[Ron Sutton]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

I looked into Racepak and Autometers new LCD dash/logger. I determined that they were probably too awesome (expensive) for my needs. After a little experience with a DL1 I went with Race Technology Dash 2 Pro.

http://www.race-technology.com/dash2_pro_8_31379.html

The biggest reason I went this way is that I was already familiar with the software and having a DL1 in one car allows me to compare data between the two. They were also the only ones that said they could do point to point tracks, like an autocross. I got muddy answers from everyone else on that.

Driving your car and looking at a LCD dash and not using it as a data logger makes you a poseur.

I can't speak for others systems, but R/T has a OBDII cable that plugs right in and all the information is there. TPS, CTS, IAT, MAP, etc,

The Dash 2 will control video and overlay with the data. GPS is a must. I couldn't look at the data and remember what happened without the track map. Usually it is accurate enough to see the different lines you tried, especially awesome at autocross.

Every Sunday we autocross I load the data in the laptop to find out why my wife drives faster than I do I then point out all the spots we both could have been faster and we pick a couple of things to fix. This week it was "use less brakes but brake more when you brake" and "quit coasting". Those are two things we never could have self analyzed without the data.

If I have time tonight, I get some screen grabs and post them up.

Hey Donny,

I am a big fan of the Race Technology Data AcQuistion systems. When we shopped for DAQ (Data AcQuistion) systems for my race teams at the end of 2005 ... we looked at all the brands. Budget was a concern, but functionality was tops. We for sure wanted a GPS satellite based system. After comparing over a dozen brands, we narrowed it down to Race Rechnology & Racepak (owned by MSD). I bought several RT DL-1's to install in our race cars back for 2006. (See first photo at bottom of page.)

We loved the software, loved the system functionality ... hated the way the sensors wired to the brain box. For our purposes ... and we were running the systems at the track 40-50 days a year ... the wiring connections wouldn't hold up. They kept breaking & failing. We loved having data ... hated not having data when the wiring connections broke. We would send them back to be repaired ... which they did for free ... but we were racing without the units.

So my engineers designed a new box (see 2nd box with our Star Racing Technology brand on it below) ... with high end sensor connections ... and we bought motherboards & software from Race Technology. Worked excellent. No more failed sensor wiring connections. The RT software & brain were already top notch.

NOW ...
Race Technology has upgraded the sensor connections in new models. I have not run the new version, but it looks to me like they solved the connector issue. You can see where they made the improvement HERE.

Pros:
I feel the Race Technology DAQ systems provide all the data you need ... with fast processing speed & robust memory ... in a software that is easy to read & tailor ... in a VERY affordable package.

Now they have better connectors and should trouble free for the life of the unit for most users. Other updates include syncing with your GoPro camera to show video side-by-side with the data. See it HERE.


Cons:
If you want to add sensors ... like throttle, brake, steering, shock travel, etc ... you need to wire them up yourself. Not a big deal, but you need to get the wire, attach connectors, etc. Also of note, we did not have good success (inaccurate & inconsistent results) with their shock sensor. We switched to Penny & Giles linear potentiometers (shock travel sensor) and had great accuracy & repeatability.

The tech support is ok. The US importer Al Siem is a good guy, helpful & knowledgeable about the product. IMHO Al has minimal field experience using DAQ with racers & race teams. So don't expect him to guide you on what the data means for you.

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The RacePak DAQ systems from MSD is also a great system. They can & do everything the Race Technology DAQ systems do.

Their sensor wiring connections are top notch. Their sensors come pre-wired with quality connector ends. It is literally a "plug-n-play" system.

The lead DAQ guy at RacePak is Tim Anderson ... who had 7 years of DAQ experience leading the Engineering Department of a winning NASCAR Cup team, before moving over to leading RacePak's DAQ program. He has since worked in the field with a ton of other racers & teams. He knows the equipment & knows what the information means for you the racer.

But ... the RacePak system & indivudal sensors are more expensive. You get better tech & data support, better, simpler sensor wiring & connections and you pay more for that.

Summary:
I think which system is best for you is personal preference. We don't build our own systems anymore since I closed my race teams. So I became a dealer for both brands and recommend the Race Technology DAQ system for guys that are more hands on, can do the wiring without a hitch and either have the knowledge to figure out what the data means to them or will hire someone like me.

I recommend the RacePak DAQ system for guys that want an easy, no-worries install & better tech & data support from the company.

Choose your weapon.