Lap Timing Systems
#16
Tech Elite
iTrader: (10)
I've been using this one on temporary on road track that we have for timed practice sesion works just like AMB at low cost never mised a lap.You can also used every software that AMB uses.
Since I-Lap use a PT with unique ID# like AMB unlimited number of cars can be run at the same time.
Like I said this timing system it's just like AMB. I just open an off road track in my area and I intend to use this timing system but alot of guys already have an AMB transponder so we decided to go to that route. But I have to barrow my buddies AMB decoder.
I still use this I-lap timing system on my track for practice
Since I-Lap use a PT with unique ID# like AMB unlimited number of cars can be run at the same time.
Like I said this timing system it's just like AMB. I just open an off road track in my area and I intend to use this timing system but alot of guys already have an AMB transponder so we decided to go to that route. But I have to barrow my buddies AMB decoder.
I still use this I-lap timing system on my track for practice
#17
Tech Adept
Light based systems might work in clean environment, but there's no way it would hold up in nitro offroad or even nitro onroad... I have one of the Orion LCS personal lap counters and while it worked almost perfectly on electric touring, it was crap on nitro touring... there's so much more dust and dirt everywhere on the car during the run, light just isn't reliable enough. The offroad cars sometimes come off the track covered in thick layer of mud, there's no way any light would pass through that.
#19
While not a budget system a alternative to AMB is the Chronolec Protime Elite decoder with RCS transponders.
Neat thing about this system is that the decoder will carry on counting laps if the pc system goes down.
The transponders are cheaper than AMB by about 30/40% and the transponders are battery powered and have a 5 year lifespan after wich they need to be inductively charged for another 5 years. The timing system also monitors the battery status of the transponders.
The software looks interesting and can actually do your whole years championship points from the individual races held.
On the issue of sector timing it has the facility to connect up to 16 sectors by cable or wireless.
Fast becoming popular with uses in LeMans, and European motocross and rally scenes.Also getting very popular in Karting.
www.chronoelec.com
Neat thing about this system is that the decoder will carry on counting laps if the pc system goes down.
The transponders are cheaper than AMB by about 30/40% and the transponders are battery powered and have a 5 year lifespan after wich they need to be inductively charged for another 5 years. The timing system also monitors the battery status of the transponders.
The software looks interesting and can actually do your whole years championship points from the individual races held.
On the issue of sector timing it has the facility to connect up to 16 sectors by cable or wireless.
Fast becoming popular with uses in LeMans, and European motocross and rally scenes.Also getting very popular in Karting.
www.chronoelec.com
#20
Tech Elite
iTrader: (28)
Now...there are plenty of race programs using beat up AMB systems or stuff like that. I can see this being a cost effective replacement but alienation of the AMB PT users becomes a problem. Wouldnt people with existing AMB decoder systems run their transponder loop as normal THEN add their I-Lap system over it be a solution?
Would lap counting software be able to work with both transponder types running at the same time?
Would lap counting software be able to work with both transponder types running at the same time?
#21
Tech Elite
iTrader: (9)
Seems like our $90 AMB personal transponders will not work with this system?
Unlike EVERYTHING else R/C that has gotten better and virtually gotten less expensive - the AMB products continue to get MORE and MORE expensive.
I believe the AMBrc 'Personal Transponder' now retails for OVER $110.00, that's WORSE than the price of GAS!.
#22
Tech Elite
iTrader: (28)
ANYONE remember the year these came out...and were $49.00, and going to be SO AFFORDABLE all racers could have one.
Unlike EVERYTHING else R/C that has gotten better and virtually gotten less expensive - the AMB products continue to get MORE and MORE expensive.
I believe the AMBrc 'Personal Transponder' now retails for OVER $110.00, that's WORSE than the price of GAS!.
Unlike EVERYTHING else R/C that has gotten better and virtually gotten less expensive - the AMB products continue to get MORE and MORE expensive.
