GPS Lap Timer App-iPhone

[jonw189]

http://www.gps-laptimer.de/Home.html

There is a $20 app for iPhones that offers GPS data aquistion. Now I know that this could never rival its $700 cousin, but I think its worth a shot. Right now, I figure I need a mounting solution and highly protective phone case. I am hoping that the built in GPS on the iPhone 4S is good enough so that I would not need a gps reciever. Any thoughts or anyone have experience doing this?

thanks

 

[derekcb]

It works ok and probably suitable for track days. The sector setup is pretty straight forward and will allow you to analyze your progress lap-to-lap.

It's downfalls are memory management and heat. If you take advantage of the video recording feature be prepared to offload the data between sessions or you will run out of memory and capture nothing. Also, on hot days the iPhone has a tendency to overheat which causes the app to crash mid session or sometimes before you even get out. Riding a multi-configured track like Autobahn requires you to purge the track data from each track before loading the desired track POIs. If not done correctly, you won't collect data.

The data rate is only 1Hz so you aren't getting a ton of data. Upgrading to an external GPS receiver would help with that and probably solve the overheating issue as well.

I mounted my phone to a RAM Mount (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XDGJQI) and used an Otterbox Defender case to protect the iPhone (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UC8RVE). I modified the Otterbox holster, removing the belt clip and screwing the RAM Diamond Base through it. The RAM Mount is connected to my upper fairing stay with the U-bolt.

Crash tested it at ACC over the Memorial weekend and it was solidly connected.

YMMV.