Okay, I have to add my 2 cents. For what Dennis wanted to measure, which is to
measure lateral and longitudinal G's, a G-Analyst would have been a less
expensive and easier to install alternative. GEEZ adds some enhanced features
that allow for more intensive data analysis at a reasonable price. As a matter
of fact, both of these tools, plus the Vericom, are used by some engineers I
know in their professional recording and testing.
In either case, the key element for Dennis isn't necessarily, as he mentioned
the absolute G-values but he's absolutely missing the fact that it's not even
that he's reading a consistent G in a corner. If he's trying to improve the
driver, the critical missing element is a baseline to a quicker driver in the
same car/conditions/instrumentation. So what if you're pulling 1.10Gs through a
sweeper, can someone else pull 1.15G and do it over a greater range and a
smoother transition under the same conditions. Maybe they brake earlier to
setup a quicker exit or vice versa. There's no absolute answers on a given
course as to how hard you should brake or corner, understanding friction circles
and tire limitations should teach you this. So what if you pulled more Gs
braking in a straight line at the finish, well you should, the course is done,
maybe there was an unsettling bump at the other corner that wouldn't allow full
deceleration. On an autox course, full braking and/or full acceleration is not
always utilized or should it necessarily depending on the car and what you want
it to do. Self instrumentation works for testing car capability before and
after a mod assuming you've controlled the conditions including the driver, of
course you could just buy a $139 G-Tech Pro (ugh).
For driver analysis in autox, self measurement without some benchmark doesn't
work, you're doomed to continuously repeat your mistakes. From self experience,
just measuring yourself gets old and really accomplishes very little. All the
instruments in the world might help you improve a car setup (or they may just
fill you with information overload and just more confusion) but without
baselines, it won't be so easy to improve the driver, which afterall is the
critical element in autox.
John Tak
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