AiM MX2E Elise/Exige specific dash

[Matt W]

I did figure it seemed to easy to connect, hence not committing anything. Seems strange they made hardware as well as firmware changes. Rumour has it adding the GPS module should enable the track features, which is ultimately what I'm after, but it's an expensive experiment. 

[Martrack]

On 08/12/2021 at 17:56, CocoPops said:

So I've managed to connect to the WiFi on my Final Edition Dash... loaded RaceStudio3 and it can talk to the Dash... but settings are very thin on the ground...

Could you share the procedure / password please ?
I tried several easy / trial passwords, but I did not manage to connect.

On 10/12/2021 at 21:25, Matt W said:

I did figure it seemed to easy to connect, hence not committing anything. Seems strange they made hardware as well as firmware changes. Rumour has it adding the GPS module should enable the track features, which is ultimately what I'm after, but it's an expensive experiment. 

I just bought and received AiM GPS09 module.
Will give a try soon 👍

[Martrack]

So...
It works 🥳
Final Edition dash (MXLOTUS) properly recognises the AiM GPS module 👍

So, simply buy AiM GPS09 module (50cm cable) : https://www.aimshop.com/products/aim-gps09-gps-module
Gently dismount the dash (refer to the MX2E installation guide : https://www.aimshop.com/products/aim-mx2e-plug-play-dash-logger-kit-for-lotus-elise-exige)
Plug the GPS module to the EXP labelled connector.
Be sure to properly / fully screw the GPS module connector, otherwise it won't work.
Test.
Remount the dash.

Using Race Studio 3, you can then manage your tracks, download your data etc...

That's it, perfect 🙂

  

 

Edited January 8, 2022 by Martrack

[XZG420]

Nice work. Did you get the WiFi password from somewhere or did plugging in the GPS somehow provide access for race studio? 

[Martrack]

@CocoPopsmanaged to find the WiFi password by himself 👍
Password is needed for Race Studio 3 to connect to the dash.

[TonyKL]

Brilliant news. Well done to everyone involved. 

[CocoPops]

@Seriouslylotus

can you get a batch of Gps09 in then for group buy please.

[CocoPops]

So, after testing:

We can confirm, We have the Wi-Fi password.

The GPS works. RaceStudio works.

camera not detected, or at least I can’t find a way of engaging rear camera view.

[XZG420]

Are you willing to share the WiFi login details?

[MrD]

Splendid news! So if I got it right you made the FE dash work with track GPS? 

Where is the group buy then?:)

[Martrack]

18 hours ago, XZG420 said:

Are you willing to share the WiFi login details?

Seen by private message.

7 hours ago, MrD said:

Splendid news! So if I got it right you made the FE dash work with track GPS? 

Exactly 👍

[XZG420]

Do you now have access to stuff like customising the shift light rpms per gear etc?

[Martrack]

What you can do through Race Studio 3 with MXLOTUS is :
- managing your tracks (delete tracks, upload new tracks) ;
- downloading your data (which contain car' sensors values, localisation, lap-times...) for post-analysis.

There's no customisation of FE dash available, so no custom shift light scale.
As shown here, there's a button to refresh expansions list (this is where I see my newly installed GPS09), but not sure additional sensors would work, as, as per the MX2E user guide, they need to be properly declared and configured through the CAN Expansions tab, which is not available with the MXLOTUS device (brake pressure sensor would have been nice, most important missing IMO for track data analysis).
I however suspect SmartyCam would work, as, as per the MX2E user guide, no configuration is needed. They should then work out of the box (I'm not thinking about testing this by myself though 🙂).

On 08/01/2022 at 14:07, CocoPops said:

camera not detected, or at least I can’t find a way of engaging rear camera view.

There's no Reverse Camera menu, as on the MX2E, so I'm not so surprised 😐

Edited January 9, 2022 by Martrack

[Inversed]

I'm up for group buy, or does anyone know to buy it in EU?

[MrD]

Question is, can the FE dash be bought and retrofitted on older models offering OEM functionality (driving modes/changing layouts etc)? If the answer to the above is yes then we are up to a win.

