In car timing, a new addition to our transponder system....

[kary]

check this out....

http://www.amb-it.com/pdf/DisplayIT_Brochure.pdf

If we have the right software this might be a nice unit to have for our Time trial series folks!

[Robert]

The representative from PCA National who was sent out to time the Fontana Club race this past March told me about this system. It sounds very cool (and I think I recall him saying PCA Club Racing was going to install it on their systems). However, it's not just software, the AMB decoder box (piece that interfaces between the loop in the track and our Club's PC) needs to have the capability to wirelessly broadcast data to the DisplayITs on the track. Ours was purchased before that feature was available. He said our box could be retrofitted, but didn't know the cost.

Then there is the issue of software. Unlike PCA Club Racing and POC, we don't use Orbits or Kronos, so Tom Brown would have to be willing to spend more time modifying his software so that it can tell the decoder box what to broadcast.

FWIW, I'm all for it. Everyone should just realize that it's likely some considerable time and money on behalf of the Club and its volunteers to get it done, in addition to what users would have to pay for their individual DisplayIts.

[kary]

The representative from PCA National who was sent out to time the Fontana Club race this past March told me about this system. It sounds very cool (and I think I recall him saying PCA Club Racing was going to install it on their systems). However, it's not just software, the AMB decoder box (piece that interfaces between the loop in the track and our Club's PC) needs to have the capability to wirelessly broadcast data to the DisplayITs on the track. Ours was purchased before that feature was available. He said our box could be retrofitted, but didn't know the cost.

Then there is the issue of software. Unlike PCA Club Racing and POC, we don't use Orbits or Kronos, so Tom Brown would have to be willing to spend more time modifying his software so that it can tell the decoder box what to broadcast.

FWIW, I'm all for it. Everyone should just realize that it's likely some considerable time and money on behalf of the Club and its volunteers to get it done, in addition to what users would have to pay for their individual DisplayIts.

You are right about the work, though if we had the AMB software it would be a no brainer for sure. POC is testing it next weekend at Laguna to make sure it works so they have already made the commitment.

[kary]

Robert, forgot to mention, AMB just sent me some information saying that organizations can return their TranX2 EL Encoder for a FREE upgrade so the DisplayIT's will work. Sounds like there is no cost from the encoder side of things.

[Robert]

Wow, that's awesome! It's almost impossible to believe AMB would do anything for free. I guess they realized though that giving away the decoder upgrade to the clubs will enable the sale of tons of DisplayITs. Can't argue with that logic. Although then you'd think they'd figure out that they'd sell more transponders if they just gave away the decoder itself instead of charging $5K for it or whatever it is. Perhaps a few too many trips to the "Coffee Shops" of Amsterdam for management.

[Tim Comeau]

The DisplayIt that I saw retailed for $500. Is that the going rate?

[MVZ944T]

I like my current lap timer just fine thanks. This sport is expensive enough as it is.

[kary]

The DisplayIt that I saw retailed for $500. Is that the going rate?

I believe that is the MSRP but I have not tried to get a dealer price on that yet. AMB is not real nice unless you buy 100 at a time of things. What a monopoly they have