FanVision Entertainment today is unveiling its next-generation race companion device entitled the Legend. The device essentially merges the capabilities of the analog Racing Electronics scanner, which allows fans to tap into race teams’ radio feeds, and the digital FanVision receiver that shows video. It also throws in the capabilities of a smartphone. While the old scanner could be used at thousands of races throughout the country in various series, the FanVision device is only used for NASCAR's Cup Series, meaning fans have been facing a choice about which one to get when they attended Cup races. The Legend is meant to be a solution to that issue. The ability to make such a device became possible because FanVision, which is owned by Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross, acquired Racing Electronics last year. FanVision CEO Andrew Daines: “The customer doesn’t have to make a choice anymore, which is really nice for them and us. And then when we got down to figuring out what we want to build, we realized if we combined FanVision and scanner with all the hardware and software of a high-end smartphone, you could have a really powerful device.” With the smartphone capabilities, the device can run apps, have a data plan and access the Google Play store -- capabilities that are meant to stretch beyond the race fan to race teams as well as car enthusiasts. FanVision is first releasing the device on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter for $275 to the earliest backers and expects it to retail trackside for around $349. The current FanVision device costs $299. Daines said FanVision is trying to take 10-12 tools -- including a temperature gauge and a stopwatch -- and put them on one device. Daines: “We’re going to be doing live updates every couple of months with new apps and features."
