Harry's Lap Timer for Android: Now Available

[dp1]

Not using the Android version, but...iPhone + Harry's Laptimer for data and video mounted to windshield + Dual GPS (5Hz) + GoPro attached to the inside of the rear window pointing forward + DashWare to overlay HLT data and GoPro video. Have Kiwi WiFi for additional ODB2 data but rarely use it and only with DashCommand for diagnostics.

[DaDr00]

I purchased HLT over all of the other timing apps due to these posts exactly. Harry has TONS of support on his website for his app as well as super prompt and detailed responses when it comes to individual issues. Top notch customer support @HarryS

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by HarryS

AIMs (and any other dedicated data recording system) are not more accurate than a professional track app. Instead they suffer from hardware limitations (Google, Samsung, Apple can invest a lot more in hardware development than a small niche company can do) to provide sophisticated analytics and graphics. Smartphone apps can suffer from a consumer GPS, but can be improved using an external GPS. Today, this is mainly a question of taste and personal priorities. :-)

- Harry

I feel the same way I think the mobile apps came a long way in terms of accuracy and interactivity with the third party video overlay softwares (Race Render, Dashware ..etc)

Only problem is that I need to collect the engine data via Torque App for datalogging purposes so any plan on adding engine data features via bluetooth OBD2 port?

[HarryS]

Originally Posted by glamcem

Only problem is that I need to collect the engine data via Torque App for datalogging purposes so any plan on adding engine data features via bluetooth OBD2 port?

LapTimer collects and merges data from GPS, acceleration, OBD and video. By the way and back to the above discussion, OBD helps a lot for instant speeds, latency is around 0.5 seconds only. Please note LapTimer is focussed on OBD data recording and supports racing relevant PIDs only. It is not a versatile OBD tool like Torque and all the others. Data collected and e.g. overlaid are RPM, speed, gear, throttle position, oil / coolant temperature, power / torque developed, boost (pressure).

Please do not use LapTimer's OBD data recording and Torque at the same time. This will drive the sensor crazy :-)

- Harry

[buddy32]

Originally Posted by glamcem

I feel the same way I think the mobile apps came a long way in terms of accuracy and interactivity with the third party video overlay softwares (Race Render, Dashware ..etc)

Only problem is that I need to collect the engine data via Torque App for datalogging purposes so any plan on adding engine data features via bluetooth OBD2 port?

I do it with two devices. Harry's on my cell phone with a suction mount to windshield, and torque on nexus 7 with a magnetic mount on dash.

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by HarryS

LapTimer collects and merges data from GPS, acceleration, OBD and video. By the way and back to the above discussion, OBD helps a lot for instant speeds, latency is around 0.5 seconds only. Please note LapTimer is focussed on OBD data recording and supports racing relevant PIDs only. It is not a versatile OBD tool like Torque and all the others. Data collected and e.g. overlaid are RPM, speed, gear, throttle position, oil / coolant temperature, power / torque developed, boost (pressure).

Please do not use LapTimer's OBD data recording and Torque at the same time. This will drive the sensor crazy :-)

- Harry

I am only concerned with the oil/coolant temps and engine speed anyways I cannot use torque and other OBD data recording at the same time since my BT OBD2 adapter only allows me to use one device at a time (I use my NEX7 for data recording via OBD2 adapter)


I purchased the HLT like a year ago but haven't used it that often since I have been using my GoPro and RaceRender for telemetry but if it collects the above data I can start using it again

Originally Posted by buddy32

I do it with two devices. Harry's on my cell phone with a suction mount to windshield, and torque on nexus 7 with a magnetic mount on dash.

that's what I've been doing but I use my Nex7 with special mounts in the center console

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by HarryS

Data collected and e.g. overlaid are RPM, speed, gear, throttle position, oil / coolant temperature, power / torque developed, boost (pressure).

I just looked at the data from my last time at the track and it had coolant temperature logged, but not oil temp.

Anything I should check to make sure it gets oil temps?

[TemeCal]

Originally Posted by jvincent

I just looked at the data from my last time at the track and it had coolant temperature logged, but not oil temp.

Anything I should check to make sure it gets oil temps?

You can't get oil temps at the moment. Our cars don't use the standard oil temp PID. Harry is looking into an OBD wizard (distant future?), which will allow us to gather that info. See the link I posted above.

[CSG Mike]

I've had students compare their 5hz HLT plots to the plot collected by an AIM or Racepak, and they're often shocked at the results.

