Locally developed Rally Navigation Eq.

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Hi
Ok, for some time I've been thinking on how to reduce the cost of Rally bike preparation.  We here at Rockfox are developing a few items for ourselves and are also looking at new product lines.

The current two products are CAP-Trip unit and a Roadbook.  (F@kken is/are in die Ingels!!!)

Herewith the first draft of the CAP-Trip unit.

** SNIP **
ROCKFOX PROJECTS RALLYE CAP-TRIP PROJECT

Overview.
Design and manufacture an ALL IN ONE rallye CAP repeater and Trip meter unit to be used on bikes, Quads and cars.  The unit must fit the existing mounting holes and must be fully IP67 compliant.  The unit must be an ‘All in One’ unit with user selectable functionality.  The rider can install two units and configure one as a Trip and the other as a CAP unit.  In the event of a unit failure the remaining unit can be quickly re-configured to execute both CAP and Trip functions with a shortcut option between the options.  (See detailed function diagram below – to follow --)

Specification.
The unit must have the following basic functions:

CAP heading from Magnetic north.
This feature will use a tilt compensated magnetic compass with built in buffering for smooth and stable reading.

Distance recording with only full reset option
This will be the total distance traveled for the stage.  This feature can not be adjusted and will be used for fuel range etc.  This option will only have a ‘Reset to Zero’ option. It will thus show the total distance from reset (including detours etc)

Trip 1 with QuickAdjust (QA) option
This option will be used with the TOTAL distance as per Roadbook.  The QA option will allow the rider to adjust any digit up or down to ‘sync’ the unit in case of a detour or navigation error.

Trip 2 with QuickAdjust (QA) and Quick Zero ( QZ) options
This option will be used with the ITEM distance as per Roadbook.  The QZ option will be used by riders that use the Item distance more than the Total distance.  The QA option will allow the rider to adjust any digit up or down to ‘sync’ the unit in case of a detour or navigation error.  We do not think that the QA option will be used much as the rider that use the Item distance will just use QZ once back on track or temporary use the Total distance up to the next Item.

Speed
Indicate the current speed from solid state pickup on front wheel.

Time
Indicate the current time. 

User interface (Less is More)
Due to all the features that must be packaged in such a small unit the system will have 5 3mm LED’s above the display to assist the rider to quickly determine the current selected mode.  The function of the three handlebar buttons can be set to suit the rider preference.  A Quick Select (QS) option will allow the rider to select between any number of options in any order.  This will ensure the least amount of button presses to access the major functions.  Eg. Up/Down will select distance/CAP only. A long press on Up/Dn will scroll through all options eg. To temporary show the speed in a restricted section.  A short press will re-select the QS option.  This option will allow the rider to use ONE unit only without reducing the navigation control. CAP heading is for instance only ‘valid’ for the first 100 odd meters after the ‘Tulip’ on the Roadbook.

GPS Waypoints (future feature)
If a GPS antenna is attached the system will allow the rider to add waypoints on the system if allowed.  The option to store the track in a GPX file as well as other GPS related options.

Testing and durability
The system will be subjected to a rigorous vibration and environmental test during development to ensure absolute lowest failure rate.  All possible design measures will be employed to ensure an unstressed unit for additional durability.

Availability warrantee and cost
Final proof of concept and preliminary testing must be completed by 31 January 2015.  The first system(s) must be ready for user evaluation by 28 Feb 2015.  First production units must be available 1st April 2015.  The first 10 units will carry a full replacement warrantee for one year. Future warrantee will cover factory defects only.  In order to reduce the setup cost for Rallying the unit without GPS antenna/features must retail for below R2 000.00 Vat incl.

Please feel free to contact us with any queries and comments.

The Rockfox Team
Adie
079 5243884
** SNAP **
 

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  • Prototype CAP.JPG
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