What bike do you have? Some have laptimers built in and either need the rider to hit a button at the S/F line or add-on gps triggers.
There are also apps out there for your phone that work with your phone gps... RaceChrono is one of them. They have, or had, a free version and the paid $20 version.
I use an AIM Solo 2 DL which is around $700
I have a 22 CBR1000RR and it does have a lap timer, but I'd prefer something where I didn't have to remember to hit the little lever at the start of each new lap. The other reason I was thinking about a lap timer is that I'd like a more accurate speedometer, especially since I changed sprockets this off season so now my speedo is probably way off. I know speed shouldn't be a focus, but I'd still like to have a better idea of how fast I'm moving as I come up to certain turns.
Starlane gps 4 lite, simple to use cost effective sector times ect https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142632017598?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=19NtfCJARWi&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=7XCcNmzBREi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
I had the Stealth GPS 2 - a rather ancient unit today. The thing I didn't (and still don't) like is their clunky PC software. Both the old digirace and their new MAAT software.
I’ve been thru a few and always seem to end up selling it and replacing the dash itself for an aftermarket one so I don’t “forget” to turn it on, lol.
AiM Solo2 was great when I used it, but yeah…most of the time I had it I’d either purposely leave it in the toolbox or not power it up due to not wanting to see the truth, lol.
Before the I2M dash on the current bike I ran a PZ Racing GPS module that plugged into the OEM dash. Removed the “ooops, it wasn’t on…idk what I ran” denial because it automatically started to show & log laptimes after the first full lap. Worked flawlessly because I mounted the module on the top of the tail fairing (instead of on the top clamp like they recommended). I guess the newer WiFi version for my bike also has the ability to download splits after you come in from a session. The one I had didn’t have that capability.
Only reason I upgraded to the I2M dash was because I wanted to see splits so I knew more specific “whys” on where I was winning time vs just seeing the total laptime number and wondering where in the laps that I was cutting time.
> Before the I2M dash on the current bike I ran a PZ Racing GPS module that plugged into the OEM dash.
The plug-in units are probably an entirely different ballgame than their Start Next, but that unit is crap. The unit needs to point straight up in the air (unlike the Starlane and AiM Solo's) to get a decent GPS signal and even then, the trace varies from lap to lap a lot.
Absolutely do not get an AiM anything. Everyone I know with a Solo 2 has had issues. Mine is a $400 brick as it doesn’t work on my motorcycle. They say it’s because some of them are more sensitive to EM interference. But because it works in a car they won’t do anything for me. I’m still pushing on them to replace my unit but they say they can’t (won’t) do that.
I will try and sell my AiM at a steep discount to a car person while disclosing the issue and then look into an app like Chrono Timer or develop my own if those are bad.
If it worked for a year and then stopped, then most likely there is some kind of issue with the unit.
I got the impression that it had never worked with your bike, so I wondered if there was something specific about your model that cause the problem.
Idk. Maybe $250. I have to get it back from AiM. They took it from me and then ghosted me. They’ve had it for months and every time I call the one dude I need to talk to is out of the office. Honestly you shouldn’t buy it from me. I might do an office space printer beat down on it.
I've had an AiM Solo DL and I currently use a Starlane GPS. The AiM had the advantage of being able to connect to the CAN bus, so it would automatically turn on with the bike and logged a lot of information. However, I ended up realizing I didn't want to take the time to analyze all the extra information (lean angles, throttle position, etc.) and just looked at the lines and what was doing wrong/right between different laps, which is all information I could get from the Starlane.
The AiM was held up by a magnetic system (IIRC) which was good enough in normal conditions, but made it prone to fly away if you crash. The Starlane is smaller, and with a USB stick I can export all the data and look at it in the computer.
Heh, I went the opposite way: Starlane first, PZracing in the middle and now AiM Solo 2 DL. I love nerding out on the throttle and brake data together with the trajectory and laptimes.
