[bacardibeast]

Am I the only person here that can't afford to up date my track to Digital.
It wouldn't be a problem if I was already using Scaley Sports track but I only got back into the hobby after buying up loads of second hand Classic track. Mainly for pennies. This ment that, appart from a few Radius 3 & 4 corners, I got loads of track for next to no cost at all!

If I had to replace all my track with sport, or even just lots of convertion sections, I couldn't afford 16 or more chips to retro fit my cars with.

I hate to admit it but I think that the digital era is going to have to pass me by. At least until the price of Sports track starts to drop on ebay or appears in the local papers as unwanted gifts!

Anyone have the same problem? Or am I the only fool still running 80's & 90's mag-less cars?

Cheers,
David

 

[goldfish_samurai]

No, you're not the only one! It will be a while before I upgrade to digital. I have however converted to scaley sports track - I should add that the actual amount of sports track I own is quite trivial compared to the amount of classic I had, mainly because of cost (and some of the classic garb were those 'special' peices that arn't available in the sport format).

I will be one of those guys checking the newspapers in the new year too, taking avantage of christmas five minute wonders!

 

[Jimster71]

Similar position for me, only owning classic scaley track.

Looking for unwanted xmas presents for the digital starter set is a good idea. I wouldn't be in a position to buy before xmas.

Retro-fitting the cars with chips doesn't all have to be done at once, just start with the cars you race most.

 

[Slotrace.dk]

As a Xmas present for the wife?
Great idea!

 

[Screwneck]

Hi David. I doubt if many will go straight into digital in a big way as retro-fitting cars will cost a bomb and having enough changeover pieces to add much near-to-accuracy lanechanging will blow a hole in anyone's pocket. A few kids with rich parents will go for it big time, and a few enthusiasts with high disposable incomes. The rest of us will have to carry on enjoying the fun of being able to overtake wherever and whenever we like and enjoying the current perfect Sport setup.

With the excellent ranges of cars available at the moment, I'd rather carry on enjoying spending on these rather than blowing a small fortune on what is really only restrictive lane-changing technology.

I'm going to wait a year or so, save up a bit, and see what happens with the different manufacturer setups. In the meantime, it's carry on having fun as normal.

 

[fast lucky]

Well, I recently changed my track, going from Classic to Carrera and I'm really not into the idea of changing again. Carrera's digital system is clearly a no-go for me (Scalextric's system sounds the best option at the moment).

That said, I really don't feel bad about it, since I am yet to be convinced about the usefulness of digital for a home use.

 

[ProfFate]

Hi

I am skeptical.

From my perspective, racing for some 45 years... I am just seeing what will happen.

I am still using 1964 vintage REVELL track. It replaced my hand made 1959 rail track which was replaced by a hand made routed track, and then a 1963 Strombecker track that was a christmas gift. As dad was career military, he gave me the plastic suggesting that as we were moving yearly, plastic made more sense than constantly routing new.

Now, each of these upgrades involved being able to use the cars I had, not "retire" much of anything.

So far, I have had 8 different digital systems described. I SUSPECT that scalex will, being the "big dog", become eventually, the standard. But until there is "one system that rules them all", I am not going to worry about it.

In the past, Eldon in 64, various others in the 70s and 80s and 90s all came out with the idea that slots were obsolete and various multicar/no slot etc was going to make the rest obsolete. However, so far, my Revell has remained useful.

So, I watch.

Fate

 

[LMP]

I know I'm not going to bother. Only digital I'll be doing in the near future is if Phoenix goes with DS DAVIC.

 

[jnr_seahorse]

It is not so much the cost of the track that is worrying me. It is converting my car collection.

For a start I reckon I use about 30 cars regularly. Even if I could afford to convert these I don't want to start modifying some of the more valuable cars. Talking of valuable cars, it seems from the reviews that digital increases the chances of damage to you pride and joys anyway.

Have you guessed yet that I am not a fan? I am waiting for Sport World but it seems the boys at Margate have put it on the back burner until Digital has been released.

JS

 

[Tropi]

For all my occasional

scepticism regarding the future of digital, I don't see possession of a mountain of classic track as an impediment to those who want to adopt it. Classic/Sport adapters are VERY cheap and not very many would be needed.

