Purple Sector
Garmin Catalyst vs RaceBox vs AiM Solo 2 for track days
Catalyst 2, RaceBox Mini, Mini S and AiM Solo 2 for track days: 25 Hz GPS on all, Australian prices, what each records and how you get the data off.
All three record GPS at 25 Hz. The Garmin Catalyst 2 (A$1,999) coaches you on the device with its own camera, but Garmin documents no data export. A RaceBox (from US$129) costs the least and exports VBO or CSV, and works with a phone app. An AiM Solo 2 is a lap timer with its own display, and its .xrk files open in AiM’s Race Studio 3 on Windows.
Purple Sector doesn’t make hardware. It opens files from RaceBox and AiM, and from older Catalysts. Purple Sector has no commercial relationship with any brand on this page.
How do they compare?
Specs and prices checked 23 October 2026. A dash means not checked.
| Garmin Catalyst 2 | RaceBox Mini | RaceBox Mini S | RaceBox Micro | AiM Solo 2 | AiM Solo 2 DL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (as of 23 Oct 2026) | A$1,999 (Garmin AU) | US$219 on sale, US$249 normally (RaceBox says valid for Australia); A$334.99 at an AU reseller | US$289 on sale, US$319 normally | US$129 on sale, US$139 normally | A$769.95 (AU dealer) | A$1,340 incl. tax (AU dealer) |
| GPS | 25 Hz multi-GNSS | 25 Hz; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou | 25 Hz, same four | 25 Hz; adds SBAS, QZSS | 25 Hz, four constellations | Same |
| Other sensors | Accelerometers, gyroscopes, image processing | Not compared here | – | – | 3D accelerometer and gyro | Adds ECU data over CAN, RS232 or K-Line |
| Screen | 3" touchscreen | Uses the phone app | – | – | 238×99 graphical display | Same |
| Camera | Built-in, 1440p | No; the app records phone video or imports action-camera footage | – | – | No | No |
| Records without a phone? | Yes | No: needs a constant phone connection | Yes: 2 h+ at 25 Hz | Yes: start/stop button | Yes | Yes |
| Power | Battery up to 45 min | Battery, up to 20 h use | – | Wired, 3.5–16 V | – | – |
| Coaching | Audio cues, top three opportunities, True Optimal Lap video | App: compare two laps, sectors, predictive mode | – | – | Analysis in Race Studio 3 | Same |
| Getting the data off | Session to the app over Bluetooth; video with overlays exported from the app; no data-file export documented | Export CSV, VBO or GPX from racebox.pro | Same, or read over Bluetooth in Chrome/Edge | Same | Wi-Fi download to Race Studio 3 (Windows) as .xrk | Same |
| Subscription | Vault, paid, for video storage (price not published by Garmin) | App free; paid cloud video storage | – | – | None stated | None stated |
| Opens in Purple Sector | No data file to open on current software | VBO, CSV | VBO, CSV, Bluetooth | VBO, CSV, Bluetooth | .xrk / .xrz | .xrk / .xrz |
Garmin Catalyst 2
- Price (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- A$1,999 (Garmin AU)
- GPS
- 25 Hz multi-GNSS
- Other sensors
- Accelerometers, gyroscopes, image processing
- Screen
- 3" touchscreen
- Camera
- Built-in, 1440p
- Records without a phone?
- Yes
- Power
- Battery up to 45 min
- Coaching
- Audio cues, top three opportunities, True Optimal Lap video
- Getting the data off
- Session to the app over Bluetooth; video with overlays exported from the app; no data-file export documented
- Subscription
- Vault, paid, for video storage (price not published by Garmin)
- Opens in Purple Sector
- No data file to open on current software
RaceBox Mini
- Price (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- US$219 on sale, US$249 normally (RaceBox says valid for Australia); A$334.99 at an AU reseller
- GPS
- 25 Hz; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
- Other sensors
- Not compared here
- Screen
- Uses the phone app
- Camera
- No; the app records phone video or imports action-camera footage
- Records without a phone?
- No: needs a constant phone connection
- Power
- Battery, up to 20 h use
- Coaching
- App: compare two laps, sectors, predictive mode
- Getting the data off
- Export CSV, VBO or GPX from racebox.pro
- Subscription
- App free; paid cloud video storage
- Opens in Purple Sector
- VBO, CSV
RaceBox Mini S
- Price (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- US$289 on sale, US$319 normally
- GPS
- 25 Hz, same four
- Other sensors
- –
- Screen
- –
- Camera
- –
- Records without a phone?
- Yes: 2 h+ at 25 Hz
- Power
- –
- Coaching
- –
- Getting the data off
- Same, or read over Bluetooth in Chrome/Edge
- Subscription
- –
- Opens in Purple Sector
- VBO, CSV, Bluetooth
RaceBox Micro
- Price (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- US$129 on sale, US$139 normally
- GPS
- 25 Hz; adds SBAS, QZSS
- Other sensors
- –
- Screen
- –
- Camera
- –
- Records without a phone?
- Yes: start/stop button
- Power
- Wired, 3.5–16 V
- Coaching
- –
- Getting the data off
- Same
- Subscription
- –
- Opens in Purple Sector
- VBO, CSV, Bluetooth
AiM Solo 2
- Price (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- A$769.95 (AU dealer)
- GPS
- 25 Hz, four constellations
- Other sensors
- 3D accelerometer and gyro
- Screen
- 238×99 graphical display
- Camera
- No
- Records without a phone?
