Croc Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 Now all I have to do is figure out which mic's and where to put them. Was watching some downloads from RNR's data logger at the last track day (very interesting how he can pick any corner, or any part of a corner and compare it to the different laps etc.) Jim - My experiments have shown me the rear "trunk" of my seven under the tonneau cover is the best mic placement for sound for me, despite it getting a fair amount of diff noise. The other option is run the mic forward way way way up under the dash but I get wind noise there. Not sure what brand data logger RNR is using but I can confirm that they are really good at wasting huge amounts of my time by analyzing track data. I am still studying my November track day data. When you merge it with the camera footage, I have found it very helpful at showing me where i am slow and can make changes to improve speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blubarisax Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 I put my Smartycam microphone in the boot as well, very near the top under the soft cover. It works well and the only place out of the wind my short cable will reach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 RNR was finding that some things that "felt" faster were actually slower. I was watching some of my gopro footage after that track day, timing each clear lap, and found that I was pretty consistent, which probably only means I'm making the same mistakes over and over again. I really just do it for fun but part of the fun is passing, not being passed. With a N/A 2.2L "7" it's all about corner speed as you are not going to keep up with most of the V8 boys on the straights, power or aero wise, so I guess finding that extra half second in-through-and out of the corners is the answer. It should also help with finding out what tire works best or suspension changes since I really have a problem with remembering from one track day to another just what the car felt like before. I have a LOT (70++) of heat cycles on the NT01's I'm running but I really can't tell you if they have degraded as I've never really timed laps or noted the exact conditions and they still feel OK to me. I also can't tell the difference in minor pressure changes so just keep them between where they felt sloppy loose and where they felt skittery, which is quite a few pounds different. I am semi-hopeless at most modern technology but I'm finding that it's mostly "just using it till it starts to make sense" and not giving up when you get frustrated with it. I'm hoping that works with datalogging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 Good info from both of you about the boot. With two microphone inputs it should make it easier to "fix" one in place and move the other around for comparison and once I find a "best" spot for the moving one start changing the "fixed" ones location opposed to the new benchmark. I love the sound of racing almost as much as the video footage. As soon as I get some room back in my garage (clearing out a bunch of woodworking tools on Craigslist hopefully) I'll get the 7 out of the trailer and start playing with the GoPro II. I have managed to take a lot of the "jangle" out of the boot area over the last couple of years so maybe it will pick up the rear tire and exhaust I couldn't get before. Hopefully I'll finally be able to watch with the volume "on". LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackal Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I was lucky enough to get a camera for Christmas as well. I decided to go with the Contour Plus instead though. I like that it has the added features of GPS and Bluetooth compatibility with my Iphone for view finding. I just need the rollbar mount for it and an external mic now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I was looking at different cameras and that was one I thought was pretty good. I actually did get my GoPro Hero II from "Santa". It was a present from my son (over 40 so it wasn't saved from his allowance LOL). He knew I was never happy with the original HD Hero sound and knew I had been Emailing them about producing a different non-sealed case with sound entry from the sides and foam wind noise supressors. Since all of their responses sounded like they were hiring drop outs from the local HMB Continuation Middle School to reply to their emails I had given up on them. I had talked about ordering a spare case, drilling out the sides and adding some sculpted microphone foam to see if the sound got through. Their open and sealed backs both seemed to only pick up the wind over the camera when on my roll bar. As usual, I got busy with other things and didn't get around to it before the new Hero II came out and hopefully solved my problem. Now all I have to do is decide on a datalogger and then get my pointy little head wrapped around learning to use it and hopefully learning how to integrate the DL information with the HD video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Now all I have to do is decide on a datalogger and then get my pointy little head wrapped around learning to use it and hopefully learning how to integrate the DL information with the HD video. Jim, what Data logger/video system are you looking at. I'm hoping to do the same this year. I'm looking at the DRIFT HD cam like this one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drift-Innovation-HD-1080p-Helmet-Digital-Video-Action-Camera-Camcorder-NEW-USA-/360415945794?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D290632684942%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5235688859188589642 and possibly this data logger. http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?tpc=Racepak-G2X-GPS-Based-Data-Acquisition-System-Kit&form_prod_id=4557&action=product Anyone have any other recommendations? