If you were going to jump into the 1/32 scale slots, what track/set would be your choice and why? thanks, rr

I jumped into the Artin 4 lane set. Price was major factor. Got 40' of track if I want a 2 lane, and 20' for the 4 lane plans. 4 cars (not bad for getting started, just not that detailed compared to the big boys), borders, guards, scenery.

Above everything, it was the price. I was not sure if I would like 1/32 as much as HO, so I went with best bang for the buck. I defintly do not regret it one bit. The controlers are a bit on the really cheap feel, but I'm sure they will last untill I throw some Parma or professor Motor controlers on.

As for cars, I am digging the Carrera line. Lots of older NASCAR and some killer Trans-Am and 60's/70's muscle. They are cheaper than Scalextric and FLY so I can usually get 2 at a time. The Scalextrics are fast as hell though. Haven't bought a FLY yet because they are so friggin pricey.

Anti-Cop,
The 1/32 cars fit on your 1/43 scale track?
rr

Scalextric because their entire lineup is extremely wide and impressive.

Anti-Cop,
The 1/32 cars fit on your 1/43 scale track?
rr

Artin has 1/32 cars & track also...
http://www.slotcarworld.com/
And scroll down to "Artin Sets 1/32"

And there is a write up about the sets here...
http://www.hoslotcarracing.com/
And scroll down to "Artin"...

Have some bigger fun..
Scott

Scalextric because their entire lineup is extremely wide and impressive.


I'll strongly second that. I purchased one of those Scalextric TransAm race sets (with the Penske/Sunoco Camaro-Parnelli/Jones Mustang) and the quality is AWESOME. The Scalextric cars are an incredible value for the money......VERY detailed...and made of quality materials.

If you want to fully enjoy the experience of 1/32 scale then you owe it to yourself to just go with a Scalextric boxed set. Artin may be cheaper.......but that alone says it all.....CHEAPER.

Hello Scalextric! Thanks all. :thumbsup: rr

If you want to fully enjoy the experience of 1/32 scale then you owe it to yourself to just go with a Scalextric boxed set. Artin may be cheaper.......but that alone says it all.....CHEAPER.

Ahhh, but you buy the Artin sets for the track......
The fact that it comes with four cars is a bonus...
Scott

Yep. The track is second only to Carrera IMO. The Scaley is flimsy. Surface on the Artin is also better. But if yer a magnet racer, you'll want the Scaley. Artin isn;t as magnetic, but that suits me fine. Pulled all my magnets and added a little lead. :-)

You honestly cannot lose with any of the track systems out their. Ninco has some good track too. So if it's based on getting great starter cars that are high end, yes, Scaley is the way to go!

The Scaley is flimsy.

Ahh, but see, I like the fact that it's not a real rigid track like other plastic tracks......this means when you have these huge 1/32 sets set up on the floor that if stepped on (and yes this can happen because of the huge size) that the track doesn't break. Also, the track surfaces vary...from Scalextric,Ninco,Carrera, and etc. :thumbsup:

I'd seriously suggest trying to find a way to try a couple of the tracks types at local shops or what not. There's nothing worse than bringing home a set or ordering one only to find that you don't like it.

Scaley sport is prolly one of the most popular ones, so if you don't have access to trying them and you have the bucks, get a good size Scaley. And the cars simply rock.
http://www.sportcraftcars.com/sport.sets.scalex.htm

If space is an issue, stay away from Carrera as it's the widest track out there due to it supporting 1/24th size. The cars are pretty darn good. Not as fast as Scaley, but a pretty decent model. http://www.sportcraftcars.com/carrera_sets.htm

Artin, most track yer gonna get, cheapest price, 4 beater cars and a partidge in a pear tree. However the cars are just that. Beaters. But the track more than makes up for it. 40 feet. Can't beat that! http://www.homeracingworld.com/artin4lane2lane.htm

Regardless of what you end up with, I gotta tell ya that the 1/32 scale is a friggin hoot to race. I just wish I had more room in my house!

