BIKES: Aim MyChron Light TG MX Lap Timer Review

Motorcycling Lifestyles

BIKES: Aim MyChron Light TG MX Lap Timer Review

Eastern Dirt reviews the new Aim portable lap timer.

Benjamin Segal | http://easterndirt.com | Posted February 24, 2011 Charlotte, NC

Aim MyChron Light TG MX Lap Timer

One of the ways we judge the performance of the products we evaluate is by looking at lap times. Nothing else provides such a clear and simple answer to the question “will this product make me go faster?” It either does or it does not, plain and simple. While not all products can be subjected to this kind of by the numbers testing, most can. The trouble with this is, in order to record lap times someone has to stand at the side of the track with a stop watch, actually paying attention, and record laps. Sounds simple right? Yes maybe… But we want really simple and idiot proof when it comes to recording laps. What we want is something that does not require human input at all.

The benefits of recording lap times have been proven by trainers and mechanics worldwide. Make an adjustment to the suspension or try a different line, if it cuts time from a lap it works. We know definitively by monitoring lap times, if we make an adjustment to a test bike and we get faster lap times we are doing something right. If lap times go up, the opposite is true. It’s pretty straight forward. What is not so simple is getting your pal or GF to hang out at the edge of the track with a stop watch to record laps.

Over the years we have utilized several different models of non-human timers with mixed results. We’ve found many that work well and some not so well, some that are simple to use, and some that are fantastic but just too expensive to justify for the average rider. In the not so well category, we have used a lap timer that works via GPS – total PIA, just try to get satellite reception through dense trees. Another one in the not so easy category had a wire that needed to be buried under the track. The information provided from this unit was fantastic but digging two 20 foot trenches that are 8 inches deep is not as much fun as one might think. These are the higher priced units.

In the low priced range we have used lap timers that require the rider to press a button mounted to the handle bar each lap to mark a start/stop point for that lap. This is not as accurate as we need plus it can be distracting on a MX bike and often leads to missed laps if the button isn’t depressed properly or is forgotten altogether. The good thing about these units is they are pretty low in price and do give good results – as long as you hit the button!

After searching hi and low for a reasonably priced, low effort, wireless system, we happened upon the MyChron Light TG by AiM Sports and found the perfect solution to our problem.

AiM has been making portable lap timers for auto and road racing for the past decade and with the MyChron Light TG they have a unit that suits the MX application superbly. The unite measures 3.2″ x 2.5″ x 1″ (82 mm x 62.5 mm x 24.5 mm) with a giant display that measures 2.4″ x 1.3″ (61 mm x 31.4 mm). The MyChron Light TG is not designed for MX so it doesn’t come with any sort of mounting kit. We modified a fatbar pad by cutting out a recess for it to fit into. The IR receiver needs to face out to the beacon/transmitter so we made a bracket that allowed us to hang it on the lower triple clamp. And the beacon/transmitter needs to sit on something so we mounted it to a photography light stand. While this seems like a lot of effort the trade off is a lap timer that actually works, without hassle, every time you turn the power on.

The advanced pixel-based display uses clear crisp fonts. Combined with a display angle of +/- 45 degrees the display is extremely easy to read, even while riding. You have your choice of display color: high contrast green LCD or brilliant blue backlight (the high luminosity blue display requires 12V power). Onscreen display review items include: best laps, time and date, Best of the Best, Theoretical Best and Best Rolling.

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