Android Compatibility
This page discusses and recommends compatible accessories for Android devices and our line of Harry's app. Although the page is focussed a lot on Harry's LapTimer, findings apply to most other apps too. LapTimer in particular is pretty "extendable" and allows to evolve a basic installation step by step to a professional data recording kit.
There are lots of discussions on accessories on the forum. In case you have questions, please join a thread or start a new one. Like on the forum, this page is structured in sensor types (with a few exceptions). We rate these sensors with respect to LapTimer use, not in general. The selection of sensors discussed is derived from our experience with the sensor and with the company creating it. Although the selection is pretty extensive, it does not cover every device available. Some sensor not mentioned in individual discussions may be listed in the closing of a sensor type section. And sensors not mentioned at all are likely not recommended at all.
NB: Although this page is updated regularly, things change pretty fast and today's best is probably second best tomorrow.
We do not sell hardware and we are not associated with individual manufacturers. We fully concentrate on supporting you in getting the best possible experience when using our apps. You can help us maintaining this page by using the "Buy From" links below. It doesn't cost extra. The links will select a local store automatically. In case your store does not have the accessory listed, please use the manufacturer's link.
When ordering accessories from other countries (e.g. Europeans ordering directly from an US manufacturer's web site) take care you check shipping costs as well as VAT and other taxes due during import. Regulations vary by country.
Smartphones
LapTimer's formal minimum requirement for an Android smartphone is it has Android 5.0 or later installed. We are big friends of always staying up to date, so please load the latest Android version available for your make / model.
As a real power app, LapTimer is quite demanding in terms of main memory and processing power. The Geekbench benchmark shows a good comparison of current devices and their processing performance. Our tests using LapTimer v18 show you need a device scoring 1200 in the MultiCore benchmark to have fun. This means a device like Samsung's S III is kind of the lower end. Especially when recording and overlaying video, go as far up as possible. In case you want to record OBD data in parallel to video recording, please make sure you get a 4 core processor.
Main memory is another critical parameter. Due to Android's type of memory management, main memory should actually be double the size of what active apps actually use. Devices with less than 1 GB of main memory will run out of space frequently - in particular when processing video. We recommend 2 GB or more main memory.
When using LapTimer's video functions (both recording and overlaying), another very important system parameter is storage available. A smartphone with a SD card slot is preferred against smartphones emulating SD cards using their internal memory. A second advantage of an external SD card is results can be transferred to a desktop fast and easy. In case you plan to record videos regularly, select a 64 GB SD card or even bigger.
The Android smartphone market is pretty fragmented and many manufacturers compete in this space. In 2015, the largest manufacturers by share were Samsung, Lenovo/Motorola, Huawei, and LG Electronics (links show 2015 top models). They all run a big portfolio of smartphones with many matching LapTimer's requirements.
Our Android line of apps is not yet optimized for tablets. You can use a tablet nevertheless, but will get too small fonts and other not so nice effects. NB: Many tablets miss an internal GPS sensor. You will probably not notice this as positons are derived from mobile and Wi-Fi networks by this devices. But, this approach named "triangulation" is no replacement for an accurate GPS sensor and cannot be used on track. In case your device misses an internal GPS, please check the section GPS and GNSS for external solutions.
Mounts
A stable mount is the only accessory besides a power supply one needs to start using LapTimer. A mount is used to install the smartphone in a place it has both perfect operating conditions (like good GPS reception and a low amount of vibrations) and can be monitored by the driver. Please never use LapTimer without a mount - like placing the smartphone in your cloth or in your car's center console. You need to be serious about this when attending track days.
There are plenty of mounts available today, in all colors, shapes, sizes, and prices. Only a very small number of mounts is well suited for track or other heavy duty use. We have tested dozens and were almost always disappointed. The selection shown here covers some mounts produced by RAM Mounts(R). RAM Mount has an incredible big portfolio for all kinds of vehicle types, mounting positions, and smartphone form factors. They are not the only ones to provide usable solutions, neither all of their mounts are suitable for track use. So please read this section as our recommendation on devices we have experience with. Use a slightly different one (e.g. one made from composite instead of aluminium, or one with a smaller suction cup), and you will get completely different results.
