Saturday, April 23, 2011

CMS Lap Timer Pro Support

Please use comments to this entry to post bug reports, comments and feature requests.

Also, please rate the app in the App Store.  If there something you don't like or would like to suggest changes or features, please send an email.
Thanks,
Pete

Getting Started:

You mainly need these things:

- The app, which you get from the iTunes App Store
- A GPS module about $100
- A way to mount the iPhone in your car

The two best GPS modules are the Bad-Elf and Emprum Ultimate-GPS. The latter is currently the best choice because it supports a GPS position update rate of 5 times a second. All the other choices are currently only supporting 1 per second. However, the Bad-Elf should support upto 10 times a second very soon. My suggestion is to wait until close to Xmas before ordering a GPS module since the all cost about $100 and the Bad-Elf has the best potential.

The simplest mounting solution is a windshield mount. I like the ones available from Ram Mount. If you have a roll bar, then I like the Ram-Mount V-Mount.

More info is available here:

http://stoppani.net/iphone/CMSLapTimerPlus/

You also need an in-car power adaptor. I prefer the higher rated ones so it can also charge my iPad in the car. And, I prefer the ones that have a USB adaptor in them so, again, I can use it for charging other USB compatible devices.

69 comments:

  1. You can calibrate? I use a slanted position to mount the iPhone

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello, good evening, I recently acquired CMS laptimer pro and I have two problems in analyzing the data, first the speed is displayed in MPH instead of displayed in KPH (For the record screen is displayed in KPH and measurement units Metrics are selected), and second being the track where I've tried quite small, I can not see detail on the top screen showing the circuit split, since it has no zoom. I would also like you could rename the races. Otherwise I feel well.
    Greetings.
    Diego Alvarez.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am interested in purchasing this to time my runs on a hill climb. Would this work moving in and out of a caopy of trees on a course that doesn't circle back on itself?
    Thanks,
    Keith

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sorry for that late responses, I thought I had email notification enabled!

    Giovanni: Currently there is not calibration, mainly to keep the app simple to use. If you are not able to mount the iTouch either vertically or horizontally, then, in Analysis, you can use the g-forces calculated form the GPS data rather than from the internal accelerometers.

    DIEGO: I will look into the KPH bug in Analysis.

    73Pinto: Depends on how thick the tree canopy is so I can't guarantee that it will get a good GPS signal. Yes, the app can be used for open circuits; you will need to set the start and end beacons in Analysis.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Pete,

    Wanted to report a possible bug. Recorder worked fine at the first session in PR. However, for the second session, it started the countdown on the very first warm up lap, continued without stopping on the second lap (effectively doubling the time) and then stopped recoding further laps. Rebooted the app in the pits but the same thing repeated again. Only after creating a new location (which probably erased beacons), did the recorded start working again. Please, take a look at it. It's very inconvenient to use a new location every time.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Can you send me the data for the sessions that had errors and the next session where you setup a new location?

    send them to pete@stoppani.net.

    Thanks,
    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi pete.

    Here my feature requests.

    Full retina display support. (incluided lower menu buttons)
    Button to set manually the finish line.
    Lower price.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry, I have already erased the error sessions. I will collect and send them next time it happens.

    BTW, given the workaround to add a new location every time, it would be great to have an option to erase a location. Otherwise, it might grow out of control.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Pete,
    I'm about to try out your app on a UK Karting track. Sandown to be exact, I will post back with how well I got on with it!
    Giles

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Pete,

    I've got the same problem as he guy who posted on the 17th august at 5:56pm.

    Practice session was fine but as we had to start the race without a break I had no chance of making a new run manually. It stopped and started again automatically which was planned and did very well. But on the race it seemed to add 2laps together!?

    Also is there anyway of manually setting the beacons as the app set the start/finish beacon after the first corner?

    Just to note the lap timer did however give me good predictions on the current lap I was doing.

