Garmin Catalyst Driving Performance Optimizer | In-Depth Track Review

[@docwyte]

I plan on getting one next Spring. I would like to see Garmin incorporate 3 things #1 OBD2 data like rpm, etc #2 Ability to create a video with the data/sound so you can share it on KZbin etc #3 Ability to easily set it up to use for auto-x, at least to be able to create video/data, not instruction

[@steves6767]

To correct a minor but important point, the accelerometers are in the camera, not the tablet, so when doing the camera alignment steps which are absolutely critical to accurate and repeatable performance, you are also calibrating the accelerometers for level. Get the camera as high as possible for a good view of the track edges and on the centerline of the car for positioning of the car relative to those edges.

[@Time_Attack_S]

Nice review. I just bought one and will be using it next weekend at Auto Club Speedway.

[@cuysal]

Thank you for the review. Tempting !

[@gigi9467]

Very, did u ever get one??

[@PhilthyHorseRacing]

I'd like to see a head to head with this and apex pro. The relatively big size of the garmin vs the apex makes the apex a little more appealing. Apex doesn't offer real time coaching either though

[@evilgtlee]

Great informative video and I’m looking forward to use mine 🙏

[@aroundomaha]

I’m weighing options to assist in autocross improvements, so this probably isin’t a great fit for that. Three runs and done, though I could see it working well for test and tunes where you get a lot of runs. Perhaps an auxiliary function that understands common elements? That would be useful even if it were more limited than the track coaching. The cost is high but getting cameras, GPS, and OBD data can be a pain so that might make it worthwhile.

[@steves6767]

Not a good fit. See my comments about the AI being based largely on recognition of track edges via the camera. No such thing on a parking lot at cones are quite a different matter.

[@aroundomaha]

@@steves6767 Thanks Steve. I'll probably just go with SoloStorm and an XGPS 160. I wish there were a config to use the GoPro GPS for TrackAddict or SoloStorm since the GP GPS update rate is 18HZ. It would also be cheaper and more reliable since I found myself fiddling with Bluetooth for OBD and GPS to the point it was a distraction during autocross.

[@pault151]

@@aroundomaha I autocross using the SoloStorm system with a 10Hz QStarz puck GPS. The GPS needs no fiddling. While there may be some more improvement in precision if you go faster in GPS rate, it is pretty good as is. A few SoloStorm revisions ago I tried to compare consistency of clocked times to SS times and they were reasonably good, within a couple of tenths, at an event. At 45MPH a tenth of a second is about 7 feet. IMO, while you can learn something from reviewing laps after the event and comparing video against others' videos, the real value is comparing split sections between runs. For SCCA's particular art form of "3 runs and done" you only get to see changes between runs 1 and 2 before your third. For events where you get more runs, you get more data to look at and can use it right away. And if you're doing 2 drivers, your data expands much more quickly assuming that the drivers are fairly close in speed. I am sure the accelerometer data is not terribly accurate, but as long as it is consistent that is what you need. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Tab A for data and video capture, and have used an OBD-II BT some. The accelerometer maximums at any given venue are consistent to 0.01g. The OBD-II runs at 4Hz on my rig and properly connects /most/ of the time; the issues may have been that my OBD-II port was going bad which I only had fixed recently. For others reading, SoloStorm is $200, a GPS puck is ~$80, a tablet is ~$100 depending on what you get, a mount is $20-40 depending on where you want it in the car, and any additional camera is extra as would be OBD-II BT. So about $400 for a great starting setup.

[@breakawaymotorsports]

Just bought one..a bit intimidating with all those wires in the box! Don't understand why they didn't put the camera in the base unit...it's surely big enough to fit one in there. Having 6 track cars I was hoping it would transfer more easily. Time will tell how user friendly it is.

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

We agree the wires can be a lot to manage at times, but having put the unit in a variety of cars we're fans of the remote camera. It means that the only thing you absolutely have to mount in the windshield is the small camera, which is nice on smaller cars where windshield space is at a premium. And some windshield configurations make it difficult to mount the base unit in a way where it's easy to access, especially with a harness on. So having some flexibility there is also a plus.

[@neojfk1883]

Caise people like me without a windshield would not be able to use it

[@blairo15]

Does it have an earphone jack? I wouldn't be able to hear the speaker in my car. Great video! 👍

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Has a 3.5mm headphone output, and bluetooth so you can hook it to your car stereo or BT headphones.

[@TerrySmith-fo3qe]

How fast is the GPS for real time track laps. It has to be top of the line and download speed has to be as fast as it gets. Any satellite delays create a useless device. There are many gps devices that just are to slow to track my car realtime. Does it have a rear camera or foot camera options? Those would be nice.

[@Stingergolf15]

Would this data logger work for oval dirt racing?

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

When the camera is mounted, I suppose the camera will be stuck to the car and can’t move it from car to car

[@craigtwofoot9031]

You can actually move it. Mine came with 2 camera sticky ball mounts that the camera pops on and off with.

[@gigi9467]

Any other data aquisition devices that arent so expensive i dont need that Many features other than camera,track time and thats about it??

