{"id":283,"date":"2024-01-23T17:10:14","date_gmt":"2024-01-23T17:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foxlap.com\/tutorials\/?p=283"},"modified":"2026-08-27T00:21:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T00:21:56","slug":"diy-build-your-foxlap-device","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foxlap.com\/tutorials\/diy-build-your-foxlap-device\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY-Build Your FoxLAP device"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FoxLAP – The DIY version<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

EDIT: This tutorial is starting to show its age, as it was originally written in late 2021. Some of the components used at the time, such as the GNSS module, are now becoming difficult to find.<\/strong>

This is what you will have at the end of this tutorial: a fully functional GPS lap timer.<\/strong>
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It does, however, come with a few limitations.
This DIY version does not include external sensors such as RPM, water temperature or EGT, and it has no built-in accelerometer. It is also not designed to be fully water-resistant and uses a simple physical power switch instead of an advanced battery-management system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yes, the inside is going to look a little rough, with hand-soldered wires and hot glue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is intentionally a quick and simple implementation. The first FoxLAP prototype was built in almost exactly the same way so that I could start developing the firmware. I rebuilt one for this tutorial without spending too much time trying to make the internal assembly perfect. I\u2019m sure many of you can build something cleaner \u2014 and if you do, please share it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these limitations, you still get the essential FoxLAP features: lap timing, gap to best lap, speed, sectors, theoretical best lap, live delta and session recording. You can also analyse your recorded GPS data afterwards using GPXRender software<\/a> or with the online tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The goal of this tutorial<\/strong>
The aim is to build the simplest possible FoxLAP device using readily available components. This is very close to the hardware i originally used when I started developing FoxLAP, so rebuilding it for this tutorial brings back a few memories<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it the ultimate hardware design? Definitely not. Could some components be replaced with better or cheaper alternatives? Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Blender? Why this display? Why this ESP32 board? There are plenty of choices that could be debated or improved. But this version exists, it works, and it is relatively easy to reproduce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, ready to build one?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1- Required parts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is what I used, mainly because I already had most of these items at home. Some of these parts can be replaced with more convenient or cheaper alternatives, depending on what is available in your country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have included links to purchase the components, but I have no affiliation with these sellers and I do not earn anything from these links. You are of course free to buy the parts wherever you prefer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n