Quick Start Guide - VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer
RegistrationPlease register your VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer so that Racelogic can continue to provide you with notifications about the latest software releases and firmware upgrades for your Racelogic product and offer technical support. Register your device here. |
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What is in the box?
When you purchase a VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer, you will find the following items when you open the box:
| Product Code | Quantity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VBLAPMINI-V1 | 1 | VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer Unit |
| RLACS262 | 1 | External GPS/GLONASS Low Profile Antenna |
| RLACS287 | 1 | Lightweight Suction Mount |
| RLCAB165 | 1 | 6-way Hirose to 12 V Cigar Lighter Power Cable (2 m) |
| RLACS313 | 1 | 8 GB SD Ultima Pro Memory Card |
Features |
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Compatible Media
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The VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer can record to MMC, SD, SDHC and SDXC media cards formatted in a FAT or FAT32 format. SDXC cards will be formatted as exFAT by default, a format type not supported by VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer. You can still use them, as long as you reformat them to FAT32 first. There are various free third-party applications available online to format SDXC cards. |
Memory Usage
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If the SD card you use has less than 10 MB of space available you will see a warning symbol flashing periodically on the screen indicating the amount of memory available. |
The Function of the OK Button
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Depending on which mode is currently active on the screen, the function of the OK button will change. The splash screen shown when scrolling through the menu describes the function of the OK button in each mode. You can also find the complete list below: |
| Mode | Function |
|---|---|
| Pit Timing | Start and stop logging (creation of pit time .txt file) |
| Speed | No function |
| Menu | Access the Menu |
No Media
| If you do not have an SD card inserted in your VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer, it will show a "No Media" message while the vehicle is moving at speeds of 5 mph or less. This makes it easier for you to make sure that you have an SD card inserted before you start your logging. |
Installing VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer
Antenna Placement
Correct placement of the GNSS antenna is crucial to the quality of the data recorded by your VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer. You can read more about where to place the GNSS antennas here.
GPS Coldstart
If your VBOX Mini LapTimer is struggling to acquire a satellite lock, you may have to perform a GPS coldstart. This may be necessary if the unit has not been in use for a number of days or it has moved location dramatically since its last use. You can perform a coldstart by selecting MENU > GNSS OPTIONS > COLDSTART.
Hardware Connections
Standalone
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Pit Timing Mode - VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer
This page covers the operation of the Pit Lane Timing mode.
Setup
Before you can use this mode, you must set up the following items in the settings menu.
Pit Lane Entry and Exit Point - Define the Pit Gates
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Before you can use the Pit Timing mode, you must define entry and exit points for the pit lane. Setting the gates for the pit lane should ideally be done by the driver, as the points sometimes change from meeting to meeting. It is crucial to set the entrance and exit line for your race meeting as accurately as possible. Setting the pit entrance and exit point requires you to drive through the pit lane. Before you start moving, you must navigate to the Set Entrance/Exit setting on your unit. Use the arrow buttons to move up and down the menu options and use the square button to select an option. Menu > Pit Lane Timer > Set Entrance/Exit |
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This will open a submenu in which you can define the entrance and exit points. The option to Set Entrance will be highlighted automatically. Drive out of the pit lane, around the circuit and back into the pit lane. As you cross the pit entrance timing line, press the OK button to record the entrance point. The screen will automatically move to Set Exit. Drive through the pit lane, and press the OK button as you cross the timing line for the pit lane exit to record the exit gate. You have now set the pit lane entrance and exit points. |
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Pit Timing Mode - Select Timing Method
This setting changes the method of pit lane timing. There are two options of operation - they both display the same information on the screen when you are in the pit lane, but the triggers for the timing are different.
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This is the default option and it is most commonly used for endurance races. The pit box time is calculated from the set Minimum Time and the set Pit to Exit Time. The Mini Pit Lane Timer will start timing as soon as you cross the pit entrance gate. It will display a speed limiter when the vehicle is moving in the pit lane to notify you if you drive too fast or too slow. It will also advise you when to start driving again after stopping in the pit box. When you leave the pit box, the mini pit lane timer will display a delta time from the pit box to the pit exit. This is a feature that can help you optimise a pit stop and mitigate penalties. |
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This option is used for most classic races. The VBOX unit will use the set Minimum Time and start the countdown for the pit box time when the vehicle speed reaches 0. The Mini Pit Lane Timer will display a speed limiter when the vehicle is moving in the pit lane to notify you if you drive too fast or too slow. It will also advise you when to start driving again after stopping in the pit box. |
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Minimum Pit Lane Time - Set the Pit Time Limit for the Event
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This setting is where you enter the regulation minimum number of seconds spent, either in the total pit lane (if using entrance to exit timing), or stationary in the pit box (if using stationary in pit timing). This setting is used differently depending on which pit timing mode you are using. Entrance to Exit - When using this timing mode, the 'minimum pit lane time' setting is the minimum number of seconds required from crossing the entrance of the pits to the exit of the pits. Stationary in Pit - When using this timing mode, the 'minimum pit lane time' setting is the minimum number of seconds required to be spent stationary in the pit box. You can set between a minimum of 15 seconds and a maximum of 600 seconds, in 0.1 second increments. To edit the time, use the arrow buttons to highlight the option, and press the OK button to confirm your selection. You can now use the arrow buttons to increase or decrease the time value. When the correct time is displayed, press the OK button to confirm your selection. |
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Pit to Exit Time - Only When Using the Entrance To Exit Timing Method
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Note: This setting is only used in Entrance to Exit pit timing mode. When you are using the Entrance To Exit timing method, you must enter an estimate for the length of time it takes to get from your pit box to the pit exit. This setting options lets you enter an estimate of this time (maximum 90 seconds). Note: This will be slightly different every time you drive it, so just enter an approximate value. Give yourself some more margin: By decreasing the Pit To Exit Time, the Mini Pit Lane Timer will hold you for longer in your pit box, which means you are less likely to leave the pits too early. If you are consistently staying too long in the pits, you can increase the Pit To Exit Time, and the Mini Pit Lane Timer will release you earlier. |
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Pit Lane Speed Limit - Set the Maximum Pit Lane Speed.