It'd be awesome if a FE car owner could make a video showing off the dash:)

[Martrack]

On 09/01/2022 at 22:49, Inversed said:

or does anyone know to buy it in EU?

Read carefully my post above, link given, they ship worldwide 👍

[Martrack]

8 hours ago, MrD said:

can the FE dash be bought and retrofitted on older models offering OEM functionality (driving modes/changing layouts etc)?

IMO, should work on Sport 350 and above.
At least Lotus proposes the 2 versions :
- LOTAC05566 : AiM version
- A147N0003F : Final Edidtion

Going through the catalog, there are other interesting part numbers :
- LOTAC05571 : Reverse camera
- LOTAC05575 : Smarty Cam Kit, suction mount, expansion hub & leads
- LOTAC05576 : Smarty Cam Kit, roll bar mount mount, expansion hub & leads

Reverse camera is labelled for use with AiM version only, which confirms @CocoPops tests above.
However SmartyCam cameras are labelled for use with both versions, which confirms what I thought, and this is good news !

[Paul_D]

I know it's nice having an all-in-one system, but personally I'd find paying £1000 for a Smartycam with 1280x720 pixels @ 30 fps quite hard to swallow when you can get a GoPro that does 4K @ 60fps with better picture quality for around £250. 

I know the Smartycam is tough (and that's probably needed when it's mounted on the external roll bar of a Caterham or Radical), but the inside of an Elise / Exige is quite a mild environment.  

[Martrack]

The other SmartyCam advantage is to have your vehicle data automatically added / printed onto the video, thanks to the dash connectivity. One may be interested into this 🙂

[Paul_D]

Yeah, it probably saves a little bit of time compared to adding the data overlay to the GoPro footage in a separate software package. On the downside, the AIM software I assume is a bit more 'serious' and doesn't offer as many customisation options for the display as a package like RaceRender3. 

That makes sense obviously, as the AIM software is designed primarily for reviewing your laps immediately, seeing the data on the video, and being able to make improvements. 

If you're just doing some videos once you get home to share on Youtube and for your own memories, a package like Racerender3 may be better. 

 

[MrD]

9 hours ago, Martrack said:

IMO, should work on Sport 350 and above.

Hmm, interesting. What makes you say that it should be compatible with 350 onwards and not on earlier cars please mate? Mine is a 2014 with all modes (tour, sport, race), I would imagine that if it works with a 350 it would also work with any earlier cars. All based on assumptions from my end of course.

@Paul_D absolutely on a same boat as you in regards to the camera. Way too pricey for just having the convinience of a single package - it's all down to the individual and what they want I suppose.

 

[Martrack]

45 minutes ago, MrD said:

Hmm, interesting. What makes you say that it should be compatible with 350 onwards and not on earlier cars please mate? Mine is a 2014 with all modes (tour, sport, race), I would imagine that if it works with a 350 it would also work with any earlier cars. All based on assumptions from my end of course.

Well, according to the last pages of the MX2E User Guide, cars from 2011 and onward seem to be from the same "family", as they share the same channels / sensors. So should be compatible.
Previous models do not provide the same channels / sensors, or even require an adapter harness to be plugged.
I would then say that MXLOTUS is compatible with 2011+ cars, but these are assumptions too...
And not sure how to set current mileage, dealers may have the procedure (if dash needs to be replaced on a FE car for example).

Edited January 11, 2022 by Martrack

[Inversed]

 

Do we already know how UI looks likem, if GPS is connected and track is loaded.

Do you see live lap timer on FE dash or at least pinged lap time after lap completed?

[Martrack]

Not live-tested yet (car did not go out of the garage since AiM GPS09 mounted), but :
- you can see live laptiming on FE dash thanks to the "Preferences > Display > Timer" option you can enable once AiM GPS09 plugged-in ;
- you can browse your laptimes thanks to the "track records" FE submenu.

[TonyKL]

So when if your first track action planned so we can confirm that this does indeed work as hoped?