I looked into a trubo upgrade for my car, and after talking to several people, I decided that it was just too much money to put into the car right now. (I was looking at turbos + software + clutch + intercoolers + install, and I figured it would be $10-12k.) So I figured that I would learn to be a better driver instead.

I'm thinking about a traqmate setup, and maybe a video link as well. Right now, I just use a standard video camera mounted on my roll bar. Any comments or recommendations? This is going on my xmas list.

Thanks!

Jon

 

Jon, I have traqmate and I love it. I'd recommend the Traqmate "complete", along with their TrackStudio Video editing software. You can also get their chasecam setup (either PDR or SS1000 if you want to do PIP) , which makes integration a lot easier.

TrackStudio will work with any video source and will allow you to overlay your traqmate data onto your video so people can see the speeds/data displayed along with a trackmap.

Here's what you need in order to do the video overlays:
Traqmate complete is about $1000 everywhere I've seen and the Track Studio software is $200 ($100 to upgrade if you buy the traqmate!). Their Chasecam setups can run you $700-1000 depending on the options...

http://www.traqmate.com/

Mike

 

Jon smartest thing anyone has ever done on this forum if one wants to improve driving skills. the amount of data is amazing, you see when you accelerate, brake and most importantly COAST. you then also can from their website download and overlay another cars data on your lap say one 5 seconds faster and see how and why they are faster.
amazing how you find out you brake too early, not on the gas fast enough or totally miss apexes.
no amount of hp or tuning will ever take 5-10 seconds off a lap time like learning how to drive.
then latter when you dial in more hp you will actually be able to use it.
congrats on a smart mature analysis of your current track needs.
oh yeah and BTW the track guru and one of my personal heros Mike above is spot on!!!

 

So Traqmate over P or VBox for sure a superior tool?

 

I am considering selling mine and going with a complete AIM system. PM me if interested. I've used mine 2 days.

 

PM sent...

 

Tom and Mike -

Thanks a lot for your responses. As usual, you are very helpful and insightful.

I pulled my wife over to read Tom's post, especially the part about "smart mature analysis." She is still rolling on the floor...

Jon

 

Get you some K24's for 2k, an exhaust for about 2500 and a tune for 1200 and a used traqmate for $800.

Anything bigger than K24's isnt going to help you on the track. The car is too heavy to make use of any additional power without going crazy with suspension and the like.

But surely first order of business is definitely driving skill.

 

+1 for traqmate

 

I'm sorry guys. I got PMs from a few of you. I am not going to sell mine right now. I do think it's a wonderful purchase though.

 

I'm afraid that I already know the answer to this, but does Traqmate software run only under Windows? I have an older PC that I use for my checkbook, and Mac and Linux machines for actual work.

Reply to HeavyChevy - Once I add the clutch and installation, I'm over $10k. That's why I elected not to go that route.

Thanks,

Jon

 

Oh yeah, I forgot the clutch, which is certainly neccessary.

 

I know this is reviving an older thread, but I am also curious about this. I run Linux as my primary OS and just installed a Traqmate/Chase Cam setup in my E46 M3. I am hoping that I'll be able to get by with pulling the data off the Traqmate DU using VMWare.

Anyone have first hand experience with this? TIA.

 

I discussed this with a friend who had a very clever idea: Buy a used PC laptop for a couple hundred bucks and use it just for this.

Won't life be a lot easier when Micros**t becomes a small niche market vendor?

Jon

 

Jon, I'm not sure it will work, as in getting thru tech inspection with it sitting strapped in somewhere. I tried and it didn't record so well on the street... Don't ask...

Mike