Thanks for the links Anti-cop. :thumbsup: rr

Ok guys i need your help. I want to seriously get into 1/32 scale slots. LHS has a huge layout of Carrera set up for everyone to race on and my son and I loved it! Several questions though
1) Are the track among Carrera and Artin, SCX,and Scalelectric compatible?
2) Are all of the different car manufactured compatible on different brands of track, like Revell cars on SCX track etc?
3) Why do the sets in Carrera boxes come with 1/24 scale track and 1/32 scale cars? Can you run both scales on this track?
Thank you for the help.

as far as i understand it,most analog cars will run on other kinds of track,including routed track which we run on.we run riggens scalectrix,slot it,carrera,etc...where the compatability issues come in are digital sets.although some analog cars can be upgraded for digital,if the car is outfitted for the upgrade.as far as the larger carrera track,i have read that you can run both scales,aswell as 1/43.ho cars can even be outfitted to run on the larger scale tracks

Ok guys i need your help. I want to seriously get into 1/32 scale slots. LHS has a huge layout of Carrera set up for everyone to race on and my son and I loved it! Several questions though
1) Are the track among Carrera and Artin, SCX,and Scalelectric compatible?
2) Are all of the different car manufactured compatible on different brands of track, like Revell cars on SCX track etc?
3) Why do the sets in Carrera boxes come with 1/24 scale track and 1/32 scale cars? Can you run both scales on this track?
Thank you for the help.

Hi Thunderbolt1!

1) The tracks are not compatible among Carrera, Artin, SCX, and Scalextric, natively. When you are talking about analog sets some manufacturers will sell track sections that convert from one brand to the other. Case in point, SCX and Scalextric can go together, if you buy the track piece that allows you to join the two together. I don't think Carrera makes one at all for anyone - them and NINCO are fairly brand loyal. Artin may have one, but not sure. As slotnewbie pointed out, the digital brands are NOT compatible with each other AT ALL! The digital command components limit them to only work with their brand and manufacturer.

2) As slotnewbie pointed out, yes, for the most part, when talking about analog cars, you can have different brand cars running on different brand tracks. The only issues that have occurred are with Carrera cars - their guides are usually a bit deeper than most slot car makers and when run on anything other than Carrera track, the guide gets hung in the slot. Other than that all other cars should work just fine when its an analog track - I have a Scalextric track and run Scalextric, NINCO, Slot.it, FLY, and NSR without any issues. If you are talking about digital, then no, you cannot mix the different brand cars with the digital tracks. The big issue here is a micro-chip that is used to "control" the car that is brand specific. I think the only one that *MIGHT* be able to mix in is the Slot.it cars - they are supposed to be making chips that are compatible with at least Scalextric and SCX....maybe NINCO digital track sets. Outside of that, SCX digital cars cannot run on Scalextric digital tracks and vice versa, etc.

3) One of the unique things about Carrera track is that, yes, you have 1/24 spacing that allows you to run both 1/24 and 1/32 cars on the track! This is why the Carrera 1/32 cars have such a big guide. They purposely did this so that slot car racers could have their pick of 1/24 Carrera cars or 1/32 Carrera cars. I'm not sure how well the Parma 1/24 cars run on this track or the new BRM 1/24 cars, but spacing wise, they could run on this track. Most Carrera track buyers buy Carrera because of this feature.

I hope that slotnewbie and I's responses have helped you guys out! 1/32 slot cars are a ton of fun and I hope you enjoy them!

PD2:thumbsup:

Well, considering I did the "jump" about 2 months ago, I went with SCX Digital. I am so thrilled with it, I am considering dumping all of my HO stuff and never looking back.

I really like the ability to switch lanes, "gas up" the car, etc. I think SCX's customer service is the best in the business. Overall, I am extremely pleased with my purchase and the new options and fun that digital racing offers. I would suggest taking a peek at the digital offerings in 1/32 before making any purchases.

RR, Why constrain yourself to any one brand... I did the jump to 1/32 and 1/24 as well a while ago. If you don't go digital, route your own track and run all the different cars. I have Fly and Carrera cars as well as a couple of SCX cars and they are all fun to run. Some plastic tracs have shallow slots and too tight of corners so route your own and have a blast. I still run my H O stuff so I wouldn't "dump" any of my stuff, race it all...

they really are fun!we run on a routed track with copper tape,and no magnetic downforce,and when you drift round that turn and accelerate out of it,it looks really cool!once you get the hang of it,you'll wonder why you never tried it before!oh yeah!i remember now ho takes hardly any space for a big layout!lol!

Hey fellow Canadian - Magnets which make the car stick to the track prevent drifting - nes pas? To me, controlling a beautiful drift is the best part of racing. I race big heavy 1/25 plastic models - 3 1/2" lane spacing and 3 1/4" cars. Every corner is a battle - that's cool.
Jeff from Woodstock, Ontario

I want to thank all of you for your responses, it's helped a lot. I am going 1/32 scale probably this week. I have a large enough space so the fact that I could run 1/24 and 1/32 scales on the same track are a big plus .
Now I have to ask you about this "digital" set up that you are talking about. What is the difference between analog and digital? Which would be better?
Thanks again everyone.

