Getting Started

Installing the app

Windows / OSX

Get the latest version of the RaceCapture app from the downloads page

Android / iOS

Running and Connection

Windows / OSX

Connect your PodiumConnect to your computer with the USB cable,
- If you are running Windows older than Windows 10, please install the USB driver, available from the Software Downloads page
Start the RaceCapture app.
The RaceCapture app will launch the first time setup wizard.

Android / iOS

Power up PodiumConnect with 12v or via USB power (computer or USB power source)
Go to your device's WiFi settings, and connect to the PodiumConnect WiFi access point.
- Note, the WiFi Access Point is open, with no password - you can set a password and encryption later under Setup.
Start the RaceCapture app.
The RaceCapture app will launch the first time setup wizard.

First time setup wizard

The first time setup wizard will guide you through the essential setup of your PodiumConnect

Verifying Connectivity

Select your device and verify the RaceCapture app connects.

Select your Preset configuration

Select the preset configuration matching the data system you have.

Select your favorite Tracks

Select the tracks you will typically race at so PodiumConnect can detect the track location and calculate lap times.
This is an important step to ensure you get valid data and lap times for your telemetry session.
Note: Only select the one track configuration per race track, to ensure the correct track is auto-selected.
If you don't see your track listed, please submit your track!

Create an account on Podium & Setting Device ID

Create an account on Podium http://podium.live - then follow the steps to create a Device. Make a note of the Device ID provided, so you can enter it into the wizard.

Then, enter this Device ID into the Setup Wizard.

Note: You can set the Device ID later under Setup / Telemetry

Select your cell provider

Enable the cellular connection and select your cellular provider.
- Note: If your cellular provider is not in the list, select the custom option and set the APN settings provided by your cellular carrier.

Verizon

If you have the newer 4G enabled system, you can use a Verizon SIM card (USA). When visiting the store, ask for a data only SIM card for a hotspot or tablet

If your unit was bundled with a SIM card, you can call Wireless Zone at 508-834-3311 for activation and access to special data plan options.
Note - If you have a 3G system, Verizon is not available for telemetry. Your best options are AT&T, T-Mobile or FreedomPop. Check your order details if you are not certain which unit you have.

AT&T

You can get an AT&T SIM card at your local AT&T store. Request a data SIM suitable for a data only tablet or hotspot.

Freedom Pop

If you have a FreedomPop card, activate your card on the FreedomPop activation website

Note about setting up FredomPop's $0/month service

Please note that FreedomPop is a 3rd party provider; For USA customers we are including a bundled SIM card as an optional convenience. These are the same SIM cards you can order from them separately.

If your goal is to use the $0/month plan that includes 200MB, follow these steps:

Register the SIM card per their web site process
Go into your account, then downgrade and remove services as needed to get down to the "basic" free plan. There will be a number of steps to follow, with warning messages.
Be sure to remove any add on paid services.
When done, your monthly bill should show $0.

Note, FreedomPop may require you to have a small balance in your account to cover instances if you go over the 200MB monthly allotment. If you don't go over this, then you should not have to pay an additional fee.

See here fore more detailed info on how to get free sim cards and free data from FreedomPop.

Any additional questions, please contact FreedomPop support.

What if the store is asking for the IMEI?

Usually the store will set a default IMEI number, especially if you tell them the SIM may be swapped between devices. If they require setting a real number, you can get the IMEI by connecting to RaceCapture/Pro and checking the cellular section of the app's System Status page:

Further Setup

The settings made in the first time setup can also be accessed via the Setup view of the RaceCapture app.

Note To re-run the first time setup, launch the RaceCapture app without a connection to the device, go to the setup screen and press the First Time Setup button.

Connecting your Data System

Minimum Data required for proper operation

At minimum, PodiumConnect requires the following data from your data system:

Speed
Latitude
Longitude

Note: These channels must be defined exactly as above in the CAN bus mapping

This minimum data will allow PodiumConnect to calculate lap timing, which creates the context for analysing additional sensor data, such as temperatures, TPS, RPM, oil pressure and so on.

Important: Without these channels, telemetry will not work properly. Please do not change the names of the default channels provided by the presets.

Data System Integration Guides

Use the provided integration cable and connect it to your data system.

Follow the guide for your specific system:

Hardware integration / custom cable

The main connector on PodiumConnect is a standard Molex MiniFit Jr connector.

Plug Housing: Molex Mini Fit Jr. (8 position) 0039012080
Compatible Pins: Molex 39000039

Adjusting your Channel Mappings

You may need to adjust or remove unused channels loaded by the preset.

Navigate to Setup / CAN Mapping screen.
Remove or adjust channels as appropriate.
Press "Write" to write the settings to PodiumConnect

Testing Telemetry

Install your SIM card

On the rear of the unit, pop the SIM card drawer out of the unit by pressing the ejector button with a ball point pen.
Install the SIM card into the tray, with the gold contacts facing up.
Slide the SIM card tray back into the drawer, ensuring you engage the drawer slot carefully. Press gently until the drawer seats.

