A few years ago I wrote The Slot Car Handbook about slot car tuning. Since then people have asked if I would do one specifically on digital racing, and more recently my publisher also asked about it.

So I am just looking into the details of what the scope and content of the book would be. A large part would be to make the world of digital easy to understand to beginners, and probably mainly to people who haven't found the internet or slot forum for help and advice.

One of the main things I am trying to decide is the poll question. If you own say Ninco digital (or Scalextric or whatever), would you be put off buying a book where a lot of it was on other brands? Or would it add interest being able to see what other people were playing with?

I have an idea of the topics to include, but is their anything you would like to see covered in a book on digital?

Thanks,

Dave

 

Hi Dave

Great idea and you are definitely the man for the job!

One of the most common questions I get asked is whether Scalextric is the best system, or whether Ninco, SCX etc. are better. Of course everyone comes at the hobby from a different angle and what's good for one person is not so good for another. Factors of geographical location, age/experience of users, £££s available etc. all come in to the equation too. So for me it would be really handy to say "this is my opinion, but go and buy Dave's book where the pros and cons of all the other systems are clearly explained in an unbiased manner, and you can decide for yourself".

 

HI .DAVE ,sound,s good a book that cover,s all

 

Hi Dave,

would be great to have a book that goes in-depth about digital systems.

For me the book would be of interest if it covers the real strenghts and weaknesses of the systems.

We read a lot on the issues of the different systems here on slotforum, but there has not been a book yet, that really covers these issues.

I wonder if this can be done in a book...

Regards,
Diegu

 

Not only would it be interesting to see what the different systems have for comparison purposes, it would also be worthwhile finding out what can be transferred over from one to the other.

Someone was designing a digital/analogue system with a SSD digital system connected to a SCX rally timer using a DPDT switch to go from one to the other. I would never have thought of that as possible, but I guess there are "parts" that can be modified to work on other systems.

Getting back to basics, I am still not clear on the technical details of the different digital systems, so that would be worth reading about.

Go for it!
Cheers!

 

ohh yeah,

that would be a great idea. 5 things I personally would like was:

1. layout-designs, and ideas for well-balanced long time lasting layouts

2. driving techniques and styles

3. which rules and regulations are generally used (stop'n go penalties, pitstops etc.)

4. Of course a desription af the different systems together with "how to's" on chipping cars, powering flippers etc

5. General description of how computers are utilized for timing, setting up throttlemaps etc. Not a particular program just a general description of what can be done with a computer.

I am sure if I took the time, I could come up with at least 5 bullets more

 

I haven't got a digital set, but the things I would like to see are

Comparisons between the brands
How to convert cars to digital
A list of common problems and how to fix them
Racing Rule suggestions for digital
Analysis of the add ons like the pit games
How well do the lap counters work
Cost comparisons (though I appreciate these are only valid at the time the book is written)

I'll add anything else I can think of

 

I was in doubt to choose between 1 system or all systems. If you already have a digital system, you can skip the chapter about deciding what system to choose and pro's and con's. But I would buy It anyway (I have the Slot Car Handbook too ), simply because there is not much written about digital systems and certainly not about how to get the most fun out of them. Racing Rules, (home) Competitions, track design, these are all general topics.Wouldn't fit in one book though...

 

Hi Dave, I think a book on Digital would be a good idea. I voted for an SSD book but would like to see an overview of other manufacturers systems also - mainly a list of functions others do or don't do compared to SSD. I don't know much about digital and how quickly changes happen but would imagine, unlike your previous book, certain parts could be obsolete in little time if too much detail is given? The what seems endless problems with digital you hear about has put me off so a Haynes Manual style book with mods and fixes plus a fault finding section just like a Haynes manual would be good for me and anyone else who want to race cars and know nothing about electronics etc.

 

Thanks for all the thoughts, responses, and especially the encouragement. Every so often the project seems pretty daunting, so the help and desire for the book are invaluable to me

 

Dave from a selling point of view where is the book targeted ?

UK - if so then it needs to be based on SSD as they are the bigest player and what most joe bloggs would see 1st
Europe - Ninco / SCX
etc....

I would base it on Scalex 1st
a section covering the others would be good also
then the how to guides chipping / problems etc.. a few tune up tips maybe get some new sales of old book

But 1 thing to bear in mind is where you are asking these questions is not your target market
Most people here know about this stuff or come here to find out so the replys will be scewed to their wants not the real market for the book

most of what would be covered in the book would be what is here anyway as what else can be added ?

your market is the Toys R Us buyers / Online Just seen it on James May etc and seach Scalextric or all the other spellings

in google
the book would then be a good add on buy for an extra present £ 9.99 or even £ 4.99 RRP would work good in my opinion

On a side note how did your other book sell ?

I wiil PM you my consultant invoice

for all this free advice

 

A book about digital slot cars/racing sounds like a great idea Dave. There are still a lot of people out there who think digital racing is a form of black magic and it would be good to clear some myths.

I just have 2 questions:-

1. Would the book be just about the standard systems from the big 4 or would it touch on some of the great aftermarket add ons and brands out there now?

2. What happens when Scalextric and Carrera reinvent their digital systems again in 12 months time like they normally do?

Myself I like the idea of a brief description of everything (standard and aftermarket) and then a in detail comparison between the standard systems before a look into 1 or 2 of the new systems coming out.

Regards

Nulla

 

QUOTE (Michael363672 @ 17 Feb 2010, 11:45) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Dave from a selling point of view where is the book targeted ?

My last book sells well internationally, with maybe around a third to the UK. As you correctly say, the people who will get the most out of these books are the people who haven't found slotforum, but it is tricky to ask their opinions!

