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Hello All,
Just thought I would share some initial experiences of the SCX Digital demonstrated at Slough swap meet last week. For the majortiy of the day, personally provided with the responsibility of manning the SCX Digital set, fending off the young kids intent on destruction! - blimey, couldn;t believe how popular it was with the younger audience, the adults didn't get much of a look in!
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Between marshalling & retrieving cars from off the floor, I managed to squeeze in a few laps throughout the day. Even after many laps of the promotion set, I came to the conclusion that lane changing on SCX nor Digital tracks in general, isn't going to be as easy as one initially thought.
For example, one particular factor I noticed to my surprise, was the lane changing isn't instantaneous i.e. the user quickly press a button and the car immediately swaps lanes (similar to a joystick fire button). The user has to plan and hold the button momentarily, this practice tended catch people out including the older more experienced slot car generation.
You sometimes end up concentrating on changing lanes which can sometimes distract from the driving, proving that it's not quite as straight forward as one possibly anticipated, and will require practice. However the changing lane issue, in my opinion is greatly exaggerated on small circuits, where there is barely a chance for the participant to take stock and think moves through due to speed that the cars lap the set track.
Talking of speed, SCX have thoughtfully provided a two speed option with the Digital set a "Slow" mode (for less experienced) and a "Fast" (normal slotcar) speed mode. Racing in both modes is enjoyable and for small tracks the slow mode may be a better option, although I could swear that each time my back was turned, the kids kept swapping the speed to "Fast"
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Funnily enough, even small points such as adding one extra button to the controller which requires regular use, takes a moment for the brain to register. Also something as diminutive as sussing how to hold the throttle requires thought.
The most common feedback was to build a circuit with long straights which in theory, provide racers a momentary chance of a break/breathing space to plan & successfully execute a lane changing move. Although the flipside will be the cars will be travelling at much higher speeds and the changeover section will require the user to lift off.
One noteworthy point I would like to mention is about the SCX cars. These cars were provided to serve a purpose and to be raced, crashed and tested to near destruction, although it was heart breaking to witness. However, we were amazed to see that the cars all still worked at the end of the day! Got to give credit to SCX for producing cars strong enough to endure the high level of exploitation suffered throughout the day and to keep working!
All three cars provided with the set were still driving at the end; I'm sure with some TLC and a well earned service they would all be running on song. Sadly the same can't be said for the elaborate DTM spoilers & mirrors, although they did put up a good fight, but sadly with too many spectacular off's, including launching off the display table numerous times eventually took its toll, I seriously doubt many cars currently available today, would cope any better. Talking of which, Hornby are planning on releasing an F1 Digital set, a brave move indeed!
Dismantling and rebuilding, took moments to perform, the inner workings as standard with SCX is nice and tidy, typical of SCX helped as there are no wires obstructing access. However, one particular car required an unscheduled overhaul every few minutes, no doubt due to too many tailgating incidents and off road excursions. A little point worth mentioning thankfully the screws didn't cross thread or snap; otherwise would have been stuffed!
Finally, setting up the SCX digital track was very straight forward, took about 10 minutes, without the need to refer to the instruction manual. The only time the instructions were required was to program the cars. I was impressed with both the borders and barriers provided particulary as SCX insured that there were enough barriers/borders in the set to fit all the bends and the crossovers too. Surprisingly the barriers are mock Indy car type concrete walls and like real life, are a lot more unforgiving than soft plastic Armco provided by rivals, these walls had the paint scars to prove it! There is no give to absorb impacts.
The throttles provided with the set were in my opinion, reasonably responsive with no real lag that I could determine, also no noticeable power drop with three cars running. However, it has been pointed out since, the word lag has been mentioned with regars to the controllers. Personally, I think they weren't that bad, okay those spoiled with the use of luxury controllers, they will be an inevitable down grade - but name a set that is any different?
Anyway, thank you Jexy for giving me the opportunity to have a go (I kept nagging) and with any new technology, its early days. If I were to buy a set, the first thing and I think this will apply to a lot of people, would be to upgrade the track length. I would be interested to learn how much and what track will be available at the time of release.
Best wishes,
James.
