it is free )

The amazing thing is it really works very well. I did not use it to download songs but had it listen to songs that I ripped from my old vinyls to identify the title and artist. It even knows some very esoteric songs, only gave up on a few scratchy banjo/bluegrass tunes that originated from very old shellac 78 rpm records.

 

Other funky or useful free apps that I found: several voice recorders, a restaurant suggestor slot machine (GPS based), 160,000 cooking recipes, live weather radar display, and of course Google Earth. That one uses the accelerometer to adjust the viewing angle, i.e. when horizontal you look down, when lifted up you look at the horizon.

 

All in all, I have not had that much fun with a gadget for a long time. Actually I am not not an Apple-type as well.

 

Gert

[slomove]

......Now, what can it do to help me break loose some rusty exhaust manifold flange bolts?.....

 

I suggest the Pocket Mechanic application ($2.99) :jester:

 

http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/1337478352_Mechanic.jpg

[Mandurath]

Pocket Dyno is also pretty cool. I have not tested its accuracy yet myself, as I just got it. I do know it will not work in semi. *chuckle* According to it my semi has 38 HP. Its closer to 550 HP / 1850 TQ. We are going to test it in my wifes Jeep or my pickup later.

 

 

Rusty manifold bolts. Kroil Oil. Got mine from my father in law. Used to rebuild engines for the Army. Anyone (esp junkyard parts users ) would do well to have a bottle

 

https://secure.cnchost.com/kanolabs.com/kanopnlu.html#anchor173855

[Ian7]

I

The standard lap timer is pretty cool but I hope the GPS timer is accurate because the Iphone is on my short list.

 

don't know the details of this app, but my intuition says you'll likely have to manually input a "time from this spot" location;

suggest you pick the slowest point on the track to minimize errors due to limited accuracy of gps' instantaneous location reading.

 

(had an iPhone for a month now; totally distracting...) :yesnod:

[slomove]

 

don't know the details of this app, but my intuition says you'll likely have to manually input a "time from this spot" location;

suggest you pick the slowest point on the track to minimize errors due to limited accuracy of gps' instantaneous location reading.

 

(had an iPhone for a month now; totally distracting...) :yesnod:

 

The problem for lap timing is that most consumer GPS including the iPhone have only a fixed 1-second GPS update rate. Since that does not give the neded (at least) 1/10 sec resolution for the lap timer I sent an email to the software developer of this Trackday application. They confirmed that they try to get the accuracy by interpolation of the reference start location relative to the next lap's GPS point before and after passing this reference location. But they were ready to admit they don't know how well this works and pointed out not to take it too serious.

I mean that is fair...I should not expect the performance of a dedicated high-speed GPS race logger that would cost 500+ bucks.

 

I have not tried the drag strip mode. Should probably work well but I suspect the horsepower calculation will be way off. I used the G-Tech device before and had to make significant allowances for rotating masses and air drag to get anything close to meaningful.

 

Gert

[Ian7]

 

The problem for lap timing is that most consumer GPS including the iPhone have only a fixed 1-second GPS update rate. Since that does not give the neded (at least) 1/10 sec resolution for the lap timer I sent an email to the software developer of this Trackday application. They confirmed that they try to get the accuracy by interpolation of the reference start location relative to the next lap's GPS point before and after passing this reference location. But they were ready to admit they don't know how well this works and pointed out not to take it too serious.

I mean that is fair...I should not expect the performance of a dedicated high-speed GPS race logger that would cost 500+ bucks.

 

Gert

 

Race data systems are picking up on the 'predicitve' software behavior you describe, particularly the excellent CDS systems, but as you also alluded to, they are eye-wateringly expensive