Logging Primer Options

[Kazz5]

OK, so I have alot to learn about logging it seems. I was looking into some software a bit and, before getting too far, sent off an e-mail to make sure it even worked for my car.

As witness of my ignorance, I asked about knock sensing/reporting. They said that OBDII doesn't support a knock sensor but that I can watch the O2s while I drive.

Well... goodie.

I would ask questions but I clearly don't even know the right questions to ask. At MINIMUM I want to check for knock. I don't know what I'll have to hook into the car with. I'd love to justify one of the shiny, yummy new Dell Axim x51v's cuz I could justify it for work, etc. as well.

Is there a thread or some info in near-english somewhere I could start sticking my head into and start asking less and less stupid questions of those who know alot about this?

Thanks for any help - I know I can "just get a cheap palm and cable and software and get started" ... but if I'd just retire it in a couple of months for what I was thinking above I don't know why I'd waste the time and money to begin with and not make the initial leap.

Thanks...

[natedogg]

pocketlogger.com has a forum with a lot of information on logging. OBDII doesn't show knock sensor output, but it does show timing. The dynamic timing curve is very dependent on the knock sensor output. If you see your timing consistently drop during a test run you can be sure you're knocking.

Also tmo.com has some good logging info on it.