I'm not sure which forum this should be in. It seems to relate most directly to drag racing, so I picked this one. Apologies if I chose incorrectly.

I have a basic understanding of density altitude (what it means and why it's important).

What I want to know is this:

For those of you that determine and record the DA when you go racing, how do you go about measuring it? Is there a device I can buy that will just give me a DA readout, or do I need to bring a thermometer, altimeter, and barometer with me every time, and do the math?

Thanks!

 

I just bought a TAG Command Air. Google it and check it out. Spits out more weather info than I know what to do with and has a data base for four race cars.

 

That's a pretty cool device.

 

http://www.csgnetwork.com/densaltcalc.html

 

Just too much info to copy again. It's not a simple a+b+c formula but it can be calculated with programmable calculators or within a spreadsheet with nothing more than temperature, humidity, barometric pressure and track elevation.

http://drr.infopop.cc/groupee/forums...2/m/6991040212

There are other factors racers keep track of. Air density, vapor pressure and dew point can be just as inportant as density altitude.

As for a simple device to use as a basic weather station, look at buying a Kestrel 4000 handheld weather station. It will even tell you density altitude and wind speed. They're available on Ebay and normally sell for about $230