Here’s an interesting video with Steve Vai talking about beat detective in Pro Tools.

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Something to consider when using beat detective ...

First understand its primary function with Bar/Beat marker generation then the general logic will fall into place. It’s based on selections and counting.

Tempo mapping is very helpful when using Pro Tools. You can either use identify beat or beat detective. The algorithm for identify beat is built into beat detective...When you are doing this with beat detective just remember it's based on your selection and counting...Suggestively speaking, do these selections in 4, 8, or 16 bar sections...(use the kick drum track for selections)

Trying to map an entire song can be tedious work but worth it. After you have your selection intact, count it and make sure your selection is correct. Then put beat detective in Bar/Beat marker generation mode. Capture your selection then analyze your selection... after this then move the sensitivity slider until the desired beat triggers find what would be a bar or beat. (Hint:65% works for everything) After this then click Generate... Now continue this for the remainder of the tune...

If you're going to use identify beat, it’s also based on your selection, so start out by making a 4, 8, 16 bar selection. Now go to the EVENT menu and find identify beat.... when the dialogue comes up type in your start and end times and you’re done. Continue this process if you have changing tempos in your performance....sometimes using identify beat is easier but for more complex drumming use beat detective.

Now a question I get a lot is why when and where...

For most scenarios I use identify beat; however, for preserving the natural tempo changes of a performance I use beat detective. It’s really a combination of the two instead of one or the other.

Just remember it's totally based on your selection and counting. As long as you manually select a selection then these tools will conform the grid ruler to the tempo of your recorded information.