QUOTE (Nulla @ 17 Feb 2010, 12:50) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I just have 2 questions:-

1. Would the book be just about the standard systems from the big 4 or would it touch on some of the great aftermarket add ons and brands out there now?

2. What happens when Scalextric and Carrera reinvent their digital systems again in 12 months time like they normally do?

1: I am deciding what content people want to know about at the moment. If I do an all-brands book, I would like to include as much as possible without making the book too confusing.

2: This is a problem, it hit the digital section in my last book! I think things are beginning to settle down in the digital world a bit, and I will be in touch with the companies to hopefully get some advance notice of future products, plans and strategies. The book is also promotion for their products, so hopefully they will see it in their interests to help me be accurate. If they keep things secret, then I will just do the best I can.

 

Great Idea,

I'd deffo buy it.

I know a lot of the info can be found on here but to me having it all in front of me in a nice book would appeal.

Have already bought yr last book, well worth the money,

Hope to see it on the shelves soon !! Good Luck

Cheers Dave

 

Id stay away from comparisons between digital brands as no one can know the full ins and outs of every system. Every comparison chart Ive ever seen generally misses a lot of facts or has half accurate data.

What you could do safely is mention say 10 positives from each system.

Rick

 

Yes comparison charts are always a bit risky because they are so black and white and as systems evolve they easily become out of date. Any book that covers several brands should stick to the basic key facts about each system so that readers can take it all in and match it with their expectations of what they were hoping the system would do.

 

brilliant idea....
i myself wouldn't mind reading about different brands... and the added mods such as SSDC, Davic system, scorpious/oxigen etc... and of course the powerbase pro upgrade...
The bigger the book, the better. I want a copy.

Last thing i want to add is that i only got back into slot cars because of the digital evolution (or whatever you call it).

 

I looking for a book about Carrera D132 tuning, upgrade, special projects, alternative SW, etc...

 

how is your french? As far as I know ninco, scx, scalextric carrera all have issues. A professional system that works is very expensive. I think you should use your normal controller with a digital sytem such as Davic. However Davic needs updating to run on current pc's. There is slotfire and I guess you need to speak German It too is costly then you have Scorpius which is not here yet!

What can you say about digital it's fun to change lanes and refuel. I still think the best racing is analogue side by side. Yes Davic works but you have to have rules with penalties to deal with crashes and knocking others off when it is not their fault.

Or is the book about the techincal aspects? or lack of using best technology and advice?

 

Thanks again for the continued input.

Slot32 - the book must have wide appeal to absolute beginners, and enough technical details to add a great deal of depth to the hobby. Like my previous book - it is not a replacement for forums like Slotforum - for the latest up-to-the minute news, personal help from experts and people with far more experience than me nothing can substitute for this.

The only downside of forums are that they can be a bit bewildering to newcomers because of the wealth of information here and the relatively unstructured nature of live information.

At the moment I am just working out the best balance and scope of the book.

 

Hello Dave,

Thinking about your Slot Car Handbook, and extending the pleasant "feel" (i got) from that book to digital racing, i guess your book would be most succesful if you stick to your earlier approach.
Your scope, in my words, is a nice combination of reference, information, enthusiasm and knowledge - where both the novice and the expert can enjoy the reading.
It's a stimulating combination of giving advice and making things clear without being nerdish or teacherous. You have a way of giving useful inside/expert information in a pleasant detached manner - so the reader can relate to that as if the author is a curious newcomer too. And at the same time, the experts can relate as well, for they have a good reference in hands - and very interesting reading material.
I'd say do stick to that, you are talented

So from this point of view, i'd say i'd love a book about digital slotracing that gives me the same feeling as i got from the Slot Car Handbook. And of course, a book is never a substitute for a forum - it's a complementary thing. A good book is a reference, a tranquil place where valuable info can sink in, be thought over, away from the vivid streams and debates on a forum.

So what could be in the book, remembering the SCH approach?
- overview of all the systems on the market
- how does it all work?
- where to start when considering going digital?
- how to build/design a nice digital racetrack, what about lane changing, any different from analogue tracks?
- how to maintain a digital track
- how to chip and maintain a digital car
- how to race (game play, rules, strategy, tactics)
- current and future developments

Hope to have helped you a bit with this, and good luck with the book. I'd buy it for sure

Merc

 

If you are planning to sell it internationally, then you could have the generalised stuff about digital racing as a basis for the book, then add in the chapters about the different systems as per the country that it will be selling in. Or maybe make it like a collectors set, so you have the general book, then a small book about the different brands and one small book comparing the brands. You could also sell the whole as a boxed lot.

 

i loved the slot car handbook. I think i possibly gave it a nice review on amazon, and if i didnt i should have.

what i thought was great about that book was the wealth of information there that was easy to grasp for me, who was just starting the hobby (as an adult, i did have a scaley set when i was a kid) and wanted to know more. the car care tips were great, as were the pictures of big routed scenic tracks that got me wanting to get into the slot community.

the problem with your book though, is that it is purely for begginers. I took less than an hour to read cover to cover, and i only checked back a few times to check on gear ratios or look at the pictures. I imagine any book you write about digital will be the same, as you wouldnt be covering anything like converting powerbases, and im assuming building your own flippers wont be in there.

what i would expect, would be diagrams, and clear photographs, of a car of every brand being chipped, including scaley easy chips and slot.it chips. before and after photos etc. this would be the most useful thing for any begginer in the world of digital slot racing.

also, a section on track design idea, like where to put lane changes, etc, would be an interesting read.

A review of all the systems might be good

i think an chapter with a thorough explanation of what digital is exactly, and how it works, would be good as well.