alternative lap timer

Matt Hapip · Joined: 16 Feb 2013 Posts: 13

Hi Friends,

I am brand new to karting and have a question regarding Lap timing. Is there a lap time without all the bells and whistles of a Mychron ( I don't need mph or R's). I am sort of a bare bones type of racer and like to keep things really simple. I just assembled a 14 year old CRG with a KX80 motor and don't really want to spend 500 bucks on a kart that I got for free. What are my options. Thank you all for humoring my ignorance.
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Take it easy. If you get it easy, take it twice.

Tyson Henry · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 12:06 pm Post subject:

Wait for a mychron 3 to come up on the classifieds or post a WTB for one. Nothing really more economical out there.

Tyson Henry · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 12:08 pm Post subject:

Or give something like this a try:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycles-Race-bestlap-lap-timer-infrared-Track-Day-include-Beacon-/160771113382?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BRTU%252BUA%252BFICS%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D170844793608%26ps%3D54

I have no experience with that product but it is cheap.

Matt Hapip · Joined: 16 Feb 2013 Posts: 13

That is actually exactly the type of thing I am in the market for. Thanks for your research.
_________________
Take it easy. If you get it easy, take it twice.

Jim McMahon · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 1:43 pm Post subject:

If you have a smartphone with GPS that's another option. Harry's laptimer

The motorcycle thing looks good, but then you have to setup your own beam and that "might" cause issues with others. If you get a MyChron then chances are the track will already have an IR transmitter so you wont have to mess around, just jump in the kart, turn on the Mychron and go. No need to scramble to set up your own beam, no need to worry about it interfering with others and most important, no need to worry about forgetting it at the track.
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Matt Hapip · Joined: 16 Feb 2013 Posts: 13

Those are all good points Jim. It may cause less headache to take the hit and buy a Mychron. Is it advisable to buy a used one?
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Take it easy. If you get it easy, take it twice.

Jim McMahon · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:01 pm Post subject:

Matt Hapip · Joined: 16 Feb 2013 Posts: 13

My last effort to be a cheapskate. What do you think of the GPS only one for motocross http://mychron4.com/eng/products-motocross/solo/index.htm
_________________
Take it easy. If you get it easy, take it twice.

Cory Ross · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:03 pm Post subject:

I would go with the Mychron. I know I really like having the piece of mind monitoring my engine temps. I have not had a day on the track yet where I was not adjusting the amount of tape on the radiator to get my engine temps at a decent level..

Tyson Henry · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:21 pm Post subject:

William French · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:51 pm Post subject:

Matt,

The one from Ebay works with the AIM Beacon that the track will already have going. You don't need to use a seperate one. I have had many guys I helped with cheap clone karts use this exact one with no issues.

That being said, you simply can't beat the products AIM makes such as a Mychron 3 or 4!

Good Luck.

Jim McMahon · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:56 pm Post subject:

John Matthews · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 7:36 pm Post subject:

I worked for Serena Industries (Hot Lap) back in 1997 selling the first IR lap timers.

There's a reason people keep telling you to buy a Mychron, they work and the company stands behind their stuff like no one else in the business. They even send techs to the big races to help folks out....

It's almost exactly like buying your first outboard starter, the cost seems high but you'll keep the same one for years and if you ever decide to upgrade it'll have more value than just about anything else you have for a kart.

Starters, stands, and timers are pieces that rarely need to be upgraded and will last almost forever.

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Lawrence Doty · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:54 pm Post subject:

I have a MyChron, a Digatron and an ALFANO. They all work great, they were all purchased used.
Not all tracks have a beacon, but it's a good investment so you should look into getting one. All 3 work with AIM beacon.
You should watch your rpm and engine temp also.