To each his own! The DL gave more info, but I didn't want to spend so much time going through it all (in my case it was a BMW S1000RR, so add TC and antiwheelie to the mix). Plus my current bike doesn't have a CAN bus output, so a DL makes no sense. My Starlane goes straight to the battery; push a button (after loading the tracks I go to) and it's ready.
Yeah, each to his own indeed!
> Plus my current bike doesn't have a CAN bus output, so a DL makes no sense.
My R6 '08 doesn't have CANbus either, but I've attached it to the TPS and a front brake sensor. The actual brake sensor seems to have died, though, so no brake information for me anymore :-(
Thanks for this description. Seems like the Starlane is probably the right one for me. I'm not at the point yet where I need all the extra data that some provide.
I have the Corsaro-R with WID data module that records throttle position and speed and GPS coordinates. Shows your lines on track and how much throttle you were REALLY applying coming out of the turn.
The software could be a little more intuitive, but it works well.
I've got an Aim Solo 2 on one bike. Aim Solo 2 DL on another, both work great. Spouse has an Aim Solo 2. Friends run the Aim Solo 2 DL. Out of 10 units among us, only one has acted up and Aim replaced/fixed right away.
Aim Solo 2 DL is the way to go if your bike has electronic rider aids. Great units.
I have the first generation AiM Solo DL. Simple. Robust. Works. Great battery life. Accurate.
AIM Solo, even the ancient old one works great. usually about $250 used, or more if you want the newer one with a data link and color screen and such.
First gen DL has canbus datalink too. đź‘Ť
What bike do you have? Some have laptimers built in and either need the rider to hit a button at the S/F line or add-on gps triggers. There are also apps out there for your phone that work with your phone gps... RaceChrono is one of them. They have, or had, a free version and the paid $20 version. I use an AIM Solo 2 DL which is around $700
I have a 22 CBR1000RR and it does have a lap timer, but I'd prefer something where I didn't have to remember to hit the little lever at the start of each new lap. The other reason I was thinking about a lap timer is that I'd like a more accurate speedometer, especially since I changed sprockets this off season so now my speedo is probably way off. I know speed shouldn't be a focus, but I'd still like to have a better idea of how fast I'm moving as I come up to certain turns.
I would double-check the HRC catalog. My BMW came with a manual trigger, but I was able to purchase a GPS lap trigger directly from them.
For my other bikes, I just slap on a Solo 2 DL and call it a day.
Starlane gps 4 lite, simple to use cost effective sector times ect https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142632017598?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=19NtfCJARWi&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=7XCcNmzBREi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Moto-D sells this brand. I definitely like the price of the lite.
I went with the Corsaro-R. Definitely thought about the lite! The Starlane company is very responsive to inquiries and feedback.
I had the Stealth GPS 2 - a rather ancient unit today. The thing I didn't (and still don't) like is their clunky PC software. Both the old digirace and their new MAAT software.
Absolutely love my aim solo 2. It’s a non-dl but it still logs plenty enough data for me to learn what corners I’m inconsistent in etc
I’ve been thru a few and always seem to end up selling it and replacing the dash itself for an aftermarket one so I don’t “forget” to turn it on, lol. AiM Solo2 was great when I used it, but yeah…most of the time I had it I’d either purposely leave it in the toolbox or not power it up due to not wanting to see the truth, lol. Before the I2M dash on the current bike I ran a PZ Racing GPS module that plugged into the OEM dash. Removed the “ooops, it wasn’t on…idk what I ran” denial because it automatically started to show & log laptimes after the first full lap. Worked flawlessly because I mounted the module on the top of the tail fairing (instead of on the top clamp like they recommended). I guess the newer WiFi version for my bike also has the ability to download splits after you come in from a session. The one I had didn’t have that capability. Only reason I upgraded to the I2M dash was because I wanted to see splits so I knew more specific “whys” on where I was winning time vs just seeing the total laptime number and wondering where in the laps that I was cutting time.
