XT Racing GPX Pro User manual

User Manual
11/11/2010

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GPX Pro Manual
© 2009 XT Racing

IContents
I
© 2009 XT Racing
Table of Contents
Part I GPX Pro 1
................................................................................................................................... 11 Circuit Racing Mode
.......................................................................................................................................................... 1Basic Operation
.......................................................................................................................................................... 5More Details
.......................................................................................................................................................... 7Menus
................................................................................................................................... 112 Point-to-Point Racing Mode
.......................................................................................................................................................... 11Basic Operation
.......................................................................................................................................................... 13More Details
.......................................................................................................................................................... 15Menus
................................................................................................................................... 193 Drag Racing Mode
.......................................................................................................................................................... 20Basic Operation
.......................................................................................................................................................... 21More Details
.......................................................................................................................................................... 22Menus
................................................................................................................................... 264 Instrument Cluster Mode
................................................................................................................................... 265 Menu System and Navigation
................................................................................................................................... 276 Switching Racing Modes
................................................................................................................................... 277 Data Acquisition (DAQ)
.......................................................................................................................................................... 27Basic Information
......................................................................................................................................................... 31Installing Cables
......................................................................................................................................................... 31Wiring with Scotchlok Connectors
.......................................................................................................................................................... 32Basic DAQ Setup
.......................................................................................................................................................... 34Typical Inputs
......................................................................................................................................................... 34RPM
......................................................................................................................................................... 36Throttle Position
......................................................................................................................................................... 36Temperature
......................................................................................................................................................... 38Gear
......................................................................................................................................................... 40Acceleration
......................................................................................................................................................... 41Wheel Speed
......................................................................................................................................................... 41Suspension
......................................................................................................................................................... 42Sw itch Input
.......................................................................................................................................................... 43Generic Types of Inputs
......................................................................................................................................................... 430-100%
......................................................................................................................................................... 43Zero-based
......................................................................................................................................................... 44Temperature
......................................................................................................................................................... 44Raw
......................................................................................................................................................... 44Sw itch
.......................................................................................................................................................... 44Alarms
.......................................................................................................................................................... 44General DAQ Notes
................................................................................................................................... 458 Time and Distance Meters
................................................................................................................................... 469 Miscellaneous Information
.......................................................................................................................................................... 46Tach LCD display and LED/Shift lights
.......................................................................................................................................................... 47Session Number IDs
.......................................................................................................................................................... 48Normal / Reverse LCD Display
.......................................................................................................................................................... 48Backlight
.......................................................................................................................................................... 49Mounting
.......................................................................................................................................................... 49Time and Time Zones

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© 2009 XT Racing
.......................................................................................................................................................... 50Battery and Charging
.......................................................................................................................................................... 50Powering Down
.......................................................................................................................................................... 51Memory
.......................................................................................................................................................... 51File Maintenance
.......................................................................................................................................................... 52Other Notes
................................................................................................................................... 5210 Introduction to GPS
................................................................................................................................... 5311 Troubleshooting
Part II XTStudio 54
................................................................................................................................... 541 Loading sessions
.......................................................................................................................................................... 54Connecting a device
.......................................................................................................................................................... 56Downloading a device
.......................................................................................................................................................... 57Importing GPStudio databases
.......................................................................................................................................................... 60Importing your friend's sessions
................................................................................................................................... 612 Database sessions
.......................................................................................................................................................... 61Session tree
.......................................................................................................................................................... 63Session management
.......................................................................................................................................................... 64Track filter
.......................................................................................................................................................... 64Date filter
................................................................................................................................... 653 Input configuration
.......................................................................................................................................................... 65Input range
................................................................................................................................... 664 Analyzing sessions
.......................................................................................................................................................... 66Track map
......................................................................................................................................................... 67Overview
......................................................................................................................................................... 68Moving
.......................................................................................................................................................... 69Track map
.......................................................................................................................................................... 70Graph bar
......................................................................................................................................................... 71Input
......................................................................................................................................................... 72Gear overlay
......................................................................................................................................................... 73Graph delta to master
......................................................................................................................................................... 73Show y-axis grid
......................................................................................................................................................... 73Link all chart zooms
.......................................................................................................................................................... 74Data bar
......................................................................................................................................................... 76Options
.......................................................................................................................................................... 80Gauge bar
................................................................................................................................... 815 Designing screens
.......................................................................................................................................................... 81Overview
.......................................................................................................................................................... 83Menus
.......................................................................................................................................................... 84Text objects
.......................................................................................................................................................... 86Images
.......................................................................................................................................................... 86Indicators
.......................................................................................................................................................... 87Boxes
.......................................................................................................................................................... 87Lap spinner
.......................................................................................................................................................... 87Tachometer graph
................................................................................................................................... 876 Windows drivers