Verifying

Power up PodiumConnect and attach the cellular antenna. Torque the antenna just beyond finger-tight (do not overtighten). 4-6 inch/lbs.
Watch the telemetry LED on the front of the unit. When it begins to flash regularly, this means telemetry is broadcasting.
Open your Podium account and navigate to http://podium.live/home
Refresh this page when telemetry is broadcasting; you will see an Ad Hoc event listed.
Click this link, which brings you to a page showing all devices at the event. (yours will be the only one).
Click the name of your device. This will show the main race dashboard page.
Here, you will see live data flowing from PodiumConnect.

=Using an SD card for telemetry buffering

To enhance telemetry performance, you can optionally use an SD card to buffer data in cases where cellular connectivity temporarily drops while on the race track.

If this happens, PodiumConnect will save data to the SD card, and then will burst the data upon re-connection. The amount of buffering provided is limited to approximately one lap (3 minutes of data). Therefore, this buffering is optimized for race tracks with small to moderate interruption of cellular coverage.

Enabling SD card buffering

Obtain a micro SD card, 32 GB or smaller
Perform a fresh FAT32 format in your computer. This is an important step, even if the SD card is brand new.
Insert the SD card into the front of the unit, ensure it clicks/latch into place.

Installing the unit

Install PodiumConnect in the passenger compartment, in an area that's protected from moisture and temperature extremes. A good location is an area that offers reasonable access to the unit to observe status LEDs,

Note Mounting orientation does not matter.

Installing the cellular antenna

Install the cellular antenna on the roof of the vehicle in a location as far away from receiving antennas as reasonably possible - e.g. opposite side of the roof from the GPS antenna.

Temporary alternative (reduced performance): You can also install the antenna to the windshield using a suction cup, or in the passenger compartment using zip ties, ensuring the antenna body of the antenna is 8" separated from metal structures.

Using Podium

Visit the guide on using Podium, which includes a video tour of the essential features.

Updating Firmware

Below are the steps for updating your firmware.

Backup your configuration

Updating firmware can cause your PodiumConnect system to be restored to factory settings. Before updating firmware, save your settings to a file.

Steps:

Connect to PodiumConnect using the RaceCapture app - using USB, or WiFi.
Navigate to Setup and press the Read button to read the current settings from PodiumConnect.
Press Save to save your settings to a file. These will be later restored after firmware is updated.

Download the PodiumConnect Firmware

Download the latest PodiumConnect firmware from http://podium.live/software
Unzip the archive to a location on your computer.

Update the PodiumConnect Firmware

Connect PodiumConnect via USB (Windows or OSX only)
In the RaceCapture app, navigate to Setup and press the Firmware menu option.
Press the Update Firmware button
Navigate to the PodiumConnect firmware you unzipped. The file will end with the extension '.ihex'. Example: PodiumConnect_2.15.2.ihex
Press Open

The firmware update process will begin, and will complete when the gauge is 100%

After re-connecting, the firmware version should be updated in the connection message at the upper right-hand corner.

Restore your settings

Navigate to Setup and press Open.
Select the previously saved settings file, and open the file.
Press Write to write the settings back to PodiumConnect.

Additional Guides and How-Tos

Guides

How To

How to: enable Predictive Timing
How to control which gauges show up on Podium.live
How to: Use Race Capture App (some features are specific to Race Capture Pro)
How to: Submit a new race track
How to: enable OBD2 channels
How to update firmware
How to add video to Podium.live
More FAQs and How-To's
How To Videos

Specifications

Analog Inputs
Channels	1 (Battery Voltage, Internally connected (0-20v))
CAN Bus
CAN Channels	2
CAN baud rate	125K, 250K, 500K, 1M Baud
CAN filters	14 per channel
Protocol Support	OBDII PID, custom CAN mapping
CAN Bus	CAN 2.0 compatible, 1M baud
CAN termination	Software controlled
CAN channels supported	100
Serial
Aux Serial	RS232
Max Baud Rate	230400
Cellular Telemetry (Optional)
Cellular	3.5G GSM worldwide compatible
Maximum Sample Rate	10Hz (1/5/10Hz supported)
Wireless
WiFi	802.11bgn
WiFi Modes	Access Point, Infrastructure
Maximum Sample Rate (dashboard link)	50Hz
Storage
Micro SD	Up to 32GB (SDHC)
Maximum Sample Rate	100Hz
Predictive Lap Timing	Built-in
Track Mapping	Circut and point-point
Track maps	200 built in for autonomous auto-detection
Sectors per track	20
Analysis	Included in the RaceCapture App, and on Podium
Export data format	Plain CSV (RaceRender compatible)
Scripting / Customization
Real-time virtual (math) channels / custom channel mapping	Via on-board Lua scripting
Virtual Channels	100
Physical
Dimensions	85 x 85 x 36mm (3.35 x 3.35 x 1.41in)
Temperature range	0 to 65c
Environmental	IP50 rated
Weight	170g (6 oz)
Physical	Molex Connector, 8 pins SMA for cellular module
Power Consumption (max)	Main System: 0.6W With Wireless: 1.6W With Cellular Telemetry: 8.6W With Cellular Telemetry and Wireless active: 9.6W