20 Min Tutorial - AiM Solo 2 DL & SmartyCam HD System Setup

[@rally4vets]

Very nice video. We're getting ready to outfit our Miata for the Top Dog Championships.

[@JamesColborn]

Hi! So happy to have helped.

[@doncurtis3216]

Excellent tutorial. My Aim Solo 2DL and Smarty Cam will be installed only a few days before my next track day and this tutorial has helped me get everything configured ahead of time! My only feedback would be to instruct people to set units of measure prior to starting a configuration. I had to start over a couple times when I ran into units of measure I wanted to change.

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Don. Great feedback, thank you! In relation to units of measure, you can change this anytime. Just right click on the channel in the ECU list (or your Channels list if you are using something like GPS Speed) and pick your unit. A great area of focus though for a future tutorial and thanks for commenting on this video.

[@doncurtis3216]

@@JamesColborn I don't know if you can help, but I spent much of my first track day with the Aim troubleshooting what ended up being a faulty unit. I'm supposed to be at Virginia International Raceway for the first time on April 12/13 and there are no replacements to be found. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@JamesColborn]

@@doncurtis3216 try reaching out to Peter Krause. I believe his local track is VIR and he's an AiM authority in so many areas. Also a distributor so might be able to help; www.peterkrause.net/

[@scottwright4709]

Just learning how to configure my SC and Solo2 DL and this has been invaluable. Thank you thank you!!

[@JamesColborn]

I am so delighted that this video helped. Hope all works out well with your config.

[@scottwright4709]

@@JamesColborn So, my biggest issue is that my car, a KIA StingerGT2, is not visible so to speak to the software. There is no available ECU connection protocol yet that allows me access to all the data. So, I am getting GPS and g-forces but it seems not through the ECU. I am about to get a newly flashed ECU for racing through LAP3 from Korea, but don’t really know yet if that will help with the connection. I will certainly improve the cars performance.

[@JamesColborn]

Send me a message via my website if the new ECU doesn’t help. I’ll connect you to the right folks at AIM.

[@scoobyzx10]

another very useful tutorial,cheers

[@PaulOffordRacing]

Great video James. Thanks.

[@JamesColborn]

Very welcome Paul.

[@clintlogue4344]

Great video, James!

[@ConanMotorsport]

very useful, thanks for the guide, exactly what i needed, thank you.

[@JamesColborn]

Glad it helped!

[@lohe]

Thanks for the video just got my SC and solo2 DL for my motorcycle. I got the ECU cable specific for my bike but should that ECU can data input be going to the solo2 or to the camera. In theory it shouldn’t matter because because once one of the aim devices is connected to the ECU can bus it should be able to sending all that ECU can data to the other aim device.

[@JamesColborn]

ECU into the Solo2 DL is I believe the recommended best route to do so here.

[@redzone5655]

Hi James. Just received my Smartycam HD 2.1 and your video is very informative. I am moving from a GoPro device recorder so that I can sync instantly video, gps data and car info as well. I am setting up the camera on my PC and it looks like the image is very, very dark, even adjusting for exposure shape location, I cannot get to have even my face on full image. Is that normal? Of course if I record a video of the TV playing youtube for example, on the screen gets illuminated enough, but all the rest is very, very dark... comparing to a GoPro or even an smartphone, that is strange. Other users as well have reported some dark images/videos, but I am very surprised. Am I right on what to expect?

[@JamesColborn]

Typically, I've found the HD 2.1 to be pretty clear on track. As long as the exposure settings are good, you should have no issues. The version you often see in Race Studio 3 is darker for sure. How did you get in with it when looking at the video afterwards? Thanks!

[@Megachad]

Amazing vid. thank you so much. would have been lost without this. Can I connect a go pro instead of a smarty cam?

[@JamesColborn]

Unfortunately not on the GoPro. You can sync the files later with software like Race Render but to get video plus data quickly and via AiM you’ll need a SmartyCam. Thanks for the great feedback.

[@redzone5655]

Hi. What are those two check boxes for in the ECU Stream tab?

[@JamesColborn]

Hi! Could you let me know where you are seeing this? Thanks.

[@edwardosampson6907]

Hi James, Thanks for this video. Do you have available the list of OEM ECU's compatible and their data output functionality? I have a Porsche 968 and would like to know what data can be extracted from the ECU with the Solo 2 DL? Thanks.

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Edwardo. Here is a link to the list of ECUs that work with AiM devices. That said, I recommend talking to your AiM dealer or dropping a note on the FB page for more help. www.aim-sportline.com/us/documentation-stock-ecu-connections.htm

[@todddrury8798]

I dont see my ECU listed, I have a 2017 corvette, is there a way to download additional settings?There is a Corvette/C7_GT3_R_0 and a GM/Nascar CAN V1, nothing else seems close

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Todd. First stop would be AiM to see what they'd recommend. In the interim, try something similar in age, model to yours. For example, I used a Mini ECU protocol on a E46 330i. Worked fine. Hope you can find one that works!

