If you're looking to upgrade your track car's electronics, the aim mxp is easily one of the most versatile pieces of kit you can get your hands on. It sits right in that "Goldilocks" zone of digital displays—it's not so small that you're squinting at lap times through a hairpin, but it's not so massive that it blocks your entire view of the hood. I've seen a lot of guys struggle with choosing between the smaller MXS or the giant MXG, but the MXP seems to be the sweet spot for most modern sports cars and GT builds.
Why the Size Actually Matters
When you're out on track, the last thing you want to do is hunt for information. The 6-inch screen on the aim mxp is a high-contrast TFT display, which basically means it stays crisp even when the sun is beating directly onto your dashboard. If you've ever used a cheap tablet or an older digital dash, you know how annoying glare can be. With this unit, the colors stay vibrant, and the text is sharp.
The resolution is high enough that you can pack a decent amount of data on a single page without it looking cluttered. Most people set up a "main" page for when they're actually driving—think a big RPM bar, gear indicator, and lap time—and then secondary pages for things like oil temp, water temp, and tire pressures. Because it's a 6-inch screen, you can actually read those smaller numbers at 100 mph without taking your eyes off the line for more than a split second.
It's a Data Logger, Not Just a Pretty Face
One mistake people make is thinking the aim mxp is just a fancy speedometer. It's actually a full-blown data logger. It's the "brain" of your car's data ecosystem. It has an integrated shift light array across the top, which is fully customizable. You can set them to blink, change colors, or sequence however you like.
But the real magic is what's happening behind the scenes. It features an internal GPS, which is crazy accurate for track mapping and lap timing. You don't have to mess around with external beacons or weird sensors on the pit wall. You just roll up to the track, the unit recognizes where you are via GPS, and starts timing as soon as you cross the start/finish line. It's almost too easy.
Beyond that, it has multiple CAN bus inputs. If you're running a modern ECU (like a Haltech, Motec, or even just a factory OBDII setup), the aim mxp talks to it directly. It pulls all that data—throttle position, brake pressure, steering angle, intake temps—and logs it all to the internal memory. When you get back to the pits, you just pull the data onto your laptop and see exactly where you're losing time.
Setting Up RaceStudio 3
Now, I'll be honest with you: AiM's software, RaceStudio 3, has a bit of a learning curve. It's powerful, but it doesn't always feel like the most "modern" software in terms of user interface. However, once you spend an hour or two playing with it, it starts to make sense.
You use the software to design your screen layouts. You can choose from a bunch of pre-made templates or build your own from scratch. You can set up "alarms" too, which is a lifesaver. For example, you can tell the aim mxp to turn the entire screen bright red if the oil pressure drops below a certain level. That kind of instant feedback can save you a $10,000 engine build before you even realize something is wrong.
The software also handles the WiFi connectivity. One of the coolest things about the aim mxp is that you don't even need to plug a cable into it to get your data. You can just sit in your trailer with your laptop, connect to the dash over WiFi, and download your last session while you're grabbing a drink. It's those little quality-of-life features that make it worth the price tag.
Installation and Wiring
If you're worried about the install, don't be. Well, mostly. If you're just doing a basic OBDII connection, it's basically plug-and-play. But if you want to get the most out of the aim mxp, you'll want to use the 37-pin harness. This allows you to wire in analog sensors for things the car might not factory-track, like individual wheel speed sensors or suspension potentiometers.
The unit itself is built like a tank. It's got an anodized aluminum body that feels premium. It's also waterproof, so if you're running an open-cockpit car or a buggy, you don't have to freak out if a stray rain cloud rolls over the track. The buttons on the side are tactile and easy to press even if you're wearing thick racing gloves, which is a detail that often gets overlooked by cheaper brands.
The Visual Advantage of the MXP
The aim mxp supports up to eight configurable RGB alarm LEDs. These aren't just for "engine exploding" warnings. I like to use them for things like "predictive lap time." You can set them up to glow green if you're currently faster than your best lap, or red if you're slower. Having that visual cue in your peripheral vision is huge. It helps you stay focused on the driving rather than staring at the numbers.
The shift lights are also a big deal. You can program them to be "progressive," so they fill up as you approach the redline. This helps you time your shifts perfectly by using your peripheral vision. It sounds like a small thing, but in a high-stress race environment, reducing the mental load on the driver is everything.
Comparing the MXP to Other Models
You might be wondering if you should just save some money and go with the MXS or splash out for the MXG. In my experience, the MXS (the 5-inch version) is great for motorcycles or very tight formula car cockpits, but for a standard car, it feels a little cramped. On the flip side, the MXG (the 7-inch version) is awesome, but it's actually quite large. In many street-based cars, the MXG can end up blocking your view of the shift lights or even part of the windshield depending on how you mount it.
The aim mxp is the middle ground. It gives you enough screen real estate to actually see what's going on without feeling like you've strapped an iPad to your steering column. It also shares the same internal hardware as the bigger units, so you aren't sacrificing any processing power or logging capability by going with the mid-sized option.
Is It Worth the Investment?
Let's talk money. The aim mxp isn't exactly "cheap." It's a serious piece of hardware for people who are serious about their driving. But when you factor in that it replaces your speedometer, your tachometer, all your auxiliary gauges, your lap timer, and your data logger, the value proposition starts to look a lot better.
Instead of having five different gauges cluttered across your dash, you have one clean, professional-looking unit. It makes the interior of the car look like a proper factory race car. Plus, the resale value on AiM gear is surprisingly high. If you ever decide to sell the car or upgrade to a different system, you won't have a hard time finding a buyer for a used MXP.
Final Thoughts on the MXP Experience
At the end of the day, the aim mxp is about confidence. It's about knowing exactly what your car is doing at any given moment. It's about having the data to prove that you actually were faster through Turn 4, rather than just feeling like you were.
If you're tired of guessing your lap times or worrying about your temps, making the switch to a dedicated logger like this is one of those "wish I did it sooner" moments. It changes the way you approach a track day. You stop just "driving" and start "testing." You become more methodical. And honestly, it just looks cool as hell when you flip the power on and that TFT screen brings your cockpit to life.
Whether you're building a dedicated time attack monster or just want more info during your weekend HPDE sessions, the MXP is a solid, reliable choice that you probably won't ever outgrow. It's robust, the support from the racing community is massive, and it just works. And in the world of aftermarket car parts, "it just works" is one of the best compliments you can give.