HELP!!!, Cannot make my mind up! Options

[scalexdoza]

HI peeps.....



ok i`m having a nightmare trying to decide which system to get...... I have only two old classic scalextric sets, so its not like i have a whole load of cars/track that i want to continue using. I had set my heart on the SSD scalex system, even designing a layout which is on another thread, but i`d rather have a set-up that doesn`t require the use of a Laptop to get the Fuel usage simulation. Just not sure it`ll do everything i want when i read about the Ninco/SCX stuff which has that aspect out if the Box.

The only two key elements that i really want are Ghost cars and fuel simulation/usage


I have a good amount of space, so i could come up with a decent layout, although Carrera is a little too big. I also want to add scenary to the layout too, with a working and realistic Pit lane....

The SCX seems to work really well out of the box, but you are limited to their cars although i do like what they offer. Ninco also looks good and its easy to chip any car without damaging them (good if any of the expensive Fly cars take your fancy) but i have heard there are some issues with this kit...

agghhhh help!



I like aspects of all of the Ninco, SCX and Scalex systems but can`t decide whats best for me.....

I even have a Scalextric 6 Car PB, but would gladly sell again if i should go for something different. I don`t want to start a `vs` war, but has anyone used all of them and could give some advice? Or has anyone else had this trouble lol!

[Mr Croker]

I know not a lot about digital but I do know that any car be chipped.

Personally I would see which is the easiest to chip. As far as the track is concerned the Carrera offering is stainless rails so might offer you an advantage. Though if magnets are your thing maybe not!

I'd also suggested calling Pendle as I always find them helpful.

[scalexdoza]

thanks for the reply. I might do that.

Yes i prefer to slow the cars down, not speed them up lol

I do like the Carrera stuff, especially the details on the cars, but the track is HUGE.

[GregK]

You could run the Carrera cars on a Scalextric track with Scalextric chips ............. but probably knew that anyway ...

[MrFlippant]

Ninco is VERY limiting, for example, you can't refuel more than one car at a time, even if there are multiple cars in the pits. They HAVE to take turns.
Their system has some great ideas and advantages, but the limitations outweigh them, IMHO.

From what you said, Carrera is probably your best bet, except for the track size. What size is your space? You might be surprised to find that you can get a pretty decent Carrera track in certain smaller spaces.

If the track size is just not going to let it happen, then consider if chipping cars will be important. It sounds like it will be, so I would have to recommend against SCXD.

That leaves SSD. Although a computer is needed for fuel stuff, it's not that big a deal to have a computer handy to do that. Most people end up hooking a computer up anyway.

I realize it's a tough call, but you DO already have the 6 car base. Why not explore SSD a little deeper?

[scalexdoza]

hmmm i had a feeling i`d be nudged back to SSD


How easy is it to use? What i know about computers i can write on the back of a postage stamp.....

Kinda needs to be simple to run and set-up...

Also, when re-fuelling on the SSD, set-up, do you have a specific point at which to stop and `fill up` like the SCX/NINCO sets...

Would i need the Pit LaneGame?

[Ade]

hi
the best re-fuel option is the pitlane game wich is then modded into pitpro,adding the second sensor then means you can have pitlane speed limiter and refuel all 6 cars at a time if the need arises.

Ssd is by far the most supported system on here and the add on's that are available are unbelievable.

Modified chips,wireless bluetooth throttles the list just keeps on growing wich is great news for the end user.

[356speedster]

The only two key elements that i really want are Ghost cars and fuel simulation/usage

If ghost cars and fuel simulation is important to you, you should take a second look at Carrera.

With Carrera digital you can run as many ghost cars as you want until the PSU can't deliver enough AMPs. Carrera officially recommend 6 cars at once but some have had up to 15 cars running as ghosts on a stock system/PSU. Any car can be programmed to be a ghost, and all D132 cars have indivuidual speed, brakes and tank size settings in 10 steps each. Speed and brake settings are stored in the car chip, so you don't have to re-program the cars every time you fire up the track.

When you add a pitlane to your layout you can activate the fuel simulation. Carrera has two different digital powerbases, the "Black Box" (BB) that comes in all digital sets that are sold now, and the new "Control Unit" (CU) which is available in stores and will replace the BB. Later this year Carrera will release new sets that include the new CU. With the standard "BB" you get normal fuel simulation, but with the "CU" you get "dynamic fuel simulation" where the amount of "fuel in the tank" affect the acceleration and braking of the car, very cool

If you don't want to use a computer, then Carrera offer some neat accessories. The most important is the lap counter (timed or lap based races), Position tower and especially the Driver Displays are very cool where each racer can have his own display that shows fuel level, number of pitstops and current position in the race for his car.

Carrera have infrared wireless controllers, which work fine, but they are also releasing new RF wireless controllers later this year.

Below is a video from Carrera that show how Carrera digital works with their new digital accessories. It's in German, but the video is pretty self explaining.



If you want to race with a lot of ghost cars, then "anti-collision chips" in the lane changers are IMO required to avoid all those irritating collisions at the LC's, and as far as I know Carrera is the only system (except for maybe Scorpius and Oxigen) that you can get these chips for. I have them installed in my D132 track, and they work great. The quality and "feedback" from the Carrera controllers are very good, and there are also aftermarket pistol grip controllers available (slot.it and Rubirosa).

