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SOLO DL ANDSMARTYCAM

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WHAT IF YOU COULD STOP TIME? WOULD YOU STOP TIMEat the critical points of a racetrack to become a better and

quicker driver? Would you stop time to look at your vehicle andengine parameters to make tuning changes that would make yourcar quicker on the track? While there still isn’t a time machineavailable to the public, AiM Sports offers products that deliver thesame valuable information without affecting time’s status as aconstant. Recently, we evaluated AiM’s Solo DL Datalogging GPS-based lap timer and the AIM SmartyCam while at the 2013 NissanGT-R experience. After using the system, we can’t imagine hitting atrack day event without the system on board. Capturing thesynchronized sights, sounds, ECU data and GPS-based track datasimultaneously provides an exceptionally valuable snapshot in timethat allows both drivers and machines to become faster on track.

Lap Times,ECU Data and

Video Combined

CAPTURING SYNCHRONIZEDDATA PROVIDES ANEXCEPTIONALLY VALUABLESNAPSHOT IN TIME

Text by Michael FerraraPhotos by Michael Ferrara and Aaron Eusebi

The Smarty Cam’s 128 x 160 pixel multi-color LCD display shows system menus aswell as offering a quick preview of theunit’s H.264-encoded 30 frames-per-second video recordings.

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AiM Sports SoloThe AiM Sports Solo GPS Lap Timer uses its GPS position to identify a trackfrom its internal database of race courses from around the world. This allowsfor quick and automatic sampling of lap times. The Solo features a built-in,three-axis internal accelerometer that reads up to 6Gs of acceleration. With16MB of internal memory, the Solo records speed, acceleration, decelerationand track position at 10Hz (ten times per second). By using the RaceStudio2software, the Solo’s logs can be reviewed to see exactly what was happeningto the vehicle at every position on track. This allows track mapping the exactdriving line of the course for each lap. When the driver takes a different line,it’s easy to determine if it’s quicker or slower at each part of the course. TheSolo also features predictive lap times. This function predicts a completed laptime based on your current lap’s pace. If you are in need of 0-60, 1/8-mileand 1/4-mile performance data, the Solo has these tests built into the unit.At a street price of $399, it’s hard to build an argument for not having a Soloin any vehicle that sees a track. That is unless you have the budget to step upto the ECU datalogging version of the Solo, the Solo DL.

Keep it on the DLThe Solo DL has all of the features of the Solo plus it delivers two veryimportant and valuable functions. First, the “DL” allows for dataloggingfrom the vehicle’s ECU through the OBD-II or CAN bus. Chances are that itworks with the ECU in your car as the DL can connect and communicatewith over 300 supported ECUs. This allows the Solo DL to record up to 100additional channels of information from the ECU. The number of channelsthat are accessible is dependent upon the ECU itself. In the case of the R35Nissan GT-R, 25 channels of data can be recorded. These include criticalengine and system parameters, as well as driver inputs. The secondadvantage of the Solo DL over the Solo, is the ability to connect to the AiMSmartyCam. With the SmartyCam linked to the Solo DL, the SmartyCam’son-board camera video and audio is automatically synchronized with all ofthe data recorded by the Solo DL. These added features come at a $699street price for the Solo DL.

AiM Sports maintains a list of functions the Solo DL is able todisplay through a vehicle’s CAN network, such as in our GT-R.

The Solo DL and SmartyCam synchronize captured video with a data overlay.

THE SOLO RECORDS SPEED, ACCELERATION,DECELERATION AND TRACK POSITION AT 10HZ

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Get Smart with a CamThe AiM Sports SmartyCam is designed to work in one of three differentmodes: stand-alone, ECU bridge and AiM-Logger mode. In stand-alone, theSmartyCam’s integrated GPS and 3D accelerometer provide position, laptime, speed, distance, acceleration and track mapping. The data is similar tothe data captured by the Solo lap timer, but without the advantage of havingthe display information from the Solo unit. This means there is not a displayof the lap time or the predictive lap time. The ECU bridge mode requires thepurchase of an “ECU Bridge” that connects to the CAN or OBD-II port of theECU. This mode allows the SmartyCam to record data from the factory ECU.Once again, there is not a way to display lap times or predictive lap times inthis mode. In the AiM-Logger mode, the SmartyCam interfaces with the SoloDL or other AiM logger to synchronize the video and audio stream from theSmartyCam with the engine ECU and GPS data streams from the Solo DL.

With the SmartyManager software, you can set up real-time data overlays onthe video without any post processing needed. This allows playback of theon-board video with acceleration, throttle, speed, brake, speed, enginespeed, lap number and gear position.

The SmartyCam records video in a DV-quality 720 x 400 pixel format at 30frames per second. The compression codec used is H.264 which allows about4 hours recording time on a 4GB MicroSD card. The rechargeable batterylasts up to 3 hours per charge. The on-board display is helpful for confirmingthe site picture of the camera during setup. Street price for the AiMSmartyCam is $999.

The Bottom LineThe right tool gets the job done sooner. While unlimited access to a racetrack, tires, brake pads, fuel, professional instruction and seat time will allowanyone to become a better driver, we’ve never met anyone blessed withthose opportunities. Having tools like the Solo DL and SmartyCam allow adriver to get the most from every track session.

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QUICK TECH: AIM SPORTS SOLO DL AND SMARTY CAM

AiM Sports LLC | 800.718.9090 | www.aimsports.com

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SOLO DL / GT-R ECU ChannelsChannel 1 Engine Speed

Channel 2 Vehicle Speed

Channel 3 Pedal Position

Channel 4 Gear

Channel 5 Brake Switch

Channel 6 Brake Position

Channel 7 Boost Pressure

Channel 8 Wheel Speed (RF)

Channel 9 Wheel Speed (LF)

Channel10 Wheel Speed (LR)

Channel11 Wheel Speed (RR)

Channel12 Pedal Position 2

Channel13 Brake Switch 2

Channel14 Trans Mode (Auto/Manual)

Channel15 Engine Coolant Temp

Channel16 Engine Oil Temp

Channel17 Trans Oil Temp

Channel18 Engine Oil Pressure

Channel19 Steering Angle

Channel20 Steering Angle Speed

Channel21 Linear/Long. Acceleration

Channel22 Lateral Acceleration

Channel23 Differential Split

Channel24 Traction Control

Channel25 Suspension Mode

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