[Eye Candy]

Track Systems has upgraded their system and the Traqmate now offers real time lap data for qualifying sessions. This feature alone makes the system almost indispensable. For example, if you are doing time trials or racing you may feel you are on a great lap, and be 0.8 seconds behind your best time for the session. The display unit tells you this information with a bar graph as you drive, so you don't take unnecessary chances during a lap that is not going to count anyway. A great safety feature really. I had been avoiding buying a data acquisition system just because, well, I didn't want to have to analyze the data between sessions. It seemed like it might take the fun out of the whole process of track driving. And there is the associated expense.

I bought the TraqMate system last weekend. As I had a power source already wired, it took about 10 minutes to install and was instantly helpful. I was amazed with all the information I was able to gather after reviewing the sessions at home. Simple to use.

During the same weekend, the inexpensive video camera I was using got wet and died. It would cost $230 to replace it. Also, the "extreme sports" helmet cam system I bought from Samsung is about worthless for track use as the stupid battery lasts about 10 minutes and takes forever to charge.

So now I am looking at what I should have bought from the beginning, the ChaseCam. It is a little pricey, but is designed to hold up to the extreme environment of an open race car.

Moreover, the TraqMate and the ChaseCam are designed to interface with each other. And Randy makes the ChaseCam as everyone should know.

I have a few questions though: is the system going to be upgraded to 16x9 widescreen format anytime soon? Do the microphones in the PDR (2) record with external microphones, or are they designed to capture the "protected from wind" engine and other sounds from inside the cockpit? What do you need to have to use the system in another car in addition to the kit Randy once listed (which is hard to find on the search system BTW)? Or in an airplane? How do you aim the bullet camera, as the PDR has no display feature?

I highly recommend looking into this combination. For time trialers and racers the system should be mandatory. I have already had my car popped lightly twice this year by divebombers, with only a forward facing camera. Nowadays a camera forward and rear facing can keep you out of trouble after the fact, and data acquisition will help you drive faster almost immediately.