Interoperability with Other Products and Add-On Devices

If you are an iPhone^® user, you already have everything you need to make good use of this app. The products listed here are just options that can enable you to do even more with this app!

This page describes the app's expected compatibility with other software and hardware products. Because the development of most of these products is under the control of other entities, interoperability with this app, and the accuracy of this information, may be subject to change.

• Windshield Mounts


• A windshield mount can offer optimal positioning for GPS reception, recording video, and displaying lap time information to the driver.
• The most common issue with these is undesirable vibration or movement appearing in the video and accelerometer readings. That can vary between mount designs and placement/adjustment choices. It may be possible to reduce the amount of flex in a mount with simple modifications, such as rubber bands, zip-ties, or super glue. This can be a process of trial and error, so use good judgement before doing anything permanent.
• Alternatively, using thick rubber bands to attach your device to the rear view mirror can also work, but usually requires you to choose between having the ability to record video, and being able view the lap timer display while on track. It can also significantly obstruct or otherwise impair the operation of your mirror, so use caution and appropriate judgement if using this method.



• External GPS Receivers


• This is optional for the iPhone. All iOS 5 compatible iPhones already contain a GPS receiver, which typically samples at 1 Hz. Please see the tips on GPS mounting positions for optimal results.
• External GPS devices can offer improved reception, accuracy / precision, and/or sampling rate. They can also enable the use of this app on compatible iOS devices which do not contain an internal GPS receiver.
• Once an Apple-certified external GPS device is connected, it should work seamlessly with this and most other apps, just as if your were using a GPS receiver built into your iOS device.
• GPS add-on options include:
• Bad Elf GPS
• Dual XGPS150   (enhanced support, including 5 Hz firmware)
• Emprum UltiMate GPS
• Contact your device manufacturer for technical specifications. Except for devices which have enhanced support, this app receives location data via the iOS CoreLocation framework, and will attempt to handle any sample rate provided by its location updates, up to a maximum of 20 Hz.
• Enhanced GPS device support may be unavailable when this app is recording in the background. In these cases, the app may attempt to fall back to the standard iOS CoreLocation interface instead.



• OBD-2 & CAN Sensor Interfaces


• These interfaces are for users who wish to log or display additional data channels, such as engine RPM, throttle positions, and various sensor readings. They can also be very useful for diagnostic purposes. An OBD-2 compliant port is commonly available on cars made for 1996 or later, but may vary outside of the United States. Available features and performance of this functionality will depend on the vehicle, due to different manufacturer implementations of OBD-2 requirements and recommendations.
• More recent vehicles, especially 2008 and newer, may use a CAN bus interface. Although it is a different low-level protocol, the standard OBD-2 modes, commands, and responses are still very similar to previous OBD-2 protocols. This app will attempt to communicate with CAN vehicles in this way, with certain adjustments, provided that your interface device supports it.


• The following OBD-2 features are available when using a compatible interface device and vehicle:
• Vehicle Sensor Datalogging
• RPM and Throttle Video Overlays
• Check Engine Light Code Display & Reset
• Live Monitor and VIN Display
• Recorded Sessions Tagged with Vehicle Year and Make


• This app is primarily developed and tested with the PLX Kiwi Wifi, but will also attempt to connect to several other popular OBD-2 WiFi interfaces:
• PLX Kiwi Wifi     (connecting to interface device at IP: 192.168.0.10   Port: 35000)
• Tip: To establish a connection, you may need to set your iOS device's router setting to 192.168.0.10 for this WiFi network
• OBDKey WLAN     (connecting to interface device at IP: 192.168.0.74   Port: 23)
• OBDLink WiFi     (connecting to interface device at IP: 169.254.1.10   Port: 23)
• ElmCan II WLAN     (connecting to interface device at IP: 192.168.0.74   Port: 23)
• Other ELM327-compatible devices that use the above listed IP and port combinations


• Bluetooth, USB, serial, etc. OBD-2 devices are not supported at this time.


• WiFi / WLAN interfaces create their own wireless network, which you connect your iOS device to, and then apps like this one can communicate with it as a network device. Please note that while your iOS device is connected to one of these OBD-2 networks, you may not be able to use Internet or other data network functionality.


• To enable OBD-2 functionality in the app, use the More Options button on the Settings screen. Ensure that your OBD-2 interface is connected to your iOS device and your vehicle, and that your vehicle's ignition is on. Once enabled and connected, you will be offered a button to configure the interface, where you can find a menu of available data channels, a Check Engine Light code display and reset feature, and a live monitor screen.


• It may take a minute or two for the app to find your OBD-2 interface and establish a connection, especially for the first time. Ensure that your iOS device's WiFi indicator shows a connection to your OBD interface, and that your vehicle's ignition is on, or the engine is running. If the connection is broken, the app will automatically attempt to search for OBD-2 devices and reconnect. However, your iOS device must still be on the OBD-2 interface's WiFi network for this to work.


• Tip: If your iPhone or iOS device is not showing the WiFi indicator, or has other connection problems, when it should be connected to the OBD2 interface's network, it may help to edit its WiFi settings and set the Router address to match your OBD2 interface's IP address listed above. Also, if the app continually shows "Not Connected", or cycles between that and "Searching..." or "Connecting", you may need to reset the OBD2 device by unplugging it, then plugging it back in when your engine is running, and ensure that your iPhone or iOS device is connected to its WiFi network. This is sometimes neccessary if the vehicle's ignition had been turned off while the interface was plugged in.


• Several data channels can be selected for inclusion in your logged session data. When the "0C: Engine Speed" and "11: Throttle Position" channels are included, the app's built-in video player and export functionality will offer tachometer and throttle position displays for your video. These, and any additional channels that you choose to log, can also be exported in a CSV file for use with a spreadsheet program or external data visualization software, such as RaceRender.



• Data Visualization and Video Overlay Software


• This app can produce videos with several data overlay options right on your iPhone or other compatible iOS device. These can be viewed on your device, or exported to your photo album and then e-mailed or uploaded on the Internet.
• For full-featured data overlay capabilities and customizations, data and video recorded by this app can be easily used with RaceRender. You can use WiFi Transfer or iTunes^® File Sharing to export a session's raw data and video files to your computer.

Copyright © 2012 RaceRender LLC

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