Why is there no tutorial on how to use this software?

[njebudalla]

It seems like many of the questions on the forums are in regards as to how to use the software that interfaces with the S300 module. I think all of these questions are legitimate for at least two reasons.

1. Each of us paid a substantial amount more for this product than the competitor pricing. Granted, more can be accomplished with this product; however, that doesn't do us much good if most of us don't know how to use it.

2. It makes the owner of the product feel like the value is not there when there are no instructions on how to use the software that controls the product he/she has just purchased. I realize that the following site exists http://hondata.com/stech.html however, I'm not certain it is as user friendly as the writer intended it to be. As I read through it, I get the feeling that the author wrote the material with a number of assumptions regarding the common stock of tuning knowledge among his readers. Sorry to disappoint; however, it is not as clear as the author may have anticipated. For example, I'm not really sure what this means, "It is important to set the base ignition timing is a repeatable way before the ignition timing is altered" (http://hondata.com/techtuning.html). That sentence is really not clear; and if it is, then how is the instruction accomplished? How am I as the user/customer to go about using the propriatory software to accomplish that directive? This is just one example of how difficult the product is to navigate for the consumer. Here is another example: "There are many strategies when tuning ignition timing, but one which works on a near-standard engine is to simply advance or retard the whole ignition table 2 degrees and perform a dyno run" (http://hondata.com/techtuning.html). I understand what it means to advance or retard the whole ignition timing, but how do I go about doing that within the software? That is certainly not clear. So, the result is, that I as the consumer come away frustrated; feeling that I am resigned to allowing only those who tune for a living (generally) to understand how the product I paid for is operated. That simply isn't good enough for me. A tutorial is in order. As poor as some of Microsoft's software is, they've managed to include a tutorial.

A number of individuals might argue that the average consumer should not be adjusting a majority of the commands within the software anyway and therefore, it is not necessary for there to be a tutorial. Well, that is the same as telling someone what and what not to do with their own property. For example, "I'm sorry sir, you have no landscaping experience so the bulldozer that you just bought from me purposefully does not come with an instruction/user manual." Doesn't make sense does it. In the end, if a customer buys a product, utimately it should be the customer's decision as to whether or not he/she decides to operate/use the product personally. Admittedly, it is the case that one could just navigate around the software and change settings; however, I would submit that one is more likely to do that out of frustration in hopes that they'll figure it out than to just leave it alone if a tutorial/manual is not available. Of course this implies a great risk, so, once again, tutorial please.

In conclusion, the logical reasons for requesting a tutorial are numerous. Here, I have named just a few. The customer should be encouraged to enjoy the full value of the product purchased. The manufacturer should also be participatory in this encouragement. The vulnerability for damage to a build is readily available with or without a tutorial, so why not create the tutorial to minimized errors from lack of understanding. [/b]

[Spunkster]

Do you realize that there is a help file built in to the software which can be found by going to Help, Contents.

This same help file can be seen in the website by going to http://www.hondata.com/help/smanager/index.html

Beyond these things, what would you like to see?

[njebudalla]

I have read through the help file via contents within the program. I have found that it generally tells you what to do, but not how to do it. So, as in the example in my previous post. It tells you to adjust the ignition timing across the board, but thats all it says. So in this case, I'm asking myself, do i do it one by one, should i select them all and click on the increase button, is there a different way to do it? The problem here is that the end user is never sure that what he/she is doing is being done correctly as there are no examples on how that is done, no guided tutorial showing step by step. Just in the last day I found a post from a gentleman out of Europe that was asking if there were classes he could sign up for on how to use this product. He was serious. I'm sure i could benefit from a class as well. That's really what a tutorial is though; an interactive class between the user and the computer. So, in short, the HELP - Contents menu addresses WHAT to do, but not HOW to do it. When a persons baby build is on the line, they want to be able to confirm that WHAT they are doing is HOW it should be done. The tutorial should be set up much like a tutorial for Microsoft Word. If I want to create a mail/merge but don't know how, the help menu will direct me to the tutorial that will show what to click on and what to look for. Step by step pictures are supplied and serve as a means of confirming that what I'm doing is the correct action being performed in the correct sequence.

[PR8urvtec]

Amen! Thats exactly how I feel.

[njebudalla]

The only way we will get better information on how to use the product is to speak up about it. This is the forum in which that can be done. Thank you for adding your thoughts.

[PR8urvtec]

I have asked questions about the s300 and I was refered to the K series tech files for some videos. They helped a bit but I agree that they need a better write up on the software. even a book aka a manual would be nice. So a good explanation of the features can be had. Maybe have a project car section that will go though a walkthrough of a tune street and dyno. It will give an overall understanding of hondata.

[ben]

The software is pretty intuitive to me, and ten times better than any other comparable system on the market, and even some non-comparables that I've used.

There's a lot of content. Don't expect to pick it up in two days.

[njebudalla]

The software is intuitive... if you are using one of the preset builds for your application. There is only one b18c1 stock map. There are lots of turbo and supercharger maps, but there is absolutely nothing for bore and stroke maps. It would be nice to see something along the lines of 82,83,84,85,86mm maps with stroke options as well for NA cars. The only NA maps on there are stock. So, if you have a motor that isn't stock, or has more than just intake, exhaust, and a few other bolt ons, you are kinda lost going in. There's just a number of things that could be done, that have not been done to make it more user friendly.

[Spunkster]

The reason for this is that it is always much easier to tune a car with modifications starting from a stock map than to use someone else's map that you then must change and fix to run your car correctly. Ask any good tuner and they will tell you the same thing.

[cranny]

i 100% agree with spunkster. i would rather start with a stock map 95% of the time.

[J . K .]

i feel the same way man. ive been reading on " how to tune efi, etc" in so many forums and websites for several months but i still do not know which is the correct way when they tell you what to do. or if i am doing it correctly. more input please. i too also read everything under the help section and it just tells the concept of for example: ignition timing tuning and fuel tuning which i already know. X2 on this please. more input.

[cranny]

a better way to learn is this. learn what the changes in the various values , fuel or ignition , is doing to the engine. read and learn exactly how an engine works basically. knowing exactly how the physics of an engine works will help you to understand how/why tuning is done put simply. what an engine likes , and what is detromental.

[Spunkster]

What works for one may not work for another. It all comes down to what works best for you and what you find to be easiest. Go ask 3 tuners how they tune and you'll probably get 3 different answers. We cannot teach a person how to tune, we can only provide the tools needed to do so.

Adobe cannot teach a person to be an artist, they mearly provide the software (photoshop) to allow a person to explore their abilities.

[cranny]

well said.

[FreshDA9]

if you wish to learn your self look into some classes. http://www.efi101.com good classes you learn alot. my best so far is being an apprentice under a well known tuner best thing is he does domestic and im in the import market so we dont conflict on business issues. When i feel im ready i will be getting my business license and Hondata dealer application!