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Practice tree questions.

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Old Nov 3, 2009 | 09:15 PM
  #21  
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Default Practice Tree

The $100 Portable tree is great. You have all types of settings such as roll out etc. This will keep you sharp . Though the your best practice is at the starting line. Your launch chip will also change your reaction time the higher the rpm the lower the reaction time.The trick is to follow the same routine while staging put the pre stage light on the when ready the stage light hold your breathe and leave at the first flicker of your top bulb on .4 tree or the bottom bulb on a .5 tree. I have one for sale for $60 plus shipping if you would like. I had a racing accident so I do not need it any more.
Originally Posted by Capthuff
Ok, so I've done a bit of searching here, and I've read the website info for both Biondo and Port-a-tree.

Is there a distinct advantage to spending $250+ on a practice tree?

The basic ones are about $100 or so. While certainly the pricier ones have more features, as a beginner, do I need them?

I know I'll need as much help as possible being a rookie and driving a manual trans car next year in the CC. I'm leaning more towards getting the Biondo Final Round 4 V2. My thinking is with some of the add-ons, it'll help more then the others...

My first thoughts were that anything is better than no training aid at all, but I don't want to practice bad habits...

Thanks for all your help.
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Old Nov 7, 2009 | 09:02 AM
  #22  
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I have a Biondo Final Round practice tree and find it very useful. It comes with two thumb controls and a foot pedal. As mentioned, the foot pedal is not perfect. I use it as my foot brake (auto trans) and start the tree. If your place of practice doesn't have a hard floor without a carpet, you will need to place a board under the pedal. As mentioned, the other weak spot is portability and practicing in your car is difficult. That said, everything else is near perfect in my opinion. It has plenty of options, but you need to access them from the main unit, no remote. Developing the keen mental image required to consistently cut good lights can be difficult. Seat time is good, but when an hour may pass before making your next pass, it is difficult to reinforce that 'mental image.' The PT enables you to reinforce that image in short order and permits reinforcing it repetively. Any practice implement is better than none and you won't go wrong with the Biondo Final Round if your looking for a home practice unit. All IMHO.
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Old Nov 18, 2009 | 12:54 PM
  #23  
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So I was surprised by the UPS guy yesterday



And inside was this.



I just casually mentioned this to my girlfriend and sent her the link. Really didn't expect her to get it for me.

Thanks for all the advise.

Now I have to learn how to practice without instilling bad habits...
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Old Nov 18, 2009 | 10:37 PM
  #24  
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Hey-now...your girlfriend is a keeper! Happy B'Day and good luck with your new practice tree!

I'll offer a tip, I found moving the tree farther from me allowed my old eyes to better focus on the lights. I went to Radio Shack and got an 8' extension piece for the foot pedal. This allowed me to place the tree across the room on a far table and made it more comfortable for my eyes and posture.
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Old Nov 19, 2009 | 08:48 AM
  #25  
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You will also find some names you recognize in the issue of FSC too
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Old Nov 19, 2009 | 10:24 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by REDGAR
You will also find some names you recognize in the issue of FSC too
Yes I did

Pictures too.
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Old Nov 19, 2009 | 03:23 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Capthuff
I just casually mentioned this to my girlfriend and sent her the link. Really didn't expect her to get it for me.
She's a keeper dude.
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Old Nov 19, 2009 | 09:36 PM
  #28  
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How often should you practice the tree...?
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Old Nov 19, 2009 | 09:51 PM
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That practice tree is fun Pete...could've easily blew the afternoon on it. I was kickin some **** on the pro tree!
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