RAM Mount Suction Cup plus Adapter for Cars
The full description is "RAM Twist Lock Suction Cup with Double Socket Arm and Diamond Base Adapter; Overall Length: 6.75 in". The product number is RAM-B-166U. This is kind of the mother of mounts used with LapTimer. It is super stable and allows to position the smartphone in a way it has a free field of view (for video recording). Please do not opt for the cheaper composite version! When installing, make sure you place the suction cup in the top of the windscreen and let the arm point down. To attach your Android phone to this mount, please add one of the generic X-Grip cradles. They are available in different sizes, the most common will be the RAM-HOL-UN7BU. In case RAM Mount has a cradle for your specific make / model available, we recommend to order this instead of the X-Grip. It will show less vibrations and will lock the phone.
RAM Mount Motorcycle Fork Stem Base
This is the motorbiker's counter part of the suction cup model for cars. Its full name is "RAM Motorcycle Fork Stem Base with 1 in Ball", the product
number is RAM-B-342U. The base is optimized for a big number of motorbikes. This list of compatible
bikes is listed on RAM Mount's site. Like for the car version, add either a make / model specific, or a generic X-Grip cradle to attach the phone.
In addition, you need to order an arm and another ball to connect the stem base with the cradle: RAM-B-201U-A
and RAM-B-238U. This combination is well suited to orient the device for perfect lean angle measurements.
There is a similar package with a longer arm available (product number RAM-B-176U).
As introduced above, RAM Mount provides several other options. The above two examples are the ones used most frequently. In case you do not want to, or cannot use a suction cup, you may opt for a RAM Flex Adhesive Base with 1" Ball (RAP-B-378U) or a RAM Rail Base (e.g. RAM-B-231U).
GPS and GNSS
Allmost all Android phones supported by LapTimer come with an internal GPS sensor and can be used for lap timing out of the box. However, if you are interested in higher accuracy and use LapTimer a lot, we recommend the use of an external GPS accessory. For Android tablets it may be a different story. They do not necessarily come with an internal GPS sensor (network triangulation only) and thus may not work without additional sensor support. Please check your tablet's specs to find out.
Adding a GPS to an Android device is easy as Bluetooth is making a versatile connection. There are lots of devices around and LapTimer will be compatible to any device implementing the NMEA 0183 (or later) standard. In case you run into compatibility issues, please let me know and we will get this fixed.
Whenever possible, LapTimer will access the GPS's NMEA stream directly. To allow this, turn off any GPS helper app that may come with your GPS and add the Bluetooth device to LapTimer's Sensor List. For a how-to on connecting Bluetooth GPS sensors to your Android smartphone, please read this FAQ:
[HOWTO] Connecting GPS/OBD Bluetooth Devices
The list below is not a list of all compatible devices. Please consider it just a selection of accessories we have seen a lot.
Dual XGPS 160 (Sky Pro)
Dual's XGPS 160 is LapTimer's work horse currently and will provide very good data recordings for most users. It delivers 10 positions per second (10 Hz) and utilizes both the U.S. GPS and the Russian GLONASS system. Using both systems has its advantage in having nearly double the number of satellites available–yielding better accuracy and better lock stability. The XGPS 160's ability to connect to several devices at once does not look like a key feature initially, but saves you from conflicts when accessing it with more than one smartphone. LapTimer is fully integrated with all of this device's features.