Hey fellow Canadian - Magnets which make the car stick to the track prevent drifting - nes pas? To me, controlling a beautiful drift is the best part of racing. I race big heavy 1/25 plastic models - 3 1/2" lane spacing and 3 1/4" cars. Every corner is a battle - that's cool.
Jeff from Woodstock, Ontario

hey jeff!gotta agree about the controlled drift.i just picked up an scx 1/32 nascar and i cant wait to get it on my buddys routed track.its copper tape,so magnets or no,it dont matter!drift anyways!

I want to thank all of you for your responses, it's helped a lot. I am going 1/32 scale probably this week. I have a large enough space so the fact that I could run 1/24 and 1/32 scales on the same track are a big plus .
Now I have to ask you about this "digital" set up that you are talking about. What is the difference between analog and digital? Which would be better?
Thanks again everyone.

You are very welcome! Regarding "digital" set ups....analog tracks are 1:1 - two lanes means that only two cars can race. If you have a 4 lan analog track then 4 cars can race. Etc. In digital, that whole boundry is broken! Two lanes can handle up to SIX cars racing at the same time! The controllers and the cars are "synched" using a digital chip. As racers race around the track there are certain sections in the track that allow the racer to switch lanes to overtake, bypass, and simulate real racing situations. The track also has a "pit box" that you can add into the racing action where it simulates your car needing to refuel, just like a real race. I've personally never ran on one, but from the people who buy them, they love them, especially the SCX Digital tracks - they seem to be ones with the least amount of "bugs" and they always have the best customer service. You can now see why a digital car is specific to the track maker - that is probably the biggest downside - you must keep SCX digital cars on SCX digital track. And you cannot upgrade or change the controllers as they have the digital chips that synch with the digital chips in the cars - very propreitary.

Glad we could all help! Feel free to let us know if there are any other questions!

PD2:thumbsup:

I want to thank all of you for your responses, it's helped a lot. I am going 1/32 scale probably this week. I have a large enough space so the fact that I could run 1/24 and 1/32 scales on the same track are a big plus .
Now I have to ask you about this "digital" set up that you are talking about. What is the difference between analog and digital? Which would be better?
Thanks again everyone.

PD2 sums it up very well.

Analogue is the traditional slot car set up. 1 car per lane, and that lane is dedicated to a single car. Think of the set ups we all grew up with and have always seen.

Digital has a computer chips (hence the term digital) in the car. They driver controls the car's speed, like in analogue, PLUS he controls if he wants the car to switch lanes. Yep, you can actually pull out and pass someone. The track required for doing this is a specialty piece, and depending on the system, you can have numerous pieces like this on a layout. In addition, you can run multiple cars at the same time. SCX offers up to 6 at the same time. Imagine racing 3 or 5 of your buddies at the same time, being able to pull out and pass them. That is what it is like.

Check out this YouTube video from the SCX website to get a visual:

LINK

In it, you will see the cars switching lanes, and refueling for a pit stop. You have a virtual fuel gauge, and as you race around, it goes down. You have to stop periodically and fill up, otherwise, your car, when the fuel level goes below 25%, will start to chug and cough, and eventually, if you run out of "gas" will stop and be out of the race.

Digital racing is really amazing, and I strongly suggest you take a long look at it, because I think it combines the best of both worlds: You can race "old school" analogue style simply by making an agreement to not utilize lane changing, or you can do the whole full blown digital route.

As someone who grew up on HO scale slots in the '70's, I have not been this enthused about anything slot related in a LONG, LONG time. Contact me via a PM if you'd like to hear more.

it depends if you want to race or play, for dependability and durability and if you want to race Scalextric hands down is the way to go, everything else is just second.

www.slotrax.net

You are very welcome! Regarding "digital" set ups....analog tracks are 1:1 - two lanes means that only two cars can race. If you have a 4 lan analog track then 4 cars can race. Etc. In digital, that whole boundry is broken! Two lanes can handle up to SIX cars racing at the same time! The controllers and the cars are "synched" using a digital chip. As racers race around the track there are certain sections in the track that allow the racer to switch lanes to overtake, bypass, and simulate real racing situations. The track also has a "pit box" that you can add into the racing action where it simulates your car needing to refuel, just like a real race. I've personally never ran on one, but from the people who buy them, they love them, especially the SCX Digital tracks - they seem to be ones with the least amount of "bugs" and they always have the best customer service. You can now see why a digital car is specific to the track maker - that is probably the biggest downside - you must keep SCX digital cars on SCX digital track. And you cannot upgrade or change the controllers as they have the digital chips that synch with the digital chips in the cars - very propreitary.

