Friday track pr0n: google glass edition

**westwest888** · 03-14-2014 12:45 PM

I have an invitation in my inbox to purchase Google Glass for $1500 but I haven't found a reason to ever use it. I find it pretty disorienting and the image looks ghosted to me since it's only in one eye. But this is just amazing as a learning, teaching and feedback tool when used on a track. The most critical piece to being a great driver on a road course is vision and looking ahead. Being able to study the fastest drivers' vision patterns will help you be successful. Personally, I think I swear too much and audibly talk shit about other drivers whose lines I don't like to ever post an in-cabin video.

In this case we have an intermediate driver (B or C group) with a very capable and well tuned car:

**washyourrhands** · 03-14-2014 01:05 PM

now this is pretty cool

**Black_V!per** · 03-14-2014 01:25 PM

Save the money and get a pair of spy glasses for this function. Everything else on Google Glasses is a gimmick.

Neat video. My uncle has a pair, I haven't been impressed by what he's feeding back to me with them.

**IanCH** · 03-14-2014 01:53 PM

Won't you look stupid (wait nothing will change) spending 1500 on a device meant for developers, that isn't fully functional and will be sold for 300 in a year.

**westwest888** · 03-14-2014 02:20 PM

GoPro is such a hassle that I don't record most of my track time. The 1 session battery life alone makes it worthless.

"OK Glass, take a video" would make that easier. And Ok glass post to YouTube instead of screwing with copying and editing and uploading multiple 4GB movie clips.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

**PsYkHoTiK** · 03-14-2014 02:34 PM

I don't think it would fit in a helmet with the plastic disposable knife looking thing on the right side (that extends past and away from your head).

If it did, it would probably bug me.

**AKPS4** · 03-14-2014 02:39 PM

I agree that gopro is a royal pain in the ass. Batteries blow and recording is a pain as well as uploading videos and playing back.

**CONTROL TWO** · 03-14-2014 02:44 PM

LOL working a gopro is a pain in the ass? allow me to introduce the gopro remote..

OMGSODIFFICULT

**LINDW4LL** · 03-14-2014 02:46 PM

If you want to mount your GoPro inside of the car, you can get "The Frame" housing, and plug it in to the charger while it records. Then you don't need to worry about battery life.

**westwest888** · 03-14-2014 03:13 PM

The remote is always out of battery and has a non standard charger shaped like a fish hook. And then when the GoPro has battery again it's in the wrong mode because the settings aren't persistent after the battery runs out. The bluetooth is off or it's connected to the wrong wifi.

20% of the time it works every time.

**LINDW4LL** · 03-14-2014 03:21 PM

It's really not that hard to use. The only real con in my eyes is the short battery life, but that's remedied easily. Even if you mount it on your license plate/tow hook, you could run a charger cord up there and drill a hole in the housing for it. Many people have done this.

Also, the smartphone app is much better than the GoPro remote, you can see what you're recording and adjust settings. You can also delete footage remotely.

**CONTROL TWO** · 03-14-2014 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by westwest888

The remote is always out of battery and has a non standard charger shaped like a fish hook. And then when the GoPro has battery again it's in the wrong mode because the settings aren't persistent after the battery runs out. The bluetooth is off or it's connected to the wrong wifi.

20% of the time it works every time.

how can you hold down a job if working a gopro is too difficult for you? you make it seem like youve gotta solve a rubix cube every time you want to use it......

**washyourrhands** · 03-14-2014 03:31 PM

The difficulty level is over 1000!

**westwest888** · 03-14-2014 04:39 PM

It's just the lowest priority item when I'm going out on track. If it doesn't work with one touch it ain't happening. I'm not getting out of the car to screw with it, or taking my helmet off.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

**AKPS4** · 03-14-2014 05:09 PM

I use the gopro often. Just saying it could be a better product for its cost. The fact that batteries can't hold their charge is pathetic. Controlling the gopro with the iPhone app is actually pretty handy.

Holding a job and comparing an opinion on a product has nothing to do with each other....

**CONTROL TWO** · 03-14-2014 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by AKPS4

I use the gopro often. Just saying it could be a better product for its cost. The fact that batteries can't hold their charge is pathetic. Controlling the gopro with the iPhone app is actually pretty handy.

Holding a job and comparing an opinion on a product has nothing to do with each other....

geez, you're a thick one..