Racelogic VBOX Sport (2nd gen)
For the second generation VBOX Sport sold since July 2019, Racelogic has changed the chipset. While the first generation device supported GPS only, the second generation uses both GPS and GLONASS. The benefit is better lock stability and better accuracy in difficult conditions. On the other hand, the new chipset samples at 10 Hz only. Although one can argue this is not a relevant parameter due to interpolations applied, it certainly removes a big differentiator the VBOX Sport had for the first generation. In case you can get your hand on a first generation device with an external antenna, you probably get the best of both worlds for a smaller price.
Racebox Mini
The Racebox Mini is a 25 Hz GNSS sensor. The high update rate is the outstanding characteristic compared to other solutions listed here. The device is connected using Bluetooth Low Energy. We have seen an extraordinary strong signal, so it should not be a problem to attach it to the roof of a car. With the battery charged, the device is always on. While this is making the handling quite convenient, that and the strong signal tends to be make other driver's smartphones connect to it. So take care. Racebox Mini requires LapTimer v24.6.2 or later.
Columbus P-9 Race
The P-9 Race GNSS sensor offered by Columbus comes with wired powering and an external antenna. It is probably best to install it permanently into your car by connecting it to an USB 2.0 Type-A socket. The device is not battery operated, so this connection is mandatory. The sensor comes with an external antenna that can be attached to the roof, the cable is 3 meters long. LapTimer / P-9 Race communication is done using Bluetooth Low Energy. The external antenna, and support for all GNSS systems should result in excellent accuracy. Opposed to the older P-7 Pro, the P-9 delivers positions at 25 Hz and is much better suited for on track operation.
Garmin Glo 2
Other than for iOS, we can recommend Garmin's GLO sensor for Android. Like the Dual XGPS160, it delivers 10 Hz update rates and utilizes both the GPS and the GLONASS system. Not a lot more to say on this sensor, it is light weight and comforms to the NMEA standard. Not sure the option to exchange the battery makes sense, but it has it.
Qstarz BT-Q818 XT
Qstarz has a long history in producing GPS accessories. The Qstarz BT-Q818 XT is the one used most often by track visitors. Its main advantage is a good price / value ratio. The Q818 XT delivers GPS at 10 Hz like other devices listed above. You may want to throttle it to 5 Hz nevertheless. At 10 Hz, the device is not able to use differential information improving accuracy. The Qstarz BT-Q818 XT uses GPS only.
Legacy: Dual XGPS 150A
The Dual XGPS 150A is the 160's predecessor and has been the former recommendation for LapTimer. Other than the 160, it comes with a 4 or 5 Hz GPS only chip (i.e. no GLONASS support) and connects to one smartphone at a time. In terms of integration and capabilities, we consider it the same value for money like the 160, making it the recommended solution for price sensitive users. NB: the XGPS 150A often comes with a 1 Hz firmware preinstalled. To enabled 4 or 5 Hz operation, please sign up for the fast firmware here.
Legacy: Racelogic VBOX Sport (1st gen)
Except for the Autosport Labs RaceCapturePro/MK II sensor (see OBD and Engine sensors), Racelogic's VBOX Sport is the fastest GPS available currently. It delivers all data LapTimer uses at a rate of 20 Hz. This update rate is actually beyond what most users will need but an impressive output. The device uses GPS only but is able to deliver corrected data even at 20 Hz. Racelogic is a well known expert in track data recording equipment, something the VBOX Sport clearly benefits from. When opting for this solution, we strongly recommend to attach the external antenna offered. We found the antenna built into the device to be not en par with the rest of the package. NB: this GPS is supported at 20 Hz by LapTimer GrandPrix only.
Legacy: APEX Pro
The APEX Pro is not just a plain GPS devices. It is coming with its own set of functionality to improve your driving style utilizing a band of LEDs. Besides the rigid and well manufactured case, this is the reason it is coming at a higher price point compared to consumer level GPSes. For those going the path from APEX Pro to Harry's LapTimer, we have added a full integration to utilize the 10 Hz GNSS stream provided. In addition, LapTimer adds automatic calibration allowing you to use the device without the APEX Pro app. Like for all helper apps provided with accessories, the APEX Pro app must not run in background when using LapTimer!
