Harry's GPS Suite Forum

Hi... I am currently testing my set-up at home. My first use of the app will be during a track day next week, and I'm trying to resolve any possible technical issues beforehand. I am using V.20 of the Grand Prix edition of the Android app, with the phone connected to a GoPro Hero4. Here's my workflow and question:
1) Connect the phone's WiFi to the GoPro's WiFi network (yes, the GoPro app is closed!).
2) Go into HLT, and define user -- save my Driver ID, choose my vehicle, and Continue.
3) Load Track (here's where the problem comes up). When selecting a track, the phone cannot download anything -- precisely because the phone is already connected to the GoPro WiFi, and the phone will not use LTE to download track data from the HLT server. The error message is, "POI set 'Thunderhill' could not be loaded from the Server (Connection). Please try again later."

What is the workaround here? Is the workflow to download the track, and then connect the camera and phone via WiFi? If this is the case, will I need to repeat this workflow for every session? OR: Is the problem related to the fact that I'm at home, and not within direct proximity of the race track?

A related question, again regarding V20 of Grand Prix edition on Android:

I would like to use the phone in vertical orientation, and have HLT use the external GoPro Hero4 only (that is, turn off internal video recording on the phone). Hitting the video button, I see the message saying "Video operation set to external cam only... Cam(s) connected: GoPro Hero4." However, when I hit the status bar at the top of the screen, I do not see a camera listed at all. The only red warning is for "Track Nearby." (See attached screen of how this appears below.) The question: Is this simply an omission in the user interface? (I would expect to see a green bar for Hero4).

What's more, it appears that in external camera only mode, there is no preview screen (which makes sense, as the GoPro API may be limited). But is there anyway to manually begin recording, or does the user simply have to trust that video recording will automatically begin once the phone detects a reference point on track?
Thank you!

Correct, with the GoPro connected, Internet access is blocked for many phones. The workaround might be to use some custom WiFi configuration omitting the default gateway to the GoPro network, but actually this is not necessary:

It is a common misunderstanding a track needs to be loaded every time you use it. The concept is different: LapTimer keeps up to 15 track set definitions in its local storage. Whenever you approach a track or cross a trigger for any track set, LapTimer will switch to this track and start working. So it is actually a one time action. Exception: you drive in tracks with CW and CCW or other multiple configurations used. In this case, you need to load the correct configuration and purge the conflicting other configuration. But again, this can be done at home during your prep. And if anything fails, disconnect the smartphone from the GoPro, load it, and connect the GoPro again.

The Track Nearby will be red at home for all users but those living directly at the track. It will change once you are nearby.

The external cam status is not shown prominently, but it is shown. When External Only Mode is selected and the cam in the status bar is white - it is active. For the GoPro you will see green / blue bubbles regularly on top. They occur every time status is exchanged.

To test your external cam manually, please check this thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3700

- Harry

P.S. Written in a hurry, so please forgive typos and grammar.

Thank you! Very helpful.