    I'll send the data to you now

    Cheers

    Giles

    ReplyDelete
  11. The double-time lap times generally means the start/stop beacon is not at an ideal location as being missed. This is also a side effect of the 1Hz GPS update rate which is fairly slow. So, a beacon in a high speed section of the track can also be missed. The folks at Bad Elf say they are very close to releasing the software I need to take advantage of the Bad Elf GPS modules ability to fetch GPS data at upto 10 times a second (10Hz)!

    To change the beacon do the following:

    - to Runs and select the run. Set to location to anything other than Predictive
    - open the run in Analysis
    - tap on the "goto beginning icon", looks like "|<".
    - tap on erase beacons
    - move the car to new location. Typically, the best spot for the start/stop beacon is in the braking zone of the front straight.
    - tap on add beacon

    Note, you do not need to create a new location each time since we're erasing the beacons in the location first and then adding a new one. However, yes, I'll add the ability to delete locations in a future update.

    Giles - Please go to Settings and enable "debug" and send me you next karting data. I'd like to see if I can optimize for karting :)

    Thanks,
    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pete,

    Good news, changing the beacon to the slowest point of the race (in this case Sandowns slowest corner is the last just as you enter the grid straight) has broken up the laps that had been added together and given me the correct laps!
    Just have to say that I'm also using the XGPS 150 via Bluetooth which brings the signal right down to 10metres!!

    I'll send my next data in 6weeks which is my next round.

    Giles

    ReplyDelete
  13. The double lap time issues is fixed in the latest update.

    ReplyDelete
  14. can you give more detail on exporting to tunes and sharing data between devices - i have an ipad and iphone and want to share between so i can use iphone on the track and then transfer it to the ipad to look at it on a larger screen
    thanks
    Dave

    ReplyDelete
  15. Exporting to iTunes is useful for moving run data from the iOS device to a computer. Refer to this article for more information on iTunes File Sharing: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4094

    If you have Mac, you can us the CMS Analysis for the Mac app to look at run data on a bigger screen.

    You can also import from iTunes to move run data from a computer to an iOS device. However, if you have the data on an iPhone or iPod Touch and want to view it on an iPad, you can use the Bluetooth Exchange feature found on the Runs screen's Actions menu.

    To use the Bluetooth Exchange:
    - Run the CMS Lap Timer Pro app on both devices
    - Tap on Runs, Tap on the Actions icon in the upper left and Tap on Bluetooth Exchange
    - On one of the device select the other device from the list
    - On the other device you will see a prompt to accept the connect; accept it
    - From the device that you want to send data, tap on Send
    - Select the runs to send
    - Tap Send

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  16. That worked thanks pete

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi. Just paid $15 for Timer Pro, and iTunes says it won't transfer to my iPhone 3G running 4.2.1 software as "your device does not have the correct software.
    Did I do something wrong, or do i need a refund?

    thanks,
    Philip Ganderton

    ReplyDelete
  18. Can't change the weight of the car. Appears stuck at 3300 lbs.

    ReplyDelete
  19. is there a way to load more tracks? Or more information about mapping a track?

    Thanks
    -Eric

    ReplyDelete
  20. GDS - Thanks for the heads up on the weight. Fortunately it is not being used currently; it will in a future update when I add a Torque chart.

    Eric - There is no concept of "loading tracks" other than showing lap times by other drivers. The app does all track mapping and timing automatically; it does not need to know anything about the track.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Pete,

    Is there a way to export and use data on for use in video (like gopro)? Also can data be properly viewed on a pc ?

    Can we add manually additional way-points?

    ReplyDelete
  22. I will data exporting in a future update.

    You can view the data on a Mac (www.stoppani.net) but not on a PC (yet).

    "Beacons" are "way-points" in the app. You can use the Add Beacon and Delete Beacons icons to create your own beacon layouts. Beacon layouts are associated with the Location and you can create as many Locations as you like for each track.

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  23. Does CMS lap timer support MaxQdata files? The app seems eerily similar to the MaxQdata software and it would good to be use my old files with this software.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I bought the app but it doesn't load my old .mqd file and the Mac app won't load any files from my phone, CMS lap timer files or MaxQdata files.

