Best Digital Slot Racing System?

In this video I talk about my opinion about the best digital system (as of May, 2023) that you can buy. The best system with displays, the easiest to put together... the hands down, best bang for your buck.
Sponsored by, influenced by, apologies to no one... my own experiences.

[nexpresspro]

Dave, could not agree more. I have 4 of the digital systems. I started with SCX Digital System, then picked up a Ninco N Digital master track system, which I raced on for years, then a Scalextric Digital Platinum set (which I later upgraded to Arc Pro) and built a very large layout with, and finally invested in Carrera Digital about 6 years back. Over all that time, SCX stopped supporting the system, and so did Ninco. I noticed that Carrera was more readily available in my local hobby stores, they put out new cars pretty consistently, and to support your statements, Carrera had more accessories that made the whole experience a lot more fun and easier to use overall. I love the track surface, and the rails on Carrera are fantastic. Finally, while I didn’t invest in Carrera for 1/24 racing, eventually I started dabbling with the 1/24 cars, and now that ls mostly what we race (1/24 with no magnets and Paul Gage tires). I love having the options for 1/32 and 1/24, and you don’t get that with Scalextric. Great video and thanks for all the support over the years.

[kaare]

Hi Dave. I have to say that Carrera is the best regarding digital. Great video as always. I do have the 1/24 set with the two Porches in it. Carrera Digital Double Victory . Pluss an analoge set for more track. However the space is my enemy right now. It stays in the box. For now i have a analog track from god old Ninco. With Thruespeed kontroller. For my space its more track in the same space. Using a lot of different brands of cars. Some likes the track better than others. I find the Carrera cars going quite well on my layout. The 1/32 that is. Not the fastest but the reason we do this is having fun. Thanks for all your work here on your site. You are the reason i came back into this hobby. Its getting expensive but what can you do. Addictive stuff.😅 Have a good one, and all the best from Norway.

[jonoedwards]

Unreal Tip!
I dream of 1/32 Sprintcars an some kinda Cookie Cutter Dirt Track.
You Beauty SCN.

[consco]

Love the carrera track for sure. It works well. As stated previously a multitude of times, we love the big 1/24 cars. This is a very good video. Well done Dave

[orestkucyna]

Very good video Dave, thanks for putting it out there. In the last year I sold my mega SCX digital system for many of the issues you raised. Opted to go with Carerra Digital and really enjoy the system and available options. The selection of track, borders, displays, controllers, and other interface have made me a very happy puppy. Thanks again for all you do for the hobby.

[florianbrotchen]

thanks for the warm welcome... appreciate it ! :)

[Doug-MagneticRacing_ThinkScalo]

Only problem I find with Carrera especially here in the UK is that it takes up much room. So Scalextric track in most cases is the better space saving option (we’re not all lucky like you guys to have large garages or basements) 😎

[Clearwater]

I started with the Double Victory set 2 and a half years ago. I now have 90ft with multiple lane changers and pit lane. I have not had a switch fail. I also have the SmartRace app.

[Racer-X-]

Thanks Dave another great video. I agree with you 100% I love my carrera system.

[swedecarlson]

I'll agree with you on the grip aspect of Carrera track. After starting with Scalextric classic, I switched to Ninco when digital was introduced. That track had fantastic grip. When Ninco got out of slot cars, I took a hiatous from hobby.
Now I have SSD. What a shock it was to go from the best grippy track to the poorest in SSD. But I kept with it and now having learned how to tune my cars along with adding silicone tires to a lot of them, I dont find it as much of a big deal. I have experienced warping you described. Gotta keep SSD out of the direct sunlight. But hard track is the noisiest track. All you need is to hear a video of cars running on Carrera and you know what track they're on.

[userrnamenotavailabl]

I’m only 33.33% into this video and it’s already my favourite, good call Dave, you are a good man. Take care, Steve.

[Dafingers]

All great points, especially for newbies. Start out right. Thanks for sharing

[SlotCarWildman]

Great video. Explained very well. I had still questioned track even though I had carrera digital but have been looking at policar. Maybe just for analog cars. Thanks again Dave

[CarreraTrackOntheFloor]

Thanks Dave, I just set up my first Carrera digital layout.

[MovieGuy]

All very good points Dave. Totally agree about having those cool accessories along the track to really give it a cool plug and play ability w/o a screen. Other companies should consider bringing it back (e.g.: SCX) because it does add value. Having an “app” is cool too but there is nothing to see on the track to create that “wow factor” that would want me to spend money for one.

[Dennis-rqjf]

Thanks Dave, as always a good video. Very well thought out and good reasons for your opinion ( I agree whole heartily) . I like to race with both analog and digital, so I go through the trouble and change out the necessary track pieces only takes a few minutes. and it was not too long winded L.O.L.

[davidwarr]

You gave the exact reason why I bought a Carrera digital set for my grandson. He can race with his friends and parents. However, I really believe that in order to be part of the slot car hobby one has to like real motorsport. That may be lacking. After a problem with the transmitter and one controller the set works real well. Amazing technology.

[SmartRace]

Great video, Dave! I naturally have to disagree on what you said about the screen vs. display topic: IMO the displays offered by Carrera are either too small (digital lap counter) or too simple (position tower). If you really want to use and enjoy your Carrera Digital system, there is no way around any kind of screen to display the data on. Not even talking about the endless possibilities offered by apps for the system (e.g. dynamic weather changes, virtual safety car, penalties, pit stops, etc.), but also when it comes to such simple things as organizing your cars and having track records saved to a database...

The first slot cars I played with was in an Aurora 4 lane track. That was in the 60s. Those tracks were put connected using metal pins. The tracks were also made better. They never warped.

[richardperry]

Have to disagree with your comment on track grip. If your Scalextric Sport track doesn’t have enough grip it’s because you are using the wrong tyres. We race Scalextric SSD with the 3rd party SSDC software on a very large TV display. We use Truspeed throttles. We race without magnets but with track borders. Our track is a club track and it is sectional with soldered joints. In the UK a Carrera system with the same layout would take up twice the square footage, cost three times as much and cars would be more expensive taking chip costs into account. Rust is no issue if you use Inox MX3. The best digital system really depends on your needs and your circumstances and the type of racing you want to do. There is no “best system” as with most things the real answer is “it depends”.