Just thought I would share some initial experiences of the SCX Digital demonstrated at Slough swap meet last week. For the majortiy of the day, personally provided with the responsibility of manning the SCX Digital set, fending off the young kids intent on destruction! - blimey, couldn;t believe how popular it was with the younger audience, the adults didn't get much of a look in!
Between marshalling & retrieving cars from off the floor, I managed to squeeze in a few laps throughout the day. Even after many laps of the promotion set, I came to the conclusion that lane changing on SCX nor Digital tracks in general, isn't going to be as easy as one initially thought.
For example, one particular factor I noticed to my surprise, was the lane changing isn't instantaneous i.e. the user quickly press a button and the car immediately swaps lanes (similar to a joystick fire button). The user has to plan and hold the button momentarily, this practice tended catch people out including the older more experienced slot car generation.
You sometimes end up concentrating on changing lanes which can sometimes distract from the driving, proving that it's not quite as straight forward as one possibly anticipated, and will require practice. However the changing lane issue, in my opinion is greatly exaggerated on small circuits, where there is barely a chance for the participant to take stock and think moves through due to speed that the cars lap the set track.
Talking of speed, SCX have thoughtfully provided a two speed option with the Digital set a "Slow" mode (for less experienced) and a "Fast" (normal slotcar) speed mode. Racing in both modes is enjoyable and for small tracks the slow mode may be a better option, although I could swear that each time my back was turned, the kids kept swapping the speed to "Fast"
Funnily enough, even small points such as adding one extra button to the controller which requires regular use, takes a moment for the brain to register. Also something as diminutive as sussing how to hold the throttle requires thought.
The most common feedback was to build a circuit with long straights which in theory, provide racers a momentary chance of a break/breathing space to plan & successfully execute a lane changing move. Although the flipside will be the cars will be travelling at much higher speeds and the changeover section will require the user to lift off.
One noteworthy point I would like to mention is about the SCX cars. These cars were provided to serve a purpose and to be raced, crashed and tested to near destruction, although it was heart breaking to witness. However, we were amazed to see that the cars all still worked at the end of the day! Got to give credit to SCX for producing cars strong enough to endure the high level of exploitation suffered throughout the day and to keep working!
All three cars provided with the set were still driving at the end; I'm sure with some TLC and a well earned service they would all be running on song. Sadly the same can't be said for the elaborate DTM spoilers & mirrors, although they did put up a good fight, but sadly with too many spectacular off's, including launching off the display table numerous times eventually took its toll, I seriously doubt many cars currently available today, would cope any better. Talking of which, Hornby are planning on releasing an F1 Digital set, a brave move indeed!
Dismantling and rebuilding, took moments to perform, the inner workings as standard with SCX is nice and tidy, typical of SCX helped as there are no wires obstructing access. However, one particular car required an unscheduled overhaul every few minutes, no doubt due to too many tailgating incidents and off road excursions. A little point worth mentioning thankfully the screws didn't cross thread or snap; otherwise would have been stuffed!
Finally, setting up the SCX digital track was very straight forward, took about 10 minutes, without the need to refer to the instruction manual. The only time the instructions were required was to program the cars. I was impressed with both the borders and barriers provided particulary as SCX insured that there were enough barriers/borders in the set to fit all the bends and the crossovers too. Surprisingly the barriers are mock Indy car type concrete walls and like real life, are a lot more unforgiving than soft plastic Armco provided by rivals, these walls had the paint scars to prove it! There is no give to absorb impacts.
The throttles provided with the set were in my opinion, reasonably responsive with no real lag that I could determine, also no noticeable power drop with three cars running. However, it has been pointed out since, the word lag has been mentioned with regars to the controllers. Personally, I think they weren't that bad, okay those spoiled with the use of luxury controllers, they will be an inevitable down grade - but name a set that is any different?
Anyway, thank you Jexy for giving me the opportunity to have a go (I kept nagging) and with any new technology, its early days. If I were to buy a set, the first thing and I think this will apply to a lot of people, would be to upgrade the track length. I would be interested to learn how much and what track will be available at the time of release.
Best wishes,
James.