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Since I now have two GoPro's (original Hero and a Hero II) I'm really not looking at a different camera now. Would have been easier to buy a camera set up for use with a Data Logger but RNR has told me that there is software to combine pretty much any camera to a data logger. Probably only have to have a PHD in computer science to use it. LOL. I'm just starting to look into the Data Loggers as it was only a few weeks ago that RNR was showing me how he uses his and got me interested. I'm not sure just how complex a unit I need to get as some seem to be realy esoteric. Obviously not looking at one that broadcast live to my pit crew since I don't have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I use a Racetech DL1 ([/url]http://www.race-technology.com/dl1_8_936.html) which at the time I bought it had the best analysis software by far. I use Chasecam dashware to overlay the data on the video Traqmate is other data logging setup that is poplar in the Norcal track day folks: http://store.traqmate.com/ I would recommend downloading the sw from each one and playing around with some sample data to see which one you prefer. If you just want video with data overlaid on it I'd suggest the Chasecam DIVA setup: http://www.chasecam.com/ or the Aim Smartycam: http://www.smartycam.com/on-board-camera.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackal Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Jim, what Data logger/video system are you looking at. I'm hoping to do the same this year. I'm looking at the DRIFT HD cam like this one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drift-Innovation-HD-1080p-Helmet-Digital-Video-Action-Camera-Camcorder-NEW-USA-/360415945794?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D290632684942%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5235688859188589642 Anyone have any other recommendations? Tom I looked at that camera too. I like that it had a rotatable lens, like the Contour series. I also liked the built in screen for view finding. The best feature to the Drift camera is the remote control wrist strap. I would recommend looking into the Contour series of cameras. I have not played too much with it yet, but the ease of use is a huge advantage. I drive with gloves, and like that when pressing the power button the camera lights up and gives an audible tone, then sliding the record button forward starts the recording, with more lights and tones. So easy to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Does the GoPro 2 come with external mic connectors ??. Also FYI GoPro are making a bus expansion pack that will hook up to IPhones and Android phones like the Contour does, it's due out in Febuary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I would recommend looking into the Contour series of cameras. I have not played too much with it yet, but the ease of use is a huge advantage. I drive with gloves, and like that when pressing the power button the camera lights up and gives an audible tone, then sliding the record button forward starts the recording, with more lights and tones. So easy to use. I use the ContourHD (the video I posted earlier was from the HD version) and really like it. The newer versions do have the option for external mics as well. I do have to say that Chasecam has one of the best fit it and forget it video setups in the business. You can even set them to automatically start recording with the ignition and/or car motion. They are $$$ though which is why I went with the Contour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Would have been easier to buy a camera set up for use with a Data Logger but RNR has told me that there is software to combine pretty much any camera to a data logger. Probably only have to have a PHD in computer science to use it. LOL. RaceRender is what I use to sync my GoProII/VIO POV/MD80 cameras to output from my datalogger. Luckily it is easy to use so I have faith you could make it work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Does the GoPro 2 come with external mic connectors ??. Also FYI GoPro are making a bus expansion pack that will hook up to IPhones and Android phones like the Contour does, it's due out in Febuary. Go Pro 2 has a single external stereo 3.5mm mic plug socket. You need to use it with the skeleton case as the waterproof one blocks the socket. Works pretty well from my testing in November's track day. I am on the wait list for the wifi backpack so you can connect it to phones and other items to operate the camera remotely. Apparently you will be able to aim it via iphone/android. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I'll probably hold off on buying anything till spring. No matter how long you wait something new, improved and cheaper always comes out but waiting is probably the best bet. Want to get it in time to learn and experiment with it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxCoyote Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Don't want to hijack this thread but does anyone make a software setup that will work with Traqmate on a Mac? The virtual version through parallels sucks big time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 A rebuilt close ratio 3 speed Ford transmission arrived in the mail from jolly old England just before Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I use a Racetech DL1 ([/url]http://www.race-technology.com/dl1_8_936.html) which at the time I bought it had the best analysis software by far. I use Chasecam dashware to overlay the data on the video Traqmate is other data logging setup that is poplar in the Norcal track day folks: http://store.traqmate.com/ I would recommend downloading the sw from each one and playing around with some sample data to see which one you prefer. If you just want video with data overlaid on it I'd suggest the Chasecam DIVA setup: http://www.chasecam.com/ or the Aim Smartycam: http://www.smartycam.com/on-board-camera.htm Sorry to continue this tangent, but I figured I'd offer my $0.02. I'm a huge fan of Aim's products because their customer support is second to none. They'll pretty much repair any of their products for free. If you're looking for a low cost, low frills GPS data-logger (and lap time), great option that has a reasonable sampling rate (10hz). https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecId=8780&utm_source=google&utm_medium=productsearch&utm_campaign=gps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HankMauel Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 My nephew, a car guy, got me a set of wire mesh stone guards for the 7 headlights and a nice, LOUD airhorn (from Griot's) to replace the "bleating sheep" sounding horn I had. Now, if they don't see me they will certainly hear me! I plan to test it out on the first bozo/bozette babbling away on their cell phone, totally oblivious to the requirements of driving!:cuss: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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