As for space, how much do you have? My track is small, it's 345 cm X 170 cm (11' 3" X 5 7"), but that was enough for a nice little "pretzel" layout with wide K4 (R4) curves. It even has outside borders so I can also race 1/24 cars on it






Tore

[bswan72]

The N-Digital Pit Lane allows only one car to pit at a time - if two cars are in the pit lane, the second car in will immediately start refueling when the first car is finished refueling. I find it best if racing with a lot of drivers, to pit either a few laps early or to short pit the first step to minimize the possibility of needing to pit when the pit lane is being used already. If you pit with other cars in the pit lane your stop will take longer which is similar to a 1:1 race where cars can get delayed either entering or exiting the pit stop with other cars pitting at the same time.

You can also use PC Lap Counter to calculate the fuel for each car and allows more than one car to pit at the same time. You will only need to use the N-Digital Multi-Lane Sensor and modify it with the Pit Lane track. Here is the link to information for the modification - N-Digital Pit Lane Modification

Best regards,
Brian

[MrFlippant]

Although the Pit Lane Game upgraded to Pit-Pro is nice, it IS NOT NEEDED for full fuel simulation with SSD. The ONLY thing you need that you might not have is the PC cable for the C7042 base, and a computer running SSDC 5. You can fuel all 6 cars at the exact same time with just that.
I don't know why so many people seem to believe that Pit-Pro is at all required. It only adds some nice lights, and the ability to impose a pit lane speed limit and prevent (usually accidental) refueling on the track. Don't get me wrong. It's cool. I have one, and I like it a lot. But it's not required, nor is it needed to enable all 6 cars or more than one car, or anything like that. Oh, yes, you'll also need a pit lane siding so that you can pull the car(s) off to the side out of the race, to refuel. Also, SSDC is not the only software option. There is also PC Lap Counter, and a couple new RMS programs currently in development. Like I said, since you already have most of the necessary hardware, why not give it a try? Worst case is you decide to go with something else, but you might decide you really like it and want to stick with it.

As tore pointed out, though, the Carrera system has everything you want right out of the box. If you're really wanting to keep away from a computer, then I would suggest considering it despite the size of the track. As Tore shows, it's possible to get Carrera into a smaller space than you might expect. But you are right, however, that the same space would allow a much more complex layout using SSD or the others.

[scalexdoza]

thank you for the replies again chaps...

been very busy this weekend so i haven`t had a chance to look on here until now....


The carrera stuff does appeal, mainly as i love the detail on the cars... The only thing that does put me off are the Controllers..... not sure i like the idea of the `Thumb control`, but then i`ve never tried it.
If there are pistol grips available, then i would almost certainly go for those. Has anyone got a link to one?

Space wise, i currently have 10x8 with an additional 4x3 attached into one corner, so it`s a bit like an odd shaped L. I have plenty more room, as this is just one corner of my loft, and i could easily board some more space....

I like the idea of the features.... very cool.

[scalexdoza]

spent my lunchtme looking into the Carrera option..... I do like the look of it.

Going to experiment this evening on Ultimate Racer and see what i can get in the space i have to begin with....

[Ichabod]

I'll throw in my opinion for what it's worth - I'd call myself "dedicatedly casual" in my slotcar approach. I spend far too much time on here being wowed at the scenery people create, and having my mind blown with the level of dedication and detail members here have put into stuff like PBPro and SSDC. I have an older 6 car PBPro powerbase with the SH mod, and it works really well. I'm in awe of, and hugely grateful to, the guys who do all the "what if?" experimentation, but I just like to run laps and change lanes

I do plan, conceptually, to put together a really nice track with scenery and all that stuff some day, but for now it's hard for me to get near my track without wanting to run laps. I'm also not particularly interested in soldering chips in cars. (I'll do it, and have done it with some level of fiddliness on my son's Goldfinger Aston Martin, for example). I am prepared to sand tyres and weight cars and stuff. I love my Pioneer Mustangs, as they're DPR ready. I have a couple of NSR cars I've chipped, and they rule the roost on my 75 foot, pit lane free track (4' by 19.5' or so, one long back straight). I run races for my son (11 years old) and his friends, and indeed for when the dads take over, but mostly it's me and my boy racing in the basement and having a great time.

All of that is meant to put me in context, so you understand where I'm coming from with my opinion - which is that if I were starting from scratch right now I'd go with Carrera. Great track, apparently hassle free digital with all the interesting features available out of the box, and a huge range of ready chipped cars.

(Interestingly, 356Speedster's track layout on UR looks pretty limited, whereas in the photo it looks really good and fun to drive).

[scalexdoza]

After spending a bit of time (when i had some free at work), i am very keen on this Carrera

I love the way the Ghost cars and Pit feature works, and the cars look good enough to be models ( not that some of the other brands aren`t)
I am a big lover of anything with four wheels, and looking at the range of cars Carrera have, i can see me being quite happy with just their car availability. I am especially fond of GT and DTM touring cars ( these are the sort of cars i can be found wrestling around circuits on Forza Motorpsort) so i am leaning now towards the Digital GT set with the Audi R8 and the Bmw M3 GT. This looks to be good value for money.

On top of that, i can squeeze a similar layout design to the one i have in Scalex in the space i have already, so thats pleased me too. It won`t have boarders, but then i plan on using various methods to simulate kerbs/run-offs and Gravel traps. Quite confident i can get it looking good...

Just hope i can slip the boxes through the door and past the GF into the loft ;-)

.......sure im not alone there....

[JL-F1]

If you Root or Jailbreak your phone go SSD
Otherwise
Carrera