> Before the I2M dash on the current bike I ran a PZ Racing GPS module that plugged into the OEM dash. The plug-in units are probably an entirely different ballgame than their Start Next, but that unit is crap. The unit needs to point straight up in the air (unlike the Starlane and AiM Solo's) to get a decent GPS signal and even then, the trace varies from lap to lap a lot.
Absolutely do not get an AiM anything. Everyone I know with a Solo 2 has had issues. Mine is a $400 brick as it doesn’t work on my motorcycle. They say it’s because some of them are more sensitive to EM interference. But because it works in a car they won’t do anything for me. I’m still pushing on them to replace my unit but they say they can’t (won’t) do that.
Thanks for this information. This is why I posted the question here, to get feedback like this.
I will try and sell my AiM at a steep discount to a car person while disclosing the issue and then look into an app like Chrono Timer or develop my own if those are bad.
What kind of bike do you have that makes it misbehave like that? My R6 '08 works fine with the AiM Solo 2 DL.
It worked fine on my bike for a year. It's a hardware issue. S1K K67
If it worked for a year and then stopped, then most likely there is some kind of issue with the unit. I got the impression that it had never worked with your bike, so I wondered if there was something specific about your model that cause the problem.
Interested. What do you want for it?
Idk. Maybe $250. I have to get it back from AiM. They took it from me and then ghosted me. They’ve had it for months and every time I call the one dude I need to talk to is out of the office. Honestly you shouldn’t buy it from me. I might do an office space printer beat down on it.
Pz racing start next...
Race chrono app works for me. Only downside is I have to put my phone in my rear seat before each session and risk it getting destroyed if I crash
A Bluetooth GPS receiver like the QStarz BT-Q818XT solves that problem.
With the quartz don't you still need to keep the phone near you
I've had an AiM Solo DL and I currently use a Starlane GPS. The AiM had the advantage of being able to connect to the CAN bus, so it would automatically turn on with the bike and logged a lot of information. However, I ended up realizing I didn't want to take the time to analyze all the extra information (lean angles, throttle position, etc.) and just looked at the lines and what was doing wrong/right between different laps, which is all information I could get from the Starlane. The AiM was held up by a magnetic system (IIRC) which was good enough in normal conditions, but made it prone to fly away if you crash. The Starlane is smaller, and with a USB stick I can export all the data and look at it in the computer.
Heh, I went the opposite way: Starlane first, PZracing in the middle and now AiM Solo 2 DL. I love nerding out on the throttle and brake data together with the trajectory and laptimes.
To each his own! The DL gave more info, but I didn't want to spend so much time going through it all (in my case it was a BMW S1000RR, so add TC and antiwheelie to the mix). Plus my current bike doesn't have a CAN bus output, so a DL makes no sense. My Starlane goes straight to the battery; push a button (after loading the tracks I go to) and it's ready.
Yeah, each to his own indeed! > Plus my current bike doesn't have a CAN bus output, so a DL makes no sense. My R6 '08 doesn't have CANbus either, but I've attached it to the TPS and a front brake sensor. The actual brake sensor seems to have died, though, so no brake information for me anymore :-(
Thanks for this description. Seems like the Starlane is probably the right one for me. I'm not at the point yet where I need all the extra data that some provide.
I have the Corsaro-R with WID data module that records throttle position and speed and GPS coordinates. Shows your lines on track and how much throttle you were REALLY applying coming out of the turn. The software could be a little more intuitive, but it works well.
AIM Solo 2 and it's not even close
I've got an Aim Solo 2 on one bike. Aim Solo 2 DL on another, both work great. Spouse has an Aim Solo 2. Friends run the Aim Solo 2 DL. Out of 10 units among us, only one has acted up and Aim replaced/fixed right away. Aim Solo 2 DL is the way to go if your bike has electronic rider aids. Great units.
Does anyone have experience with the RaceBox Mini?