Guidance Needed // Raspberry Pi or Arduino GPS logger/lap timer

[Dave Gruentzel]

So, I was directed here to the Milwaukee Makerspace by Pete Prodoehl. There is a project I'd like to do, but don't have the skill set or knowledge and I'm looking for your guidance. If you race cars, the better :)

What I’m looking to do is have a cheap and durable GPS logger/lap timer for rallycross racing.

I help with Stateline Rallycrossand we’re experimenting with GPS base timing equipment. We are currently using 20 of this GPS devices in the drivers cars to get their lap times.
http://www.qstarz.com/Products/GPS%20Products/BT-Q1000EX-10HZ-F.html

It works well, but there are two things that I wish it had.

1. A way to wirelessly download the data automatically over wifi when the device connects to a network.
2. Have a small LCD screen showing them their lap time. (not as important)

And that's where the Raspberry Pi or Arduino could come in (or something else).

• Needs to have10hz or higher GPS rate
• Way to easily set the start and finish points/triggers (lat, long)
• Way to set the tolerance of the trigger, like direction and radius/diameter
• Wirelessly download lap data automatically when connected to a wifi network
• Export GPS data into a CVS file, or something similar to work with file format. Or export just the lap times over the wifi so it’s has a smaller file size to transfer.
• Each device would have a unique ID to identify the driver as there will be 40+ drivers at an event
  
• LCD screen to show lap time(s)
• Battery powered would be a plus, but 12v from cigaret lighters would work
• Easy to use for the drivers, like one button or less. The configuration would be done before the race by the timing people at the event.
• Durable, lots of dust and bumps at these races
• Easy, and secure way to mount the device. Has to be fast as they will be swapped out frequently.

So, any help or guidance would be gratefully accepted!

[Ryan Barbian]

I have an older GPS unit I used to use for clocking speed of my jet boat. It's not touchscreen and in black and white but you can have it if you'd like. Let me know and give me a day to dig it up.

[Ryan Barbian]

Ps. I have no clue if it will fit your requirements.

[Dave Gruentzel]

Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass for now. I'd like to get more info to see if this project is doable first before I get any hardware.

[Ryan Barbian]

Sure thing. Just let me know and it's yours.

--

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "milwaukeemakerspace" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to milwaukeemakers...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Pete Prodoehl]

I think the project is doable, but your requirement list is pretty long.

Both Adafruit and SparkFun have tutorials on GPS modules for use with
Arduinos and Raspberry Pis.

https://learn.adafruit.com/

https://learn.sparkfun.com/

I'd start by doing a bunch of reading and research, and maybe buying a
few parts to experiment with. This might give you some idea of what is
possible. There's going to be a lot of code needed as well, obviously.


Pete

> --

On 8/29/14, 1:55 PM, Dave Gruentzel wrote:
> So, I was directed here to the Milwaukee Makerspace by Pete Prodoehl.
> There is a project I'd like to do, but don't have the skill set or
> knowledge and I'm looking for your guidance. If you race cars, the
> better :)
>
> What I’m looking to do is have a cheap and durable GPS logger/lap
> timer for rallycross racing.
>
> I help with Stateline Rallycross

> <http://statelinerallycross.com/%20>and we’re experimenting with GPS

> base timing equipment. We are currently using 20 of this GPS devices
> in the drivers cars to get their lap times.
> http://www.qstarz.com/Products/GPS%20Products/BT-Q1000EX-10HZ-F.html
>
> It works well, but there are two things that I wish it had.
>

> 1. A way to wirelessly download the data automatically over wifi when

> the device connects to a network.

> 2. Have a small LCD screen showing them their lap time. (not as

> important)
>
>
> And that's where the Raspberry Pi or Arduino could come in (or
> something else).
>

> * Needs to have10hz or higher GPS rate
> * Way to easily set the start and finish points/triggers (lat, long)
> * Way to set the tolerance of the trigger, like direction and
> radius/diameter
> * Wirelessly download lap data automatically when connected to a
> wifi network
> * Export GPS data into a CVS file, or something similar to work with

> file format. Or export just the lap times over the wifi so it’s
> has a smaller file size to transfer.

> * Each device would have a unique ID to identify the driver as there

> will be 40+ drivers at an event

> * LCD screen to show lap time(s)
> * Battery powered would be a plus, but 12v from cigaret lighters
> would work
> * Easy to use for the drivers, like one button or less. The

> configuration would be done before the race by the timing people
> at the event.

> * Durable, lots of dust and bumps at these races
> * Easy, and secure way to mount the device. Has to be fast as they

> will be swapped out frequently.
>
>
> So, any help or guidance would be gratefully accepted!
>

> --
>
> ---