At some point, every track driver realizes that “feels fast” doesn’t always mean “is fast.” You might swear that the lap where you hung it out sideways through Turn 10 was the lap of the gods, only to find out it was half a second slower. That’s where data comes in. A data system shows you the truth about your driving, where you’re gaining time, where you’re giving it away, and what you need to work on next.
Let’s take a look at the most common options, from easy plug-and-play systems, to more detailed loggers and even budget-friendly phone apps, giving you the tools to figure out what’s best for your first step into data.
Garmin Catalyst
The Garmin Catalyst is probably the easiest way to start using data. Think of it like having a coach riding shotgun, without the need for awkward small talk. The Catalyst uses high-speed GPS, built-in sensors, and forward-facing video to track your laps and then gives you feedback right away.
Here’s what makes it unique: it actually talks to you. Instead of waiting until after the session, it plays audio cues through a headset or the car’s Bluetooth. You’ll hear things like, “Brake earlier at Turn 7” or “Try a later apex in Turn 4.” That means you can make changes on the very next lap instead of waiting until you’re back in the paddock.
It also automatically builds “optimal laps,” showing you your best segments strung together. This makes it easy to see where your untapped potential is hiding.
Strengths:
- Instant coaching, no laptop required.
- Video with data overlays is included.
- Super easy for beginners to use.
Limitations:
- Doesn’t connect to your car’s ECU, so you won’t see things like throttle position or RPM.
- Geared more toward driver coaching than detailed car analysis
If you are new to data and just want something simple that works without a lot of effort, the Catalyst is tough to beat.
AiM Solo 2
The AiM Solo 2 is the most popular entry-level data logger for club racers and NASA drivers. It’s a small unit that mounts in the car and uses a very fast GPS (10 Hz or more) to measure your exact position, speed, and lap times. Unlike the Catalyst, the Solo doesn’t talk to you while you’re driving. Instead, it gives you the raw information, and it’s up to you to study it.
After your session, you connect the Solo to your laptop and use AiM’s free Race Studio software. This lets you look at speed vs. distance graphs, lap overlays, and delta-time plots. For example, you can compare your fastest lap to an average lap and see exactly where you’re braking too early, rolling out of throttle too soon, or carrying more speed than usual.
It doesn’t take long to spot patterns. Maybe you always brake 30 feet earlier than your buddy in Turn 1. Maybe you coast halfway through a sweeper when you don’t need to. The Solo 2 shines at helping you focus on one or two specific things to improve for your next outing.
Strengths:
- Extremely accurate lap timing and speed traces.
Compact, easy to mount, and very reliable.
Works with AiM’s powerful (and free) software Race Studio 3.
Limitations:
- Requires a laptop and some effort to learn the software.
Doesn’t connect to the car’s ECU, so you’re limited to speed and position data.
The Solo 2 is a fantastic choice if you’re serious about improving but still want something relatively simple and affordable.
AiM Solo 2 DL
The AiM Solo 2 DL takes everything the regular Solo 2 does and adds one big feature: the ability to connect to your car’s ECU via OBDII or CAN.
That means you don’t just see where the car was on track. You also see what you were doing with the controls. Another huge advantage is the ability to sync with a SmartyCam, giving you high-quality data and video overlay for review.
Depending on the car, you can log things like RPM, throttle position, gear, and sometimes even brake pressure and steering angle. With this information, you can dig much deeper into your driving.
For example, it can show whether you got back to full throttle fast enough out of Turn 3? It can show whether you over-slowing the car before a corner compared to your fast lap? It tells you if you are consistent lap to lap, or if you are you all over the place with inputs?
For racers, this is a huge step up, because you can overlay your data against another driver’s to see exactly where the differences are. It also helps with car setup, things like identifying whether the car is bogging in the wrong gear or if you’re hitting the rev limiter at the end of a straight.
Strengths:
- Driver and car data, not just speed and position.
- Works with Race Studio 3 for detailed analysis.
Excellent for coaching, comparison, and setup.
Limitations:
- More expensive and more setup than a regular Solo.
- Requires some learning curve to take full advantage.
If you’re racing wheel-to-wheel, or you just want to get serious about your driving habits, the DL is worth the extra investment.
Phone Apps
Not ready to invest in your potential just yet? You can actually get started with your phone. Apps like RaceChrono (iOS/Android), TrackAddict (iOS/Android), and Harry’s LapTimer (iOS) let you record laps, speeds and g-forces using the phone’s GPS and sensors.
By itself, a phone’s GPS usually isn’t fast enough to be very accurate. It might be within a car length or two, which is fine for general lap times, but not for deep analysis. But if you add a Bluetooth GPS receiver (like a Qstarz or Dual Electronics 10 Hz unit), accuracy improves dramatically. Many apps also let you record video with data overlays, which is a fun way to review your laps and show off your sessions online.
Strengths:
- Cheapest way to get started.
- Easy to use, no extra hardware required (though a GPS puck helps a lot).
- Video with overlays adds visual learning.
Limitations:
- Not as precise or reliable as dedicated loggers.
- Limited in-depth analysis compared to AiM systems.
Phone apps are perfect if you just want to dip your toe into the world of data without breaking the bank. They won’t replace a proper logger, but they’re a great stepping stone.
Which System Is Right for You?
If you want instant feedback and no laptop work: Get the Garmin Catalyst. If you want reliable lap timing and graphs to study afterward: Go with the AiM Solo 2. If you want to dig into your driving and your car’s behavior: Step up to the AiM Solo 2 DL. If you are on a tight budget and just want to experiment: Start with a phone app + GPS puck.
Final Thoughts
No matter which option you choose, remember that the real value of data comes from actually looking at it. Believe it or not, too many drivers buy a system, mount it in the car, and never download a single session. The key is to review your laps, identify one area to improve, and apply it in the next session. Small, steady gains are what turn “weekend warriors” into consistent, confident drivers.
The claim that AIM Solo is more accurate than phone lap timers with external GPS is very outdated, and so is the list of external GPS devices. A modern external GPS such as RaceBox Mini paired with a phone app more is 2-3x more accurate than the latest 25 Hz revision of AIM Solo. If you don’t believe me just put them side by side, record a session and overlay the recorded positions over Google Maps satellite images. The AIM data will very likely be more than a car width outside the boundaries of the track at least at some point during the session, while the RaceBox data will be at most a few feet off the true line. This alone can make AIM sector times off by a whole tenth in sectors with hairpins.