Kart Data Logger Guide: MyChron, Alfano, and What to Track

A kart data logger records what your kart and your driving are doing so you can find lap time instead of guessing at it. The two dominant brands are AiM (MyChron) and Alfano. Both capture the channels that matter, GPS speed, RPM, and G-forces, and the bigger question is not which logger you own but whether you actually use the data.

This is the overview for choosing and using a kart data logger. It covers what a logger does, which channels to record, how the main brands differ, and how to turn the data into speed. Each section links to a deeper post.

What does a kart data logger do?

At minimum, a logger times your laps with GPS and records speed and engine RPM. Step up and it adds a GPS position trace for a track map, lateral and longitudinal accelerometers for cornering and braking, and inputs for temperatures like engine water temp and exhaust gas temperature. The dash on the wheel gives you live numbers at the track. The real value comes afterward, when you export the session and study it.

Which channels should I record?

For driving analysis, the essentials plus the two G channels are what you live in. Record everything the logger supports, but spend your attention there. More detail is in what MyChron channels actually matter, which applies just as well to an Alfano.

MyChron or Alfano: does it matter?

Both are good. AiM’s MyChron is the most common logger in most paddocks and pairs with Race Studio. Alfano has a loyal following and strong GPS, especially in Europe. For a typical club or regional racer, either will record everything you need. The honest deciding factors are usually what your paddock runs, what your dealer supports, and price, not a missing feature. We compare them in detail in MyChron vs Alfano: which should you buy?

How do I actually use the data?

This is where most loggers earn their keep or gather dust. The workflow is the same whatever you run:

• Export the session from the logger’s software to a file.
• Overlay your best lap against a slower one and read the speed trace.
• Use the time delta and sector splits to find the corners costing you most.
• Change one thing, drive again, and measure whether it helped.

The full method is in finding lap time with data, and the comparison workflow is in how to compare two kart sessions. If you run an Alfano, start with Alfano 6 data analysis.

One subscription, both loggers

Manufacturer software only reads its own brand. That is fine until you share a kart with someone on a different logger, switch brands, or want to compare your data against a teammate’s. Speed Lab reads both MyChron and Alfano and can put a MyChron lap next to an Alfano lap in one view, which no manufacturer tool does. See the Race Studio alternatives page for where that fits, or just try the live demo.