- Yes
- Power
- –
- Coaching
- Analysis in Race Studio 3
- Getting the data off
- Wi-Fi download to Race Studio 3 (Windows) as
.xrk - Subscription
- None stated
- Opens in Purple Sector
.xrk/.xrz
AiM Solo 2 DL
- Price (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- A$1,340 incl. tax (AU dealer)
- GPS
- Same
- Other sensors
- Adds ECU data over CAN, RS232 or K-Line
- Screen
- Same
- Camera
- No
- Records without a phone?
- Yes
- Power
- –
- Coaching
- Same
- Getting the data off
- Same
- Subscription
- None stated
- Opens in Purple Sector
.xrk/.xrz
What is each one good at?
- Garmin Catalyst 2: everything in one box: camera, screen and coaching during and right after the session, with no laptop.
- RaceBox Mini: works with RaceChrono and Harry’s LapTimer as well as the RaceBox app.
- RaceBox Micro: the lowest price here (US$129), wired to the vehicle’s power.
- RaceBox Mini S / Micro: record on their own, and exports are free from the RaceBox website.
- AiM Solo 2: its own display, no phone needed, and analysis in AiM’s Race Studio 3.
- AiM Solo 2 DL: adds the car’s own ECU data over CAN, RS232 or K-Line, which the GPS-only devices here don’t record.
How would I analyse each one after the day?
- Catalyst: in the Garmin Catalyst app. Garmin doesn’t document a data export, so there’s no file for other tools to read on current software. See Garmin Catalyst data export.
- RaceBox: in the RaceBox app, or export VBO/CSV and open it in a desktop or browser tool. See RaceBox data export.
- AiM Solo 2: Race Studio 3 on a Windows PC, or the
.xrkin a browser on any computer. See Race Studio 3 on a Mac.
Catalyst (original) vs Catalyst 2
The original Catalyst records at 10 Hz, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a separate Remote Cam. Garmin AU’s page for it shows no price. The Catalyst 2 moves to 25 Hz, with a 3" screen and the camera built in.
Questions
Garmin Catalyst or RaceBox?
The Catalyst 2 is a complete coaching unit with a screen and camera for A$1,999, and keeps your data in Garmin’s app. A RaceBox is a 25 Hz GPS that costs far less and uses your phone, and its sessions export as VBO or CSV for any analysis tool.
Garmin Catalyst or AiM Solo 2?
Both record GPS at 25 Hz. The Catalyst 2 adds a camera and coaching on the device. The Solo 2 is a lap timer with its own display that downloads to AiM’s Race Studio 3, and the Solo 2 DL adds the car’s ECU data.
RaceBox Mini S or AiM Solo 2?
Both record 25 Hz GPS. The Mini S records without a phone and costs US$289 on sale; the Solo 2 has its own display and costs A$769.95 at an Australian dealer. RaceBox exports VBO or CSV from its website; AiM uses .xrk files and Race Studio 3 on Windows.
Can I get my data out of a Garmin Catalyst?
Video with overlays, yes. A data file is another matter: Garmin documents no data export, and owners report newer software stopped writing the .fit file older units kept.
Is a 25 Hz GPS better than 10 Hz?
It records position more often. A higher rate doesn’t by itself guarantee position accuracy.
More: Lap timer apps compared · What GPS data can and cannot tell you · AiM Solo 2 software and apps · Motorcycle lap timers compared · Track day telemetry for beginners
Sources, checked 23 October 2026
- Catalyst 2 A$1,999; 25 Hz; sensors; camera; screen; coaching; video export: garmin.com/en-AU/p/1917956
- Catalyst 2 data to the app over Bluetooth: www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-9592B201-210B-4F3A-9081-7F876CC81
- Catalyst 2 battery up to 45 minutes: www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-9592B201-210B-4F3A-9081-7F876CC81
- Vault is a paid subscription for videos: www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-9592B201-210B-4F3A-9081-7F876CC81
- No data export in the Catalyst manual: www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-16C78876-E016-40FD-8A0A-049BA52B4
- Original Catalyst 10 Hz, 7-inch screen, Remote Cam: garmin.com/en-AU/p/690726
- Owners report 5.30 stopped writing .fit files: forums.garmin.com/developer/fit-sdk/f/discussion/331182/catalyst-fit-f
- RaceBox Mini: 25 Hz, needs a phone, price, battery: racebox.pro/products/racebox-mini
- RaceBox Mini A$334.99 at an Australian reseller: modeautoconcepts.com/products/racebox-mini-automotive-performance-lap-
- RaceBox Mini S: 25 Hz, over 2 hours at 25 Hz, price: racebox.pro/products/racebox-mini-s
- RaceBox Micro: 25 Hz, SBAS and QZSS, wired 3.5 to 16 V, price: racebox.pro/products/racebox-micro
- RaceBox exports CSV, VBO and GPX from its website: racebox.pro/info/session-export
- RaceBox works with RaceChrono and Harry’s: racebox.pro/info/faq
- AiM Solo 2 and DL: 25 Hz, four constellations: aim-sportline.com/en/products/solo2-solo2dl/index.htm
- Solo 2: channels, display, Wi-Fi download: store.aim-sportline.com/en/lap-timers/23-solo-2.html
- Solo 2 DL adds CAN, K-Line or RS232 ECU data: store.aim-sportline.com/en/lap-timers/37-solo-2-dl.html
- Race Studio 3 on Windows x64 only: aim-sportline.com/en/sw-os-compatibility-table.htm
- Solo 2 DL A$1,340 incl. tax: tasautosport.com.au/products/solo-2-dl-gps-lap-timer
- Solo 2 A$769.95: superbikesupply.com.au/products/aim-solo-2-gps-lap-timer