[@willecutlip]

How about it learning an autocross course?

[@joelspitsnaugle]

i dont think its designed for that.

[@j.g.pasterjak1782]

While it does have the ability to log time and data on point-to-point courses (like the Nurburgring configuration for public days) the point-to-point tracks are currently limited to some predefined circuits set by Garmin. For the device to execute its primary functionality (AI-guided coaching) it needs data. And the limited number of runs in an autocross just don't provide enough data for it to make predictions and generalizations from. Garmin's position on autocross at this point is they're fans (the lead developer is a longtime autocrosser) and they hope they can develop a path to proper implementation for auto crosses and hillclimbs and other point-to-point courses eventually, but at the moment it's outside the device's primary operating parameters, and the experience wouldn't be up to the level of its track performance.

[@steves6767]

@@j.g.pasterjak1782 Not sure how it will be adapted to autocross. The very core of the AI is track edge recognition, and there is no track edge in a parking lot. Maybe at some point plotting cone location but not really the same. Also, you tend to get just a few runs in an autocross, scarcely time for the AI to build much knowledge, and things happen too fast for real-time voice coaching to be much help. Bottom line, not at all a good fit and it will take a pretty BFH to fix that. ;)

[@docwyte]

@@j.g.pasterjak1782 I'd be happy to just use it to create videos/data of the auto-x. While it'd be awesome if it could "learn" the course to give instruction I wouldn't expect it. Garmin needs to figure out how to have it create a video that we can then post...

[@kaybatbat1124]

Might be a silly question , but does the unit account for temps, track conditions(as in rainy ,wet track), ect?

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

So, the answer is "sort of." The Catalyst has settings for dry or wet track conditions, so it will analyze the data it gets from dry or wet sessions slightly differently from each other, and it won't hold you to "dry" standards on a "wet" track. And it doesn't really discern between a "wet" track and a "really wet" track, so the wet settings are fairly conservative in general in our experience.

[@pault151]

So J.G., why are the car interior lights on, up above the tablet? 8-) Also, and I have had this problem too, you need to try to get your in car camera set for a higher brightness level so that when you play the video back you can actually see the course. This has the benefit of also making your footwork more visible. Thanks for a great review! I guess that I will have to pay for a coach for my autocrossing though.

[@marktorcaso7631]

Thanks

[@blekenbleu]

An equivalent software package for sim racers would be popular...

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Check out Virtual Racing School. While it doesn't have the real-time feedback the catalyst does, we're big fans of its offline data-crunching and gain-suggestion system.

[@krasic]

@@Grassrootsmotorsports Indeed. I am a happy VRS user, and I would put it the other way around. I desperately wish some of VRSs features were available for real world HPDE. I mean, how much better can it get than having exact telemetry from world class coaches on the same track, same car as a reference to compare oneself against?

[@newera3757]

This do not come with obd2? What about 0-60, 0-100, Breaking, 1/4 mile time 1/8 time 1/2 time?

[@shepsean1]

It’s not for that

[@newera3757]

@@shepsean1 ok so I will pass

[@shepsean1]

@@newera3757 i'm going to bet you don't even drive on track

[@bump_draft]

Can you hear the robot lady over the ruckus of a race car?

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Of a race car, no. Even in our 1991 MR2 with a sporty (but not open) exhaust, it can be a challenge to hear her from the built-in speaker. But it does have a 3.5mm output jack,as well as bluetooth connectivity so it's easy to hook to a car stereo system or headset for better sound.

[@thokes82]

You say 1000usd is expensive? What's the cost of a GoPro again?

[@sportbikejesus]

I upgraded from an AIM solo (600) plus GoPro (400). The AiM captures more data but the SW sucks, isn’t Mac compatible, and merging data files with video files in RaceRender is horrible. I assume the SmartyCam option makes video creation easier (but since it’s an AIM product it’s probably clunky and complicated). Anyway the smartycam is $1800 on top of the cost of the solo so this is $1400 less.

[@thegrimmer]

Thumbs if this thing sent you off track because it doesn't anticipate brake and tire temps after a few laps

[@sportbikejesus]

You think you need to go more *slowly* when tires get hot?

[@DaleCarterDrives]

@@sportbikejesus Depends on the definition of "hot". Tires can get TOO hot and, the stickier they are, the more they lose grip as they get too hot. Take a R888R or RE71 over a certain temp and they will feel really "greasy", but will still work pretty close to optimum. R-comps and slicks are terrible if they get too hot and it's pretty easy to get them that hot, especially here in the South. Most track tires begin to lose grip after the 3rd or 4th lap and, if ambient temps are above 90, you WILL have slower times than if it is 72. Brakes are the same as tires, with a range of temps where they work best. Street pads and fluid overheat quickly and fade dramatically. High temp fluid and "track day" pads work better, and last longer, after they reach temp. Race pads work really, really poorly until they get very hot.

[@xnadave]

7:02 I'm distracted by your dome lights being on. ADHD power activate.

[@wannabeeracer2541]

Love they are using a KIA on the track....