Bluetooth dropout

Cajundaddy

Hi guys, I am a new user of your software. Having trouble with bluetooth dropout when switching to Racechrono. Bluetooth is paired to my PDA and works fine until I go into Racechrono. It will then drop out 8/10 times. I have been able to record a few sessions and the results are great. I just need a more reliable connection from my GPS receiver to Racechrono.

Here is the hardware I am using:
http://www.amazon.com/BT-Q818X-Qstarz-Bluetooth-Receiver-Hardware/dp/B000N763WE/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_a

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-A626-3-5-inch-Windows-Bluetooth/dp/B000PEPCEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1271001460&sr=1-1

Do you have any ideas? Are these products compatible with your software? What other info do you need to help resolve the bluetooth dropout problem?

aol_of_RaceChrono

The GPS should work fine. I haven't tested the PDA.

Cajundaddy

Thanks for the response aol. The ASUS runs on windows mobile 6 classic. Which RC download do you recommend for that OS. Perhaps I am using the wrong RC 1.40 version for my WMOS.

aol_of_RaceChrono

Does it run WIDCOMM or Microsoft Bluetooth Stack, do you know?

Cajundaddy

I am not sure. My IT skills are limited.
From the manual:
Bluetooth v2.0 (EDR)+ USB 1.1 Client

From the PDA sys info:
Bluetooth for windows CE
BT-PPC version 1.8.0 build 4800
Marvell PXA 270 Processor 312MHz
Microsoft WM 6.0 classic (Touch screen)
CE OS 5.2.1239(build 17746.0.2.4)

aol_of_RaceChrono

It's hard to tell why you are experiencing the dropouts. Could be the receiver and the PDA are just not compatible enough.

Cajundaddy

Ok. I may have fixed it. I had previously set the baud rate at the highest setting 11500 for both the gps and PDA for maximum detail. I reset the rates to 4800 (default) and my GPS receiver BT connection seems much more stable. I will test it for a few days and report back.

hugos

Hi to all.



My embeded system is an HP iPAQ hx2410 with WM2003SE and a WIDCOMM Bluetooth Stack.

Widcomm Inc. which was acquired by Broadcom Corporation in April 2004.
Also, If you see Bluetooth Broadcom on your system, is probably a WIDCOMM Bluetooth Stack.



I have a 5hz GPS bluetooth.

OK, with my bad WIDCOMM Bluetooth Stack I setup RC for use COM8 (my GPS bluetooth port service)

All is OK, I have a very nice nmea file with "RaceChrono_v1400_PPC2003.cab"



but ...



I installed a OBD2 bluetooth adapter on my bike for use with Racechrono.

This makes 2 Bluetooth devices, and WM2003 only support ONE bluetooth com port service. (It's the big misery)



Ok, ok, i upgrade my PocketPC to WM5 ... and apply all the WM5 HP patch ... my system is totally fresh.

I install "RaceChrono_v1400_WM_Pro_WIDCOMM.cab", now RC detects Bluetooth devices.


I tested only with one Bluetooth device, my GPS, and i have poor nmea file, times drops and inconsistencies.



I tested with two Bluetooth device, GPS and OBD2, and i have ultra poor nmea file, many drops and inconsistencies.



I tested with my GPS on COM port, and i retrieve my very nice nmea file !




There is a problem with the WIDCOMM Bluetooth Stack !



A good software for nmea file analysis is "GPS-Track-Analyse.NET"
you can download at http://www.gps-freeware.de/

aol_of_RaceChrono

Hugos: maybe you need to play with the baudrates for Bluetooth?

hugos

Aol: i have tested all baudrates (from 115200 to 2400). Nothing change, i have times drops in nmea file.
Normally in 5 Hz the difference in time is 200ms, I occasionally 600 or 800ms between two positions. I also have truncated nmea sentences.
RC Live Timer displays interspersed 5Hz lower values as 1.7hz


Tomorrow, I will test :

Bluetooth GPS device on COM port

Bluetooth ODB2 device on WIDCOMM Bluetooth Stack

and otherwise

hugos

Unfortunately my OBDII Bluetooth device is manufactured by "CBT Technology Co. Ltd." It is the low coast product that is found everywhere on E-Bay. Device bluetooth signature is "CBT: dev B". It doesn't work with RC, yes, yes ... i am a noob.

But the main thing is OK, the 5Hz GPS works very well on com port.

For the rest we'll see with racelogger when it becomes available ...


And anyway I am very happy, the weather was fine and I did 52 laps on Ledenon track in France, RC worked well.

Between the first and the last session I improved my time from 10 seconds per lap. Now I know a lot of things on my driving that will enable me to improve myself.

Cajundaddy

Update.
My Racechrono/ASUS 626 PDA/BTQ818X system is working perfectly now and accuracy is usually within 1 meter. Here is my fix for others with BT dropout issues. Maybe it will help them as well:

WM6 Classic/settings/external GPS/ GPS hardware port= Com1, Baud rate=28800.
GPS program port= Com2.
Access= manage GPS automatically

Racechrono/settings/GPS receiver/Baud rate= set to default

aol_of_RaceChrono

Cajundaddy: Excellent!

purist85

hi,
i am looking forward to use a hp ipaq 2410 as "livescreen" for my qustarz bt 1000ex.
as i red hugos posts there will be no problems with the software that the pda comes with? is that correct or do i have to install other or newer software. and if so what would be your suggestions?
i would be glad if someone could help me out.
greetings purist85

hugos

purist85: with my iPaq 2410

i don't have any problems if i use COM port on Bluetooth GPS device(tested with RC 1.4 and WM2003SE and WM5)

I have only problem when i use more than one bluetooth device, ie Bluetooth GPS and Bluetooth OBD2 at the same time (tested with RC 1.4 bluetooth WIDCOMM stack and WM5).

purist85

sounds great!
so hopefully fortuna will be on my side and the pda will be mine within few days.
thanks for suggesting the ipaq hugos.