[mocivic]

A few years back I have an HO track with lap counter and everything. I ended up selling it. I recently stumbled across the Carerra Digital tracks. I am very interested in getting back into the hobby. I would like either a 1/32 or 1/24 digital. Please give me your thoughts how the best way to get into the digital slot tracks.
Thanks
Michael

 

[John Cahill]

hi, Michael
Welcome back! You'll find a lot of us here are ex-slotters who re-discovered the hobby years later. If you are interested in both 1/32 and 1/24 then I think Carrera is your bet...I'm guessing you already know that from your post. Carrera, speaking as a guy who has owned a whole lot of it over time, is very high quality and worth every cent you have to pay up front. It's true there are less expensive, and also more popular, brands. But I think you can't go wrong with Carrera...and most especially if using multiple scales is a priority.
Having said that, I'd recommend buying one or two boxed sets to start with...that will get you all basic equipment at a reasonable entry price. The sets will be filled with R1 turns...try to find sets with as many R2 or even R3 as possible. They will come in handy later. Also, you'll probably want Borders for your turns (especially when running 1/24 scale)...so it's a plus if your boxed set has some of them as well.
A couple things ongoing...watching Ebay for used Carrera at cheap prices (track, borders etc), maybe getting Track Planner software (several are free including Carrera's), also you may want to read up on covering your shiny stainless steel "power rails" with copper tape. If you have a track layout you will be keeping for a while, copper tape can do wonders for conductivity and also reducing noise.
Ok, well...I'm sure you'll be getting a lot more advice. You've found a good source of it here. Have fun!

John

 

[mocivic]

Thanks! Its actually only been about 3 years. (I'm only 17). My dad had them when he was a kid and then about 5 years ago we build the HO track and the 2 years later sold it. I was thinking either 1/32 or 1/24 not both. I was leaning towards the 1/32. if you wouldn't mind giving me some specific names of the kits, that would be great. Also, where can i get the track designing software?
Thanks
Michael

 

[mocivic]

Something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Carrera-USA-Digital-13...=item2310e819a7

 

[Scootcar50]

Hi Michael
I am a very bias Carrera Digital user
I started with a basic set and then built on that by buying an Evolution (Analogue) set which is much cheaper than digital but has exactly the same track pieces and you can always add a digital chip in the Evolution cars so they will run on the digital track.

The example to put up defiantly would be a good start and to me it seems to be a good price but keep looking at different sets - Ferrari Competition and Motor Monster are also great sets.

I have also started buying 1:24 cars and to run these cars you will also need to purchase a 2nd power unit - 1:24 runs at 18V instead of 14.8V for 1:32 - they will run on 14.8V but slower

Hope this helps and welcome back to Slots.

Cheers

Edit
Forget the copper tape because the rails are stainless steel and have no connectivity issues that I have come across.

 

[mocivic]

Thanks for the info! where can i find the track designing software?

 

[Wraith]

Mocivic,

Where are you based in the world, this may effect the ease of getting track, the avilablity of racers around you to compete with outside of your current circle of friends and family.

Don't forget that all 1/32 slot cars can race on other 1/32 tracks however the digital systems are not compatible with each other.

I love the Carrera cars and have brought loads recently but chose SSD as its probably the biggest in the Uk.

Regards

Colin

 

[mocivic]

Im located in Missouri (USA). Getting the cars and track won't be a problem. But there's a shortage of racers locally. But im not looking into racing just to build a track and have fun. Can any other cars run on a carerra digital track?

 

[Wraith]

QUOTE (mocivic @ 20 Jun 2011, 14:33) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Im located in Missouri (USA). Getting the cars and track won't be a problem. But there's a shortage of racers locally. But im not looking into racing just to build a track and have fun. Can any other cars run on a carerra digital track?
I don't see why other makes would not run on Carrera track, you will need to purchase a digital conversion chip and fit that to the car.

Regards

Colin

 

[mocivic]

Thanks Guys! I've got the slot bug again. Hopefully when I get back in a week I can order a set and start building.