 

[astro]

If thinking about SSD, and already have a lot of analogue cars, the sensible thing is to wait for SSD Pro, that's what I am planning to do;

SSD power base must REPLACE the analogue powerbase, meaning a hassle to swap from analogue to digital. SSD Pro has a power POD, like (and compatible with) the Scalextric World pod. Plug in world pod, you have an analogue set up for 80% of your cars. Plug in digital pro pod, race digital with you chipped cars; sorted.

 

[bacardibeast]

Thanks to everyone who has posted.

I don't fell like I'm going to be just a by-stander any more. And best of all, I can now continue with my plans for a landscaped 4 lane track. Realistically, this project should keep me going for at least a couple of years (what with 16+ 80's cars to restore) and by then the digital market shpuld have settled down a bit. Who knows, I might even have moved out of home by then (well I was 30 this year!)

Cheers,
David

 

[RMMseven]

I would love to have a Carrera Digital oval... BUT I don't think I'll get one for a while. I like my four lane track and it works just perfect right now along with the huge fleet of cars I have.

 

[lobsterboy]

Hey Bacardi, dont feel so down your only stating what most of us feel, only Moped seems to think that Scalex digital is slotcars saviour. Which is strange considering how well the hobby has been doing over that last few years without it!

 

[taxi]

I'm another one in the 'wait and see' catagory. I've recently changed over to sport track and that'll do for now.

I'm also a bit concerned about the apparent lack of compatability between Digital and Sport World. Is it also correct that Challenger is not compatable with Digital?

To be honest I'm more interested in Sport World anyway (there's not enough room for 6 or more people in the loft!) but I'm wary.

Astro's post about interchangeable 'pods' answers some of my questions (thanks mate

) but I think there will be a 'Mark 2' system not far into the future combining features of both Digital and World, and probably rendering the original versions obsolete.

I don't have any 'insider information' about any of this, it's pure speculation mixed with a healthy dose of natural cynicism/sceptisism!

Although I think both Digital and World offer a lot of interesting features, I think for now I'll leave it to other people to investigate this brave new world and I'll stick to spending my money on more cars!!

Rob

PS If I win the lottery all the above comments become null and void, I'll be buying it all!!!

 

[GRAH1]

I would cut my right arm off with a rusty razor saw before I would change over to digital

Sorry guys but I can have a big enough accident trying to get past the Hirst Brothers when there 2 lanes away what do you think it would be like with us all on the same lane ,I dread to think

 

[Tropi]

QUOTE I don't have any 'insider information' about any of this, it's pure speculation mixed with a healthy dose of natural cynicism/sceptisism!
Actually, it's good old-fashioned common sense at work! I like that.

 

[darainbow]

I'm building a 4-lane carrera track and I thought it wouldnt be too hard to convert two lanes to digital so you can have it either way! Best of both worlds.

You'd have to disconnect the black box to run analog. Shouldnt be too hard.

But I dont like the idea of digital as much as i used to.

 

[CoolScientist]

My first post on this board was "Eagerly awaiting SSD"... and Im still excited about it. I currently have about 60 ft of classic track - most of it buggered, to the point itll only run in one direction... most of it is beyond repair...

The only sensible thing for me really, is to purchase a new track system - which I am doing. Ive raced on most track systems excpet Carrera, but have explored them all in depth.

I have about £1000 pound to spend, which is for everything - boarding the loft (ive just laid my hands on 20 8x4 18mm Chipboard boards saving £400

)- building the tables, and purchasing the required track. With the SSD system, making it release date in November and my house being ready on October the 29th, Ill be starting to purchase what I need then...

Of course, £120 of that will be the digital conversion set, and my track plan requires 9 LC peices - another £160 (already one in the conversion set) so £280 spent already. Over 25% of what I need with only 2 cars being digital - the ones in the conversion set...

Thats a big chunk of money - and Im not suprised most are concerned about going over to digital on your home circuits. But £280 is only 10 cars...

(geez that many at retail)...

However - I would like it - the wife says I can have it...

- but theres no way of knowing whether I will like digital, until Ive tried it, I may have an advert on Ebay by December... but I will still be keeping a layout of Sport track.

I will keep you all posted on progress, and If you wanna drop by and have a clutch, your more than welcome... An open offer....

CoolS

 

[lenny broke]

Afternoon all

Digital does not interest me so the cost of conversion is a non starter .

I am interested in slot cars because it allows me to indulge an interest I had in a simple time of life for me.

If you like it's a refuge from all this hi tech lifestyle that we live today.

I think some people may describe me as a ludite.

Cheers, Alan