VBOX vs. GTech Pro Fanatic SS?

themyst · 11-19-2011, 04:19 PM

Being that both have the same GPS antenna and polling rate, I would kind of imagine they should be similar in output results.

Has anyone (looking at you hotrod) tested the GTech Fanatic SS at a drag strip or next to a VBOX? The newer Fanatic SS version apparently does not need to be calibrated like the VBOX.

I'll likely buy a VBOX anyway, but I'm genuinely curious.

hotrod182 · 11-19-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themyst

Being that both have the same GPS antenna and polling rate, I would kind of imagine they should be similar in output results.

Has anyone (looking at you hotrod) tested the GTech Fanatic SS at a drag strip or next to a VBOX? The newer Fanatic SS version apparently does not need to be calibrated like the VBOX.

I'll likely buy a VBOX anyway, but I'm genuinely curious.

I will probably still get one and run them side by side. I actually think the Gtech is so much more user friendly, can be used in most of your tuning/testing. However for "official" 60-130 runs, etc, most people will probably only honor the Vbox. But if I test them to be identical, I will use the Gtech more on a daily basis.

themyst · 11-19-2011, 08:03 PM

Well the good news is if it stinks you can return it for a full refund within 30 days.

jpsimon · 11-19-2011, 11:16 PM

I finally got a vbox (in the mail... hurry up USPS!!!!). so pumped to start doing some real testing. just go for it myst

themyst · 11-20-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsimon

I finally got a vbox (in the mail... hurry up USPS!!!!). so pumped to start doing some real testing. just go for it myst

That's the idea. But if the two are consistently identical run after run, well why spend the extra $300?

nitehawk · 11-20-2011, 03:23 PM

I'd also like to know how these two compare...any vendors here carry them?

themyst · 11-20-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitehawk

I'd also like to know how these two compare...any vendors here carry them?

I think the gps based gtech is $199 with a 30 day return. I may buy it and compare next to a borrowed vbox. If its identical it stays. If it sucks return it. Hotrod do it for the community!

nafoo · 11-20-2011, 09:31 PM

Which VBox do you guys use? Mini?

jpsimon · 11-20-2011, 09:34 PM

vbox performancebox

http://www.vboxusa.com/performancedr...ormancebox.php

I found a used one on e90post for $400

jjurroz · 11-20-2011, 09:54 PM

Bottom line is that they use the same gps hardware. Usually you can still fudge it in software, regardless of hardware. Given that its gtech, that's highly unlikely. Of course, at the end of the day, without a shootout, it's all spectucalation.

-Jose

themyst · 11-20-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjurroz

Bottom line is that they use the same gps hardware. Usually you can still fudge it in software, regardless of hardware. Given that its gtech, that's highly unlikely. Of course, at the end of the day, without a shootout, it's all spectucalation.

-Jose

I learned the GPS gtech will log altitude from start to finish, but does not do the all-important slope calculation that the VBOX does. Other than that issue, it appears as long as both of the devices spit out identical results, both can be used as legitimate performance measurement devices.

Creativepuzzle · 11-20-2011, 10:27 PM

Vbox calculate slope? I have been manually calculating the slope. How do you do it?

themyst · 11-20-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creativepuzzle

Vbox calculate slope? I have been manually calculating the slope. How do you do it?

Oh, so the VBOX doesn't calculate the slope percentage? You just calculate the starting slope and ending slope and come up with a percentage? If that's the case, the Gtech Fanatic is no different than the VBOX. I never owned or used a VBOX, but am trying to find a suitable tool, that is all.

Creativepuzzle · 11-20-2011, 10:47 PM

I just look and hit the 60-130 and it gives you the distance needed and height change. Took the height change and divided by the distance.

themyst · 11-20-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creativepuzzle

I just look and hit the 60-130 and it gives you the distance needed and height change. Took the height change and divided by the distance.

good info, thanks. Let me see if the Gtech records distance traveled between two points. These things are so cheap and come with a generous return period so I am inclined to give it a shot. The technology is identical....

edit-yech, the Gtech software is terrible. You can't even overlay MPH over distance traveled so even if the calculations are accurate, you can't calculate slope accurately.

themyst · 11-21-2011, 12:48 PM

Screw it, I just bought the vbox. New at that! Ouch after shipping.

