Using Excel to Analyze Laps

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FEJICU
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Using Excel to Analyze Laps

Post by FEJICU »

Harry,

Could you please give me some pointers on how to analyze lap times using excel after exporting a session? I've tried using pivot tables, building graphs, etc. but nothing shows me anything that makes sense to me!

Thanks in advance,

FJC
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Harry
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Re: Using Excel to Analyze Laps

Post by Harry »

Hi,

When importing into Excel, take care you do not open the file directly (clicking the .csv), but utilize the Data->External Data->Import Textfile function (actual menu entry might differ for your version). Punctation needs to be selected using US conventions ('.' for decimal point etc).

Graphs I have created for testing purpose are x/y diagrams using the latitude / longitude or speed / distanceFromStart. In case you are not too deep in data analysis in Excel, I'd suggest you use one of the ready to use formats like .kml

- Harry
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FEJICU
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Re: Using Excel to Analyze Laps

Post by FEJICU »

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

When creating X/Y Graphs when trying to compare two laps and using speed/distance from start it seems to me that some laps dont have the same number of measurements and then the actual graph shows to similar lines but braking points and max speed are misaligned. Is the number of GPS fixes per lap not the same or is might there be something I'm not doing right?

Maybe this is too much to ask, but is it possible for you to post, or send by email, one of your excel files where you analyze laps?

BTW here in Colombia everybody is pretty impressed by your app, I will take some time to do a full map out of our local track,

FJC
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Harry
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Re: Using Excel to Analyze Laps

Post by Harry »

Well, the sampling rate depends on the GPS which varies. Furthermore, if you have two different lap times, there is certainly a different number of fixes. Comparing two laps side by side is not trivial as even the distanceFromStart its not completely comparable: both line driven and errors in measurement will create pretty different results. This is the reason LapTimer applies a 'nearest point' analysis during lap to lap comparison. That VERY complex however and I'd not like to recreate it in Excel. LapTimer does this in the data analysis area anyway...

- Harry
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