Additionally, HLT unfortunately is often limited by the questionable quality of many GPS and OBD2 scanners out there.

Compared to a dedicated setup like the AIM, there is, unfortunately, no comparison. For instructional purposes, just standard PIDs are not enough, whereas with a car-specific data logger, I can use all of the OBD2 output to 1. show the student what they actually did (they can't deny the data), and 2. what the results were.

HLT is great for the price point, but keep in mind that if you add your own external GPS and OBD2 readers, you're already spending quite a bit of money. While the phone itself is a sunk cost, it's still an expense.

IMO, the single biggest strength of HLT is the built-in overlay feature, so that you can watch your own video n the fly.

[HarryS]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I've had students compare their 5hz HLT plots to the plot collected by an AIM or Racepak, and they're often shocked at the results.

Additionally, HLT unfortunately is often limited by the questionable quality of many GPS and OBD2 scanners out there.

If possible, please provide the recordings and the exact type of sensors and dedicated devices you quote. Please let me know how the sensors have been installed in addition (antenna placement etc). That would be pretty interesting to analyze as the GPS chip sets used by dedicated devices in the US$ 700 to US$ 1000 devices are usually not developed for the individual device but are one of the chips available in the market to all GPS mouse manufacturers. This is certainly different for RTK systems including ground based augmentation systems (GBAS)... But these systems are most probably beyond the scope of this discussion.

For OBD, the main difference will be whether standard OBD II PIDs are accessed or manufacturer specific codes are utilized (including CAN or other bus protocol level access). In case you think of custom channel / sensor connection, we are in the next category of pricing and effort for installation. I agree the value and quality range between a US$ 15 Chinese OBD dongle and a professional automotive data recording solution are big. But again, this is not the discussed price range.

Whenever new technologies appear and break existing business models, there is a believe it can't be as good as before. There are many samples for this. ;-)

- Harry

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by HarryS

If possible, please provide the recordings and the exact type of sensors and dedicated devices you quote. Please let me know how the sensors have been installed in addition (antenna placement etc). That would be pretty interesting to analyze as the GPS chip sets used by dedicated devices in the US$ 700 to US$ 1000 devices are usually not developed for the individual device but are one of the chips available in the market to all GPS mouse manufacturers. This is certainly different for RTK systems including ground based augmentation systems (GBAS)... But these systems are most probably beyond the scope of this discussion.

For OBD, the main difference will be whether standard OBD II PIDs are accessed or manufacturer specific codes are utilized (including CAN or other bus protocol level access). In case you think of custom channel / sensor connection, we are in the next category of pricing and effort for installation. I agree the value and quality range between a US$ 15 Chinese OBD dongle and a professional automotive data recording solution are big. But again, this is not the discussed price range.

Whenever new technologies appear and break existing business models, there is a believe it can't be as good as before. There are many samples for this. ;-)

- Harry

If HLT offered car-specific CANBUS logging as a DLC, I'd be first in line to purchase.

Typically, the GPS antennas I've seen are on the dashboard of the car, with a clear view of the sky through the windshield. The relatively location is identical (usually slightly better) than a windshield mounted AIM unit. However, it's not as good as an externally mounted GPS antenna like the one I used with my Racepak.

[raul]

I do.

[Dezoris]

I pulled down HLT PH version when it was released for Android used it on the HTC M7 had issues with it keeping connected with the Q818XT. It would record some laps and not others. After a few updates and when I switched to the M8, seems to be more consistent. I also had a hard time reading it when I was running laps. I was trying to figure out how to just get a simple screen show something like this:



All I want to know is if I am green, purple, red and by how much clearly and then flash my best, current for the session without really taking my eyes off track.

I think it is great but fiddly to get setup initially, in terms of data logging I like the way AIM does it better, I attempted to use the laptimer and OBD2Link MX for data collection just is a bit cumbersome, but again the price and dedication that goes into this app it's not a big deal plus I am glad Android has support. (Big Thanks)


This is how I set mine up, dont know if its optimal but seems to work ok.

[fstlane]

Originally Posted by DaDr00

I purchased HLT over all of the other timing apps due to these posts exactly. Harry has TONS of support on his website for his app as well as super prompt and detailed responses when it comes to individual issues. Top notch customer support @HarryS

I just purchased the Petrolhead version of HLT for Android myself based on the information and feedback contained in this thread. Thanks to all who have contributed!