GPX Pro 1
© 2009 XT Racing
1 GPX Pro
The GPX is a GPS-based timer and data acquisition component that operates in one of four modes:
Circuit Racing, Point-to-Point Racing, Drag Racing, and Instrument Cluster.
Circuit Racing mode is for tracks on which you run multiple laps – circle tracks, oval tracks, road
racing tracks, etc. There is a start/finish line which you cross multiple times, and detailed lap
information is stored for each lap. Up to 5 split points may be defined.
Point-to-Point Racing mode is for races that start at a starting point and end at a finishing point –
rally races, for example. Up to 5 split points may be defined.
Drag Racing mode allows you to perform a “drag session” and record data for that session. A
number of different types of drag modes are supported – ¼ mile, 1/8 mile, 1 mile; 0-30, 0-60, 0-
100 mph; 0-30-0, 0-60-0, 0-100-0 mph; and a roll-on mode which times and measures from a
programmable start speed to a programmable stop speed (for example, 60-100 mph).
Instrument Cluster mode provides a "dashboard" for your vehicle when you are not racing.
Without any external connections, timing and speed information, track maps, and acceleration
data are available directly from the GPS and built-in accelerometers. By connecting the GPX to
appropriate wires and sensors from your vehicle, you may store and analyze additional data: for
example, RPM, gear, engine temperature, and suspension travel. By using GPStudio, the
accompanying Windows application software, you can analyze in detail all of this information, as
well as completely customize the appearance and data displays of the GPX itself.
1.1 Circuit Racing Mode
Circuit Racing mode is for tracks on which you run multiple laps – circle tracks, oval tracks, road
racing tracks, etc. There is a start/finish line which you cross multiple times, and detailed lap
information is stored for each lap. Up to 5 split points may be defined.
1.1.1 Basic Operation
Fresh out of the box, the GPX is configured in Circuit Racing mode and is ready to go. Turn on the
GPX by pressing the Menu button and you should see the main Circuit Racing screen:

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© 2009 XT Racing
NOTE: if the GPX does not power up by pressing any button, try
pressing all four buttons simultaneously. If this does not power
up the GPX, then the internal rechargeable battery is probably
discharged and will need to be charged.
The GPX needs to acquire a good signal from at least 4 GPS satellites, and an EHPE (estimated
horizontal position error) of less than 5.00. You can see the status of the GPS signals in the lower
left corner of the main screen. You might find that you get better reception by moving the
mounting position of the GPX in your vehicle. The internal antenna is positioned above the 4-way
switch. Please note that you can purchase an optional external antenna that will allow placing
the antenna separate from the GPX and often can provide better reception.
If the GPX has been powered off for less than 2 hours, then when you power up the GPX, good
signal acquisition should occur within a few seconds (depending on "view of the sky"). If the GPX
has been powered off for more than 2hours, signal acquisition can take as long as several
minutes.
NOTE: the GPX must be on the main screen (above) when
you start a Circuit race.
Once you have acquired a good signal, you can start racing. Out of the box, the GPX will not start
operating until you reach a speed of 50miles per hour (this is adjustable via the menu system).
This will prevent capturing lots of “garbage” data while driving/riding through the pits. Once you
hit your starting speed, you will notice that the GPX switches to the “spinner” screen:

GPX Pro 3
© 2009 XT Racing
This screen will be the screen shown during the entire race.
If this is the first time you have raced at this track, the device will
automatically determine that you have completed a circuit and
will start timing once it has determined the geometry of the track.
If you have raced at this track before, as soon as you cross the
start/finish line, the GPX will recognize the track and start timing
laps immediately.
Lap times will be “held” at the end of each screen for 10 seconds (menu adjustable).
When you slow down to under 5mph (menu adjustable), the GPX will stop acquiring data for that
session and will ask you to name the new track you have just raced:
If you just hit Menu at this point, it will use the name suggested (NEW TRACK 1) as the track
name. If you would like to name the track otherwise, press the Left and Right arrow buttons to
cycle through letters/numbers/space. Press Select to go to the next character position, and use
the arrow buttons again. When you are done entering the track name, press Menu and you will
go back to the main screen.
NOTE: you can “back up” to the previous character position by pressing Select when a “left
arrow” shows as you’re cycling through the letters and numbers
Race again, and the whole process will start over.
Reviewing laps in Circuit Racing Mode
From the main screen, press the Left arrow to go to the first session stored in the GPX, or the
Right arrow to go to the most recently captured session. This will show a summary screen for that
session:

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© 2009 XT Racing
You move from session to session by pressing Left and Right as desired. You can at this point also
press Menu to return to the main screen.
To review the laps for a session, press Select from that summary screen and you will see the lap
detail:
Press the Left and Right arrow button to cycle through the laps for that session. Press Menu to
return to the summary screen for that session. To see the track map for a lap, press Select:
On the track map screen, the dot will start moving around the track. On the bottom of the screen,
you will see the speed, time, and GPS signal strength; RPMand gear will also be shown if
captured via data acquisition.
To stop the moving dot, press the Left or Right arrow button. Then pressing the Left or Right
button will move the dot a little bit around the track.

