I'm a solid intermediate driver who wants to become a slightly better driver. Having had mixed experiences with different instructors riding with me I really like the concept of this device. Currently run Harry's to get data and I don't capture video yet.

For those of you who have used one, do you find yourself paying attention to the lights enough to be able to make adjustments during a session? If so, how long did it take to get yourself adjusted to having this kind of digital feedback? Or should I expect the majority of the improvement come afterwards when reviewing the data and making adjustments in future sessions?

 

I once heard Juan Pablo Montaya say something to the effect of: "If you're not full throttle, threshold braking, or catching the car while corning--you're slow." This is what I've been using to find time.

 

As the first Apex Pro dealer, the way that the system “learns” and the way the system helps you assimilate the information visually in real time are two big pluses.

Since that time, the app, and especially the latest addition of in app video with the paid annual Lap Timer Plus app has been a huge addition to the value of Apex Pro.

For some, picking isolated places to work on the best execution of fundamental skills and To be able to SEE that in real time peripherally is a big deal.

For others, people use in car video to watch the Apex Pro or they replay their laps in the app, watching the lights to determine where to work on next.

Martin S. has written a nice review.

As a professional coach having experience working with Sebring, Daytona and LeMans winners as well as a wide variety of DE and Club Racing drivers, the internally corrected and validated information the Apex Pro collects, and particularly the Apex “score” and LED behavior, is EXACTLY the distraction of what I think is most important. Maximum use of the tire in transition and between axis.

For $589 (with the good suction cup mount), it’s one of the least expensive, best value devices there is. Period.

Ease of use, using iOS only, is better than anything else except possibly VBOX, and substantially shorter learning curve than AIM, Race Technology and Motec.

It’s great. Glad to send you one and send links on how to use it, if and when you’re interested.

 

I find that a majority of track day and DE drivers are not yet well enough calibrated with their “butt gyro” that that is hard to do for people that don’t do it nearly every day, every week and weekend, for several if not many years.

A fair number of drivers peer at predictive lap times to see what’s working or not, and that helps.

But that doesn’t tell them how to correlate maximum braking capability to “feel” and what “cornering fast enough you have to catch the car” FEELS like so that they can learn to do it again, incrementally.

Most of the time, when people drive under the limit, then try and emulate JPM in one corner after “screwing up their courage,” they crash.

The Apex Pro is the only device that displays learned percentage use of the tires contact patch IN REAL TIME. THIS is what make JPM so fast.

Some people can approach and develop that kinesthetic ability naturally. Well, a few can. Others need help.

The Apex is but one of a very few that can help those that need help. And not duplicate what AIM, MoTeC, VBOX and other logging systems do, which is to merely supply an accurate record of what happened so you can see objectively what DID happen.

 

That's a good way to find a wall......

 

or a jet dryer

 

If you think you are interested, check out their group on FB. There are lots of people with them who let other folks try them out, dealers with loaners, etc. I think it works really well for a some people. I won't claim to be the first dealer, but I had one of the first units they sold

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. After reading here on the forum, all the articles on their site and watching some videos I placed an order.

 

Jay, I really like the device and think if you use it you'll find it helpful. I think Peter's point about suddenly "going for it" is very important as, with limited experience, you may be "going for a ride"... This device can help you creep up on what's going on in terms of adding speed, and it's something I always caution drivers to do. Besides peeking at how much lateral grip you're using, the other thing I've found that's it's really helpful for is adding throttle... "how fast can I get back to maximum throttle?".

A tip for how to use it... you can put in the middle of your window and then try to peek at it when "looking ahead" right and left. Yeah, well I don't think that works so well. Try this...take a session, think about which right hand corners you want to work on. Put it over on the right side of your window so it's in your field of vision when "looking ahead". Then, right there in your field of vision will be those lights telling you... "ON THE GAS!!!".

Then, do it for left hand corners. Pretty soon, you will probably have more confidence in what you have in the car, and you just might be going faster.

Peter mentioned the video overlay function. It uses the iPhone camera, which isn't an action cam in terms of being "still", but Andrew sent me a sample video and it works pretty well. Certainly well enough to not be annoying to watch and, besides, you can also run a GoPro in case something cool happens. If ApexPro had an "action cam" interface that provided top shelf video with their overlay, I would probably sell my SmartyCam and use the ApexPro exclusively. The ApexPro guys do a GREAT job supporting their product and update it constantly. Besides, I'm just not into decoding stuff back at the house when I'm actually going to learn right after a session at the track, and I also don't need the frustration of trying to remember why "I can't just plug this thing in and it instantly work". The ApexPro device is great for that. It's simple, intuitive, and it just plain works. All of that makes you want to use it more, and that's the bottom line.