I believe the AMBrc 'Personal Transponder' now retails for OVER $110.00, that's WORSE than the price of GAS!.
#24
Tech Elite
To do split times you need 2 decoder boxes. You could use 2 loops but you are just asking for trouble, sooner or later a car will not count at one loop and will start counting at the other.
The AMBrc3 decoder box is currently $2980, + loop $165 + charging rack + house transponders = 2nd mortgage
The AMB transponder prices are going thru the roof, but a lot of the increase is the value of the dollar.
The AMBrc3 decoder box is currently $2980, + loop $165 + charging rack + house transponders = 2nd mortgage
The AMB transponder prices are going thru the roof, but a lot of the increase is the value of the dollar.
#25
ANYONE remember the year these came out...and were $49.00, and going to be SO AFFORDABLE all racers could have one.
Unlike EVERYTHING else R/C that has gotten better and virtually gotten less expensive - the AMB products continue to get MORE and MORE expensive.
I believe the AMBrc 'Personal Transponder' now retails for OVER $110.00, that's WORSE than the price of GAS!.
Unlike EVERYTHING else R/C that has gotten better and virtually gotten less expensive - the AMB products continue to get MORE and MORE expensive.
I believe the AMBrc 'Personal Transponder' now retails for OVER $110.00, that's WORSE than the price of GAS!.
From the comments made so far it appears that if there were an alternative reasonably priced timing system available for rc racing that was improved and enhanced but also compatible with existing AMB transponders and race control software it could possibly be welcomed. We are right to be thinking it's worthwhile and there would be a demand for such a system. It does look like light based detection and RFID technology is not the total solution to meet the demands and offer equal reliability across the whole of rc racing.
Last edited by Terry_S; 05-07-2008 at 02:14 PM.
#27
Tech Champion
iTrader: (22)
Light based systems might work in clean environment, but there's no way it would hold up in nitro offroad or even nitro onroad... I have one of the Orion LCS personal lap counters and while it worked almost perfectly on electric touring, it was crap on nitro touring... there's so much more dust and dirt everywhere on the car during the run, light just isn't reliable enough. The offroad cars sometimes come off the track covered in thick layer of mud, there's no way any light would pass through that.
#28
From the comments made so far it appears that if there were an alternative reasonably priced timing system available for rc racing that was improved and enhanced but also compatible with existing AMB transponders and race control software it could possibly be welcomed. We are right to be thinking it's worthwhile and there would be a demand for such a system. It does look like light based detection and RFID technology is not the total solution to meet the demands and offer equal reliability across the whole of rc racing.
I'll agree with this 100%!
Someone mentioned running two different at the same time in parrallel... I don't see many tracks buying two systems.
And as a racer... these other systems seem to increase your cost.... means I have to buy more transponders. Now do I have the right transponder with me for the track I'm going to today?? I'd like to see something come out 100% compatable.
#29
Tech Elite
iTrader: (28)
To do split times you need 2 decoder boxes. You could use 2 loops but you are just asking for trouble, sooner or later a car will not count at one loop and will start counting at the other.
The AMBrc3 decoder box is currently $2980, + loop $165 + charging rack + house transponders = 2nd mortgage
The AMB transponder prices are going thru the roof, but a lot of the increase is the value of the dollar.
The AMBrc3 decoder box is currently $2980, + loop $165 + charging rack + house transponders = 2nd mortgage
The AMB transponder prices are going thru the roof, but a lot of the increase is the value of the dollar.
#30
It would be impossible to be miscounted that way as thats combining RFID and IR at the same time, both of which are incompatibile with each other. The suggestion of having both systems runs in parallel is only for those who have aging AMB systems and cannot afford to "refresh" or renew their system but still want to keep their AMB PT customers happy...
What would you need to "refresh"??? It's just a red box thats been sitting on the shelf for 10 years. No need to do anything to it.... AMB didn't do anything to it for 8 years.