    Also I can't change the weight of my vehicle in setup no matter what I do it just stays at 1497 (kgs I assume as the the units are set to metric.)
    Thanks,
    Kevin

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yes, this is the former MaxQData app, however, the data file formats are slightly different. I will update it so it will read .mqd files in the next update. Sorry about the confusion, I forgot about the file format change.

    The car weight issue is a known bug and will be fixed in the next update.

    Please send your CMS file to me and I'll check to see why it might by loading in the Mac app.

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  26. Helle,
    I've a i-Blue 747a+-GPS. Could I Mount it with my ipad2 and cm/s .
    A Second Quention: how can I Access loggend Data in the GPS-Receiver.
    Thasos and best regeres
    Juergen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not familiar with that GPS unit.

      Delete
    2. Hi Pete,
      is ist possible to load dtata in Google-format via iTunes to the cmslaptimer ? O rmust I transfer it to special format ?

      If yes, could you tell me the format ?

      Thanks.
      Juergen

      Delete
  27. Hi

    I have Bad Elf GPS and it does not seem to give the 5 or 10 Hz resolution. The app shows that the Bad Elf is connected but on 1 Hz. As I am using this for autox I really need the finer resolution.
    Cheers
    Giff

    ReplyDelete
  28. Bad Elf have told me that their new configuration app is in Apple's review process and should be available any day. This app is what allows you to change the resolution.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Did you manage to make karting work better with CMS?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Other than fixing the double lap times issue, nothing special has been done in the app for "better" karting support. Given a good GPS module that has at least 5Hz, preferrably 10Hz, resolution should work fine. Still waiting for Bad Elf to update their app to support 10Hz. Emprum makes a good 5Hz module.

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  31. Helle,
    Is it possible to use stored Data via iTunes ?
    I've the data in kmz-Format Ort do you Need a Special Format ?
    Could you Tell me the Format?
    Tanks
    Jürgen

    Sorry for the mistakes in writing, but this does my iPad automatically

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yes, the export feature allows you to store the date using iTunes File Sharing.

    The data format is proprietary. However, the app could export to other formats in the future. Please email me directly at pete@stoppani.net to discuss further.

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am trying to export data to embed on a go pro video. Do not have the format. Please advise what format do I need to export and how. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Export will be supported in the next update.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Pete, when comparing the vehicle speed of 2 different laps, "locked" for track position, I found that the relative position of the tracings changes as you scroll the lap. Eventually, frustrated by this, I tested the app by loading and compared the same lap. Same result. The tracings would change from being ahead to behind as you scroll the lap. How then do you know which is correct? This is disconcerting. This makes the comparison feature useless. I'm using the native GPS receiver on an iPhone 4s.
    Thanks Deyne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deyne, please send me a couple of screen shots that show the issue. I'm not quite following what is happening. To take a screenshot, press the iPhone's Home and Sleep button at the same time. This puts the screenshot in Photos.

      Send to pete@stoppani.net.

      Thanks,
      Pete

      Delete
    2. A fixed version of the CMSAnaylis Mac OS app is available here: http://stoppani.net/MacOS/cmsAnalysis/cmsAnalysis.zip

      A fixed version of the iOS app will be submitted shortly.

      Thanks,
      Pete

      Delete
  36. Hi!
    I purchased the pro version and when I do a video I don't get the lap data overly on the video, it's like a plain video.
    How can I see all the data on it?

    Thanks
    Daniel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also when I go on the video preview i don't get the action, step back and step forward button.

      Delete
  37. V1.4 will have the overlays; it is stuck in the infamous Apple review process...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Is there a program that i can view these on my computer? and do you have a parse config file for use with the maxqdata software?

    ReplyDelete
  39. The app can export CSV data files which can be imported into any app that supports the MaxQData CSV format.

    Also, you can export the raw data into a run file which is really just a ZIP file that contains several MaxQData files, including the MQD data file and the MQB beacons file; both of which can be imported into the MaxQData app. Simply rename the exported run data file to a .zip file and unzip it.

