[Johnno]

All the invoice says is: DS Controllers with Plugs $79.00e from that price point I wouldn't expect too much but may be surprised, Peter has been providing them with the tracks for some time and appears his customers are happy with them from the get go.

There are no clubs near me whatsoever... and having had my drivers licence taken from me due to these seizures makes it damn hard to even get to nearest slot car track 1hour away as we have no public transport other than taxi and no trip is worth $300 in cab fare.

Yes I have read many great things about clubs helping in many ways such as you mentioned. I have seen second hand controllers with asking price similar to that of new ones... why would you buy second hand in that case.

[woodcote]

In my opinion, the basic DS controllers are an absolutely perfect long-term option for running standard-ish Scalextric, Pioneer, Carrera etc cars. They will also be perfectly adequate for all the ready-to-run NSR, Slot.it, Thunderslot etc cars too. They are quality controllers. Most people at our HO club use them (and win with them). They are also our club 'loaner' controllers and have had constant heavy monthly use for nearly four years now with occasional cleaning of the wiper board and also tightening of the wiper arm on two of the four controllers.

Here are some details for the latest v3 'Basic' controller...

• New PCB board with 18 points of contact for greater sensitivity and progression of the power sent to the track
  
• Self-disconnection system to protect against overheating or short-circuit
  
• Designed for comfort, and grip
  
• Useful for 1 or 2 finger driver style
  
• 2 selectable spring tension
  
• Long lasting copper contact with 18 sections
  
• Operating voltage is between 10 and 20 DC volts
  
• Lightweight transparent coloured casing
  
• Superflex internal wire
  
• 1m long cable
  
• Cable bending protection
  
  

Here's a pic of the inside of the DS controller...
   

[BAracer]

So...is it worth having a separate 'Controller' section somewhere, or perhaps in an 'Analogue' section to supplement the 'Digital' section? Or better still in the 'Racing' section after 'Race Control'?

I'm about to embark on a controller journey and would like to share/obtain information.

[Nonfractal]

Unconvinced that it it sensible to separate controllers into analogue and digital. 
Some controllers are modular , supporting digital and analogue and that is a trend I forsee growing. 

Better to tag each controller related post with:

Thumb / trigger
Resistor / PWM / other 
Brake adjustment ( fixed / adjustable / intelligent)
Adjustable throttle  response (yes / no) 
Linear / curved / both
Physical contact wiper / other 
Digital systems supported (if any) 

Alan

[Gordon Steadman]

Controllers are such a personal thing. Back in the mists of time, I won an open meeting at West Ham and the prize was a Parma trigger controller. I threw a right sulk and was less than gracious as I recall. I kept the medal though.

I still can't seem to get the speed using anything but my thumb. I'm also someone who prefers the directness of a resistor controller. Whilst I do have an SCD which saves the swapping and lets me drive modern motors, I always feel a little disconnected from the cars. I also hate adjustable brakes. I've just wired them up direct on the SCD. When it comes to it, I prefer an adjustable thumb.

I did wonder if it was my imagination but, since I have the Carrera timer now, I played around with both SCD and MRRC 7.5 ohm with most of my cars. With very few exceptions I was quicker with the MRRC. OK, it may only be fractions but they count over a race distance. The SCD was adjusted to each car as usual. I did 50 laps with each car.
   

Still find it surprising how quick some of the plastic cars are.

[BAracer]

Ok...have gone for the oXigen forum...

[Johnno]

Parma controllers are pretty good.

What are the thoughts on Difalco analog controllers?