My father is always difficult to buy presents for but he does like doing his own vehicle maintenance. I saw this and thought he would love to do his own tracking.

Before I go and purchase one has anyone here ever used one and are they any good or a complete POS?

http://www.trackacestore.com/

Thanks for any feedback.

 

I saw them and was tempted though I think they look a little unsteady and easy to shift by accident without realising

 

Not sure how it works exactly, and why it's any better than a straight piece of wood and a tape measure.

 

Well it's more expensive than a piece of wood and a tape measure, so that might make it a more attractive and welcome present than those.

 

Good point, but perhaps his Father already has a piece of wood and so would appreciate something else more.

Even if he does, you could always buy him some string with a weight on the end so he can do camber as well as toe

 

We had a look at them for the racecar, I would stick with the wood and string personally.

They're just too light and flimsy to get an accurate measurement IMO, you really don't want movement while you're measuring and the lightweight units don't stay where you put them. The novelty is the laser, but a sight glass works just as well.
We eventually bought a second hand Dunlop gauge similar to this.

 

Just to add;

Got one of these recently, perhaps your dad would like one. Great for looking in engine bays and inaccessible places and something a bit different if he's a practical sort of chap.

I love mine, I'm always 'probing'

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I'll give the Trackace a miss.

Thanks for the heads up re the camera Mark. I'll get him one of these instead that looks like something he will love.

 

Frost's sell a camber/caster etc checking system - works like a spirit level, so a bit rough n' ready.

Ulimately, unless your ground is dead level, they're all a CWOT.