Jeremy Engel
07-19-2002, 02:04 PM
Hey all,
To answer a few questions that have been getting asked... I was the one to do all the research for the new system and yes there were many systems to pick from, it did however came down to getting a system that was the most bang for our buck.
The Display issue: OUR display will work. The current version that we have does not have a display output. The software send the signal through a Serial port and right now our laptop only has one that is being used by the timing box, so we need two. This can be accomplished by getting a card that plugs in to the laptop. Or when we get our new trailor have a permanent computer (desktop) that has two outs. Vitek (author of the software) is willing to write a drive for our display. This is just a time issue.
The software: Once we figure it out (there is now manual) we can have up to three computers all networked. One will be the master timing computer, one will be a registration computer, and the other is a live monitor system for spectators and drivers that displays who is winning their class, FTD, and all other sorts of goodies. The software also runs in windows and is very friendly to click away. We should hopefully have all the bugs worked out soon, as we are in contact with Vitek.
The reason for this hardware and software package was price. It is the best software that I found... however it is not the absolute best hardware. The hardware is OEMd from one of the better manufacturers and then bundled with Vitek's software. Complete systems (including display) ranged from $2500 to $7000, with most over $4000. We got this whole system for around ~1500 using our own display. The capabilities of the software combo far surpass other combos. The hardware might not be made of lasers, but tried and true works for me. I will attach the URL for the system, please do not contact Vitek with question unless you are buying your own. We are taking enough of his time already. :) You can download our software as a trial (you just can't save) and play with it, learn it and then voluteer to run it at events!!!!!!!!
This year has been one of many experiments and new things, please stick through it, it is working, that blissfull day at the track with now probs is right around the corner.
Jeremy Engel
99
AXware systems (http://www.axwaresystems.com)
To answer a few questions that have been getting asked... I was the one to do all the research for the new system and yes there were many systems to pick from, it did however came down to getting a system that was the most bang for our buck.
The Display issue: OUR display will work. The current version that we have does not have a display output. The software send the signal through a Serial port and right now our laptop only has one that is being used by the timing box, so we need two. This can be accomplished by getting a card that plugs in to the laptop. Or when we get our new trailor have a permanent computer (desktop) that has two outs. Vitek (author of the software) is willing to write a drive for our display. This is just a time issue.
The software: Once we figure it out (there is now manual) we can have up to three computers all networked. One will be the master timing computer, one will be a registration computer, and the other is a live monitor system for spectators and drivers that displays who is winning their class, FTD, and all other sorts of goodies. The software also runs in windows and is very friendly to click away. We should hopefully have all the bugs worked out soon, as we are in contact with Vitek.
The reason for this hardware and software package was price. It is the best software that I found... however it is not the absolute best hardware. The hardware is OEMd from one of the better manufacturers and then bundled with Vitek's software. Complete systems (including display) ranged from $2500 to $7000, with most over $4000. We got this whole system for around ~1500 using our own display. The capabilities of the software combo far surpass other combos. The hardware might not be made of lasers, but tried and true works for me. I will attach the URL for the system, please do not contact Vitek with question unless you are buying your own. We are taking enough of his time already. :) You can download our software as a trial (you just can't save) and play with it, learn it and then voluteer to run it at events!!!!!!!!
This year has been one of many experiments and new things, please stick through it, it is working, that blissfull day at the track with now probs is right around the corner.
Jeremy Engel
99
AXware systems (http://www.axwaresystems.com)