Custom: Pozyx Indoor Positioning
Pozyx is the first indoor positioning system we have integrated into Harry's LapTimer. Indoor positioning systems can be used as a replacement for GPS in spots with no direct view to the sky. The system is made up from anchors placed around the track. These anchors triangulate tags installed in the vehicles. Pozyx provides the triangulation results in realtime, LapTimer apps access this data on Pozyx's server. Local triangulation allows accuracy far beyond what it possible with GPS, but certainly requires a bigger hardware investment by the organizer. We have an indoor karting reference system installed at Kartfabrique in the Netherlands.
With introduction of our developer program, device manufacturers and other 3rd parties can add support for arbitrary sensors to LapTimer and friends. The following GPS and GNSS devices are predefined in our apps and can be used "out of the box". As we do not have access to this devices, any support needs to be provided by the manufacturer or by the person who provided the integration using our developer program. ReDrive BLE (20 Hz GPS) integration has been contributed by Mateusz Szczurek. RaceHF (high update rate GNSS sensor) integration has been provided by 李政 (Le Zheng).
For combined GPS/GNSS and engine sensors, please see the OBD II and combos section.
OBD II and Combos
The following section shows a number of genuine OBD II dongles supported by LapTimer. I'm aware there are a lot cheaper ELM327 copies around but I discourage their use. Although LapTimer will connect to most – if not all – ELM327 WiFi dongles, my recommendation is to spend the money for a genuine ELM 327 dongle like those listed. It really makes you feel better because you know what you connect to your car's bus. Furthermore we consider all these knock offs to be product piracy hurting those who invest in innovation.
Besides the discussion below, we regularly run benchmarks on OBD II update rates achieved with LapTimer.
OBDLink LX Bluetooth
The OBDLink LX BT is the budget version of the MX adapter. We have not seen any difference in performance. The major difference between the two versions is the LX's missing support for proprietary Ford and GM vehicle networks (MS-CAN and SW-CAN). As long as you plan to use the adapter with LapTimer only, you can opt for the LX. The Ford / GM extension isn't used by LapTimer.
OBDLink SX/EX
The OBDLink SX and EX are USB-wired OBD adapters. They are alternatives to the Bluetooth versions LX/MX. While wiring may appear old-fashioned and inconvenient, it has its clear advantages: wired connections are far more stable and a lot faster too. This is making the SX/EX the fastest option available. When opting for this versions, you will need a USB Type A to Type C or Micro B adapter to plug it into your smartphone. These adapters are named "USB On-The-Go". In case you don't need support for Ford Medium-Speed CAN (MS-CAN) elsewhere, you can use the SX. LapTimer does not use MS-CAN features. In case the adapter is too bulky to stay out of the way, you can use a right angle OBD II adapter.
PLX Kiwi 3 and 4
This adapters join PLX's iOS and Android product lines (WiFi and BT) using Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE). BT LE is available for modern Android smartphones
and works around complex connection making. At least Android 4.3 is required. Update rates measured are en par with GoPoint's BT1 for non CAN vehicles,
and faster then the BT1 for CAN cars. As a word of caution, we see many Android BT LE implementations are not stable. This is the reason LE support
needs to be enabled manually before the adapter can be connected:
LapTimer ‣ Administration ‣ Settings ‣ Expert Settings ‣ Accessory Tweaks
‣ Use Bluetooth LE Sensors ‣ ON.
NB: the Kiwi 4 needs to be set to Smartphone Mode to work with our apps.
Vgate vLinker MC+/FD+/BM+
Vgate produces a number of OBD adapters. The three models we tested recently are the MC+/FD+/BM+. These adapters offer both Bluetooth Low Energy
connections (iOS) and Bluetooth SPP for Android. Make sure to pair your Android phone with the "vLinker ##-ANDROID" IDs. For the MC+ one needs
to press the button to get this ID displayed. Add the paired device to LapTimer Sensor List afterwards. The speed / performance is fine for
all three. See Vgate's product pages for differences between models. As LapTimer doesn't use lower level protocol features, the cheapest is
probably o.k.
