RaceBox review
Until now, I used different mobile apps to track my progress during track days. Then I purchased also Racelogic VBOX Sport. to increase accuracy (and it delivered). But it all become clumsy and complex to handle. I paid for it 289 €, shipping included. Racebox is a US company, but they have dealers in EU for fast hassle-free shipping.
Today was my first day, using very new Racebox. It is a modern, affordable and simple standalone lap timer, providing also predictive lap timing . It has 10 Hz built-in GPS (external antenna also included), good battery for full day use, built-in WIFI to connect to the phone app, built-in accelerometer and bright LCD screen.
The device is easy to use, very intuitive, concerns also the APP. UX/UI is very clean and nice. It is pretty usual, that usability of different lap-timers are cryptic, complex and below average — not in this case.
Few screens from the app:
Important: Racebox has 2000 pre-defined tracks in their database, but they are not pre-loaded to the device. You have to upload them to Racebox from the app before the race. Then it automatically recognizes the track and starts easy lap-timing.
I used Recebox during the full track-day from 10:00 to 17:00 on AudruRing (Estonia), doing about 10 stints (Racebox calls them “Sessions”). It was very intuitive and easy to use, no hassle whatsoever. It locked to satellites pretty fast and acquired 16 satellites for 46 cm accuracy. One charge lasted for a day, so I did not have to use provided magnetic USB cable and connect it to power outlet. I had also official lap-timer transmitter installed to my car, provided by track. Both devices reported lap times in 1/100 sec margin.
From RaceBox website https://www.racebox.pro/my/sessions everybody can download later their sessions either in CSV or VOB format. I use it to create data overlay to my videos, using RaceRender 3.
CSV format
VOB format, notice additional data as venue and more
You may want to use this log data to create overlay track videos. It takes some tweaking. I use RaceRender 3 program to add gauges and track layout to my videos.
Here is one example of final result, me racing my BMW M3 on the Red Bull Ring:
Summary
Easy to use
Very precise
Affordable
Mounting hardware included
Negatice: some rare problems during syncing with phone app
