[Chilly Duncan]

Latest from DirtChamp Design:

Next-Gen Multi-User RC Lap Timing System

TimeR is the main product in DirtChamp Designs Next-Gen RC Lap counting system.

It is a small case, only 130x85x18 mm, and is mounted on a tripod that is included. TimeR communicates with a DCD Transponder in your car using IR-light. It communicates with your PC using a Bluetooth link in order to create the flexibility needed when attending a track.

TimeR can handle as much as 5 cars passing the finish line at the exact same time. Inside the TimeR is a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, which is charged using the included USB cable in your PC. When fully charged the battery lasts for more than 12 hours.

Features List

• Run Time >12
• IR Range > 4-7 meter depending on conditions
• Bluetooth Range > 100m
• Powerd by a Li-lon cell charged using uncluded USB-cable.
• Unique transponder number that allows unlimited users.
• Tripod placed TimeR to eliminate problems with multiple cars passing the finishing line at the same time. The tripod can be set to different heights to handle different sizes of cars.
• IR-based transmission between car and TimeR with a range of approximately 4 to 7 meters, depending on conditions.
• Wireless connections between TimeR and PC using Class 1 Bluetooth link, with up to 100m of operation in free line of sight.
• TimeR is powered by an internal Li-Ion cell that lasts more than 12 hours. This allows for non-stop use during a full Race day.
• A track temperature indicator in LapR provides the actual track temperature measured from inside the TimeR.

Live race timing in your PC

The combination of LapR and TimeR provides a unique functionality of wireless real time lap times. No other lap timing system can do that today! This gives you the flexibility and opportunity yet unseen in RC racing. Since there are unlimited users and unique DCD Transponder numbers, this system is ideal to share between RC friends, club members or team members.



Meet LapR 1.0.3

LapR is the name of the advanced lap timing software that controls all the handling of TimeR, Ditchamp Designs lap timing hardware that communicates with the transponders in the cars. The most important feature of LapR is its easy-to-use graphical user interface, which is specifically designed to handle small screens of portable EE-PCs. The software is constantly improving and to provide our customers with the support they deserve, we release service updates each month! . We have only just begun to show you the power of DirtChamp Designs revolutionary ideas on how RC Racing should be timed!

Features:

All users are registered in LapR with their unique DCD Transponder number, name and car. Following data is presented in a separate dashboard for each user:

• Best lap time
• Last lap time
• Average lap time
• Best heat time
• Number of mistakes
• Total number of lap times
• Total track time
• The open practice tab shows all user’s lap times in one table. Each user also has its own table that shows just his/her lap times.
• LapR keeps track of each user, heats are started automatically and results are shown in real time .
• Minimum lap time is set in LapR to prevent dual lap times due to accidental multiple passes.
• Nominal lap time is set in LapR to count and approximate the number of mistakes a user makes during a heat.
• A session score board is shown in open practice mode to keep track of who is on top with regard to lap times, heat results, mistakes etc.
• A battery indicator in LapR provides information of the status of the battery inside TimeR
• A track temperature indicator in LapR provides the actual track temperature measured from inside the TimeR.
• Each time you attend a new track, you can add it to your track dictionary in LapR. Every track can hold an infinite number of sessions, enabling you to sort all results in a structured manner.
• All data is automatically stored in LapR, no saving is necessary. All changes are stored and recalled each time the LapR is restarted.
• A note field is associated with each lap in the users tab. This field can be used to remind of setup changes etc. and to correlate lap times with changes. These notes are automatically stored for each user.
• LapR´s Sniffer mode helps you find a out a lost transponder number
• LapR can be configured to play a sound whenever a transponder hit is registered
• LapR includes a race mode to run heats with different lengths, each heat can consist of up to 20 users and can be configured to use qualifications- or final mode.
• LapR has a built in report function that collects all data for a chosen user and prints it to a pdf-file.