**CONTROL TWO** · 03-14-2014 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by westwest888

It's just the lowest priority item when I'm going out on track. If it doesn't work with one touch it ain't happening. I'm not getting out of the car to screw with it, or taking my helmet off.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

probably should have started a thread about ease of operating a gopro before you dropped a couple hundred bucks on one lol

also, didnt realize it was necessary to get out of your car and take your helmet off to operate a phone app or remote

**Leor604** · 03-14-2014 05:45 PM

What's wrong with just mounting a cam (Contour GPS) to the side of your helmet, like I did below? Can also wear sunglasses which would not be possible if using Google Glass.

I typically mount to windshield for a front view (you can see the mount in the video), or passenger rear door window if I want to include myself in the shot. The videos can be a great learning tool. Helmet mount gives you the "driver's perspective" and an idea where you are looking. By including yourself in the shot, you can see other things. I found I sometimes keep my hand on the shifter too long when going down the straights so that's a bad habit I'm trying to break. Shift, get hand back on wheel, get left foot off the clutch and onto the dead pedal.

When the camera is in the car, I keep the power cord plugged in so battery is not an issue. Also keeps it fully charged if I want to do a session with the camera outside but, yeah, the batteries on these things are not great. I use iPhone to aim and, if it is outside, to start/stop.

**GeoJoe** · 03-14-2014 05:58 PM

+1 on GoPro app.

+2 on the GoPro strong suction mount to be able to get cool angles from side, rear, etc. if your track allows it.

No way I'd use Google glass while driving. What happens when your airbag goes off in your face?

**AKPS4** · 03-14-2014 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by CONTROL TWO

geez, you're a thick one..

Geez, you're a stupid one... Grow up.

**SwankPeRFection** · 03-14-2014 06:53 PM

Something like a Looxcie would work just as good depending on your helmet fitment and cost way less. Then you even have live streaming to Facebook if you wanted.

**westwest888** · 03-14-2014 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by CONTROL TWO

probably should have started a thread about ease of operating a gopro before you dropped a couple hundred bucks on one lol

also, didnt realize it was necessary to get out of your car and take your helmet off to operate a phone app or remote

You can test out your GoPro in the morning and have it all ready to go. You hit the remote or the iPhone or the iPad and somehow in 3 hours it has run out of battery in standby wifi mode with the blue light operating.

Here's what I check before going out on track:

1. Do I have at least 1/2 a tank of gas (I can use 4-5 gallons in a session of 20-25 minutes)
2. Is my seatbelt locked
3. Is the radio and phone bluetooth off
4. Is my helmet strapped and can I see well
5. Is my tire pressure 35 cold or 41 hot.
6. Do I have a passenger who wants to ride with me
6a. Is the communicator working and can the passenger hear me over the wire
7. Are the brakes operating normally
8. Are there any other latent mechanical issues

GoPro has to just work the first time. If I don't get footage IDGAF. I got to live it. I record stuff for Audizine and no other real reason.

**helix139** · 03-15-2014 05:34 AM

So west wants to be a glasshole. Why am I not surprised.

**westwest888** · 03-15-2014 09:33 AM

I flat out said it's socially unacceptable and it gives me a headache to wear it. Cool recording and publishing device though.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

**Leor604** · 03-15-2014 09:57 AM

I can see future HUD functionality for Google Glass that could be useful for track days. Live diagnostics such as oil temp, tire pressures, IAT, etc would be useful. Not a constant display, but warnings when the numbers get outside limits that you have programmed ahead of time. Integration with track marshals for advance warning of yellow flags, fluid on track, last lap, etc. Shift lights when approaching redline.

What I would really like is some brilliant aftermarket company to come up with an accessory HUD projector that you would just stick to the top of your dash when you needed it, to integrate with all the available data sources to give you the info you want/need. An OBDII dongle and a track wifi network should do the trick. Garmin has one for navigation and there is a Hudway iPhone app that looks interesting. I'm sure this will happen.

Shit, did I just blow my chance for getting a patent, lol.

**LINDW4LL** · 03-15-2014 11:51 AM

What would be way cooler, is what they'll have someday in the relatively near future. A contact lens with a HUD.

**westwest888** · 03-15-2014 12:19 PM

Glass would be okay if it was in both eyes and behind sunglasses, not in front of them.

**SwankPeRFection** · 03-15-2014 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by westwest888

I flat out said it's socially unacceptable and it gives me a headache to wear it. Cool recording and publishing device though.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

It's probably because you're left eye dominant as opposed to right eye dominant. Have you checked to be sure?

**LakeShow** · 03-15-2014 09:21 PM

That's an awesome video mate!! Great driving!

**westwest888** · 03-15-2014 10:06 PM

His line is very good on most turns, most notable exception is at 1:40 in the video. He throws that turn away.