TONWON BTLE
This is another ELM327 compatible adapter using Bluetooth Low Energy. It shows a solid performance and good build quality. Like for the Kiwi3, rates are
limited by Bluetooth Low Energy bandwidth. Both are about the same speed with the Kiwi showing slightly better results. The TONWON's unique advantage
is its low price-there is not a lot you can do wrong.
VEEPEAK OBDCheck BLE
And yet another ELM327 compatible adapter using Bluetooth Low Energy. We have added a predefined sensor integration to our apps for this one too.
It is working out of the box for app versions 23 and later. In case the sensor connects, but doesn't sent data, please try setting your car's bus protocol
in Expert Settings / OBD Tweaks / Default Protocol. Other ELM 327 compatible BT LE adapters can be added using Custom BTLE OBD Adapters in LapTimer's
Expert Settings.
RaceCapture (Track, Pro MK1/2/3, Apex)
The devices for the specialists. RaceCapture devices come with a higher price tag than other adapters on this page, but offer huge value for money and pro level sensors. All of Autosport Labs' devices are integrated into LapTimer GrandPrix now. LapTimer pulls a defined set of GPS and engine data as described on the forum. Please make sure you set your device configuration accordingly. All but the Track device connect either to a standard OBD II port, to CAN directly, or allow the connection of individual analog and digital sensors. Data rates are up to 50 Hz. Keep in mind these beasts require some fun and skills in tech tweaking from you! For Android, Bluetooth options are preferable.
Legacy: OBDLink MX Bluetooth
The OBDLink MX BT adapter is incredible fast and probably the first choice when looking for an OBD II adapter for Android. It connects using Bluetooth and supports all relevant bus protocols. For a how-to on connecting Bluetooth OBD sensors to your Android smartphone, please read this FAQ:
[HOWTO] Connecting GPS/OBD Bluetooth Devices
Legacy: GoPoint BT1A
GoPoint's BT1A can be used both for Android and iOS. It uses Bluetooth for
connection making. Although LapTimer has some optimizations built in, it is not the fastest OBD II connector you can buy today. So in case you are
interested in Android only, there are probably better solution around (namely the OBDLink adapters). In case you want to get the option to keep your
OBD adapter when changing platforms, it will be the best solution for you. NB: Make sure you get the BT1A version, not the BT1. The later is iOS only.
Please make sure you update the firmware to 177.0.6 or later.
Legacy: PLX Kiwi 2 Bluetooth
PLX has been a pioneer in making OBD II available on smartphones. The Kiwi 1 has been the first adapter LapTimer integrated years ago. It's 2nd generation
successor, the PLX Kiwi 2 BT, should be considered an evolution, it is not a completely different device.
PLX uses the ELM 327 command set to allow apps to access it. This in turn makes it a pretty universal solution compatible with many apps. In case you can
get your hands on one of these, they are still a very good solution.
With introduction of our developer program, device manufacturers and other 3rd parties can add support for arbitrary sensors to LapTimer and friends. The following OBD II / engine or combo adapters are predefined in our apps and can be used "out of the box". As we do not have access to this devices, any support needs to be provided by the manufacturer or by the person who provided the integration using our developer program. airVentDisplay (BMW E46 CAN and GPS data) integration has been contributed by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Action Cams
Today's smartphones come with great internal cams contributing awesome material to add overlays using LapTimer. Nevertheless, there are some limitations making external solutions interesting. For spectacular driving videos, a wide field of view is what you want. Action cams listed below all come with wide angle objectives. For iPhones in particular, there is another reason you may opt for an external solution: although the cams became better and better for each generation, video stabilization and other "smart" controls are not optimized for track use. They are made to focus a moving object, not for a fast moving landscape. We try to disable as much as possible, but late iOS and Android versions treat all of this as 'hints' and will override LapTimer settings if they believe it is appropriate...
