Scalextric ARC ONE System Set Review
By Graham Smith
I recently had the opportunity to review the new Scalextric ARC One System set which shouts out from the box, Race, Share, and Customise. This is the new offering from Hornby to bring the slot car racing into the digital age for users to "create and manage" races with a hand held smart devices such as a smartphone or tablet. This normally retails for around £100, but you may be able to find this cheaper from your friendly slot car on line dealer.
The box art work is in line with the current releases and indicates a sense of speed with two stylised GT cars. Inside there is a lot of "fresh air" with brown packing areas that reveal, controllers, cars, sports track and all the necessary kit to get up and running. You can race this without the digital interface, but that's not the purpose of the review. However for a set of this price I was expecting a bit more, but I guess all the costs are invested in the technology. There are no crash barriers or borders and the controller's s are the type used in the Scalextric Start Sets. They have the button that can control the speed for the less experienced driver so they don't crash and burn at the first corner. They feel a bit cheap and small in the bigger adult hand. The two cars are the stylised GT Lightning cars with blacked out windows and "super resistance "exteriors. They can be customised with a set of decals for each one.
Step 1 is to download the ARC ONE APP either on a tablet or smartphone via Google Play Apps store or the iTunes store: Now I have a Windows Android Phone, a Nokia luminia 630, but this does not appear on the recommended device list, however I thought I would try and see what happens. Suffice to say after 3 hours of trying to download the APP I found that it was not compatible with that device. This may be just me and my lack of tech knowledge so I would still try and download it on your own device if you have the time and patience. So stick to the list supplied however this was still not an easy process even on my wife's iPad mini and took nearly an hour of trying to find it in both the Google and iTunes stores, before it finally appeared in the iTunes application.
Once loaded downloading was simple, about, 30 seconds and then you are ready to race……
As you have to keep an eye on the information I would suggest that the tablet is the better option. It is highly visible and easy to see. If the list provided by Hornby is all the devices available it may be limited and therefore if you wish to purchase one of these sets ensure you have the correct device. I would suggest you try and Access the App via the iTunes App store as this seems to be the easiest download route.
Step 2 setup the track: there are 3 circuits with this track, but I opted for the offset figure of eight. Once connected and powered up simple switch on blue tooth load the app and place the device of choice in front of the "power base" connection was made in a matter of seconds when the light turned green. You are now ready to race.
The first option is to select the appropriate track from the high level menu. The app comes with all the current sets and a few more. I am not sure if you can use this for your own layout, possibly a limitation so again quite limiting.
It is very easy to get racing, options include, Practice, Grand Prix, quick race, Practice, endurance, Drag, Qualifying . One selected you can customise to your own preference, number of laps, tyre wear and fuel for example. Other unique option includes KERS and, Weather, but these are tantalising greyed out and are only available for ARC PRO which is a shame as it would be interesting to see how these work. The default seems to be dry. The ARC ONE only really only comes with the unique options of tyre wear and fuel options. Anyway I programmed in the basic race, 10 laps tyre wear and fuel. Press the Ready to race button and then a simulated light gantry appears counting down the red lights and its GO GO GO. It soon became apparent why no crash barriers or track borders are included. The cars stick to the track like nothing else I am surprised the cutlery in the kitchen is not attracted to these magnets.
The display of the tyres and fuel changing from Green to Red is clear and easy to see, but again I would recommend using an iPad mini or full size tablet as it may be more challenging on a smaller device, plus the dialogue telling you to pit puts you in no doubt when you have to come in for new rubber and fuel. When you stop in the pit box the sound of a tyre gun ensures you have the full pit lane experience. Once the race id over you can access all the stats including lap times and fastest laps and download the stats to social media if you so desire. I tried running the cars beyond the recommend pit stop and instead of the car stopping as I expected, you are just disqualified. I think it would be great if the car ground to halt. You can of course save the race for future reference
Other options include Reactions from the start line, which is quite fun to see how your reactions are over younger members of the family……..there is also the ability to include a catalogue of your Scalextric collection for both cars and track. I tried inputting a NINCO Raid car which it seemed accept although I did not insert a photograph so further exploration is required. It also gives you the options to catalogue your scalextric collection and has a list of all the current models held for, I believe the last three years in the application. I am sure this will be updated as and when new releases are issued.
In summary, would I invest in this technology? I think so as the APP seems very accurate and intuitive and a fantastic lap counter and stats provider. It is very easy to use once you have downloaded it, but the initial problems may have just been me being dense so don't be put off. However if you are thinking of buying one for Christmas or that special birthday, make sure you down load the APP well in advance to avoid disappointment. I think the potential is there and if particularly you are into lap times and stats, The downside for me is the set and the price £100 or there about which seems a lot for what is essentially a fairly basic set with a Bluetooth receiver. It would be interesting to see what the power base, controllers and power pack would sell for individually, however you can only fit the adapted "start" controllers and the bespoke power pack to this unit. The instructions that accompany the set are quite basic, but enough to get you up and running.
There are other units available in the market place for lap times and stats if that is all you want out of lap counter. The DSR units are tried and tested and provide a lot of the functionality that is available in this APP and meet many club and individual requirements. Ninco also provide lap counters with similar functionality.
The information is of course more portable with access to the APP and you can view your past successes at any time and impress your friends via social media !!.
If you are a dedicated scalextric fan and are looking for something innovative and different then this entry into the wireless app environment is the set for you, but I would like to see what the future road map is for this product and would seriously think about the ARC PRO set as and when it is released which will give you better functionality and interaction with your hobby. Over larger sets and layouts I think the APP would release its true potential, also taking the magnets out might be interesting.
I think I will put an iPad on my Christmas list………………………………….
Review by Graham Smith - Sample Set provided by Hornby Hobbies.
