Aim Solo Data Logger Review

[catana]

I was in the market for a data logger because I wanted to figure out what I was actually doing at the track. Using the data acquired I should be able to pin point where I can push harder and gain time. To be honest what I really wanted to do was buy a super charger to make up for my skill level but I don’t think I deserve one yet as I am nowhere near the limits of the car in its current form.

Anyway, I was originally looking into a Traqmate as they are quite popular, but after some research came across this unit from Aim. The main selling point was it was $400 vs $1000 and had all of the features I was looking for. I put a call into Perry Automotive and two days later it arrived at the door.
First impressions were ok. The user manual had all of the basic functions but left out a lot of detail, so you kind of have to just figure it out for yourself. The device itself is not that complicated and after some messing around I was able to get it to do what i wanted.

I didn’t want to permanently mount the bracket they provided anywhere so I opted to get the suction cup mount. I highly recommend it. Just stick it anywhere you want and the solo unit attaches via magnet. And that’s the extent of install. This is one of the other major advantages over the Traqmate, which requires a fixed install of the data logger unit in the car, then you have to run the display unit to your dash, then you have to run the gps antenna and mount it to an exterior body panel, then you have to run a power source wire to it etc.. etc.. etc With the Solo you stick to the windshield turn it on and your done.

First Track Day Impressions:

I had a little trouble using it for the first time. The unit does not come preloaded with Calabogie so when you get to the track you have to set the start/finish line. This is simple to do but didn’t appear to work the first time and had no data after the first session. I read the user manual again deleted the previous set point, turned the unit off and on set it again and this time it worked. No idea. It’s made by Italians so it has to be a little temperamental or it wouldn’t be any fun.
Now that it was working I was able to use one of my custom screens, which shows a +/- predictive time telling you how much slower or faster you are from your best lap. This was very cool and was kind of like watching F1 qualifying. It does make you push harder, which doesn’t always lead to faster laps but I did drop 2 seconds by the end of the day. This probably had more to do with Steve Fong’s and Ian’s coaching but either way.

Now the fun part, analyzing the data. Again, the user manual has little to no instructions on how to use the software but I found it fairly easy to get the information I wanted out it. It showed a map of Calabogie and I could pick out any point on it and figure out what my speed and lateral or longitudinal accelerations where. This revealed a lot. In the corners where I am the most confortable pushing, Jacques and at the end of Rocky Road I was averaging about 1.2g’s peak. Then on the kink where I seem to lose my balls I was only averaging 0.7-0.8g’s. So there is a lot more grip to be had I just need to find the nerve to go after it.
All in all great purchase. Very useful tool. Having the ability to overlap your slower and faster lap times and pin point where you picked up time is awesome. Probably not as fun as a supercharger but I should be a better driver for it. I hope.

[schmoo]

Nice! The data can tell you tons. I love reviewing it.

We should exchange data!

[catana]

For sure Naresh.

[wing]

Sounds like a good product and a very reasonable price.

You'll need a few sessions on different days to compare to see what you have done different. I was analysing some data today and if you split up the segments and look corner by corner you can see what you need to do.

Helps if you can get data from a faster driver, otherwise you need to really try some totally different lines to see what works and what doesn't.

[catana]

That is the only drawback. All of fast s2000 guys have Traqmates but I downloaded it's software so if you or Steve send me some data I can still compare. I just can't overlap the graphs yet. Going to see if I can export to excel to pull the data from both software.

[wing]

I can send you some old data. Haven't done full tack in a long time.

Sorry I wasn't there I know I promised to let you drive the car doh.

[catana]

Sweet. And no worries. You got ride and placed 3rd. I figure that's a pretty good excuse. If you have a chance shoot me some data to davidcatana@hotmail.com.

Naresh if you don't mind shooting me some data as well that would great.

[gchislett]

Nice graph. I just played with mine and I can't get it to look like that. I'll have to take my laptop to the track next time so you can set THAT up for me too.

Thanks for the help with that on Friday. Very much appreciated.

[sfong]

I've been looking for my saved data files, but it looks like there might have been an IT issue when I've been transferring data around. I'll keep looking for it though.

Here is my preliminary analysis from the posted graph.
- looks like you like turning right more than left as the average lateral G are slightly less on left turns
- definitely don't drive the high speed turns to the limit, lateral G falls proportionally as speed increases
- looks like the ultimate lateral grip with the current setup is 1.1-1.2 G which should translate into a safe high speed turn goal to 1-1.1 G
- you're overbraking into the Kink, Duck's Head, guessing top of the Ridge into Spoon, and 4left. You can tell by the big velocity dip before the corner and hard acceleration through the momentum corners.
- there are no longitudinal G's shown, but if you should be peaking at about 1G at the end of Rocky Road and 4left
- also guessing from riding with you and by the sharpness in the lateral G line on slow corners that the friction circle graph will show a triangular shape from slow turn in and little braking zone turn in blending.

The primary take away is to work on controlling the control entry speed into high speed corners and upping the cornering speed to take advantage of the available grip. A typical thing for most people. I'm estimating that you would probably gain 2 seconds with little additional risk and no over-driving, just a driver confidence adjustment. The first thing to try is to ease up on the braking before the high speed corners, i.e. Kink, Duck's Head, Spoon entry and 4left. Try to get the turn in entry to be 5+ kph above the lowest corner speed. Say around 140 kph for the Kink for example. If you can accelerate out of a momentum sweeper you're giving up "area under the velocity graph" which will significantly improve the average lap speed, which translates to lap time. Those sweepers should feel like scrub only enough speed to initiate the turn and then maintain it to the sweeper exit. It is worth extending the slow down zone with lighter braking or throttle lift to be able to have better speed control into the sweeper.

Next thing to do is to up the absolute corner speed to get the lateral G's up to around 1G. That should be around 5 kph per 0.1G lateral increase. Big disclaimer, this is just an estimate from experience. If you really want to, it can be theoretically be calculated for each corner.

Secondary thing, is to get more assertive on the turn in and blend it with the hard braking in the slow corners. You'll be able to see this better on the friction circle graph.

The data logger stuff is very good for maximizing the car capability. What it doesn't show too well is the best line and making the proper trade offs.

[catana]

Thanks a lot for the review Steve. I will take all of those into consideration and work on them one by one each track day. If you ever find the data it would be awesome to look at.

[schmoo]

Just sent you some data from last year.