Auto Meter Ultimate II Tach

[Todd Geisler]

I looked at the dual channel tach a few years ago as I wanted to log engine & driveshaft rpm. I also found a true data logger that sold for $550 and it will accept up to 12 channels of signals. To me it was a no brainer and I did the data logger.

Are true data loggers legal in Stock and S/S?

The classes I run the data loggers are completely legal.

http://www.rpmperf.com

Actually the system I have "Basic" is now $588. Purchased mine some 3 or 4 years ago.

[gymracer01]

Todd, at the time I gave a little less than $400 for the Ultimate II but I had a good connection, and it was the only thing legal for Nostalgia Super Stock at the time. Some people didn't like me even having it but Autometer paid and it was accepted. Now is a different story but the Ultimate II is simple to setup and use. I will go to a better logger someday. Information is power.
Jim Netherland

[Dennis111]

I recently installed one and am still working on interpreting the data that it gives me. The instructions are only for the functions, you still have to work with the tach to figure out how to record multiple runs and get the software to do what you want it to do. I've never used the playback function to display a run on the tach as I bought a cheap ole laptop to take to the track.. If you enter the data from the timeslip into the run, it can tell you a bunch from one run to the next. It only takes a minute or so to download a run and be able to review it. The hardest thing about using it is that you must remember to push a couple of buttons just before the run.

A couple of negative observations: The shift light included is small and I don't believe is very effective during daylight hours. I don't know if they have another one that would plug into the tach, but have considered giving Autometer a call. To get the driveshaft speed, magnets must be J-B welded to the U-joints, although a collar is available at extra cost from Autometer that should work better.

Irregardless, it is a pretty cool data logger alternative if you don't need or want all the other motor inputs.

Here is a copy of one of my old runs as it is seen on the computer:



Shows a car bogging going into second gear (stick shift car.) Note that the launch RPM (off a 2 step), shift rpm's and activity times are recorded.

[gymracer01]

Dennis, from experience, go with the collar for the magnets. I lost a couple of sets before I had a machinists friend whip me up a bolt on yoke collar to mount the weights. Never had any problem since. As for pushing buttons before runs, yes you have to change runs if you want to keep the last one or just record over it. Since I footbrake, I use a brake light switch to turn the tach on when I leave. I have it wired with a toggle and after I turn the top stage bulb on I flip the toggle and ease into the beams. When I realease the brake pedal to leave it breaks the circuit and triggers the tach. I love it but like you said, the shift light could be bigger.
Jim N.

[Dennis111]

Thanks Jim for your observations.

My pushing the buttons comment was more pointing to the "newness" of the routine of activating the tach so that it is ready to record--the act of pushing a couple of buttons. It has now become almost second nature.

As far as starting the actual recording, I use a switch on my clutch pedal to signal the start of the run. This one switch also releases the line loc and the 2 step at launch.

Here is another pic that shows the capability of the software. In this case, 2 runs are being compared on the same screen:



The software does designate which run is which, it is just not one of the functions that is printed.

I did find one other functional feature that I like. The tach has plugs so that once the tach has been hard wired installed, it can easily be unplugged to be put into safe storage. This would be a great feature if you need to leave your car unattended somewhere.

[jason patterson]

I think thats the way Im going to go with the data logger. Just any old lap top will work huh?

Originally Posted by Todd Geisler

I looked at the dual channel tach a few years ago as I wanted to log engine & driveshaft rpm. I also found a true data logger that sold for $550 and it will accept up to 12 channels of signals. To me it was a no brainer and I did the data logger.

Are true data loggers legal in Stock and S/S?

The classes I run the data loggers are completely legal.

http://www.rpmperf.com

Actually the system I have "Basic" is now $588. Purchased mine some 3 or 4 years ago.

[Dennis111]

Yep, just about any old laptop will work as long as it has either a built-in serial port (best) or a USB port that you can add a serial port adapter to. Luckily, most data loggers software will not tax the computer. The laptop should be capable of running at least the Windows 98SE operating system or whatever operating software that the data logger's software recommends.

If you have someone who records video of your runs and you want to review them at the track, look for a computer that easily runs Windows XP.