The V50 is capable of recording data at either 10 or 25 sample per second, which will yield recording times of 800 or 320 second respectively. Data collected by the V50 can be displayed on computer using the aforementioned DataLink File Viewer software.
The V100 data recorder is next in the line of V-Series recorders that comes with packaged sensors and some enhanced capabilities. In addition to the up to 32 devices (think of sensors or channels of information) that can be attached to the V-Net cable of the V100, it also contains two G-meters and a battery voltage sensor that are mounted internally. One G-meter measures longitudinal movement (acceleration or braking) while the other is a lateral G-meter (side to side movement). All sensors monitored by the V100 can be sampled at user programmable rates up to 100 samples per second. The V100 contains 512 Kilobytes of memory, giving this small 8-ounce package a lot of recording time. All V100s come equipped with the DataLink Lite software, with upgrades to the Standard or Pro version available.
The most popular of the recorders has proven to be the V300. It just seems to be ideally suited to most applications. This recorder contains everything found in the V100 plus more. For starters it has provisions for an additional four hardwired digital inputs and four hardwired analog inputs. This brings the channel capacity up to a total of 43. Additionally, the four hardwired analog channels can be sampled at rates up to 1000 times per second. This is handy should you want to do some ultra high-speed sampling, suspension travel. With the V300, or its larger sibling the V500, you also have the option of using a device called a data cartridge to do your downloading. This cigarette package sized cartridge is used to transfer the recorded data from the onboard recorder to the computer in the trailer without the need to connect the two with a serial cable. Adding to the two G-meters and battery voltage sensor that are internally mounted, the V300 is bundled with the hardware required for monitoring the engine RPM and driveshaft RPM, plus the DataLink Lite software. Even with all of this the V300 is still a diminutive 1.2 x 3.1 x 3.9 inches in size and weighs only 10 ounces.
The flagship of the recorders is the V500. This recorder is identical to the V300 with the exception of a few important differences. The first is the increase to eight more hardwired digital and analog channels. This brings the V500 channel capability up to a whopping total of 51. Memory, which is important to such functions as the amount of recording time available, is doubled to two full megabytes, with four megabytes optional. V500s also possess one feature not found on any other recorders. They can be equipped to monitor ignition timing. With all of this the size is only increased to 1.2 x 5.3 x 5.5 inches with a weight of 17 ounces.
All recorders are very modular. They use what Racepak calls plug-n-play sensors. This makes it easy to add any function that you are not currently monitoring. By purchasing a sensor and module combination for the function you wish to add you simply install the sensor, plug it's module onto the V-Net cable, and the next time you record the system recognizes the addition you have made. The software will ask you to confirm the addition, but otherwise that is all there is to upgrading your data recorder. There is no need to return the recorder to the factory for upgrades as in the past.
Intelli-Gauges are like no other gauges you have seen or used. They feature both an analog and a digital display, and you should think of them zas the electrical equivalent of a liquid filled gauge. In addition to functioning as a typical real time display gauge, they can also issue warning alarms. Through your software you can program these gauges to alert you whenever your high or low limits have been exceeded. The gauge's digital display can be used as the warning light, or you can connect them to a remote warning light. Furthermore, if your system is equipped with a V50 Record/Playback module you can recall recorded data and replay it on the gauges. Using a remote keypad you can replay the recorded data in real time, fast forward, fast reverse, step forward, or step reverse. Believe it or not, all of this intelligence is available in a gauge that weighs only 49 grams. All Intelli-Gauges are sonic welded to seal out contaminants and feature a unique radial lighting for nighttime use.
Technology has been the driving force behind the rapid growth of the import performance scene. How else can one explain generating 750 flywheel horsepower from a four-cylinder engine that could have started life as a 109-hp commuter engine? Datalogging puts vital information in a tuner's hands and affords him the luxury of learning lessons without breaking parts. Remember, knowledge is power.