Glad we could all help! Feel free to let us know if there are any other questions!

PD2:thumbsup:

Hey PD 2, Thanks for the info ! I went to the LHS today and picked up the Carrera 1/32 scle Hotrod set. 30 feet of track ! I bought some cars and some of the buildings too. ( Yeah, I dropped some serious cash ,but he gave me an extra %20 off even on the sale items because it was a big purchase) I went with this set for a number of reasons. One, I can run two scales of cars on it.Two I can upgrade the cars to digital if I want at a later time. Three if I had gone the digital route , which sounds like fun, I wouldn't be able to mix cars from other manufacturers and buying a new set of track for everyones cars is out of the question. Thanks for the big help on this to you and everyone else . I'm sure I will be back with more questions! :wave:

PD2 sums it up very well.

Analogue is the traditional slot car set up. 1 car per lane, and that lane is dedicated to a single car. Think of the set ups we all grew up with and have always seen.

Digital has a computer chips (hence the term digital) in the car. They driver controls the car's speed, like in analogue, PLUS he controls if he wants the car to switch lanes. Yep, you can actually pull out and pass someone. The track required for doing this is a specialty piece, and depending on the system, you can have numerous pieces like this on a layout. In addition, you can run multiple cars at the same time. SCX offers up to 6 at the same time. Imagine racing 3 or 5 of your buddies at the same time, being able to pull out and pass them. That is what it is like.

Check out this YouTube video from the SCX website to get a visual:

LINK (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-q21qTydiA)

In it, you will see the cars switching lanes, and refueling for a pit stop. You have a virtual fuel gauge, and as you race around, it goes down. You have to stop periodically and fill up, otherwise, your car, when the fuel level goes below 25%, will start to chug and cough, and eventually, if you run out of "gas" will stop and be out of the race.

Digital racing is really amazing, and I strongly suggest you take a long look at it, because I think it combines the best of both worlds: You can race "old school" analogue style simply by making an agreement to not utilize lane changing, or you can do the whole full blown digital route.

As someone who grew up on HO scale slots in the '70's, I have not been this enthused about anything slot related in a LONG, LONG time. Contact me via a PM if you'd like to hear more.

Thanks for the info Rolo. Actually I haven't been this excited about slots in a long time myself. These cars are fantastic. I like the digital feature as well but the guy at the LHS seemed to think that what PD2 said was right about the lane change feature being a bit clunky? I haven't used it at all and even though I have the Carrera set It would be out of the question for me to go to a digital setup before I get to deep in this scale. The thing you mentioned about having to pit and refuel , Now that is something that I really like. I wish they had of had that in HO scale! I liked all of my old Tomy sets but these new cars going close to a scale 1000 mph was just too fast for me. That and the fact that it is hard to paint up the details on all of those buildings , figures and cars was making the hobby less enjoyable for me. But these 1/32 scale cars are so neat.A friend came over who racesHo and he saw the new cars out in the display cases they come in and he asked me , where did you get the nice diecasts ? When I told him these were racers he flipped ! May have converted him ! I'll keep you guys posted. :woohoo:

it depends if you want to race or play, for dependability and durability and if you want to race Scalextric hands down is the way to go, everything else is just second.

www.slotrax.net

Sorry Slotrax I just got the Carrera set . They could have ordered the Scalextric set but this set runs pretty nice. I'm really liking these so far but I'll keep you posted.:thumbsup:

Hey PD 2, Thanks for the info ! I went to the LHS today and picked up the Carrera 1/32 scle Hotrod set. 30 feet of track ! I bought some cars and some of the buildings too. ( Yeah, I dropped some serious cash ,but he gave me an extra %20 off even on the sale items because it was a big purchase) I went with this set for a number of reasons. One, I can run two scales of cars on it.Two I can upgrade the cars to digital if I want at a later time. Three if I had gone the digital route , which sounds like fun, I wouldn't be able to mix cars from other manufacturers and buying a new set of track for everyones cars is out of the question. Thanks for the big help on this to you and everyone else . I'm sure I will be back with more questions! :wave:

Sounds like you are off and running in 1/32 and 1/24! BTW - a little unknown secret....you can run a third scale! 1/43 cars work great on 1/32 tracks too! YES! The Carrera GO!, SCX Compact, and even the custom Ranch Design cars run on 1/32 tracks! Most of them have as much detail as the 1/32 cars but are smaller, yet not as small as HO. They are very fun to race on 1/32 tracks! I picked up one set of SCX cars for my daughter and I to race and now have several others, including a Carrera GO! car. Check them out. Oh, neat thing - SCX sells their 1/43 cars at most, if not all, local Target stores! Do a Google search on the cars and check them out! SCX has some nice DTM's they just released.

