Affordable lap timers

**vifferman** · 21st February 2007, 11:40

I see a flaw with having it optical: if anything (like another bike) is in the way, it doesn't trigger the lap counter.

**notme** · 21st February 2007, 12:05

Originally Posted by vifferman

I see a flaw with having it optical: if anything (like another bike) is in the way, it doesn't trigger the lap counter.

Correct. This is another compromise in order to keep costs down - there are systems out there that will circumvent this if it's a necessity.

But, the stats should be ok on the probability of this happening, since another vehicle (remember this can be used on cars too) has to be right next to you just as you go across the timing point.

The original concept discussed with a few ppl here and in other forums was that there was a market niche for a cheap lap timer that was intended for trackdays or weekends where racers wanted to improve thier times after doing mods, taking different riding approaches etc - i.e. do a couple of laps then try that other race can/tyres/cornering technique. If used in a race situation the blocking thing might become an issue.

Optical = cheap and easy to set up. Magnetic, inductive, radio, and a lot of other solutions all require mods to the track (not practical) or would increase the cost significantly, at which point i'm competing against established products that have had thousands of R&D put into them.

Optical is the "best" solution for this application, that's why most of the commercial lap timer products use it.

I even had a crazy idea at one point:
- have a contrast sensor pointing downwards from the bike.
- put the unit in "learn" mode and go once only around the track.
- the unit picks up changes in contrast due to painted lines, track variations etc and stores them
- put the unit in "lap" mode, and every time it detects the certain pattern of contrast changes it starts/stops the timer.

:-)

**notme** · 22nd February 2007, 10:23

The design of this thing may have changed a bit, with feedback from youse guys and long chats with some of the good buggers with good info - so here's today's question:

Would a remote sensor (see pic) make this "better" for you?

The idea being that the display unit goes on your dash or somewhere like that, and the sensor goes on the mirror/fairing/end of handlebar/mudguard or anywhere else that can "see the transmitter as you zip past.

The advantage is that the sensor that goes on the side of the bike is now much smaller and easier to mount, you can now see the display cos it's on your dash, the display unit (expensive bit!) is less likely to get damaged in a crash, and you could potentially have sensors on multiple bikes, and just plug in the display unit to the bike you are using today.

The new sensor could also be permanently mounted and left on the bike even if it's your road bike, cos it is so small and unobtrusive. Then for trackdays you plug in the display unit.

Comments?

(aaaargh piss on it....this time i have attached the pic!)

**kickingzebra** · 22nd February 2007, 10:42

sounds gooderer and gooderer

**HDTboy** · 22nd February 2007, 10:52

That sounds much better. My biggest concerns are vibration, crash damage, and being able to see a display when riding.

Even though $200 is cheap(ish) I wouldn't want to have to pay $200 every time I crash

**Skunk** · 22nd February 2007, 10:53

Bloody near perfect! How big is the display box (I can't find a size posted anywhere).

**notme** · 22nd February 2007, 11:24

Originally Posted by HDTboy

That sounds much better. My biggest concerns are vibration, crash damage, and being able to see a display when riding.

Even though $200 is cheap(ish) I wouldn't want to have to pay $200 every time I crash

Seems to be the theme huh?

Well, I am right now re-assessing the practicality of changing the display to be easier to see when riding, and the crash damage issue should be taken care of with the new sensor arrangement, since the only exposed part is the wee sensor which is cheap to replace, and the main unit is now intended to be mounted on the dash where it is as safe as possible in a crash (certainly a lot more safe than hanging off the side of the bike!)

**notme** · 22nd February 2007, 11:27

Originally Posted by Skunk

Bloody near perfect! How big is the display box (I can't find a size posted anywhere).

At the moment approx 120mmx60mm (see http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...0&postcount=24, but be aware the case has changed for the better and the box is now to be mounted on the dash....)

Making it smaller requires $$$ (some smaller parts, development time) but is entirely possible.

**Skunk** · 22nd February 2007, 11:54

120x60 is small enough (though smaller is better!). I've got a small bike which has space under the 'pillion seat' area but I want to see the display... Not asking for a change (remote sensor and display!) just stating why I asked. That size is small enough to fit on the bars.

**aff-man** · 22nd February 2007, 13:30

mate you still looking for decent LCD modules??

2 lines, I think they are 16 characters, low power and are PLEDS which make em purrty. We use em at work so can get some in for you if willing.. Oh and how much for the source code?? Might have a delve and a play.

Am actually working on one of these myself except I kinda am using an old cell phone and some IR sesors hahahahaha.

p.s. on the hardware side. are they hole through components?? If you've got schematics and such I can redesign and make a 2 layer SMD version which should be a bit smaller...

**notme** · 22nd February 2007, 13:41

Originally Posted by aff-man

mate you still looking for decent LCD modules??

2 lines, I think they are 16 characters, low power and are PLEDS which make em purrty. We use em at work so can get some in for you if willing.. Oh and how much for the source code?? Might have a delve and a play.

not really - we are using a 16x2 in another product here so have shelves full of them - cheers though.

Originally Posted by aff-man

Am actually working on one of these myself except I kinda am using an old cell phone and some IR sesors hahahahaha.

I can see the Jonno solution ..... give a cell to a spotter on the side of the track and get them to hit the stopwatch when you call to say "going past......NOW!"

Originally Posted by aff-man

p.s. on the hardware side. are they hole through components?? If you've got schematics and such I can redesign and make a 2 layer SMD version which should be a bit smaller...

Through-hole at this stage for proto's, might become SMT at a later stage. The main reason for thruhole is that we can fabricate the boards onsite cheaper than getting them made, so it will only become SMT if/when sales make that possible. I'd say if that happens, that we'd be able to get a mould opened for a custom case as well.

**aff-man** · 22nd February 2007, 13:43

Originally Posted by allun

not really - we are using a 16x2 in another product here so have shelves full of them - cheers though.

I can see the Jonno solution ..... give a cell to a spotter on the side of the track and get them to hit the stopwatch when you call to say "going past......NOW!"

Through-hole at this stage for proto's, might become SMT at a later stage. The main reason for thruhole is that we can fabricate the boards onsite cheaper than getting them made, so it will only become SMT if/when sales make that possible. I'd say if that happens, that we'd be able to get a mould opened for a custom case as well.[/QUOTE]

i'll be going to a few track days and such.. make a poster and i'll put one up.

i've actually just piggy backed the button on the cell phone..

**Racey Rider** · 22nd February 2007, 18:57

Originally Posted by allun

Would a remote sensor (see pic) make this "better" for you?
The idea being that the display unit goes on your dash or somewhere like that, and the sensor goes on the mirror/fairing/end of handlebar/mudguard or anywhere else that can "see the transmitter as you zip past.

Sounds good to me!!