[bmacminn]

I have posted about SSD on several forums. I seem to get the most useful answers from SCI. Why? Alan takes time to research products that are sent to him to test. He answers the questions and he even had me send him my SSD power base the was overloading to have a look. Alan does not delete any posts unless you are trying to promote non-sposor sites or selling products that under cut the sites sponsors.

I asked about all the different digital sets. I got answers from everyone. However based on these answers it seems like carrera has no issues and SSD has all the issues. I am pretty sure this is not true. I do think that I will be sticking with sport because there plenty of people out there that can help with out slamming the product.

I know my posts sound like slams against SSD, but that was before I sat down and thought it through. SSD is in the early stages. Of course there will be issues with the products. The best way through these is to present them and see if others had these issues and how best to help them.

If say SCX has an issue, I am not going to go tell the person to get rid of SCX because it is not what I am running. I will probally say nothing

I guess the point is we all race what we race. We want information on the products before we buy them. Let s base it on facts and not on how we feel about a person or persons or a certain set or company

Alan is an independant person. he works for non of the big companies. he takes his time and money to present us with a overview of this hobby. He tests what is sent to him. if he seems bias to Scalextric it could be because Scalextric is willing to send hium products to test so that Sca3lextric can make a better product and sell more.

Well that is all

brian

 

[Hugs]

ohh - a thread where people had problems and other people tried to solve them - instead of slating the product - wouldn't that be a breath of fresh air

Lv Hugs x x x

 

[tvwino]

I really enjoy visiting this forum, because for the most part it is a great source of ideas and information. I also like the fact that most people are objective in their comments, despite having a bias. As Soren said, he tries not to be, but he probably has a Scalextric bent. However, despite that he (and plenty of others) is always able to provide eloquent and objective posts on subject matter that interests him.

What does raise my hackles, is pointless posting, that is neither objective nor constructive.

There are certain posts I just don't bother reading anymore, because although he no doubt has plenty of great information to share, he prefers to get into pissing (am I allowed to use that word here?) contests with others who dein to have a differing viewpont.

Digital is somewhat new, and as you would expect with something slightly more complex, it has it's teething problems. All systems have their strengths, and all have their weaknesses.

A matrix (that we all know very well) helps us sort out which basket our eggs go into, and is a great start point for people making a digital slot car decision. However, it really only tells part of the story, and as the author of it states - he's happy clocking up loads of hours of unproblematic fun with his Carerra Pro-X, which is what we all want to have. I'm lucky, I too have clocked up plenty of trouble-free hours with my SSD. I've also spent several hours racing SCX digital with 6 drivers. I'd love to try Carerra digital, but alas I don't know anyone local who has it, and due to size and costs the specialist slot stores in Sydney don't have it setup either. So, this proves that all 3 variants can provides hours of racing fun - no matter which you choose.

So - for those who want to hear my views, what do I think?

I like the fact that Scalextric aftermarket chips will in theory allow me to run my current car collection in digital mode. I just wish the chips would arrive sooner rather than later, but that's just me being impatient.

I like the fact my current sport track can be used in digital - although if I wasn't an existing sport owner this would not be beneficial. I like what SCX have done, and think they made the right choice going for something better than their existing track footprint and type. However, although it goes togehter easily, it's perhaps not the most durable, and because their is no legacy track, it isn't as simple to just create ad-hoc circuits and use the short straight or quarter straight to make them meet - and it doesn't hold as well as the old stuff if you flex it slightly to make ends meet.

I love the new braking in SSD, both the button and dynamic - feels better than the normal non digital braking. Did having no brakes spoil my fun on SCX digital - NO - but then SCX cars tend to pull up reasonably anyway. Should they adopt the same position as carerra, and add brakes sometime in the future - hell yeah! What I don't like is the fact that all the cars I convert to digital with SSD will no longer brake - that's a tad frustrating, although easily fixed if I can be bothered.

I like the lane changing on a curve, but would also like to have a straight lane changer, as well as some other radii curves. And the pit lane... All systems should eventually have all types of lane changing in my opinion. The SCX lane changing is quite efficient, and I'd assume carrera is too - possibly easier to negotiate at speed that Scalextric obviously.