Opposed to LapTimer, Harry's Camper uses external cams to make a rear view available. There are cheaper solutions available than action cams, but why not use them if you have one anyway?
GOPRO HERO5, 6, 7 BLACK AND SILVER
The latest and greatest HERO generation is an incredible cam to record videos on track. While this HERO models come with a number of new features compared to the HERO 4 generation, LapTimer uses basic recording features only. So you can select the right model depending on your requirements in resolution, frame rates and price. But please stick with LapTimer supported formats like HD, Full HD, UHD 4K. LapTimer / cam connection making is done using WiFi only. To allow a connection, make sure you kill GoPro's app when using LapTimer - it may block access for our apps. And please plan exchange batteries or an external power supply. Direct integration of the HERO 8 and later versions is not supported currently. Instead, you can operate them manually and add that footage to LapTimer later.
GoPro HERO4 (Silver, Black, Session, Plus, LCD)
Although the HERO4 has been replaced by later HEROs, it is perfect for using it with LapTimer. We like the Silver Edition in particular, because it supports all cam modes LapTimer can process and has a nice back side touch screen allowing field of view adjustments easily. It allows browsing through videos on the cam's SD card and it is possible to download videos from within LapTimer. This means there is no manual operation necessary when overlaying videos recorded externally! Connection making can be a bit cumbersome as the HERO4 introduces some dependencies between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Common for all HEROs is the lousy battery time. Please plan exchange batteries or an external power supply.
GoPro HERO3/3+ (All)
GoPro started a trend when introducing their line of HERO action cams. Although not the latest model any more, the 3 and 3 plus series is still an up to date model and used by many friends of dynamic sport clips. We are official GoPro development partners and are able to provide a much better integration between LapTimer and HEROs compared to initial experiments. To automatically record videos in parallel with data recording, LapTimer GrandPrix is required. GoPro's HERO3/3+ is connected to the smartphone using Wi-Fi, keep that in mind in case you want to add other accessories. Not all of LapTimer's latest features are supported for the HERO3/3+, automatic transfer of footage from cam to smartphone in particular. For more information, please check the Video Documentation.
Sony Cams
Sony has made Wi-Fi remote controlling available for many of its latest cams. The full list is available on Sony's website. Like for GoPro HERO cams, connections are made using Wi-Fi. This in turn blocks any other accessory using this channel (e.g. OBD Wi-Fi adapters). The range of video quality is as big as the number of supported devices is. Choosing the Sony HDR-AS200 as a typical action cam, video quality is mostly considered a bit below the HERO counterpart, but the price is lower too. Features supported by LapTimer (et al) vary by model. Oddly, Sony has decided to cripple the cam's interface in several areas. This is the reason LapTimer does not support access to videos on the cam currently. Instead, you need to copy footage manually just like for the HERO3. We plan to find a workaround for this in the future.
Garmin VIRB Cams
Support for Garmin's VIRB X, VIRB XE, and VIRB Ultra 30 has been added recently. Like for most action cams, connections are made using Wi-Fi. This in turn blocks any other accessory using this channel (e.g. OBD Wi-Fi adapters). Like for Sony's cams, LapTimer does not support direct access to videos on the cam currently, footage needs to be transferred manually. No big deal, direct transfers are a lot faster anyway.
Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader
Using an external cam requires transferring footage recorded and stored on your action cam to the smartphone. While this can be done using WiFi based downloads for selected cams, using wireless technologies is slow and not well supported. So the recommended approach for transfer is a conventional copy operation, e.g. using iTunes File Sharing. The best and fastest way is using Apple's Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader. It allows plugging in the action cam's SD card and a fast transfer to your iPhone's Photo library - which is accessible from LapTimer. And it can be done on site and without a PC.
