AiM Solo DL and AiM SmartyCam Review

[tinpot]

Last weekend my AiM Solo DL and AiM SmartyCam were finally configured in an optimal configuration – both in physical location and software settings. I’ve been using both AiM products, which I purchased from Richard@M-World, for several months.

The purpose of using both the Solo DL and SmartyCam in tandem is to learn how to drive your car on the track without having to spend hours of seat time with an instructor. The Solo DL integrates with the ECU and records a plethora of data including throttle response, brake pressure, lap time, GPS speed, and the list goes on and on. The SmartyCam overlays the data collected by the Solo DL to a captured video file. When using the two products together an instructor can easily analyze collected data (e.g., brake points, the line, etc.) without having to be in the car with the driver.

The driver can also review data collected by the AiM products; for example, when I attended the HPDE event at TWS my instructor drove my car to capture a lap of data. I then used the data to review the line the instructor took, where the instructor braked/accelerated, etc.

I also found the Solo DL can be used to read data from the ECU that is not available via the cluster or iDrive: at TWS my car overheated with an “engine overheated” error. Engine oil temperature was available on the cluster but we used the Solo DL to read water temperature from the ECU to verify my car was indeed overheating.

Some of the downsides of the AiM products include: SmartyCam video is not HD; SmartyCam mic is not great (I’m looking to buy an external mic from AiM, though); there’s mix bag of software applications that are not intuitive.

I’ve barley scratched the surface about what the AiM products provide so please post questions / comments to this thread and I’ll attempt to answer as best I can.

Lastly, many thanks to Richard@M-World for helping me morph my M from a straight-line streetcar to a track-ready car that’s a blast to drive

MSR Houston

Solo DL


SmartyCam

[SchnellM3]

Nice, can't wait for my Solo DL to come in

I'm going to try it out with my go pro before I make the jump to the smarty cam. Richard suggested TrackVision to overlay the info on, can't wait to get a chance to test it all out

[Richard@M-World]

Thanks for the review! Your car is very track capable and hopefully data will help you fully utilize its potential!

Now that your car is almost sorted out, my goal this year is to help you achieve 1:45 at MSRH

[tinpot]

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

Nice, can't wait for my Solo DL to come in

I'm going to try it out with my go pro before I make the jump to the smarty cam. Richard suggested TrackVision to overlay the info on, can't wait to get a chance to test it all out

I'll be interested in seeing how the overlay with the GoPro works out since the GoPro has better video quality.

[tinpot]

Originally Posted by Richard@M-World

Thanks for the review! Your car is very track capable and hopefully data will help you fully utilize its potential!

Now that your car is almost sorted out, my goal this year is to help you achieve 1:45 at MSRH

The challenge is on

First I need to figure out how my r-compound tires have robbed a second off my time at MSRH? Note: I'm blaming the tires not the driver

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by tinpot

I'll be interested in seeing how the overlay with the GoPro works out since the GoPro has better video quality.

Just gotta wait until mid March

I also only use it in 720 or lower since the full 1080 videos take so dam long to upload

[von_zoom]

Originally Posted by tinpot

The challenge is on

First I need to figure out how my r-compound tires have robbed a second off my time at MSRH? Note: I'm blaming the tires not the driver

Maybe you need more horse power - Perhaps your R comps are just sticking too much
vz

[LTJohn]

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

Just gotta wait until mid March

I also only use it in 720 or lower since the full 1080 videos take so dam long to upload

Thanks for the tip Schnell!!.....I thought it was just my computer that was like that!!

[dapopa9]

Can you provide some details on how and where you mounted the camera? Any more pics would hep to!! Thanks!

[tinpot]

Originally Posted by dapopa9

Can you provide some details on how and where you mounted the camera? Any more pics would hep to!! Thanks!

My camera is mounted on a AutoPower Race Roll Bar: http://www.autopowerindustries.com/rollbars.asp

Here are some pics without the camera mounted (the camera is mounted on the center of the roll bar between the driver and passenger seats):

[dapopa9]

ahh ok that makes sense. thanks for the info

[orion565]

when did you get a cage and who did it?

[tinpot]

Originally Posted by orion565

when did you get a cage and who did it?

Just got the AutoPower roll bar installed at ProAm Auto on Richmand@Fountain View. The passenger side panel was removed to fit the roll bar, but Richard@M-World is going to trim the side panel so I can put it back.

Btw, I'll have 150 hp less when we hit the track on Friday.

[ILLCOMM]

is this the OBDII or ECU version of the DL?

[tinpot]

Originally Posted by ILLCOMM

is this the OBDII or ECU version of the DL?

This is the ECU version.