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© 2009 XT Racing
To return to the lap detail, press Menu.
1.1.2 More Details
Lap Counter operation
The lap counter, if used, can count either up or down. Initially, before any laps have started, it
displays “-”. If set for counting up, then at the beginning of the first lap it will display “1”, and “1”
will continue to be displayed during the hold time. It will keep counting up, no matter what the
setting for “number of laps”.
If set for counting down (say the number of laps is 5), then it will display "5" during the first lap
and its hold time, and will decrease by one each lap. When that number of laps is complete, the
lap display will revert to “-“.
Tracks
The GPX automatically determines if you race at a new track that it has not yet encountered, or if
you are at a track that you have been to before. It does this by monitoring the size and shape of
the track’s “loop” and either matching it to a track that is stored in its memory, or else creating a
new track.
Example: You go to a new track for the first time, and start racing. Once you have completed a
“loop”, the GPX determines that you are at a new track. It records your session, and when it is
done, it will default the track name to something like “NEW TRACK 1”, and you may then change
the name to the track’s actual name.
Start/Finish Line
Each track layout in the GPX has a start/finish line associated with it. (In actuality, it is a start/
finish “point”). The start-finish line is that point on the track at which a line across the track goes
through that point.
The simplest way to get a start/finish line at a new track is to do nothing. Race around the track,
and the GPX will find the “loop” point and use it for the start/finish line.
There are two modes for having the GPX determine the start/finish line (menu item Track
detection method). First loop (the default) is just that – the GPX determines the first time a loop
is “closed” and makes that point the start/finish line. Longest straight requires an additional 1-2
loops around the track, and in this case the GPX sets the start/finish line about one-third of the
way down the “longest straightaway”. (The straightaway that the GPX calculates allows for some
slight variation from a straight line]
The other way to set a start/finish at a new track is to walk over to near where you want the start/

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© 2009 XT Racing
finish line to be, and set the start/finish line via the GPX’s menu system (Track options, Set start/
finish line of a new track). This point will now form the basis for the start/finish line when you
start racing the track. Please note that you should be no more than about 50 feet of where your
vehicle will cross the start/finish line in order for the GPX to recognize it while you are racing.
At any time, you may move the start/finish line for a track via the menu system. Please note that
when you move the start/finish line, it will apply to all sessions/laps stored in the GPX, and
therefore the lap and split times will be recalculated for each session at that track. When you see
the message “Recreating summary information – please wait”, this is due to the recalculation
necessary when moving start/finish line or splits.
Adding Splits, or Changing the Start/Finish Line
For an existing track, you can either move the start/finish line, add split points, or remove split
points.
In the menu system, go to Track options, then Change start-finish or maintain splits. You will now
be allowed to select from the available tracks. Pick a track using the Left and Right arrows, then
Select. Then choose whether to move the start/finish, add a split, or remove all splits. If you
move the start/finish or add a split, you will see an animated dot moving around the track. To
stop it near where you want, press either arrow to stop it. Then you may press Left or Right to
fine-tune the position. When you are happy with the position, press Select. You may press Menu
to abort the operation.
Whenever you modify the start/finish line or splits, the lap times and all summary information for
each session at that track will need to be recalculated. That calculation will occur when you view
a session at that track. You will a message stating
Recreating summary information -- please wait, and do not power
down...
This indicates that the recalculation is taking place. It generally only takes a few seconds.
Track Variation -- Clockwise vs. Counter-Clockwise
First, assume that you are letting the GPX initially determine the start/finish automatically. Also
assume the first time you race this track, you do it “clockwise”. The GPX will determine the start/
finish, and at the end of the session, you will rename the track from “NEW TRACK 1” to “MYTRACK
CW”. Now, the next time you go to the track, you start racing, but you race in the other direction.
GPX will determine that you pass by the same start/finish line, but it detects that you are going in
the opposite direction – so at the end of that session, it will prompt you for a new track like “NEW
TRACK 2” and you can then change it to “MYTRACK CCW”. As far as GPX is concerned, these are
two different tracks. Each time you race from now on, it will determine which direction you are
racing, and pick the correct track accordingly.