October 5, 2020

The motorsports industry is loving Garmin Catalyst™. Learn more and see what they’re saying about the innovative driving performance optimizer*.

WATCH: Eric Meyer, President of Instructor Summit, Interviews Driver Coach Peter Krause

LISTEN: Performance/Race Driver Coach Ross Bentley Interviews Lead Inventor Adam Spence from Garmin

Speed Secrets – Episode 106

READ: In-depth Product Review by Brett Becker of Speed News – the Official Publication of the National Auto Sport Association (NASA)

If it seems like a groundbreaking new data system has been coming out every 6 months for the last couple of years, you’re right. Garmin has just debuted its Garmin Catalyst Driving Performance Optimizer*, a data- and video-collecting and display tool that mounts in sight of the driver, gathers performance data and provides real-time audible coaching to help drivers function at their fullest potential. You read that right: real-time audible suggestions from the device to help you go faster while you’re still out on track turning laps. Incredible.

Garmin credits a group of motorsports enthusiasts within the company, known as the Garmin Pit Crew, for spearheading this device.

“The True Optimal Lap™ feature on Garmin Catalyst is truly a gamechanger,” said Adam Spence, Garmin product manager and Garmin Pit Crew team lead. “Until now, the industry standard for theoretical fastest lap has been to split each lap into a number of sectors. Then take the fastest time from each sector and add it up to generate the user’s theoretical fastest lap. The problem is, based on the laws of physics, the suggested lap time can be unachievable. Garmin Catalyst is different. It gathers several data metrics and identifies where laps can be seamlessly joined together to create the fastest racing line. This shows users their fastest achievable time based on lines actually driven and gives them an optimal lap they can truly achieve.”

The audible coaching can be broadcast to the driver using compatible headsets or by streaming the prompts through the car’s stereo via BLUETOOTH® technology. Audio cues occur before and after corners, delivering immediate feedback to the driver. Data gathering, display and interpretation is done on the same device and accessed via the display’s touchscreen. Data and video can be displayed simultaneously. The system comes complete for $999.

Speed News will be doing a full feature on this device in an upcoming issue.

*Warning: This device is intended only for recreational use in a circuit environment. Never use this device on public roadways. Failure to follow this warning may result in an accident causing property damage, serious personal injury, or death. You are responsible for using this device in a safe and prudent manner.

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