Remeber to Press ‘Start’ for the Mytach to Record Data

The only time we missed out on a full session of data was when our driver forgot to press start on the watch to set it recording data, which is easily done.

We’ll also be asking AiM to think about having a system on the MyTach that enables it to recognise when it is being used at a familiar location, rather than as now where you have to fix the GPS lap marker beacon every time you go to a different track. The current GPS module has that feature already so hopefully it wil be simple enough to install with the Mytach.

Mytach Software or Race Studio?

Currently I use the sports agenda software that comes with the Mytach to perform the downloads from the watch because RS2 doesn’t quite like to do the downloads direct. However, RS2 is far superior for analysis so I simply import the data into RS2 from the DATA folder in the Sports Agenda folder. It is well worth the effort because Sports Agenda doesn’t do the track mapping with sector splits.

Where to Fit

The Mytach comes with an attachment designed for mounting the watch onto the handlebars of a bike. It’s tempting to use that attachment to mount the watch on the wheel of the kart, but we found the watch works really well on the drivers wrist so why risk having your mytach exposed to all the vibration form the kart.

Fixing the GPS lap beacon point

I found that it’s best to fix the GPS lap point somewhere on the track that is well in the open. Therefore, find a place far away from buildings so the watch is getting maximum signal from satellites. Also it seemed to help if you find somewhere on the track where the kart is most likely to cross the exact same point consistently. I avoided popular overtaking points where the kart could be on a varienty of different lines - unfortunately the start/finish line is one of those points where karts cross on a different line quite often.

Take a bit of time to figure out a good fixing point for the Mytach and make sure it is a spot you can easily find when you go back to the track. And don’t forget you will need to fix te GPS in the morning before karts are allowed on track!

Mytach test here

Buy one

The minimum laptime function sets the minimum amount of time that can pass before the Mychron accepts another split time.  It’s useful for people using infra red beacons, when there are a number of beacons at a track etc, but it’s rarely useful for tracks with magnetic strips or when you use GPS timing.

So, if you are having any problems with your Mychron4 the first thing to check is that your minumum laptime function hasn’t been set too high.  Mine was set at 46 seconds and the default setting is 3.  So if it’s higher than 3 set it back down again.

To do it you need the Mychron GPS connected, and you go into the splits setting screen.  You schroll down and change the strips type from magnetic/optical to GPS laptimer.  You still need to set the number of splits, but the choice is yours. You can select up to 5.

Then you can go back to the initial start up screen and press the on/view button, untill you see the GPS satellites screen.   On that screen you will be asked to press ok to begin settings, and you then need to press the ok button whilst driving around the track where you want the splits to occur.

If for whatever reason you can’t get the time to go out on track and set the splits, or if your driver doesn’t fancy setting them, it is possible to set up the mychron4 gps splits without going directly on track.  I’ve done it myself by getting the kart as close as possible to the track, usually in the parc ferme or dummy grid, and then setting the gps start beacon from there.  If you do this you should only set the number of splits to one.

You can then use the Race Studio analysis to review splits and so on.

These days I make sure that the magnetic pick up is mounted centrally on the floor tray so that we reduce the chance of missing a magnetic strip.  It seems that on many tracks after a bit of wear and tear the strips sometimes don’t cover the full width of the track, so if you run a bit bit wide you can miss a strip especially if the magnet is mounted on one side of the kart.

So mount it centrally and you should eliminate the problem.  The other solution is to use GPS for all your lap and split times

By far the best solution is to plug your Mychron into an external power source, but I don’t like plugging the data gear into the kart battery in case it drains it and ruins the race.  I’ve also tried using extra little 12v lead acid batteries which seem to get shaken to death!

My latests battery is from a radio control model shop, and so far its been great.  I use a 12v NiMh battery pack, and I carry a 9.6v spare with me all the time.  The battery cost me £20 and a proper charger for it was £15.  That kit has ended all my battery related problems.