Off Road Club Hampshire

[dibble34]

I shall be there and we should look into all options regarding a timing system i reckon.

[mikeyscott]

The AMB 20 systems are around, but a bit old. The ambrc kit is insanely expensive I agree

[Crazy L]

Perhaps an all-day Grand Prix meeting is in order, invite some other guys down, increase levy by a couple of quid. All for the sole purpose of raising dosh for timing gear.

Like I said, the I-lap thing seemed to work well, They had some problems, but I think that may have been more down to software than hardware (they may have been using bbk)

[jkonline]

I will be there.

I don't know much about the timing sytems however one thing to bare in mind with the cost is that the infra-red option (and maybe AMB depending on the age) is that they require a USB port for both power and data.

I doubt the current PC has a USB port and even if it does USB is not supported under DOS (which it is running on). In addition all software that comes with I-Lap is windows based.

So I guess this would mean you would have to factor in a finding a newer PC but I am sure we could get a free one somewhere that is good enough.

[mikeyscott]

I'm going to be speaking to a mate of mine about getting a laptop from an old work place - minus hard drive for obvious reasons...

Equally if I get a work PC it again will be minus the drive

[AlisdairO]

I can have an ask around at the uni, too. If the CS department doesn't have a crufty old winXP machine they'd like to be rid of, I'd be rather surprised.

[Darren Boyle]

Guys, whatever you do, dont even consider an infra red type unit. They are "OK" (nothing more), for slow, flat track (touring car style) cars, but running outdoors with bumpos etc will lead them to miss LOTS of laps. If the infra red beam is not bounced straight back to the reciever it wont count the lap, with buggies there is no guarrentee that they will pass the "line/end of lap" both slow enough and "flat" enough to count consistantly.

Not all AMB type sytsems have to use a USB port, many old systems including those from AMB and KO connect via the Serial 232 port on most older machines. Our newish club DELL machine still uses this port without any troubles.

[AlisdairO]

I think the technology has probably improved - there's a bunch of people using this setup for off road nitro/dirt tracks without any problems. When it comes down to it, unless we're crazy lucky finding an old AMB setup with a lot of PTs for cheap, I don't see many other options.

[Crazy L]

Just to clarify for some, the AMB20 uses rechargeable transponders which are handed out then given back, the newer AMBrc system uses PTs, the purchase of which is on the onus of the driver.

I believe our best bet is a 2nd hand amb20 system, I have a couple of leads I'm following.

You couldn't go far wrong heeding DMS' advice, he's probably done more racing than all of us put together.

Like I said, Newbury had the infrared gig, the loop was on flat carpet, laid on wooden floor, so never a problem.

But we don't want to fork out for a system just because it's cheaper than the amb gear, then find out why it's cheap, cos that's an expensive mistake to make, even more so for a small club like ours.

Bide our time till the right package comes along. I'll give Jules a ring later when I hear more about the ones offered in previous posts. I already have pictures, just waiting on a price and some other details.

We'll see, after all, it aint up to us, all we can do is help the old guard and try and steer them in the right way

[AlisdairO]

If we can pick up an old AMB system for cheap, then that's absolutely fair enough. Good to pick up tech that we're absolutely sure works perfectly if we can. I just don't want to ignore a system that works, unless people have examples of this specific system failing - from people's reviews it seems like a big improvement on other IR systems out there.

[dibble34]

As much as it hurts me to side with B4 driver i agree with AlisdairO

[Steve.T]

Just a thought.......

Having very much enjoyed my first meeting at the club I wonder if I can venture an opinion. At lawford buggy club where I normally race we have been using the same system since the club was founded in 1989.....pencil, paper and a stopwatch. Lawford use a laps system instead of the five minute fomat so there are a series of races and each person gets the same number. Points are awarded for finishing positions and the person with the most either wins or qualifies on pole.

As long as you can id each car then there is no need for an amb system.



By the way I should be back at the club on the 06/09/2009

[mikeyscott]

Who turned up today?

I'm hoping to be racing next Sunday before my holiday.

[Darren Boyle]

Guys, with regard to your search for a lap counting system, I have mentioned a few times that we have a brand new spare KO lap counting system that our club would part with, it WILL be cheap be assured of that, but I prefer to discuss price "elsewhere" other than on here and only as and when one or some of you have come up to see it in action "probably at our club" so you know exactly what you are getting. It may be a long(ish) journey (80-90m miles from you to watford) but well worth it if you can save £1500+ on a lap counting system The KO system itself sold for over £1500 when released and this new one we have we could let go for a snip of that. We use this same system ourselves and have done for years now and have run some BIG and important meetings using it (large winter series for 6 ears with 140+ drivers, regionals and even the old TRinity/LOsi 2 day shootouts that we ran for 4 years were timed with this system for those who remember). Call me at the shop if the club are seriuosly interested to talk about it, I can then discuss price, how it works and what you will need and arrange for one (or some) of you to come along to our club (maybe even race) and see it in use (since there is no instructions supplied by KO, you would need a crash course on it (although it is very simple)

Edit - if you check out our clubs results website (www.dmsresults.co.uk) and look at "latest results" or "results archive" all of these meetings have been timed with this equipment faultlessly

[mikeyscott]

I'd be ok with running KO, AMB etc. It's just got to be 100% and if DMS run with it then I'd be happy to make the trip to learn more.

Watford isn't far as I've done it every day for a job a few years back.

If it's new, good price and reliable what have we got to loose?

Does it work with Laps Free software?

[Steve.T]

I hope to be racing again on the 06/09/2009.
I spoke to a few people concerning selling some of my unwanted stuff so I will be bringing batteries, brushed motors, a reciever and three sets of cells, a quantum speedo (Brushed) and several steering sevo's.
It was great fun the last time and I am looking forward to racing again.

[mikeyscott]

Please note the XXCR at the front

[saintnitro]

right at last im coming to your lovely track.first time raceing buggys so plz be gentle with me i got a losi xx with 9t ezrun.
my setup is..
88 spur and 23 pinon
30wt in front and 35wt in rear

is there anything else i need to know before i race?

or should i run the madrat with the 9t in

cheers Ginge

[mikeyscott]

Cool, quite a few Losi XX's running. I have 25w in the rear, think the front is 35w. I'll prob run the Cat SX this weekend. But I do like the XX

[saintnitro]

cheers to all at torch i had a great morning learnt alot and had some fun at the same time

Cheers Ginge