Actually there is software available for less than $50 that will send all your lap data directly to your personal computer! With LapWatcher you not only get your laps but will save all your sessions as well as create setup sheets, compare and graph different sessions and more. I sure if additional data can be sent via the transponder that they can add that as well. As long as the track has AMB, the Lapwatcher server (free for the track) and a wireless access point you get lap times in real time. Even talks, calls out your lap times! I use it with a bluetooth ear plug!

Like I said...I may be wrong. But what I meant, is that I'm guessing each PTX transponder comes with the same 20 numbers plus your unique personal cloned number. I would assume that AMB will just program their decoder to reject those 20 numbers. Wasn't trying to suggest that the 20 numbers were just made up, and not cloned numbers. I assume that MRT, like you said, cloned 10 house transponders, and then perhaps acquired 10 more personals that they turned into their 20 standard numbers. This would allow AMB to partially cripple the functionality of any cloned PTX transponders, and render any that people bought, without having their own cloned, useless. Of course that assumes that tracks adopt the new decoder, which I highly doubt anyway. Really, I doubt that AMB's attempt to hurt MRT will be successful.

Ok here it is. The reason that not a lot of new tracks are poping up. Is bcuz all the scoring systems are too much money. The reason amb did all this is to block the sales of mrt pt s. It doesn't matter what will work with what. What does matter is the end user cost and that is us racers. Amb only did this to lock in a market share. If u sell somthin for 120 n u get only 5 buyers. But your compition sells theirs for 60 n sells 20 of them. Who is gonna make more money? What I don't get is why in a bad economy would u raise prices. That's not gonna sell more units. Its just bad business if u ask me. Who cares more about the end user?

Good point

Being that the first ten are HTP's... I'll bett the second set is too (look at the numbers)... this would give MRT a reason to bioch... as there HPT's would no longer work... with a new decoder.

They all still have a 21st number... some being house... some being PT's... If they aren't somebodys clone... they are owned by MRT. Again MRT could bioch... hey my transponders don't work.

could happen... we will find out... but they are not useless.


Doesn't sound like MyLaps tried to shut down MRT at all... with the exception that they improved there product... and added more features.

Doesn't seem to be any big conspiracy. Just looks like an updated AMBrc3 decoder, that can read the new transponders..... even says the AMBrc3 can be turned into an AMBrc4 with a firmware upgrade. So the decoder hasn't changed at all.

The transponders are being updated. They fixed a few problems.... not scoring reliably with four cell NiMH or one cell lipo, smaller size to match competitors, and an added digit to have enough numbers available.

Only problem I can see is if someone shows up at a race with the 8 digit hybrid, and it matches an AMBrc2 7 digit PT number, and the club has the AMBrc2 decoder that can't tell the difference. The chances of that are a million to one.

Clearly from the PDF:

....."MYLAPS RC4 Hybrid Transponder:

Can be used everywhere
• Works on RC2, RC3 and RC4 Decoders


RC4 Decoders are fully backwards compatible with current MYLAPS RC2 Transponder (formerly known as AMBrc-
DP transponder) ....."

So, new RC4 transponders will read on all systems (7 out of 8 digits on the AMBrc units)

and, the AMBrc4 decoders will pick up current and hybrid transponders....

Thats not what the 8th digit is for.

MyLaps is now offering a cloneing feature. You will only get the 8th digit if you get a clone. The 8th will be used to identify which of "your" cars you are looking at on the MyLaps site.

Going to interesting to see how the ID# plays into it....I did read that your first transponder will have the ID# 0. Hasn't been made clear if it's included with the 7 digits, an 8th digit or maybe a seperate tag#, though there where some earlier pics of an 8 digit transponder shown.

Also imagine how this will affect current software. The way the decoder sends the data to the computer currently is approx a 30 bit packet. That's the 7 digit number plus the date and time. With the new RC4 capable of sending temps and volts there's another 10 or 15 bits. Hopefully the ID# will be seperated from the 7 digit trans#.

Most current softwares limit the transponder # to 7 digits to avoid mistakes in the entry. It'll be much easier to add a seperate table to enter the 8th digit ID# rather than to change the code to 7 and 8 digits!

The track I co-operate does not benefit from upgrading the decoder box. We rent a hall once a week and run races. They have no internet, plus the software we use (Alycat) can transmit real time anyway if we needed to (doubt we ever will).

The big issue for me is, down the road, when they add more and more stuff to the new transponder and decoder, eventually they will say, the old DP transponders and RC2 decoder are no longer supported. This happened when they went away from the old AMB20 system due to the PT's would not work with it.

I know MRT has a agreement with them to only produce so many clones per year. I have 2 MRT clones, and they work great. I dont see how the new ones will never get cloned as well, Unless there is some kind of "Trade Secret" patent on them.

Yes MyLaps is the best system out there for lap counting, but this isnt Nascar, and I personally dont need all the extra info...I just want laps to be counted..

Here's what i emailed Mylaps...
Ive been hearing a rumor going around that your new Mylaps rc4 with not allow the older transponders to work with it.??? But the the new transponders will work with the older systems

thanks
Tyler
Here is what i got back from mylaps...

Hi Tyler,

Rest easy about the RC4, all our equipment will be interchangeable. Your RC2 transponders will work fine. We are still in the testing stages overseas but should know something a little more definite in 2010. If you like, check back then, and we should have some more info. Thanks!

Regards,

Amanda Mason
MyLaps Sports Timing
Office: 678-816-4000 x 319
Toll free: 877-426-2488
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mylaps.com


Looks like we are good to go!

Where do I buy one? How much are they? Should I be buying something else? Thanks!

You can buy them direct from AMB. Won't be shipping them out until March 1st.
That's what they told today.
Cost about $85.00 brand new (15.00 to 40.00 cheaper than current)
they have special for pre-orders, going for $80.00 each
they give a discounts if you buy a 3-pack @ $71.66 ea
6-pack @ $65.83 ea
Then there is a trade-in program as well
$25.00 to upgrade from old to new.
$30.00 to upgrade a clone to new.
I asked if I could pre-pay for the upgrade ones, then once they were in stock I could mail in my old ones. They said most likely, but they haven't ironed out that detail yet.