Have fun.

 

"The horse is already out of the barn." I do hope you bought the unit from Peter Krause...not certain if Matt Romanowski handles the APEX Pro. These are two of the best dealers in the nation, and they unequivocally service and support what they sell, just as Andrew Rains and the crew at APEX Pro do.

I have included an article I wrote last October, published by Speed Secrets' Ross Bentley. Not surprisingly, after over a year of using the APEX Pro, I am still infatuated with it. I can hardly wait to try out their new video application. Presently I run APEX Pro, as well as an AiM SOLO 2 DL connected to my car's CAN bus system, and integrated with an AiM SmartyCam HD, 84 degrees FOV.

You are going to love the APEX Pro. Be certain to watch the many YouTube videos on the APEX Pro channel.

 

JayL
Congrats on your purchase. Some very good information here from Peter, Martin and jmimac351. It is a very good tool to help you 'be a better driver' as you asked!

I'll be honest, I was skeptical when Andrew (from Apex Pro) first approached us about being a dealer. We are heavy into AiM and Nadine is a 'data nerd' as she puts it. Loves diving into the data and helping drivers (including me) be better. So how can this simple light bar help? First...a friend who hates computers had one and LOVED it. said it really helped him and he loved how simple it was. So Andrew gave me a demo unit to try out. First time I used it was my first race at Monticello - never been to the track and only watched limited video's of it. After a few sessions of learning the turns and where everything was, I stuck the Apex Pro in the car, figured what the heck. A few laps in, I went through a turn at what I felt was my maximum and saw a lot of red. I actually said out loud "F-You, I can't go any faster through there!!"...then said (again out loud), "Fine, I'll go faster next lap and see me in the grass"...well....I went faster next lap, got more green and stayed on the track. I grumbled "fine, you win" to THE STUPID LITTLE BOX ON MY DASH.... I also won my class in 2 of the 3 race (came in Second on the third by half a car length!)

When we got home we signed up as a dealer.

At that time, there was limited 'after-session' data to review. It's come a LONG way since then with some very cool and very powerful features. The Lap Timer Plus subscription really brings out the power of the unit, with predictive lap times, sector times, and especially video with overlay. VERY cool and VERY powerful. Theyve really done a great job of packing a lot of features into a convenient and simple package.

Enjoy it. We sell a lot of these now and really enjoy working with our customers using tools like this to help them unlock their potential. And as Matt mentioned, join the FB group. Lots of good information and support there. Andrew is also always there to help and answer questions.

 

Bob, AWESOME post! The CRUX of how people "learn how to go faster." Congrats and great story!

THIS is exactly why there is no ONE data system that works for everyone, that has every feature one might want.

I do think the accuracy, learning capability and real-time feedback of the Apex Pro is WAY beyond it's cost basis. I also think a LOT of casual users want simpler, not more complex.

Also think that it's complimentary used along with other systems for people desiring to become comfortable being slightly uncomfortable, finding "the new limit."

THAT is how people learn how to go faster...

 

I ran at a couple of tracks this week and I'm very impressed. For me this is definitely a keeper as it couldn't be easier to use. At my skill level I'll learn new things each time I'm out there but this felt different (more focused). Time to get a suction cup mount so I can mount it higher in the car and continue learning about all the data this device provides after the session is over.

 

You "Get It", congratulations: I have been using APEX Pro for about a year. Force yourself to utilize the 12 LED Grip % lights, incorporating your peripheral vision while on the track, and you could see improvement from one lap to the next, AKA "real-time" coaching. Assuming you make the appropriate adjustment to your line, the next time around., you could be quicker. Post-session, the data made available is awesome. The most basic feedback is the post-session documentation of your lap times and grading with APEX % for all laps. Taking the next step up, looking at your speed traces. Compare your slower lap to your fastest lap. You'll be able to see V Min and V Max at any point. You can also share sessions with other APEX Pro users, at the track with you that day with Air Drop, or email a session anywhere in the world. APEX Pro will analyze a session for a fee.

Prior to APEX Pro, you'd have to invest considerably more money into some sort of data logging system, to get the post-session data, and it would be much more cumbersome to analyze, involving uploading data to a PC.....with APEX Pro, all you need is your iPhone.


Now pay the $9.00 a month, $98.99 a year to APEX Pro for a Lap Timer + subscription, and get access to video recorded on your iPhone. You'll need a mount for the phone: Peter Krause (peter@peterkrause.net) can hook you up with anything you'll need.

The APEX Pro software is constantly being updated. You are going to be a better driver, if you are not, you'll know why....Data Don't Lie.