Glad we were able to help you out! Hope you have tons of fun with your new track and racers! Post some pics when you have it all together!

PD2:thumbsup:

it depends if you want to race or play, for dependability and durability and if you want to race Scalextric hands down is the way to go, everything else is just second.

www.slotrax.net (http://www.slotrax.net)

For me, that is what I bought - got the Scalextric T2 LeMans set at Christmas nearly 3-4 years ago. The thing I liked about it was that I was not going to have a permanent setup....that meant lots of setting up and breaking down. The Scalextric track is made of some material that makes if very flexible so that things like tabs don't break. I've even had the track start to warp a little and loose shape - I was able to work it with my hands and get it to return to being straight as a board. Definitely has been a great track for home racing for my daughter and I! I wasn't that big into running 1/24, so having the ability to do that, like Carrera and NINCO give you was not that big of a deal to me. Now I run both my 1/32 and 1/43 cars on them!

PD2:thumbsup:

Well, considering I did the "jump" about 2 months ago, I went with SCX Digital. I am so thrilled with it, I am considering dumping all of my HO stuff and never looking back.

I really like the ability to switch lanes, "gas up" the car, etc. I think SCX's customer service is the best in the business. Overall, I am extremely pleased with my purchase and the new options and fun that digital racing offers. I would suggest taking a peek at the digital offerings in 1/32 before making any purchases.

Can't say I am going to do it, but IF I were to......I'd go the same route with SCX digital.

For me to consider switching scales, it would have to be to get the functionality that comes with digital. Also, SCX seems to be the brand most commonly available at the LHS here in Northern Delaware. None of them carry much in the way of slots to begin with, but those that do.......

hey PD2!what kind of 1/43 stuff do you run?i have some carrera and artin drift cars that are alot of fun on the 1/32/1/24 track we run

hey PD2!what kind of 1/43 stuff do you run?i have some carrera and artin drift cars that are alot of fun on the 1/32/1/24 track we run

I've got SCX, Carrera and Ranch Design. The SCX's are the tuners/drifters and a pair of NASCAR's. The Carrera is a Porsche Spyder. And the Ranch Design I mounted a CITGO DP lexan body to it done up by Hot Laps Racin. All fun racers! And yes, they do work great on the big 1/32 track - I don't even own any 1/43 track. LOL!

PD2:thumbsup:

yeah its way more fun on the larger scale track.i have a small carrera go set,that i put together from time to time,but they drift way better on the big routed track we run.we have plans for a larger routed layout in the works too,so i will ask if its ok to take pics,and post them here for all you hungry old dogs!:p

yeah its way more fun on the larger scale track.i have a small carrera go set,that i put together from time to time,but they drift way better on the big routed track we run.we have plans for a larger routed layout in the works too,so i will ask if its ok to take pics,and post them here for all you hungry old dogs!:p

LOL! Woof woof! LOL!

PD2:thumbsup:

Sounds like you are off and running in 1/32 and 1/24! BTW - a little unknown secret....you can run a third scale! 1/43 cars work great on 1/32 tracks too! YES! The Carrera GO!, SCX Compact, and even the custom Ranch Design cars run on 1/32 tracks! Most of them have as much detail as the 1/32 cars but are smaller, yet not as small as HO. They are very fun to race on 1/32 tracks! I picked up one set of SCX cars for my daughter and I to race and now have several others, including a Carrera GO! car. Check them out. Oh, neat thing - SCX sells their 1/43 cars at most, if not all, local Target stores! Do a Google search on the cars and check them out! SCX has some nice DTM's they just released.

Glad we were able to help you out! Hope you have tons of fun with your new track and racers! Post some pics when you have it all together!

PD2:thumbsup:
LOL thanks PD2 I just bought some 1/43 scale cars ! Me likey !:wave:

LOL thanks PD2 I just bought some 1/43 scale cars ! Me likey !:wave:

What did you get? SCX? Carrera? Artin? Ranch Design? If you have a chance, post up some pics.

Glad you like them! They are the growing scale right now due to price and new scale details. I'm diggin'em!

PD2:thumbsup:

I got more Carrera cars in 1/43 . This track is so cool because I can race 1/25, 1/32 and now 1/43! I will post up pics !