I cannot comment on the Carerra electronics, but although I really like the capability of SSD and all it's modes (especially the qualifying capability to determine grid position) and the depth of detail in the info - it's not really practical to consult that window during an actual race. I believe the same could be said of Carrera, but can't be sure. What I was impressed with was the SCX presentation. It was really easy for all six racers to look to the scoreboard and see how many laps were left, and what position all 6 drivers were in - all just with a single, quick glance without sacrificing race focus.

I'm not going to discuss power - been done to death - because I still don't think anyone has the definitive on it, for any system. We're still learning capabilities as well as the do's and don'ts. I'm not ducking it because of my SSD bias, just can't contribute because I don't have problems with my setup, and don't want to start yet another set of flaming posts on the subject. I have raced SCX digital with 6 drivers, 2 digital sets connected together to make an interesting track, using all 3 power supplies, and then an aftermarket PSU and finally a combination of the 2. There were some problems, and there were ways we could change things to improve that problem, but more investigation will have to occur to figure it out. And carerra seems OK with power, albeit being limited to 4 cars and not 6. It also interesting that SCX allows you to program whether car lights are to be used (from the control panel), switched on or off, and also whether to run with low power (beginner) or high power (expert). We tried both, but found the best racing actually occurred at low power.

Car's available - well it seems that Scalextric and Carerra will have the edge there, but I've yet to see SCX plans for this year. Although Carerra will release more than scaley, the aftermarket chips will level things out and provide another route to 'getting a full grid' of cars to race.

I know I've only scratched the surface here, but I've taken up enough space so that's my lot for now.

The bottom line, none of the systems are perfect, but all are great fun. Depending upon what you currently run, or if this will be you first foray into slot cars, there's a system for you. I shouldn't forget that having access to a particilar brand at your local level could also be important, based on some peoples experiences. As for me, there's no going back, it's great.

 

[Oilslick]

Not posted here in a while, but notice DaRainbow is still whining on about things and generally causing arguments again...

DaRainbow, I think we all got the message 12 months ago that you weren't going to buy Scalextric Digital so please stop reminding us about it with every other post.

 

[darainbow]

QUOTE (Oilslick @ 9 Jan 2005, 04:12)Not posted here in a while, but notice DaRainbow is still whining on about things and generally causing arguments again...

DaRainbow, I think we all got the message 12 months ago that you weren't going to buy Scalextric Digital so please stop reminding us about it with every other post.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Still?? This explosion of argumentation is within the past two days and can be attributed to astro's and mopeds attacks on my list. They seem to have been fine with it until carrera fixed the braking and announced their plans for 05'.

I can tell you it is no coincidence that SCI has not reviewed any carrera products. As they receive free products from Honrby, they might as well be on the payroll. (Maybe they are, I'd have to see their W2s. . .) I generated the list when I realzed SCI was posing as an unbiased source of information. As they are the largest american web site and providing coverage on Hornby products exclusively, that is a problem, especially when I favor the alternative.

Rather than see my first choice get steamrollered, I moved ahead with my project and tested the features that are important to club racers. Decided to take it to the highest level. Reliabilty. Power handling. If Pro-X hadnt responded so well to power upgrades and if I didnt have email from carrera stating they were fixing the brakes, I guarantee this stuff would have ended up in the garbage or on ebay. I had high expectations for Pro-X and it has met them.

Now when I apply the same standards to the other systems, I am demonized.

I am quite proud of my accomplishments regarding the feature comparison list. I feel it counteracts the SCI bias nicely. It also helps to put the scalextric marketing blitz into perspective by highlighting the features of importance to an enthusiast that are not discussed in the marketing literature. (Who the f*(k cares about "arcade mode" when you can feel power drain from the LCs?) Quite an accomplishment to turn some heads to carrera in a scalextric dominated english-speaking world.

 

[scalextricracer]

DaRaindow

I am currently running sport digital, current setup as follows

100 foot running lenght
4 Lane changers
2 standard sports digital power supplies

I have not experience any power drain at all with regarding lane changing.

The only thing I did notice was a flat spot for controller 2 and a Merc DTM this only affected this car, after a bit of testing and working things out, I swapped 2 straights over and checked the connections and all works fine. If I hadn't of checked the track i would to be saying that there are power problems.

i have a consistant 12V at every point around my track.

