Its been quite a while since my last post, but I hope that anyone still checking in with the goings-on at Drag City will feel like this was worth waiting for. I believe the jury is finally in on the major issue of track timing, something I’ve been struggling with for as long as Drag City has existed. Today, for your edification and your viewing pleasure, I offer a side by side comparison of the 2 best track timing systems I have tried, and show both of them in action, rating their pros and cons and giving you a look at what they can do-and what they can’t-so that you can come to your own conclusions about which timer you might want to try for your track.
FULL VIDEO below:
AT A GLANCE:
There remains one last frontier: namely the Canadian made Track Mate system, a much more sophisticated setup that links to a computer, and is primarily software-based. My previous experience with a set up similar to this, the Viasue system, was extremely negative, so I am hesitant to try to try it due to the complexity of setup, the complexity of operation, and the very high buy-in cost. However, there’s still a possibility I might try it some day…just as there is a possibility that someone might present another product in the future.
But for now, I have made my decision; I now have to hope that what I’ve chosen to use holds up over time!
For those of you who may be interested in these products, the gentleman who makes the modified Ninco timers can be found on ebay, here:
https://www.ebay.com/usr/ray3741?_trksid=p2047675.l2559
…and the Slot Dragon SD2, as well as Slot Dragon’s other timing systems, can be found here:
http://www.slotcardragon.com/sd2.html
Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions; maybe you have an idea I haven’t thought of! In the meantime, let the rain come down; I’m headed for the track!
The audio queues you mention is a important feature as well as the light bar issue. Man, I had no idea about all that you had gone through to time the races. Seeing how it all works and the presentation of both models was really informative and I understand a lot more about it now. It’s cool to see the behind the scenes workings there at Drag City. It sounds like the electronics like the rest of Drag City will develop over time. I wonder if other Slot Car masters have the same concerns that you do.