The HKS CAMP, known around the world as Computerized Automobile Multi-Player, debuted in 1996 as the first monitoring system of its kind. The HKS CAMP was designed as a graphical data display enabling end users to interface the CAMP system connected to the factory ECM to a heads- up audio/video display to monitor, in real-time scenario, multiple information from various engine parameters. The HKS CAMP system was considered a revolutionary unit, at a time when entry-level in-line fuel pumps and rise rate fuel pressure regulators were considered high-tech fuel management for the import tuner world.
The HKS CAMP offered visual options to display, such as speed, rpm, gas mileage, fuel consumption, and injector duty cycle, to name a few. The CAMP unit featured an impressive 32-bit RISC CPU for its day and was able to communicate with the end user's PC (Windows 95), enabling the user to analyze the vehicle data information from the comforts of his cockpit using a spreadsheet software. This invaluable tool was beneficial for CAMP users since they could display data logging graphs of rpm/speed/boost/fuel for every hundredth of a second to measure turbo boost in comparison to rpm/speed/fuel to properly recalibrate and tune the car. Using the optional HKS junction box, along with add-on sensors sold separately, expands the parameters of the CAMP, enabling drivers to monitor boost, EGT, temp, pressure, and G sensor unit. Perhaps the coolest feature that I always admired when using the previous version of the CAMP unit was the fish function screensaver, which displays an aquarium environment. The fish's growth and ability to thrive is dependent on things like speed and gas mileage. If your vehicle's air/fuel ran excessively rich or lean, the tropical fishes will tend to go belly up. In my case, the fishes never lasted for more than a minute-God bless their souls. The early version of the CAMP system was a performance enthusiast's dream come true; unfortunately many of its drawbacks came with its pre-OBD2 compatibility (and need to purchase the optional sensors and junction box unit, which ran the cost of the complete package setup upwards of $1,000).
On May 7, HKS released a new and improved version of the CAMP with its debut of the CAMP2. As technological advancements have grown by leaps and bounds since the original CAMP took to the market 12 years ago, HKS has taken many of the best features from the original unit and improved upon it before placing them into the new CAMP2 multifunction computer system.