    ReplyDelete
  40. If you have a Mac, then you can use CMS Analysis for the Mac, found here: http://stoppani.net/MacOS/cmsAnalysis/cmsAnalysis.zip

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Pete!
    I had the opportunity to try the lap timer last weekend.
    It worked fine for about 10min than the app started crashing, so i had to reopen the app to get it going but after a few minutes it crashed again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Daniel, that is very strange! I would like to look at the crash logs. Please see the instructions below and send them to support@cmslaptimer.com so I can address the issue.

      http://aplus.rs/apple/how-to-find-crash-logs-for-iphone-applications-on-mac-vista-and-xp/

      Delete
    2. Did you get my mail with the logs?

      Delete
    3. Yes, I looked at the logs and it looks like the crash happened when a run was being open. You can just delete the run that is causing the crash. This is unusual, but does happen occasionally.

      Delete
  42. Hi Pete

    Using the CMS Pro and getting some good videos with data. But how can I transfer them to my Ipad for analysis at the track. I am looking to review the runs between autocross heats.
    Giff

    ReplyDelete
  43. Bluetooth Exchange or email can be used to transfer data between devices . BT Exchange is in the Actions menu on the Runs screen

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi Pete,

    i download the laptimer but it doesnt seem like its loading. I have a iphone 3GS. It is stuck on the first screen with the logo and the word Laptimer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please try turning your iPhone completely off and then back on. If that does not work, please email me directly at support@cmslaptimer.com.

      Delete
  45. Hi Pete,

    Just used the App on my sons bike today and really like it. Im uing an Iphone4 with standard GPS. My question is can i stand at the side of track with my IPad and receive the data live as hes riding round the track or do I have to waiti until he comes and export it via bluetooth then?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chris,

      Currently, yes, you have to wait until he comes in and then transfer it either via BT or Email. Later this year, I expect the app will support the ability to send some telemetry data via the cell network to a website or to another device.

      Pete

      Delete
  46. Just found your app - I am an early MaxQdata customer and still use it. I would prefer to switch to the iphone app. Is there a way to use the MQGPS-HiDef 10hz bluetooth module I already have with an iphone or itouch?Thanks
    Dave

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That device will not work with Apple devices, however, it will work with Android devices, and the CMS Lap Timer is now available for Android.

      Pete

      Delete
  47. Is there an Android user guide available? All I can find is the Apple stuff.

    Will a PLX Kiwi ODBII reader work with the Android version?

    ReplyDelete
  48. There will soon be an Android specific guide; until then, the iOS version should suffice given the app's are very similar.

    Any Bluetooth OBDII module should work fine. There is no support for WiFi modules.

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thanks Pete,
    I have the Bluetooth PLX Kiwi ODBII unit. I will try it tomorrow and report back.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Just tried it. CMS Lap Timer will not connect with the Kiwi. I can select it in settings, but the display keeps showing ODBII Retry 1, 2, 3, 4... and the link light on the Kiwi will not glow steady like it does when connected with Dash Command.
    I know the Kiwi is working because I can read all parameters with the Dash Command App.

    Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  51. Sorry, I forgot that PLX uses their own protocol. The app only support standard ELM327 devices for now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK I just ordered a $15 generic ELM327 reader from eBay. I will report back when I get it.

      Delete
    2. Works with a generic ELM327 OBDII.

      Delete
  52. just tried it this weekend and it seems to work very well?

    i am having a hard time exporting the video with data overlay to my Macbook Pro. i exported it to my photos on the iphone but it doesn't show up with info overlaid. have tried going thru i tunes under Apps and saving the file i found called asset.mov to my computer but quicktime doesn't recognize the file?

    can you help?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul, I just discovered and fixed this bug and will need up submit an update to Apple. Should be available in a week. Sorry about that; another iOS 7 compatibility issue...

      Delete
    2. Need help with CMS Pro app

      Delete
    3. Please send an email to support@cmslaptimer.com

      Delete