For the past few years, FanVision has provided fans with electronic devices for sale or rent that provide scanner audio, video and leaderboards at the track. The service operates in addition to the pre-existing scanner rental services from Racing Electronics.
Now, FanVision is taking the next step in improving the at-track experience for race fans. On Thursday, FanVision unveiled the Legend, a device the company touts as “the one device to rule them all for race fans, race teams and gearheads.”
In practice, the Legend is an Android-powered device that will usurp the existing FanVision device. Fans will be able to do everything with the Legend that they can currently do with the existing device.
That’s where the similarities end. The current FanVision/Kangaroo product is a closed platform, but the Legend is not. All Legends will ship with a number of pre-installed apps that allow fans to connect with live events. In addition, more apps will be made available for purchase that fans can use to expand their experience.
Current FanVision devices are only compatible for NASCAR weekends and have to be activated at the track. The new Legend can be used at NASCAR races, Verizon IndyCar Series races, NHRA National events and more. It appears to be capable of near daily usage as opposed to something that would only be used a couple of times a year.
The real benefit will be for race teams, many of which already use the FanVision as an addition for timing and scoring and watching how other drivers are running during practice. The Legend will be capable of that and so much more.
For teams, the goal is to cut down on clutter and have one device that can do everything that they need. The Legend is designed to either compliment or outright replace Panasonic Toughbooks that a number of NASCAR teams currently use at the track. The device can be connected via Bluetooth to tire pressure gauges and engine telemetry.
The timing and scoring in the Legend can be connected to apps such as Race Monitor, which covers all kinds of racing from professional series to races on local short tracks.
For local “gearheads,” the Legend can be used as what amounts to an onboard computer. An add-on can plug the Legend into the OBDII port on every car sold in the United States and track car performance. It will also be possible to use the Legend to check engine codes.
In addition, the Legend can be used to replace a dashboard in a race car and even serve as a dash cam. It is unclear whether NASCAR would allow it to be used in place of the current dashboard used in Sprint Cup.
Fans who want to reserve their new Legend as quickly as possible can go to Kickstarter.com to pre-order their new device. All Legend pre-orders will be filled prior to the Daytona 500 in February. In 2017, Legend devices will quickly become the norm for at-track rentals from FanVision, replacing the current proprietary device.
About the author
Phil Allaway has three primary roles at Frontstretch. He's the manager of the site's FREE e-mail newsletter that publishes Monday-Friday and occasionally on weekends. He keeps TV broadcasters honest with weekly editions of Couch Potato Tuesday and serves as the site's Sports Car racing editor.
Outside of Frontstretch, Phil is the press officer for Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. He covers all the action on the high-banked dirt track from regular DIRTcar Modified racing to occasional visits from touring series such as the Super DIRTcar Series.
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