I'm contacted frequently with the question if action cam XY is compatible with LapTimer too. The answer is "any external action cam recording H.264 encoded HD and FullHD videos can be used to provide video which can be overlaid by LapTimer". This statement however focusses on compatibility of video material, not remote controlling or integrating the cam with LapTimer. A tight remote controlling integration including easy synchronization of data recordings and video is provided for the above cams only. For all others, the cam needs to be operated manually, synchronization needs to be added by the user, and transfer of footage from cam to smartphone is a manual process too. All of this is described in Video Documentation.
Please understand I will not add further cam support as long as the cam manufacturer does not offer a public developer program, or offers individual support for integration. I contacted many in the past but found most of them not interested in 3rd party support.
Tires
When talking about tire management, we see two major dimensions: Tire Temperature Monitoring Systems (TTMS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). The later is mandatory for new passenger cars today, so we see a quick adoption. This type of sensors is focussing on avoiding accidents, fuel economics, and on detecting a hazardous state of the tires. Oddly, access to this data is not standardized, so adding some after market sensors will be required to allow access by our apps. Expect for blow outs, pressure management will work fine at low update rates.
Temperature monitoring is by far more interesting when on track. An optimized tread temperature is a vital measure for optimized grip. When too low, grip will be low, and when too high, tires will wear very fast. Especially with high update rate sensors (5 Hz and more), it is possible to detect critical driving conditions on corner level.
RejsaRubberTrac
RejsaRubberTrac is a 16 temperature per tire solution (TTMS) developed by Magnus Thome. You can find in depth information on this Maker project on
github. For those not afraid of Maker projects, this is the tire management solution to go for.
Using either 2 or 4 sensors, you will be able to sample tire tread temperatures at around 7 Hz. This update rate allows in detail analysis of tire behavior
and is a great tool for chassis / gear adjustment works. Hardware costs are around 100 US$ per tire, which is only a fraction of cost you pay for solutions like this
elsewhere. Besides 16 temperatures, the sensor is coming with a distance sensor allowing to analyse suspension and tire movement.
Texense INF-BS
The Texense INF-BS is a 10 Hz high update rate TTMS sensor.
Other than RejsaRubberTrac, it is coming ready to use. The device is installed in the fenders of your car with
the termal sensor pointing to the tire surface. With one temperature value measured per tire, installation and calibration is comparably simple. The sensor is coming
with a case that can be put on the sensor body. The case will turn off the device and make sure the sensor lense is not getting dirty. This is the ideal accessory in
case you are focussing on driving style analysis. NB: other than most BT Low Energy devices, these sensors need to be paired with your smartphone before using it
with our apps.
Nonda ZUS
Nonda's ZUS solution is a combined TPMS and TTMS sensor. Other that the track focussed devices discussed above,
it is focussed on safety aspects of driving in general.
The four sensors replacing the ventil caps will send updates on temperature and pressure measurements to the central unit at very low rates and at most when changes occur.
Pressure monitoring can be considered a convenience function when on track. Temperature precision is not clear, but the sensor will allow you to see temperature development
during a session of several laps. Compared to the many no-name devices based on VC601 chip, Nonda's accessory is nicely manufactured. The central unit will issue warnings on
unexpected tire conditions independent from an app connected.
VC601 BTLE sensors
This is a generic description of a group of inexpensive TPMS and TTMS sensors based on the VC601 chip. Like the Nonda ZUS described above, this sensors update irregularly and
infrequent. While pressure measurements look sound, we have no idea how precise temperature measurements are and to what extent they match the tread temperature.
There are internal and external versions available. The internal devices replace existing vents and require a workshop date. The external versions replace the vent caps
and can be installed easily. Take care to attach them firmly, they may result in loss of pressure otherwise. When looking for options, please search for "TMPS" and "Bluetooth"
keywords. There are non-Bluetooth versions communicating with proprietary displays - these will not work with a smartphone.