[@karthik_87z]

Hi James again. I’ve watched the entire video. The gear shift light doesn’t work anyhow(simulated and transmitted) I’ve done this a couple of times over a year. But I’ve just tried making them as a predictive time light. Got to see if they work. Or am I missing a step here?

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Karith. A few thoughts then I might suggest reaching out to AiM directly. The first is whether you see RPMs on your AiM Solo 2 DL on screen? If you can see them there, your RPM feed is working from your car's ECU and you can proceed with configuring the LEDs. If you aren't getting the RPMs, I would think you've got a channel ECU challenge. Lastly, I would recommend making sure your RS3 (don't use RS3 Beta) is up to date and the firmware on your Solo 2 DL is also up to date the ensure everything is current. Outside of this, I would reach out to AiM directly in your market. Thanks so much!

[@karthik_87z]

@@JamesColborn hi James. Finally I’ve got the solution to the RGB lights from you. My pc software was not up to date until now. I got the lights working already now. Thank you so much James. Now I think I’ve utilized this device to the maximum data usage ✌🏽✌🏽 Cheers

[@reginakandalaft7224]

Hi James! After configuring my aim solo 2 dl on race studio 3 and trasmitting it to my device. The led bar option still does not work. Do you have an suggestions? I do not see a "Led" option in my settings like the solo 2 offers.

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Regina. What would you like to do with the LED bar? Use it for RPMs or use it for predictive lap time?

[@shundishundi]

How do i add ACC2 channel for oil pressure to the smartycam stream ?

[@JamesColborn]

Hi! As long as you have your channel expansion setup, you click on SmartyCam stream (select a SmartyCam 2 or 3) then on the screen click 'enable all channels for functions'. Once done, select your Oil Pressure channel from the list of options. Do let me know if this works.

[@Lordy23]

Hi James, can the AIM solo2 DL support the aim brake pressure switch? I have my Solo2DL connected via CAN/ODB to my ECU already, but im not sure how the brake pressure switch would connect to the AIM solo2 to be able to log that data too, -can it be done?

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Christopher. The only brake input you can get from the AiM Solo 2 DL is via the ECU. If you car is sending a brake switch (typically, I've seen at minimum from ECUs an on/off signal for the brake) you can see it in data and via the DL. You can't add an additional brake sensor input. You'd need to upgrade to a dash for that. Hope this helps.

[@Lordy23]

@@JamesColborn thanks for clarifying, yeah unfortunately I dont get brake switch from my ECU so I'll keep with math channels, appreciate the content and experiences

[@rajahasibuan4603]

hi can its set to 500 meter distance?,bcs i read the user guide on the performance mode its only available in 201 meter and 402 meter distance

[@JamesColborn]

Hi. Can you explain the 500m distance in context? I don’t know the answer to your question, however, I can find out. Thanks!

[@rajahasibuan4603]

@@JamesColborn im from indonesia,srry for bad english,usually here at (indonesia),our racing regulation is 500 meter distance not quarter mile,i want buy qstarz lap timer but i interested to aim solo 2 dl,from the aim website it can be only use for 201/402 meter not 500 so can you check it?,i hope you understand my english thank you 🙏

[@JamesColborn]

That makes sense, let me ask for you and I’ll let you know.

[@rajahasibuan4603]

@@JamesColborn big thanks for you,god bless you james 🙏

[@Pippa1351]

Is it possible to change the file format that the SmartyCam outputs? i.e. instead of .MOV, I could use .mp4? Thank you as always!

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Pippa. I use a software called 'handbrake' on PC or Mac to convert the files from .mov to any other format (like MP4). It also makes it easier to change the framerate to 'constant' in the conversion which means you can edit the files in software like iMovie or Adobe Premier Rush.

[@Pippa1351]

@@JamesColborn Hi James, Thank you, that is very helpful!

[@duanemari11]

Is there any way to see what your optimal lap was for the session or the track weekend?

[@JamesColborn]

Hi! Yes there is, however, you’ll need to do this in the analysis software vs. doing this on the hardware itself. Look up vids or tutorials on split time analysis and you’ll get the info you need 👍

[@donnyreborn2681]

can it record/take data from the car AFR sensor? i'm not see it

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Donny. If you are connected to your car's ECU then the question is whether the ECU is sending this information to your Solo 2 DL. If not, you do have the option of adding an Lambda Controller to measure the Air/Fuel ratio. I recommend chatting with your AiM supplier about these options. Hope this helps.

[@markmccoy2559]

How to connect to devices and send configuration?

[@JamesColborn]

Hi Mark. For the Solo 2 DL you connect via WiFi. For the SmartyCam HD you connect by USB to your computer. You can then send the configurations via Race Studio 3 to each of the separate devices. Thanks!

[@937desertracing6]

these are really bad, I would not have bought one , Aim have very little help on their products

[@JamesColborn]

Hi! What can I do to help you here? Give me a shout here or via my website jamescolborn.com and I can give you some assistance, if needed.