If people are having power problems and dropout this has to be the connections between each track piece.

Hope this helps

ScalextricRacer

 

[astro]

Sorry everyone, I know this is tremendously boring.

However, since Darainbow (of all people) criticises my objectivity, I feel it is necesary to post again on this topic in public in order to defend myself. (I have pointed this out to Darainbow in private before, but he is not bothered to research or believe or read; I also request that the moderators do not edit this attack on my character out of Darainbows post as they have done with darainbow's previous posts, imho it says much more about Darainbow than it does about me)

This is not a post to Darainbow, since he is too selective in what he reads in other posts or PMs for it to make a difference to his opinions.

But for everyone else who has not noticed from my posts across this board which are NOT to do with Darainbow's Carrera crusade, let me say this:

I do not advocate ANY particular system. I have produce a glowing review of the excellent Carrera Ferrari GTC which can be read on this board. I am critical of shortcomings in all systems and give praise to any manufacturers goods.

I think Carreras digital product has lots of benefits, and is the right system for some people. My posts have never been against Carrera, nor against Darainbow personally, only against misleading posts and for the benefit of the casual SF browser and newbie who has not learned when a pinch of salt is needed when reading the views of certain people.

Dave

 

[darainbow]

QUOTE (scalextricracer @ 9 Jan 2005, 09:46)DaRaindow

I am currently running sport digital, current setup as follows

100 foot running lenght
4 Lane changers
2 standard sports digital power supplies

I have not experience any power drain at all with regarding lane changing.

The only thing I did notice was a flat spot for controller 2 and a Merc DTM this only affected this car, after a bit of testing and working things out, I swapped 2 straights over and checked the connections and all works fine. If I hadn't of checked the track i would to be saying that there are power problems.

i have a consistant 12V at every point around my track.

If people are having power problems and dropout this has to be the connections between each track piece.

Hope this helps

ScalextricRacer

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is good data. How many simultaneous cars are you running?

 

[SWoRd]

QUOTE (scalextricracer @ 9 Jan 2005, 09:46)I am currently running sport digital, current setup as follows

100 foot running lenght
4 Lane changers
2 standard sports digital power supplies

I have not experience any power drain at all with regarding lane changing.

The only thing I did notice was a flat spot for controller 2 and a Merc DTM this only affected this car, after a bit of testing and working things out, I swapped 2 straights over and checked the connections and all works fine. If I hadn't of checked the track i would to be saying that there are power problems.

i have a consistant 12V at every point around my track.

If people are having power problems and dropout this has to be the connections between each track piece.I have a very similar setup, but only with 82' of track. It's also 4 lane changers and 2 standard sports digital power supplies.

I'm running 4 cars without problems, and I'm using a track cleaning erasor to remove the thin oxide layer that will form on the track interconnections over time. I bought the erasor in a train shop, and I suppose it's made for cleaning the rails in a train system, but it works very well on a slot track.

The most dificult part to clean is the inside of the hollow slot connection ... here i use a very small round steel brush on a Proxxon drill (like Dremel) on slow speed.

It's a lot of work to do the whole track, so I don't do it very often.

... but when I have done it, I have no trouble feeling the improvement. Like Scalextric racer suggests, I normally only bother to remove the weak spots.

 

[bmacminn]

When I came here looking for info on carrera, DaRainbow had the info. that was great and very helpful. the comparision chart he made was great too.

Does it matter if SCI can only review scalextric? Will what goes on at SCI or here destroy DaRainbow's beloved carrera?? NO.

I appreciate the work DaRainbow has put into the carrera product.

DaRainbow, why not write a review up on the carrera digital and have it put on SCI?? I am sure it would get published if it was a fair review

also if SCI is so bad as you say, stop postiong there

brian

 

[darainbow]

I have stopped posting there.

I would write a Pro-X review for SCI but I do not want to volunteer my time to support a commercial venture. Unless the admin pays me or gives me free product, it would be inappropriate. Besides, the window of opportunity has been missed to get the word out. Pro-X shipped 2 months before SSD but the average reader probably thinks scalextric is the center of the digital universe.