DCD Transponder

DCD Transponder is placed in your car. It is one of the smallest IR-based transponder in the business with its 22x21x5 mm. Each transponder has its own world unique ID, this rules out all confusions of users associated to a transponder! It also holds a red LED to indicate transmitting and has en encapsulation to protect from dirt and to some extent water. Transponder is mounted on the side window of your car with either screws or servo tape. Drill a small hole in your car body to ensure good transmission and you are ready to go!

All you need in a box

DirtChamp Design is proud to present a complete package for your new lap timing system, it contains the following:

• TimeR, the lap counting unit
• LapR, the advanced timing and analyze software
• DCD Transponder with world unique ID
• Tripod for TimeR

This package will get you up and running within 10 minutes!

[4DMNYC]

Seems pretty cool. That transponder wont last a minute mounted that way at most tracks I've been to though. Looks fragile and people tend to crash. I hope they've done their homework.

[surfer]

Mounted like that in SC race and you're gonna lose money faster than you could record a lap

Sweet idea though.

[InspGadgt]

Problem with IR systems is they are all line of site...if anything blocks that it won't count. So...get some dirt on the transponder and you stop getting counted.

[hardadz]

InspGadget

You are wrong on what you said.I run the I-LAP IR system and have had mud or dirt on the PT and it still counted.

Lets face it all lap counting system can have it faults even the way over priced AMB/MYLAPS SYSTEM.
These system are not out to change the world ,they are just to count laps.Just think we could go back to hand counting!!!

Know before we get in to a debate on what system is the best just keep in mind what system like this and the I-LAP are for .To give affordable and accurate lap counting and that is what these systems do.
Not all tracks can afford to spend well over $3500 for a new AMB/MYLAPS system just to count laps.And who cares if the AMB is used in national races ,a VERY small amount of racers end up going to one of those events.Also keep in mind that the AMB system has had a 20+ jump start on the lap counter business.

I think that some racers are so narrow minded that they can't deal with change,and that a REAL die hard racer is not going to care what lap counting system a track is using.

[4DMNYC]

Those die hard racers will care when they spend good money on a transponder only to have it broken mid race. I'm not saying this system is weak-but the trasponders LOOK vulnerable. But we'll see I guess.

[hardadz]

4dmnyc
You do have a point in the LapR pt,maybe if the use a shallower emitting case so it doesn't stick out as far.Or space the Pt so it doesn't stick out as far.

[InspGadgt]

Originally Posted by hardadz

InspGadget

You are wrong on what you said.I run the I-LAP IR system and have had mud or dirt on the PT and it still counted.

Lets face it all lap counting system can have it faults even the way over priced AMB/MYLAPS SYSTEM.
These system are not out to change the world ,they are just to count laps.Just think we could go back to hand counting!!!

Know before we get in to a debate on what system is the best just keep in mind what system like this and the I-LAP are for .To give affordable and accurate lap counting and that is what these systems do.
Not all tracks can afford to spend well over $3500 for a new AMB/MYLAPS system just to count laps.And who cares if the AMB is used in national races ,a VERY small amount of racers end up going to one of those events.Also keep in mind that the AMB system has had a 20+ jump start on the lap counter business.

I think that some racers are so narrow minded that they can't deal with change,and that a REAL die hard racer is not going to care what lap counting system a track is using.

Yes but did you get mud/dirt directly on the IR emitter? Probably not.

As a racer and a race director for over 15 years I can see where a system like this would work for a small new club where almost no one has already purchased AMB transponders. But if enough racers have they are not going to want to change. Especially to a line of sight system that could have a problem. Many times I have seen cars flying through the transponder bridge upside down which will not count with a line of sight system. Perhaps in the case of the dirt mentioned earlier the IR is strong enough to get through the dirt but it will have a problem with an upside down car or another car blocking line of site.

