Arduino expertise needed, please

Johnno · 7th-Dec-23, 08:50 PM

Sounds like more trouble than it is worth and now even more so with the mention of a parallel printer port, OMG stop using this outdated technology and avoid headaches and stress. Go buy TrackMate Infrared Lightbar and few other items, ditch this SCX Chrono thingie and install Race Coordinator and really enjoy your track and racing.

Phil Kalbfell · 8th-Dec-23, 02:18 AM

I agree about saving time and effort.
Race Coordinator is free to download, has sketch for Ardunio provided with wiring diagram and plenty of info, works great.
I prefer racing and building cars than trying sort timing for a track.
That said I do all the set up for our group of tracks, about an hour to load software,sketch and set up the race formats.

CMOTD · 9th-Dec-23, 02:19 PM

(7th-Dec-23, 08:50 PM)Johnno Wrote: Sounds like more trouble than it is worth and now even more so with the mention of a parallel printer port, OMG stop using this outdated technology and avoid headaches and stress. Go buy TrackMate Infrared Lightbar and few other items, ditch this SCX Chrono thingie and install Race Coordinator and really enjoy your track and racing.

There is nothing wrong with outdated technology so long as it works. Indeed many people actually prefer older stuff. I am no expert on TrackMate stuff but I do know it costs an arm and a leg.

Compare to my own timing system:
Ancient laptop running XP and Race Coordinator with sensors connected to parallel port. Total cost of sensor set up just a tenner and only four wires to solder up - Simples! It has been running my home track for over ten years and has never missed a beat with a complete absence of 'headaches and stress'. Please tell me exactly why should I junk it at this point in time? I installed a similar system on my local club track nearly 20 years ago and that is also still going strong as far as I know.

StuBeeDoo · 9th-Dec-23, 08:07 PM

(7th-Dec-23, 08:50 PM)Johnno Wrote: Sounds like more trouble than it is worth and now even more so with the mention of a parallel printer port, OMG stop using this outdated technology and avoid headaches and stress. Go buy TrackMate Infrared Lightbar and few other items, ditch this SCX Chrono thingie and install Race Coordinator and really enjoy your track and racing.

More trouble than it's worth?? Why should I throw money at your proposal, when I already own all the stuff I'm proposing to use?

Johnno · 9th-Dec-23, 08:37 PM

(9th-Dec-23, 02:19 PM)CMOTD Wrote:
(7th-Dec-23, 08:50 PM)Johnno Wrote: Sounds like more trouble than it is worth and now even more so with the mention of a parallel printer port, OMG stop using this outdated technology and avoid headaches and stress. Go buy TrackMate Infrared Lightbar and few other items, ditch this SCX Chrono thingie and install Race Coordinator and really enjoy your track and racing.

There is nothing wrong with outdated technology so long as it works. Indeed many people actually prefer older stuff. I am no expert on TrackMate stuff but I do know it costs an arm and a leg.

Compare to my own timing system:
Ancient laptop running XP and Race Coordinator with sensors connected to parallel port. Total cost of sensor set up just a tenner and only four wires to solder up - Simples! It has been running my home track for over ten years and has never missed a beat with a complete absence of 'headaches and stress'. Please tell me exactly why should I junk it at this point in time? I installed a similar system on my local club track nearly 20 years ago and that is also still going strong as far as I know.

And how many centuries ago was all this purchased. Things have doubled if not tripled in price since so there really is no price comparison. You do get what you pay for and if you want cheap and nasty then expect loads of headaches, even more so with mixing old and new, this includes old out of date hardware and new current software, I've been in computer repairs for 38 years and consistently see this behaviour by clients.

Soon as the hardware is brought up to scratch things run smoother, each to your own, I for one will not be using outdated hardware no more, simply not worth the hassles nor headaches

Phil Kalbfell · 9th-Dec-23, 10:36 PM

Brian is right, no need for updated hardware IF the old stuff is working OK.
4 of our tracks still run on old XP machines. 3 are still using serial Trackmate boards brought about 20 years ago.Sensors and IR transmitters brought for a few dollars.
Other rally track still using Printer port.
It just depends on how much you want to spend.
The Trakmate or Viasue hardware works great IF you want ready to use set up, but it does come at a cost.
I would download RC have a play with it, look at the wiring info included.
It may save you a lot of time and effort.

CMOTD · 11th-Dec-23, 10:26 AM

A timing system for a slot track is one of the simplest jobs you can ever ask a computer to do. An RMS (Race Management System) uses a tiny fraction of a computer's capabilities so any cheap second hand/refurbished one running XP or later will do just fine. You do not need the latest all singing and dancing one!

To register laps you need some photo resistors and IR LEDs - both cheap as chips. So long as you can handle a soldering iron (or know a man who can) then you don't actually need the latest hardware from TrackMate or Viasue.

Add a race management program like Race Coordinator and you are good to go. RC will work on any Windows computer running XP or later.

None of the above are the latest hardware and they will work just fine, even connected to the much maligned parallel port. Of course, if you are one of the 'must have new technology now' brigade and change your mobile phone every year, even though your existing one is perfectly satisfactory, then you can no doubt spend large amounts of cash on a brand new plug and play system. That is your prerogative but it is really not necessary for a simple rally loop like the one that Stuart has. The SCX Rally Chrono wasn't a bad bit of kit and there is no reason he can't continue to use it with a few tweeks. As he says, he already possesses everything he needs to set things up. If he wants to add some more bells and whistles he can always go down the Arduino route a bit later.

Like other posters I would also recommend he takes a look at Race Coordinator as an alternative. It is free to download so why not give it a go? It is almost certainly the best RMS out there. Do make a donation to the very worthwhile charity if you keep using it though.

Kevan · 11th-Dec-23, 10:53 AM

(9th-Dec-23, 08:37 PM)Johnno Wrote: And how many centuries ago was all this purchased.

What does it matter if it works just as well but cost centuries old prices less.

Johnno · 30th-Dec-23, 08:02 PM

Illiiterate computer users simply have no idea

Kevan · 30th-Dec-23, 08:41 PM

Is that a hint of irony I spy?