Just got my Passport G-Timer

I just bought an Escort Passport GT2 G-Timer. No it's not a new radar detector. The G-Timer is a Vehicle Performance Computer that measures Acceleration/Deceleration and Left / Right G-Forces. It also gives you 0-60 times, and 1/4 mile time and speed. With some user input (such as -- vehicle weight, aero characteristics) it will provide peak Horsepower.

 

I will you can see one at: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=10010

 

Got it from Amazon.com.

 

Same as you would a radar detector, mount it to your windshield and plug it into your cigarette lighter.

 

I just put it in today, so I haven't tested against the racetrack clock. But from what I have read it should be accurate to within a 10th of a second. So far I like what I have seen. My first run: 0-60 = 9.02 sec, 1/4 mile = 16.97 @ 83.3 mph. My second run: 0-60 = 8.1 sec, 1/4 mile = 16.30 @ 86.7mph. I have made two other runs that landed in between the first two.

 

The GT2 gives you the ability to download your results to a computer. Of course the software and cable are sold seperately for $24.95 and the only place I have been able to find to purchase is direct from Escort.

I haven't made any modification to my car yet other than oil and filter.

[guote="Bryn1987"]i would hope that was on a track....
[/quote]

No I haven't taken it to the track. That is kind of the point of the device, if I could get to the track I wouldn't need the timer.

Here is where the details of how it works can be found: http://www.escortradar.com/gtimer_faq.htm

Essentially it measures the g-forces of acceration and uses that to calculate speed, distance, and time. The way it explains it is that if a vehicle has 1.0 G acceleration it is travelling at 32fps and from that it can calculate acceleration and distance. The FAQ explains it really well so check it out.

 

Oh and no it isn't useful for day to day driving; but if you want to know what kind of performance you are getting it is very handy. For instance I have not made any mods to my car (can't afford it, yet), and before I do I want to know what my capabilities are, so that when I do make modifications I will be able to see what if any improvements the mod made. Also I can use it to improve my own driving capabilities.

For example: my best run was my second run, I have made six so far, with 0-60 measuring 8.1 seconds and 1/4 mile of 16.37 @ 86.7mph. This is close but does not yet meet the 7.7 the manufacturer claims. Why? What did I do that can be improved on? How much did the 95 degree heat impact it? Concrete or asphalt? etc. etc. There are a lot of factors that influence the results, and I for one am going to enjoy learning these things.

Before I had the G-Timer I had no convenient way to gather this information.