My 2013 SR8 came set up with the AiM MXL Pista and Smartycam. Both are discontinued by AiM.
I've been able to get RaceStudio 2 to hook up and talk to the Pista and it says that there's a Smartycam and the GPS module on the expansion but I can't access the camera via my computer - either through the DATA port or via direct USB hook up. Race Studio 3 and SmartyManager both say there's no camera even hooked up. Smartycam.com website hasn't been accessible on any of my devices either - have run into issues where Apple Products will talk to a site, while WindBlows powered stuff won't and vice-versa.
When turning on the main power, the camera fires up, which is good, but I can't access any of the screens on the camera nor can I get the firmware to load (figured I'd upgrade to the latest firmware and get my computer & AiM equipment all on the same page.). The procedure I've used is center and right button pressed at the same time, let go of the center button when the screen illuminates, hold right button until the little penguin shows up and then let go of the right side button. This is supposed to put the camera into a firmware upgrade. The camera gives me an error of not being able to find the run file on the SD card - which is in the main storage level, not under any sub folders. The only thing I can get on the Smartycam is the "welcome screen".
So does anyone have any thoughts on what I need to do/what I'm doing incorrectly?
Let the discussion begin - I'd like to have the system up and running by next weekend.
For the record, there were half a dozen short clips on the SD card, all from when the car was at Spring Mountain during what appears to be service and movement of the car between buildings so I know the camera was working before I got my grubby paws on the car. It's not recorded anything since I've owned it, though.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Richard, I reached out to one of the most knowledgeable people in the country on Aim systems so hopefully he will join in the conversation.
To start with I have a few basic questions. Which Smartycam are you using? If you don't know, post a picture of it. The second question is what computer are you using? It is my understanding that the Aim Software only operates on a PC based system or using Paralells on an Apple.
The Race Studio 3 software is used for the newest generation of Aim Products like the MXL2 dash, so I believe you should be able to handle everything with the Race studio 2 software.
When doing firmware updates to the camera, I always disconnected the camera from the car and hooked it directly to my computer with a USB cable. Then I used Race studio 2 to update the firmware.
Also, make sure you add the tracks you plan to operate on into the camera. If the camera doesn't have the proper tracks loaded it will not work properly.
Hopefully Peter will chime in and help, If he doesn't I can point you to some other resources that can get you going before next weekend.
Smartycam - it's an older version - the big one that's about 4" x 1.5" x 1.5". Has a small screen and three buttons on the top.
Computer - Windblows 10 powered Asus (fairly powerful with a lot of RAM)
Makes sense as to Version 3 not talking to old stuff.
Tried firmware in multiple ways - will try again with a direct USB connection.
I'll report back.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Nope, can't communicate with the camera. SmartyManager 2 won't connect to the internet to check for updates nor will it find the camera, which I presently have plugged into my computer via the USB cable.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Played around again - was able to mess with my dash settings and communicate with all but the camera. Crap.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
I was hoping an expert would comment. But, another option is to contact the Aim service center. There number is (951) 674-9090. They are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They have helped me out several times.
I just got invited over and saw this thread. Did you get the SC working? To start, you need SmartyManager from this link https://www.aim-sportline.com/en/documentation-out-of-production.htm#software Then, USB to your computer. When you plug into the powered on SC, you should "ding" from the computer. If not, you need to figure out the USB problem. Once you're hooked up, you should be able to receive, modify, and transmit the config.
To be totally honest, you're better off selling that unit for $300-$500 and upgrading to a SCHD. It's a much better camera, better picture, and easier to use.
If you have any trouble with the camera or the Pista, feel free to reach out to me at matt@trailbrake.net. I'm an AiM dealer and can help you with whatever you need. No need to buy anything, I'm happy to help.
Thanks for joining Matt. For those of you who don’t know him, Matt from Trailbrake.net is a true expert with Aim and other data systems and he is an Aim dealer that sells products at great prices.
I'll go play with that link and see if I can get any sort of communication between the computer and the camera. If I can't I'll be in touch with you regarding upgrading to a working camera/system.
Good to know you're an AiM dealer - I'm in the process of equipping this project with a full AiM system and may need some additional sensors and expansion modules:
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
I'll go play with that link and see if I can get any sort of communication between the computer and the camera. If I can't I'll be in touch with you regarding upgrading to a working camera/system.
Good to know you're an AiM dealer - I'm in the process of equipping this project with a full AiM system and may need some additional sensors and expansion modules:
Very nice! I've helped lots of guys with off road trucks, so just let me know if you need anything. I'm familiar with how lots of them like to wire things.
Got my camera installed for this weekend and am pleased with the results. I got one session on video (not sure why others didn't show up - may be a data overwrite setting) and like the info that the graphics display. I need to tune them a tad, though.
The tach cuts off at 8K, the brake indicator bar doesn't display nearly what I feel (stays in the bottom 1/3 of the scale even at the hardest braking points) and the G meter seems to be lagging a bit. I see 1.8G in a couple spots on the track which is cool - definitely feel the aero through those corners.
It's neat watching the dance between the throttle and brake bars - I strive to be as smooth as I can and it seems to agree. 😊
Being able to watch the chassis rotate via throttle input is also interesting.
I guess it's the engineer in me - I like having graphs and numbers and stuff to put to what I'm doing.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
Regarding your camera, you need to hook up your laptop and adjust the values for the brake pressure readings. I don’t recall what I set mine to, but the way I got the value was by sitting in the car and pressing the brake pedal down to what felt like max braking. Then I got that value off of the Dash and then entered that as the max value. You also need to test what your max throttle position is. Mine was 104%. You also need to set the max rpm. It sounds like yours is set to 8k.
Regarding your camera, you need to hook up your laptop and adjust the values for the brake pressure readings. I don’t recall what I set mine to, but the way I got the value was by sitting in the car and pressing the brake pedal down to what felt like max braking. Then I got that value off of the Dash and then entered that as the max value. You also need to test what your max throttle position is. Mine was 104%. You also need to set the max rpm. It sounds like yours is set to 8k.
Charley
Thanks - the Mini-Raptor (it's 3/4 scale) has been a five year project - started out with a body and have built everything from the ground up. Should be fun when it's done.
Good info - I'll do just that; sit in the car and muck about with the settings and such.
Matt (Trailbrake) got in touch with me almost immediately and also discussed tuning. As I told him, I'm a hands on learner so I'll go hunt and peck on the keyboard and see what I can accomplish. Just saying "set this here" doesn't click with my pea brain. (:
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW-What a Ride!'"
