Gunshy
07-14-2004, 01:46 PM
Following the generous advice from members of this board, I gave up looking for the "best" software and have instead been looking for a “good deal” on software that's “right for me”. I have studied the threads on this board and visited the websites where the software is offered. Below is a brief summary of what I've learned, but first the DATABASE DILEMMA –
The first criterion was to find software that I can start using quickly with internal selection criteria that produce positive ROI. The second criterion was I wanted software that comes with a database that either: 1.) has an internal modeling and testing function that I could use to build and test my own stuff; OR 2.) has a database that I could export for modeling and testing; AND I wanted the database to be large enough to have reasonable confidence in the statistical validity of the results.
Much to my disappointment, the systems which can export data or have functions to build and test models, have only 6 weeks of data or less! (Allways, HSH, HTR, TB5). The systems which have larger databases do not export the data, or do not have functions for building or testing your own handicapping models! (EquiSim, Power On-Line, A+)
SUMMARY:
Allways Pro does it all, but it is one of the most expensive $695 and the cost of its Bris data files seems prohibitively expensive for a beginner software user like me, $7 per card with a minimum purchase of $100 per month. Always has free software versions with fewer features, but the data cost is the same as Pro.
HSH gets high marks from users on this board, but it is the second most expensive software $599 (although it did sell for $525 on ebay last week) plus $139 per mo for HDW data. Other than the expense, the main criticism appears to be it has a high learning-curve.
HTR – One of the best of the “free” softwares (with $119 per mo HDW data subscription). Well supported on this board. It has a limited modeling function and data can be exported but only comes with 6 weeks of data. I plan to give it a try-out later this month when it gives three days of free current race card data.
TB5 has been praised by some on this board (where is Jaguar, by the way?) and it’s free with the purchase of 3 months data subscription ($100 per month = $300 to start). I received several days of output but couldn’t make heads or tails without having documentation to explain it. Other systems seem to be better documented and supported, and TB5 hasn’t been upgraded for some time (the late 90’s?).
EquiSim is the most popular software on this board, according to the most recent software user poll, and is inexpensive at $179 (credit card), $161 (check). Data is very reasonable if you use TSN ProCaps advantage plan at 59.95 for unlimited data files. Comes with a large Profiler database but the data can’t be exported. Limited modeling and testing capabilities. There is a free demo so I plan to check it out.
Power Online also uses ProCaps but is more expensive on special at $450 (regularly $495). It appears to be the “best” out-of-the-box expert system with 22 angles and methods evaluated for every race. It’s developer documented an extensive demonstration of it’s “best” picks in real-time on this board earlier this spring. Under the circumstances the test was fairly impressive. From March 25th thru May 12th: 500 plays - 158 win (32% winners) with an ROI of +11%. Power On-line comes with data for 2004 for tweaking its 22 angles, but it does not export data and has no modeling or testing functions other than tracking its own angles.
A+ another expert system with a recent upgrade that is well-regarded on this board which can use the ProCaps data. Currently, the main system is on sale for $240 (regularly $280), and if you want Tracker, the database which keeps track of what’s working best, its $99 (regularly $125).
All-In-One seems expensive ($595 + $100 per mo for HDW data) when compared to more fully featured software. It’s strength seems to be ease of use.
Speculator is the best currently available Sartin/Pace program I’ve found, fairly inexpensive $250, uses Track Master PP ($79.95 unlimited per mo). But you have to devote yourself to the Sartin and Pace methodologies to use it effectively.
There are a number of other systems and softwares available, ranging from free to $600-$700, but due to time constraints I limited myself to what seemed popular on this board.
CONCLUSION:
Right now, with my budget, I am leaning toward Power Online or Equisim for out of the box handicapping help, or HTR for database management, modeling and testing. Unfortunately, the former use ProCaps and the latter uses HDW. But if I could overcome the database dilemma, I would prefer one software that would do both, or two softwares that use the same data files!
Your comments or suggestions are welcomed.
The first criterion was to find software that I can start using quickly with internal selection criteria that produce positive ROI. The second criterion was I wanted software that comes with a database that either: 1.) has an internal modeling and testing function that I could use to build and test my own stuff; OR 2.) has a database that I could export for modeling and testing; AND I wanted the database to be large enough to have reasonable confidence in the statistical validity of the results.
Much to my disappointment, the systems which can export data or have functions to build and test models, have only 6 weeks of data or less! (Allways, HSH, HTR, TB5). The systems which have larger databases do not export the data, or do not have functions for building or testing your own handicapping models! (EquiSim, Power On-Line, A+)
SUMMARY:
Allways Pro does it all, but it is one of the most expensive $695 and the cost of its Bris data files seems prohibitively expensive for a beginner software user like me, $7 per card with a minimum purchase of $100 per month. Always has free software versions with fewer features, but the data cost is the same as Pro.
HSH gets high marks from users on this board, but it is the second most expensive software $599 (although it did sell for $525 on ebay last week) plus $139 per mo for HDW data. Other than the expense, the main criticism appears to be it has a high learning-curve.
HTR – One of the best of the “free” softwares (with $119 per mo HDW data subscription). Well supported on this board. It has a limited modeling function and data can be exported but only comes with 6 weeks of data. I plan to give it a try-out later this month when it gives three days of free current race card data.
TB5 has been praised by some on this board (where is Jaguar, by the way?) and it’s free with the purchase of 3 months data subscription ($100 per month = $300 to start). I received several days of output but couldn’t make heads or tails without having documentation to explain it. Other systems seem to be better documented and supported, and TB5 hasn’t been upgraded for some time (the late 90’s?).
EquiSim is the most popular software on this board, according to the most recent software user poll, and is inexpensive at $179 (credit card), $161 (check). Data is very reasonable if you use TSN ProCaps advantage plan at 59.95 for unlimited data files. Comes with a large Profiler database but the data can’t be exported. Limited modeling and testing capabilities. There is a free demo so I plan to check it out.
Power Online also uses ProCaps but is more expensive on special at $450 (regularly $495). It appears to be the “best” out-of-the-box expert system with 22 angles and methods evaluated for every race. It’s developer documented an extensive demonstration of it’s “best” picks in real-time on this board earlier this spring. Under the circumstances the test was fairly impressive. From March 25th thru May 12th: 500 plays - 158 win (32% winners) with an ROI of +11%. Power On-line comes with data for 2004 for tweaking its 22 angles, but it does not export data and has no modeling or testing functions other than tracking its own angles.
A+ another expert system with a recent upgrade that is well-regarded on this board which can use the ProCaps data. Currently, the main system is on sale for $240 (regularly $280), and if you want Tracker, the database which keeps track of what’s working best, its $99 (regularly $125).
All-In-One seems expensive ($595 + $100 per mo for HDW data) when compared to more fully featured software. It’s strength seems to be ease of use.
Speculator is the best currently available Sartin/Pace program I’ve found, fairly inexpensive $250, uses Track Master PP ($79.95 unlimited per mo). But you have to devote yourself to the Sartin and Pace methodologies to use it effectively.
There are a number of other systems and softwares available, ranging from free to $600-$700, but due to time constraints I limited myself to what seemed popular on this board.
CONCLUSION:
Right now, with my budget, I am leaning toward Power Online or Equisim for out of the box handicapping help, or HTR for database management, modeling and testing. Unfortunately, the former use ProCaps and the latter uses HDW. But if I could overcome the database dilemma, I would prefer one software that would do both, or two softwares that use the same data files!
Your comments or suggestions are welcomed.