**SwankPeRFection** · 03-16-2014 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by westwest888

His line is very good on most turns, most notable exception is at 1:40 in the video. He throws that turn away.

Are you talking about the video in the OP? I see nothing wrong with that turn. It's not very aggressive at 62 and the tires aren't hurting during the turn, but it's smooth and carries the speed. The other turns however and the approaches to the turns, he takes A LOT harder than you.

**westwest888** · 03-16-2014 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Are you talking about the video in the OP? I see nothing wrong with that turn. It's not very aggressive at 62 and the tires aren't hurting during the turn, but it's smooth and carries the speed. The other turns however and the approaches to the turns, he takes A LOT harder than you.

You wouldn't see anything wrong it with it, because you don't know what you're doing.

**SwankPeRFection** · 03-16-2014 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by westwest888

You wouldn't see anything wrong it with it, because you don't know what you're doing.

Lol, like you do. You're a novice like everyone else is dude. If you were anything else, you'd be making money off of it. Regardless, when I've seen you take that turn, you still don't carry enough speed through it and you also take the corner approaches slower before the corkscrew and also the last tight turn before the straight to the finish line.

Also, the guys does a 1:53, so it's not that bad for what sounds like an instructed time out. You did 1:54 your last time out and indicated your fastest non-recorded were 1:47, which we have to take your word for. Also, the RS5 also has less torque than you do, so there's always that too in terms of low RPM band acceleration out of turns, etc.

**westwest888** · 03-16-2014 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Lol, like you do. You're a novice like everyone else is dude. If you were anything else, you'd be making money off of it. Regardless, when I've seen you take that turn, you still don't carry enough speed through it and you also take the corner approaches slower before the corkscrew and also the last tight turn before the straight to the finish line.

Also, the guys does a 1:53, so it's not that bad for what sounds like an instructed time out. You did 1:54 your last time out and indicated your fastest non-recorded were 1:47, which we have to take your word for. Also, the RS5 also has less torque than you do, so there's always that too in terms of low RPM band acceleration out of turns, etc.

You really shouldn't talk any more until you get some real world experience. You're not adding any value. That's not the fast line through that turn, period. I could show you the fast line but it would literally make you nauseous.

There's a bunch of 1:48 laps on my roll. There may be faster ones I didn't record. I don't really need to quantify how fast I am. Credibility is a binary register. I have it; you don't. Maybe you should go post on a photography forum?

Some days I think you are Scumbag Steve. Other days I think you are emo.

**SwankPeRFection** · 03-16-2014 01:19 PM

Maybe you should suck my dick you little ******! If I were you, I'd shut the fuck up before you really piss me off with your bullshit posts and irrational thinking that you're some kind of hot shit race car driver. You're nothing but a little bitch that pays people to put shit on his car and then passes it off like you know wtf you're doing. What's worse is you even live in the dreamworld that you're some kind of track star. Get over your bullshit and remember that you're nothing more than a regular person who does all this car shit because you enjoy it as an enthusiast, just like the rest of us. A few YouTube track event videos does not make you a race car driver no more than anyone else here.

**westwest888** · 03-16-2014 02:40 PM

You're not influencing anyone, Swank, because of your behavior. Quit before you get suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct.

You have zero days on this track or any track. Don't belittle my hobby or my achievements. You do a disservice to the entire sport believing you can drive up there on day 1 and start teaching everyone who has been doing this for decades. The great driving clips I've shared on the board make it look easy, but it's quite difficult.

**Dr Chill** · 03-16-2014 03:54 PM

Swank, what track experience do you have?

**Okan509** · 03-16-2014 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Maybe you should suck my dick you little ******! If I were you, I'd shut the fuck up before you really piss me off with your bullshit posts and irrational thinking that you're some kind of hot shit race car driver. You're nothing but a little bitch that pays people to put shit on his car and then passes it off like you know wtf you're doing. What's worse is you even live in the dreamworld that you're some kind of track star. Get over your bullshit and remember that you're nothing more than a regular person who does all this car shit because you enjoy it as an enthusiast, just like the rest of us. A few YouTube track event videos does not make you a race car driver no more than anyone else here.

you are making yourself out to be the joke, like west usually does to himself. You should stop.

**SwankPeRFection** · 03-16-2014 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dr Chill

Swank, what track experience do you have?

I've said it before. About 10 years of SCCA Solo 2 and PDEs for the last 2 of those years. None of it was in my current Audis though, but that's because priorities changed for personal interest. I am looking to attend some new ones in the S4 if my work schedule allows. Had to miss the last local one we had due to it. Oh well, right now work and other play is more important to me.