Nowadays, the world is evolving very quickly, technology is taking a major place in all spheres of our society. And our favorite sport is no exception, quite the contrary! The product I am presenting to you today fits perfectly with the great technological advances in the sport of snowmobiling.
GAP Innovation is a small company based in Repentigny, Quebec. Guys from here in Quebec who all have bachelor degrees in electrical, software or mechanical engineering. But above all, they are all passionate about off-road vehicles and especially snowmobiles!
For several years, the company has been providing diagnostic solutions for Land Rover vehicles. It is actually an electronic module that is connected to the vehicle, with a Bluetooth receiver transmitter, allowing the use of mobile devices. Acting in real time with the vehicle, it offers an easy-to-use interface via applications on a smartphone or tablet. Mobile applications simplify the use of complex vehicle controls, and provide excellent data visibility to the driver. There is a multitude of information from the control system, technical data, configuration options, map and GPS data and much more! And that’s where the guys at GAP Innovation got the idea to transfer their expertise to their hobby!
Let’s get to the heart of the matter, as you may have guessed, the company has transposed their technology to the world of snowmobiling. CoPiTrail is an advanced navigation and driver assistance system with a GPS module, a diagnostic system, which monitors and analyzes various types of data from the electronic control unit, and also a delivery platform for modified engine maps, or commonly called performance programming. The mobile device used is an Apple iPad mini 4. For now, CoPiTrail is available for snowmobiles equipped with the 998cc and 1100cc turbo engines, so all 2017 or 2018 Sidewinder at Yamaha, and all 9000 series from 2017 and 2018 and all models equipped with the 1100- turbo from 2012 to 2016 at Arctic Cat . Company officials are considering the possibility of expanding their CoPiTrail to other manufacturers in the near future.
Navigation…
Without a doubt the strongest point of the application, CoPiTrail offers on a large iPad mini 4 screen, a complete navigation map that displays the Quebec trail map. In addition, it displays your position in real time, with an indication of part of the distance traveled, so you know where you are coming from. And to make the usefulness of the application more pleasant, if you are traveling with friends who also have the application, you can see on the map the location of all your hiking partners! This is really great, how often do you lose sight of someone in your group for whatever reason? This option also brings a very interesting security aspect! In the case of an accident for example, we will see exactly the stationary position which will eliminate the searches! For the operation of this part of the application, a cellular connection is required.
Customized dashboard…
CoPiTrail allows you to display on your mobile device all the same information as the original dial and even more. Engine RPM, speed, engine temperature, fuel level, everything is available on the screen and you can configure the display to your liking. In order to add a little more, it is possible to display additional parameters, which are not available at the origin, turbo intake pressure, MAP sensor, throttle position sensor, etc. The display choices can vary depending on the speed. You can also, when you arrive from your ride, view all the data on the iPad mini 4 or export it via email for viewing on a computer. Since the system is equipped with GPS, you can consult a multitude of data such as when accelerating, you will find your time and speed 0-60 feet, or 0-100 km/h, 0-660 feet, 0-1320 feet (quarter mile), etc. I’m sure that all my fellow acceleration runners have a little smile on their face…
For runner: Engine programming delivery platform…As you already know, several companies have developed engine programs to increase the performance of Yamaha’s 998cc turbocharged engines, which are also found in Arctic Cat’s 9000 models. CoPiTrail allows you to interface with your mobile device for several engine programs, allowing you to change the selected power of your machine during a stop. The programs are sold separately by reputable tuners.
CoPiTrail is not just an application, as you know, using mobile devices in cold weather significantly reduces their performance. And, let’s face it, it’s unthinkable to use a mobile device in winter without protecting it from the elements. But the engineering leaders at GAP Innovation have thought of all that. When you purchase the iPad mini 4, you will receive a waterproof and heatable receptacle to install it, all the adapters to fix it to the original dial, and also an additional support to reposition the latter so that it remains visible and functional! The installation of the product is very simple, the electronic module with GPS included is connected in series before the original dial. The communication between the electronic module and the iPad mini 4 is done via Bluetooth, so when you stop for lunch, it is very simple to remove the mobile device and bring it with you.
For the next winter, we will test the CoPiTrail product, and we will give you our appreciation of this new and interesting technology. In closing, a big thank you to Patrick Meilleur from GAP Innovation, and for more information, www.copi-trail.com.