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This speed limit is the maximum speed that you are allowed to travel in the pit lane. With a minimum of 25 km/h, you must define the limit that has been set for your event. If this value is exceeded by 20 km/h, the Mini Pit Lane Timer will assume that the driver is staying on track and will not trigger the pit lane counter. The speed limit is selectable in 5 km/h increments. Speed limit warning The speed defined here is the margin to the pit lane speed limit. This is the point where you will be warned that you are close to the speed limit. For example, if the pit lane speed limit is set to 40 km/h, and the speed limit warning is set to 3 km/h, then the Mini Pit Lane Timer will use visible and audible warnings to notify you that you are close to the limit when you reach 37 km/h. The speed warning is selectable in 0.5 km/h increments. |
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Using Pit Lane Timing Mode
After setting up the VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer as described above, the unit will display a screen with a live distance to the pit lane entrance point.
As you enter the pit lane, the unit's LEDs will flash blue as the line is crossed, and the screen will display a live speed value. While you are in the pit lane, the LEDs will light red if you are close to the pit lane speed limit and light green if you should increase your speed.
When you come to a stop in your pit box, the Mini Pit Lane Timer will start counting down to when you should leave your pit box.
When it is time to leave the pit box, the LEDs will light green.
When Using the Pit Timing Mode 'Entrance to Exit'
If you are using the pit timing mode Entrance to Exit, the pit box time is calculated from the set Minimum Time and the set Pit to Exit Time.
As you drive out of the pit box, the display will show the predicted amount of time you will be faster or slower than the regulated minimum pit stop time. If you are going to be faster than the minimum pit stop time, the LEDs will light red and the unit will sound a continuous beep to signal that you need to slow down.
The time displayed on the screen is how much faster you will be than the minimum pit stop time if you continue at your current speed. If you are more than 0.1 s slower than the minimum pit stop time, the LEDs will light green to say it is safe to go faster (as long as it is within the pit lane speed limit).
When you cross the pit exit, the LEDs will flash blue and the final difference to the desired pit lane time will be displayed on the screen. The LEDs will light green if the final pit lane time is within the minimum pit stop time boundary or light red if you did not meet the minimum pit stop time.
When Using the Pit Timing Mode 'Stationary in Pit'
If you are using the pit timing mode Stationary in Pit, the VBOX unit will use the set Minimum Time and start the countdown for the pit box time when the vehicle speed reaches 0.
As you drive out of the pit box, the VBOX unit's display will show a live speed value. The unit will use the values from the set Speed Limit and the set Speed Warning to indicate whether you should decrease or increase your speed. If you are driving faster than the set Speed Limit minus the set Speed Warning, the LEDs will light red and the VBOX unit will sound a continuous beep to signal that you should slow down.
For example:
If you set the Speed Limit to 45 km/h, and the Speed Warning is set to 1 km/h, the LEDs will light red as soon as the speed reaches 44 km/h.
If you are driving slower than the set Speed Limit minus the set Speed Warning, the LEDs will light green to signal that you can increase your speed.
For example:
If the Speed Limit is set to 45 km/h and the Speed Warning is 1 km/h, the LEDs will light green as long as the speed is below 44 km/h.
When you cross the pit exit, the LEDs will flash blue to indicate that the exit gate has been crossed.
After you exit the pit lane, the screen will display a live stint time to show you how long you have been out on the track. This time will reset as soon as you enter the pit lane again.
You can see an overview of the different LED behaviours here.
Pit Time Logging
If you press the OK button when you are using Pit Timing Mode, you will start/stop the creation of a Pit Time text file. For each new file created, the number extension will increase by 1.
For example:
The first logged file will be named 'Pit0000.txt' and the second file will be named 'Pit0001.txt'.
Note: The VBOX Mini Pit Lane Timer does not log GPS data files.