As we all know, RaceChrono for Android is a dramatic departure in UI and other functionality than previous versions. I belive that we should provide feedback to aol and let him know what we like about the new version, and maybe some of the stumbling blocks that we have run into.
This is NOT a suggestion thread for features, we already have that. This is also not a complaint thread, I'm sure aol gets enough of that already (or at least feels like he does).
I'll start.
One: UI improvements are welcomed. The new UI is graphical without being overdone, simple without lacking, and overall a marked improvement IMHO.
Two: Improved capabilities. The Google Maps background for tracks is very nice and really spruces up the app, plus it allows easy track creation without being on the track itself, a fantastic feature. Heck, I've already created my "track' for my first trackday thats comming up in June, and now I get the fun of second guessing all my split point between now and then, LOL.
Three: Easier navigation. Right now, and time will tell as feature come online, but there is less sub-menus, less getting lost and a little better flow to the overall layout.
Ok, now for some of the stumbling blocks I had.
One: The start button is nice, but also messes me up a bit. I know what its there to do, but sometimes I feel it isn't quite what I'm looking for since I don't know the app is all setup and ready to go when I push that button. Also, I feel new users might get confused and think its supposed to just "work" by pushing that button without setting up tracks and etc in the background.
Two: Some items are just pictures and you don't know what they do till you push them. Sure, a padlock in the track section is fairly clear as to function, as is a garbage can, but the other buttons arn't so clear. Had to play around pushing buttons till I figured out what each did, and not sure I'll remember what they do in 2 months when I'm making a new track.
Overall, its AWESOME and the hard work is appreciated.
Anybody else out there with some complements for aol? Let him know!
Comments
I agree about the graphics, they need improvement.
The start button idea was just what you think, it should just work... I think better not remove the button, but improve the automation. Currently it automatically detects and downloads the track if it has been already created. If not then couple of button presses required. Also the device setup can be changed while recording, so you can switch from Internal to Bluetooth without pausing.
Maibe you plan to put some setting for this?
The overall impression is very good.
It' a great beginning, aol!
Point of putting only 2 decimals was that the realistic real-life error margin is much higher than the 3rd decimal. Also the value of the 2nd decimal is a bit questionable when using standard GPS hardware. I have one 800 euro GPS that I can say gives rather good 2nd decimal but 3rd is still random :)
the reason of my comment... lap times is usually with 3 decimals. at least in motorbike sports.
So in the old RC the third decimal is casual? I did not know...
It still lacks some important features, but allows you to collect and analyze data with Android phone.
Great job!
You're a class above the competition already in my eyes.
I like the start button....but could we have a stop button that is persistent on all logging screens?
Will this application work properly without a network connection?, Please make sure it can because some tracks are outside the 3G data networks...
Lastly, as a future idea, ensure support for large screen devices without scaling will provide a better visual experience. That said it was bad on the large screen, but keep it in mind as you build and improve.
going to test it on my GalaxyS next.
C
Love the track editing options, very intuative, great work.
The little pop up menus are good too.
The timing numbers were too big for the screen in portrait on my GalaxyS - the minute number was being obscured by the label.
Forget my previous comment on the "stop button" the hardward return button works well for Gingerbread (need to check with new software button on ICS will do on TransPrime)
and a question: are you planning to also log accelerometer data?
:-) a happy vegemite
C
it is not a bug! It is done by purpose. In racing nobody is interested in minutes)
Your second version is perfect, i have created my own track (just for test) and it work great. We have a libray with french race (youpiiiiiiiiii)
You could be very proud of your work. Many thanks. I continu to test it if I find any what else i will post it.
how can i upload some tracks? also there is no premade like the 1/4 mile, 0-60 mph, 1 mile runs... is there anyway how can we incoporate this? also doesn't detect satellite while the windows mobile phone can get of 7-9 sattelites..
If you have further specific questions feel free to start a thread. Trying a tiny bit to keep this for feedback to aol, plus your questions deserve answers and they might get lost in here.
To answer your questions though, the performance tests will be comming in future releases, this is just the initial developers release to make sure core functions work "in the wild" as you will. As far as tracks go I'm not sure if that feature is turned on yet. I believe aol has answered questions about that in other threads but I am unsure where at this point. I caution that you be careful just uploading tracks, best you upload quality material for the rest of the community to use vs. some Google Earth jabs at placing a Start/finish and some split points. Not to discourage you, if you feel you have quality tracks to upload then please try so the rest of us can benifit from your work.
As far as satelites go, that is handset specific, if your handset can find them the program should be seeing them as well. Have you tried to see if your handset is getting a GPS lock with another program? Tons of GPS utilities out there to download for free, see if you can get a lock with one of those too.
Although, I'm using internal GPS and there were a lots of hairpins near start-finish line, no problems in lap measurement were found. Still stable and reliable =)
Missing some features that would be really helpful:
-ability to continue previous session(or split sessions afterwards) instead of creating new one. Currently, I have three sessions from yesterday, but can't compare the laps between them.
-data export
-video recording(although I know that it could be a little bit tricky on Android)
Every ride looks different. ?
of course it will be different! Question is how much differ? You did not say error if it is minutes, then something wrong. If error is not more then 3-5 seconds then it is ok.
In the futur, RC Android could analyse .NMEA doc ?
mismatch in track could be up to 10-15 meters:(
it is GPS.
Don't worry, RaceChrono will will have these features in future releases.
One function that i'm missing from previous symbian software is that when you view travelled route all of the route appears in red, where previous versions came displayed in different colours to show satelite/signal strenght, which was very handy when determining if some ambitious speeds/times were legitimate or caused by a poor signal.
On another note is there anyway of adjusting the travelled route in accordance with the google maps? Its a great function to be able to see my lines on the actual circuit but at pressent the whole map is approx 3 meters off to one side.
Thanks for great work, Ben.
It run fine on my HTC HD2 hyperdroid CM7 build for what concern the "offline" part of the app. I successfuly imported old sessions from the wm6.5 version and laps and splits time correspond. Overall, I find it quite robust, easy to use and sexy. The google map integration is really nice. No bug for the moment. Just a slow down at on point after the importation of the sessions, android asked me If I wanted to force quit or wait, I pressed wait and a few seconds after everything was fluent again.
I will try it when going back home this evening with the internal gps and tommorow with my external 5Hz Qstarz 1000ex and report back.
For what I have tested for the moment, everything works good! Great work! Congrats!
I realy want to try the RC for Android, so please, consider to send me a test version of RC for android.
Thank you
David Brunstein
e-mail David@brunstein.com.br