[Johnno]

Howdy

I was thinking of placing this in Tips & Tuning, however not really related to Tips & Tuning, sooo... 

I would like to put forward a thread idea for the forum which is: Hand Controllers, so thinking about it in simple terms it could be started nice and easy as below:

Main Thread = Hand Controllers (Slotcar Hand Controllers) with two sub threads
sub-thread 1 =  Analogue Controllers
sub-thread 2 =  Digital Controllers

I am researching buying my first hand controller and would like to hear what others have to say and recommend.


Thanks
Johnno

[woodcote]

I guess the important questions are: what system you are using (what scale, analogue, digital or both), what cars you run and what your budget is.

[Johnno]

I guess the important questions are: what system you are using (what scale, analogue, digital or both), what cars you run and what your budget is.

Well to start with the track as I mentioned will be my home track, a MrTrax modular routed wood which is analog, no lane changers etc.

Scale: 1:32, 1:24
Car Genre: majority for now will be Scalextric and Pioneer 1:32, yet to work out what cars to run on the timber track, another research item lol never ends, V8's, F1, GT
Analog for now
Budget: Is available, want something decent that will last, it hopefully, eventually will be used for competition, possibly on other tracks also

Hope that helps you some. Thanks


Johnno

[Johnno]

The next question is:
[*]Diode Controllers
[*]Pulse Width Controllers
[*]Transistor Controllers

what are the differences between these, besides the technical side of things, what is the difference between Diode, PWC and transistor controllers? What does one do better than the other?

Apologies for so many questions.

[JasonB]

Parma controllers are pretty good.

[woodcote]

A controller is a pretty personal thing. I'd always recommend - if possible - trying before you buy, especially for a big ticket item.

For standard analogue Scalextric (and Pioneer, Fly, Carrera etc) cars, plus most HO (1/64 scale) cars, my weapon of choice is a very basic Parma Economy 45 ohm resistor controller. I like it because it does the job and I feel 100% connected to the car. There were some production issues that meant the Parma controllers were a bit thin on the ground, but I think that has been (or is being) resolved. An alternative are the DS v.3 hand controllers for about the same money. With these cars, I am no less (or more) competitive than racers using much more expensive and complicated throttles. I win races, I win championships.

If the range of cars you run gets any hotter than the standard models, then an adjustable controller can save you buying different ohmage resistor controllers. However, some racers still prefer the direct feel of a resistor and might have 25, 35, 45 and 60 ohm Parmas in their arsenal. The benefit of the adjustable controllers (which can be PWM, transistor, diode or resistor-based) is that you can adjust the sensitivity - so you are using the range the of the wiper band that suits you best for a range of different motor types - and you can adjust the brakes too. Some controllers also have additional adjustments for things like 'traction control'. Personally, I think a controller can have too many knobs...

In addition to my Parma 45 and 35 ohm Economy controllers, I also have a Truspeed MT1 (with adjustable sensitivity and brakes) for running hot HO cars and NSR, Slot.it etc at clubs. I have an unusual non-linear wound 95 ohm resistor in a Parma handle for running HO T-Jets and also a BRP resistor controller than runs a range of HO cars, including T-Jets, and has adjustable sensitivity, brakes and a 'coast' feature. The non-linear Parma and the BRP are pretty HO-specialist throttles that help me with my vintage T-Jet racing passion. I recently bought a Slot.it SCP2 for oXigen digital racing and I have to say I find the dials and knobs (and 23-page instruction booklet) bewildering. Neither am I sure I like the feel of the soft, wiper-less trigger... I need to spend more time with it.

Your PWM, transistor, diode and resistor question is a good one. The technical answer could be very long, but I'd suggest the best answer is to try them. With standard cars and low power motors, I find a transistor controller can feel a bit 'dead' or spongy. PWM controllers can feel similar. But that might just be me. It's a while since I used a diode controller, but I found it closer to my Parma resistor controller. The thing with transistor and PWM controllers (and some adjustable diode and transistor-based throttles) is that it can be much easier to match them to higher-power motors. The hotter the motor, the better a transistor or PWM controller feels compared with a standard Parma. However in the realm of out-of-the-box NSR, Slot.it, Ninco, Thunderslot cars I don't think the difference is significant. But that's only my opinion!

[Johnno]

Thanks Andy, great reply to what could be considered a complicated question. As for trying before buying that is not an option where I live, there are no stores that retail this item and I am certain that no store will send them out for the try before you buy, except perhaps Scorpious, for some reason my gut says they might.

I guess if I don't like a controller for some reason I can just sell it on as others are doing.

As you mention about all the knobs and manuals can be too many, I agree the controllers, to new comers such as myself look very daunting and technically go beyond my comprehension currently.

My short reply to your post does not do yours justice, still thanks once again.

[woodcote]

I know when I was starting out (again) in slots, having a simple resistor controller probably helped me with developing better racing, driving and car prep skills. If I was a having a problem, I would focus on the car and my driving. Too often, I see racers twiddling knobs on their controllers when they might benefit more from taking a close look at how they are driving into (or out of) a corner... 

Do I keep crashing in that corner because my controller set-up isn’t quite right or do I simply need to reduce corner entry speed? It is easier to blame one’s tools rather than admit one needs to work at driving technique. The only time to look at getting a fancy controller is probably when you have reduced lap times as far as you can with a resistor controller and basic car prep (eg these: https://www.scalextric.com/uk-en/scalextric-tuning-tips). Just an idea... others may disagree!

[Johnno]

I agree with what you saying about car control such as corner entry and exit speed rather than concentrating on the controller itself. I have been doing this myself and have also been showing the neighbours kids who prefer flat-out everywhere or pulling the trigger jerkily to make it around the track. 

Sadly a decent track first and foremost is required, with this MrTrax system coming hopefully this will be solved.

There is no set answer for this controller question as it is all individual based. I will continue to research controllers before jumping head long into spending hundreds of dollars on something that may not work with me and vice versa.

As the saying goes, you need to learn to crawl before you walk and this is what I must do... I am trying to jump too far ahead of myself in preparation for the track arrival and need, no must, take a step back, calm myself and think clearly about things. 

Would I love to have a great controller, hell yeah, is it necessary immediately? Hell no. So I shall continue researching controllers, disseminate the information from all posters, but, I shall also do with the controllers that come with the track, for now, as I have not even begun to drive or race a car yet.

Still interesting discussion and seeing multiple differentiating opinions of all is great, well I think it is, and no doubt this discussion will help others looking at controllers as well.

[woodcote]

Do you know what controllers come with the track? They might be absolutely perfect for the medium-term...

If the reason to get a more expensive controller is to race competitively at a club, personally I would wait until you start going to club, see what other racers are using, what they suggest and see if you can have a play with them - even just holding the controller and testing the feel of the trigger. There’s a good chance someone might loan you a controller to race on your first few visits and might offer you something to buy that is surplus to requirements. Clubs are good like that!