I just made my first slotcar purchase and am looking forward to hours of fun. I got a good deal on a new OOB 30161 set on Ebay and am already planning my upgrade path. Original plan was to wait for the Long Race Set and get all the new upgrades but I couldn't wait. The plan now is to still purchase the 30160 and combine it with the 30161. Seem like a good plan? The only redundant piece should be the BB, right?
In the short term I am planning to purchase a Pit Lane(reduced functionality with BB, right?) and some Slot.it cars and try chipping. Any other short term upgrades you'all recommend I make before any other?
I would suggest you purchase the CU 30352 and get rid of the BB. This will give you the ability to utilize all Carrera's digital accessories, Startlight, Drivers Displays and the Position Tower and you may also want to get wireless controllers, but wait on the controllers until later this year, Carrera is coming out with a much improved wireless setup. I have all the option and it really adds to the fun.
Al
Adam, Welcome to the wonderful world of Digital. The Carrera forum on SCI has a great bunch of guys who have alot of knowledge and will try and steer you in the right direction.
Everyones gonna give you their opinion so take your time and drive for awhile and see what's important for your wish list. While I like the Pit Lane and think it's a great add-on, I would go with some R2 or maybe some R3/R4 curves first if you have the room. The kits come with R1 curves, and increasing the curve radius in spots is alittle more drivable and alot more fun.
The Long Set has the CU and the new wireless, both are highly desirable. If you can last that long til it comes out it might be cheaper for what you get than piecing it all out. You still get stuck with those R1 curves though.
.......and some Slot.it cars and try chipping. Any other short term upgrades you'all recommend I make before any other?
Hi Adam, WELCOME to the Carrera digital world
Yes, you will have a lot of fun. Al answered your question. The first "short term upgrade" has to be the CU. Ther rest were detailed by AL.
You will have to evaluate also if you would like to have "drivers display, position tower and lap count" or use Bruce or Carrera software.
All the info about "Bruce Yingling software" and "how to convert a car to Carrera Digital", as well as a compilation of how to chip a car, are in the Sticky Threads of this forum.
Enjoy the hobby
Daniel
UPS, Dave was correct, our answer crossed in the ciber space . You can see the diferent points of view of each one. Dave is 100% correct about the curves and if you are planning to use highbanked curves, there are many cars that with highbanked R1 curves the chassis touch the track and deslot.
Last edited by slotcardaniel; 06-12-2012 at 11:47 AM.
Funds are limited and I need to build my car count up in addition to wanting a longer track and more acc's. The appeal of multiple ghost & poll/safety cars is probably the strongest right now. Followed by the added realism the CU offers. I suppose I can move the 2.4 ghz controller purchase off to next year and buy the CU now forgoing the 30160 set this fall.
I do eventually want as many digital acc's as I an afford and the appeal of PC integration is a no-brainer for me, I even have a spare PC ready to go.
What is the most economical way to add track footage?
I keep doing Rosco P. Coltrane laughs today! I'm excited.
What exactly is the story concerning track compatability between the other Carrera familys (Evolution/Pro X, etc) and D132? Also what about the 3 tab vs 4 tab track?
The fastest and cheapest way to add footage is to buy second hand sets from people that are not thrilled with their compulsive purchase. If you find digital then it adds lane changes as well as 2 more cars. Some of the sponsors have sales every so often. The biggest draw back to this is that you only end up with R1/60 curves. One good thing is that all older and newer 1/24 track Carrera sets will work with each other. I suggest UR30, race management, a free download and it has a very good, easy to learn track designer for Carrera track, then you can see exactly what you need to get what you think you want. Then you will change your mind as we all have. Welcome aboard the crazy train.
Adam,
Definitely upgrade to the CU, as others have said, and if you have room add some turns of R2, R3 and/or R4.
Don't get rid of your BB, though. If you get another set later and endup witha second power supply, you can use the spare BB as a separate station for assigning cars to controllers. It's handy on race day when a bunch of friends come over.
I suggest UR30, race management, a free download and it has a very good, easy to learn track designer for Carrera track, then you can see exactly what you need to get what you think you want. Then you will change your mind as we all have. Welcome aboard the crazy train.
Thanks, D/L this last night and have just begun to scratch the surface. Good stuff.
I image in my head I am working toward is all about LeMans and endurance cars.
Wish Carrera had more cars like Slot.it offers.
In the past, I would generally recommend buying another cheap digital set as a way to expand. Even if you throw away the K1 curves, it can sometimes be cheaper than buying two more cars, controllers, straight and lane change tracks. Plus it gave you a backup BB and power supply.
Since you know you want to go wireless, the value of the controllers in the set decreases. Since you know you want a CU, the value of the backup BB decreases. So you'd be buying the set for cars, lane changers, and straight track. A set on sale still may be worth it, but you'd have to check prices carefully.
A box of K4 curves is a great way to add a lot of linear feet of track (even if its curved linear feet ), and it does wonders to change the driving experience. So my vote goes along with thatguy01. Buy a box of K4 curves.
I think your plan to purchase the 30160 set and combine it with the 30161 set that you have is a good one. Normally if you would want the CU and wireless controllers, another set would be a bad idea because there would be alot of pieces that would not be needed. But that set contains the CU and two of the new wireless controllers. It also has the same types of cars that came in the set you have. So you will have some cars that will race well together. It also looks like set 30160 has one double LC which you will want. So it may be may worth the wait for it. I would compare buying the pieces you want separately too to see which way is better for you.
For me the CU, Pit Lane, PC cable and "Bruce Yingling software" would be top priority, then bigger curves and double LCs, next the digital accessories and of coarse more cars, but thats just me
You guys are really going over the top. I can't thank you enough for all the help.
This is an image of the set I bought. The thing I am wondering about is what the seller referred to a the special power base that can run 6 cars. This is an upgrade to the standard kit? The extra 2 starting spots have me confused.
This is the sellers description:
BRAND NEW BUT NOT IN THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PACKAGE. THE SET WAS ON DISPLAY BUT NEVER USED. THIS IS THE CARRERA #30161 DIGITAL 132 GT POWER RACING RACE SET COMPLETE AND READY TO RUN WITH THE SPECIAL POWER BASE WHICH ENABLES YOU TO RUN 6 CARS ON 2 LANES OF TRACK,Contents: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Team Black Falcon, VLN 2011, "No.2" Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 Risi Competizione "No.062", 2011 Carrera Digital 132 connecting section with Black Box 2 switches speed controller straights curves guardrails supports Dimensions when assembled: 9.22 x 5.54 ft. Track length: 22.6 ft. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Team Black Falcon, VLN 2011, "No.2" Item no.: 30551 Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 Risi Competizione "No.062", 2011 Item no.: 30553 .
...Normally if you would want the CU and wireless controllers, another set would be a bad idea because there would be alot of pieces that would not be needed. But that set contains the CU and two of the new wireless controllers. It also has the same types of cars that came in the set you have. So you will have some cars that will race well together. It also looks like set 30160 has one...
I didn't realize this set came with the CU and the new wireless controllers. That would make it a good choice. But I also bet we won't see it much before the end of the year. Tough decision...
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