Two weeks ago I ordered a GPS based lap timer from MAQDATA. I went with their stand alone unit called the MQGPS-TRAQR (called 'tracker’) because I’m going to use it on a bike and can’t really carry a bunch of extra gear with me.
The unit is really small as the picture indicates:
Right now I’m running the software on my workstation. Later I plan to see if I can get the Q setup too. According to the web-site the Tracker uses bluetooth to download data. If I can get it running I’d be able to review what I did using my cellphone. Pretty cool.
Unfortunately my trackday got cancelled so I’ve not got any real data to play with yet. To fix that and at least have something I ran over to the school parking lot and made like a NASCAR driver and went in circles a few times. Here is what the data looks like:
the box looking squiggle around the middle of the chart is my line around the parking lot. Not exactly like a race track and I did not take the time to throw out cones to make an autocross course. However, now I know: IT WORKS!
I want to talk to the guys that made this. Their application is primarily for cars, but it works with bikes. I’d like to see if they’d let me see the data they are pulling from the unit to see if there is a way we can derive bike relevant information from it. In particular, I’d like to know lean angle. I don’t know if it is possible, but it would fun to try.
Anyway, hopefully I’ll get on the track soon so I’ll be able to get better data to play with.