 

[Doug]

Reviewing Carrera products is very hard for anyone. It has been impossible for us to get anything from them and as Alan from SCI said, they have the same issues.

We are lucky that we have some good people with good connections at Carrera and who are prepared to share information as it becomes available.

We at SlotForum too are interested in anybody who wishes to write up an extensive review (with photos) on any of the Digital track systems available. Any takers?

 

[darainbow]

I would write a review based on pictures I took of the oval setup, but my time is spent developing my site.

If the review were hosted on my site would you link to it?

 

[Doug]

Trouble is darainbow, is that everything you contribute is on your site.

Tables, photos, reviews...

Contribute to the forum instead of just trying to drive traffic from it to your place.

We are looking for SlotForum reviews that we can link to our advertisers if we want to. Objective as possible or if not, your subjectivness has to be interesting in a Clarkson sort of way.

 

[darainbow]

What is wrong with me putting my content on my site? Everyone gets access to the information, so I dont see a problem with it. Having my own site allows me to organize the information as I see fit and keeps it focused. I know I will not get the same number of hits as if my review were on the front page of SF, but if someone digs, they can find my information.

I value SF and will be putting a link to it when I do the "links" section on my site. I'm not trying to "drive traffic" away from SF to my place. Its just a comcast homepage, I dont even have a domain name.

If you are concerned about losing traffic, talk with the admin at SCI who removes links to your site. Its funny that you can mention his site here, but the sites that can be linked are tightly controlled to his list of sponsors. BTW, your more open policy is why I much prefer SF to SCI.

 

[Doug]

darainbow, there is nothing wrong with you putting a review on your site. I'm not objecting to it. There already is a link to your site and I'm sure that if people want to see it and all your information, then they will click there.

We are looking for good, objective information about slot car products that can be formulated into a review. The review then can be read by all our members and link back to the forum for discussion. Also we can include Buy-it-now buttons that can link to suppliers of the products.

 

[scalextricracer]

Guys

Back the the orignal converstaion....

Question:

guest who SSD powerbase has just gone pop

That right mine has, but let me tell you how.

Over the weekend i have been trying to recreate some of the problems other people have had.

By shorting the track with a screw driver it took 5 seconds to come up with the OVERLOAD error. This was not the killer of the unit thou.

I am current reboxing all my cars so that i can build the base for my track in the loft, as i was packing i picked up a couple of SCX cars, Dome Judd and and Audi R8, Putting the Audi R8 on the track in a clock wise direction to see if was the pickup configuration that is causing the overloads, I did not get the OVERLOAD error, I tried it in anti clockwise direction, the cars rear wheels started to spin, tried the same thing with the Dome Judd clockwise the lights came and wheels span and then I got the OVERLOAD error on and in the clockwise the wheels spin.

After about 5 min without any cars on the track the SSD unit went pop.

Strange but ture.....

ScalextricRacer

 

[darainbow]

So do you think all the permanent overload failures were caused by putting analog cars on the rails, or can this condition be generated other ways. Why did it go "pop" five minutes after your test?

 

[Xlot]

Hi SR,

I guess you should have kept to multimeter testing !!

Now, let's see if Søren confirms it, but my understanding is that if you place an analog car on DCC the effect is the same as if you had a stalled rotor - current is only limited by arm resistance - lights don't care

That doesn't explain why you didn't get overload alarm/protection...

Cheer up

Beppe

 

[scalextricracer]

Well here goes

daraindow

Not sure but after putting the Dome Judd on the track this had the lights on and seemed ok but cause the OVERLOAD message and then the unit made a buzzing sound until it gave up the ghost.

Perhaps the analogue cars caused some type of feedback to the unit and this is what has caused it. but this only happened with SCX cars as i have 1 ninco which i hae also tried and plenty of scalextric cars but these have never caused the issue.

Xlot

The ninco and scalextric cars when put on the track sound like a stalled motor like they should, it was only the SCX cars that seemed to differ in what they did when placed on the track with SSD.

Will have to speak to adrian norman tomorrow to sort out a replacement.

All i can do now i pack away the rest and of my cars to i can build the new shelves to put them all on.

ScalextricRacer