Bagelfast · 11-21-2011, 02:40 PM

Its a very useful tool!! your gonna love it and get addicted!! My times, 1/4 and 60-130 have improved alot using different configs on my car to find what is fastest!! butt dyno FTL

jpsimon · 11-21-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themyst

Screw it, I just bought the vbox. New at that! Ouch after shipping.

yeahhh

themyst · 11-21-2011, 03:01 PM

Yah and these things hold their value extremely well.

Lee22 · 11-21-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themyst

Screw it, I just bought the vbox. New at that! Ouch after shipping.

if you don't mind me asking, what was the price without shipping?

themyst · 11-21-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee22

if you don't mind me asking, what was the price without shipping?

499.99

Lee22 · 11-21-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themyst

499.99

thats about average price for it right

11-19-2011, 04:19 PM	#1
themyst Major General 177 Rep 6,631 Posts Drives: '16 MK7 GTI Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (8)	VBOX vs. GTech Pro Fanatic SS? Being that both have the same GPS antenna and polling rate, I would kind of imagine they should be similar in output results. Has anyone (looking at you hotrod) tested the GTech Fanatic SS at a drag strip or next to a VBOX? The newer Fanatic SS version apparently does not need to be calibrated like the VBOX. I'll likely buy a VBOX anyway, but I'm genuinely curious. __________________ E90 LCI N54 6AT
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11-19-2011, 08:03 PM	#3
themyst Major General 177 Rep 6,631 Posts Drives: '16 MK7 GTI Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (8)	Well the good news is if it stinks you can return it for a full refund within 30 days. __________________ E90 LCI N54 6AT
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11-19-2011, 11:16 PM	#4
jpsimon Team Zissou 3065 Rep 10,197 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	I finally got a vbox (in the mail... hurry up USPS!!!!). so pumped to start doing some real testing. just go for it myst
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11-20-2011, 03:23 PM	#6
nitehawk Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,903 Posts Drives: e92 335i 6MT Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (15) Garage List E92 BMW 335i [9.00] E92 BMW 335i \| Retired [10.00]	I'd also like to know how these two compare...any vendors here carry them?
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11-20-2011, 09:31 PM	#8
nafoo Major 46 Rep 1,145 Posts Drives: Boosted Bimmer Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (15)	Which VBox do you guys use? Mini?
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11-20-2011, 09:34 PM	#9
jpsimon Team Zissou 3065 Rep 10,197 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	vbox performancebox http://www.vboxusa.com/performancedr...ormancebox.php I found a used one on e90post for $400
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11-20-2011, 09:54 PM	#10
jjurroz Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 269 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (0)	Bottom line is that they use the same gps hardware. Usually you can still fudge it in software, regardless of hardware. Given that its gtech, that's highly unlikely. Of course, at the end of the day, without a shootout, it's all spectucalation. -Jose
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11-20-2011, 10:27 PM	#12
Creativepuzzle New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Honda Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Vbox calculate slope? I have been manually calculating the slope. How do you do it?
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11-20-2011, 10:47 PM	#14
Creativepuzzle New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Honda Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	I just look and hit the 60-130 and it gives you the distance needed and height change. Took the height change and divided by the distance.
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11-21-2011, 12:48 PM	#16
themyst Major General 177 Rep 6,631 Posts Drives: '16 MK7 GTI Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (8)	Screw it, I just bought the vbox. New at that! Ouch after shipping. __________________ E90 LCI N54 6AT
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11-21-2011, 02:40 PM	#17
Bagelfast Lieutenant Colonel 125 Rep 1,546 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Its a very useful tool!! your gonna love it and get addicted!! My times, 1/4 and 60-130 have improved alot using different configs on my car to find what is fastest!! butt dyno FTL
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11-21-2011, 03:01 PM	#19
themyst Major General 177 Rep 6,631 Posts Drives: '16 MK7 GTI Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (8)	Yah and these things hold their value extremely well. __________________ E90 LCI N54 6AT
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