I haven't seen this mentioned. I've been researching aftermarket stereo head units and found that Kenwood's upper models can measure and display G forces!



See here: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/GMA/g_analyzer_kenw.html (be sure to scroll down)

Seems like not very useful for anything practical, but may be a fun thing to have for a motoring enthusiast. Anybody have one of these already?

 

Only practical if it can record and playback a run, or show peak #s. I can just imagine all the kids right now howling around corners and squinting down at the deck rather than watching the road

A cheap Gtech can calculate 0-60, 1/4 mi, horsepower etc in addition to recording Gs.

 

but is it accurate?
--EDIT--

I found this gtech reader. Is it for real/ worth the money?

 

In an oversimplification of design considerations, I think that accuracy will be determined:

1) by the location of the sensors (accelerometers);
2) calibration of the sensors to the specific vehicle's characteristics and load; and
3) quality of the sensors.

Ideally, the sensors should be at the exact CG ("center of gravity") in the vehicle. This would not be on the windscreen nor on the dashboard.

When properly located in the vehicle, the sensors need to be calibrated to the "stance" of the car and any additional loading placed in to it (driver, fuel, etc).

The sensors should, ideally, send data for three sets of dynamics: front to rear (acceleration and braking g-force), side to side (lateral g-force) and yaw (rotational g-force). I believe most units have sensors for the first two.

Data logging is important if you want to actually use this device and the principle of the "friction circle" to improve you driving, and to assess the tuning of your chassis. Ideally, the data will be able to be transferred to a computer for analysis and graphing. The really good units will display g-forces in real time using a friction circle format.

I have recently found my old g.analyst made in the early 90's by Valentine Research. This is an incredible device and was one of Michael Valentine's better creations.

It is comprised of a generously-sized display device that can be dash-mounted. The display logs about 5 minutes worth of data that can be displayed in both real time and post-race modes. Display format was either in linear (accel/brake or lateral) or friction circle format (accel/brake and lateral combined). The playback was controlled with VCR-style functions.

The sensor unit contains three accelerometers and is separate from the display so it can be mounted at the car's CG. A cable with RG-45 type connectors linked the two units.

So, I guess this has become one of my summer projects for the MINI!

Theo