[hardadz]

InspGadget

Yes, we tested on the emitter.I have been a race director on and off sense 1984,and now have a shop and on site track .Even had a early AMB system when distributed by Bolink and it had issue's,and not worth the $3500 price tag(around 85-86).I have seen other counter's come and go ,some rf and some IR.The I-LAP is the BEST alternative to a AMB.Just had my big race for the season with over 100 enteries and NO complaints about using a IR based system.Even from the ones who think i should get a AMB and own AMB pt's.
Like i said before all system's can have there faults,even AMB.Was just at a race were some of the AMB PT'S were not being picked up by the loop/decoder.So no matter how much you spend there can be issue's.
Also i offer a track set of I-LAP PT's so there is no need for a racer to purchase one if they do not want to.But with that said about 3/4 of my racers own there own pt and i would say 95% of them own AMB pt as well.

The point to this whole thing is ,its just a lap counter.Its not going to change the world .No matter what system you have it will do the job ,accurate lap counting.That is all that matters.Not all track owner's can spend the money on a AMB.So system like the I-LAP and LAPR are great system for that reason.The are just as accurate and as for the I-LAP can use the same software program that the AMB uses.

[1 Bad STi]

Originally Posted by InspGadgt

Problem with IR systems is they are all line of site...if anything blocks that it won't count. So...get some dirt on the transponder and you stop getting counted.

this

[MikeMelzer]

I agree with both sides. This here hit's a price point which puts it in a different market than AMB. Each has ups and downs.

That being said, I think LapR is at a disadvantage coming to the show late. Many people already own a transponder, and many tracks will tend to lean in that direction (if they can afford it) for that reason alone.

I'd say it's great for small tracks/clubs, especially as a first electronic system.

I do agree, however, that the transponder looks fragile, and mounting location looks vulnerable. Time will tell. I can envision a side hit dislodging the transponder, even if it doesn't break. The body is the weakest part of the car.

As a side note, they say it's PC based....but it looks like they Photoshoped a screenshot onto an Apple MacBook!!!!

[fastharryDOTcom]

one, is the transponder self powered?...


and two, I don't think the LOS with IR is a big issue..my old orion lap counter worked great for what it was....


I think the real problem is gonna be the Blue tooth link to each users Pc...

[bullett1818]

Originally Posted by fastharryDOTcom

I think the real problem is gonna be the Blue tooth link to each users Pc...

I dont really think the bluetooth will be too much of a problem.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bluetooth-USB-2-...item5190c2bbf0

-Bob-

[fastharryDOTcom]

Originally Posted by bullett1818

I dont really think the bluetooth will be too much of a problem.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bluetooth-USB-2-...item5190c2bbf0

-Bob-

i was talking about the BT's range in a RC vehicle...

[bullett1818]

I guess I dont get what your saying. What on the rc vehicle is bluetooth?

-Bob-

[fastharryDOTcom]

Originally Posted by bullett1818

I guess I dont get what your saying. What on the rc vehicle is bluetooth?

-Bob-

never mind, I read it wrong...


also..2 more questions...


what is the price?...and would it have been that hard to make it 2.4 and put AMB out of business?

[hardadz]

Prices for the TimeR/LapR and as long as i did the money conversion right are:
TimeR decoder/software=$481.30
transponders=$62.05
Plus shipping!
I converted from the prices given on there website.

[a380danzer]

We have been using the DCD Dirt Champ Design timing system here in Hong Kong under the bright sunlight for several months already and it works like a charm.

The best part is that there is an android app called "TimingBeam" which can log the lap times detected by DCD and read them out loud at the same time!

[tntpoof]

OK.. what happens when 2 or 3 vehicles come by the pickup at the same time some one is'nt getting counted with the side window install..also the 21 foot range ..hope ur truck dont send a beam 20 feet away..see alot of issues with this system.. have not seen any video of a true race..with conditions i said..the over head pickup on the other IR systems i have used and liked very well and entire system is $350 with 4 ir blocks and new ir r about $35 if i remember correct..just my 2 cents..aint that about a buck Chinese(yen) ?..LOL