[Johnno]

About Trackmate Racing
Trackmate Racing was founded in 1997 by Daniel Groulx. Trackmate is the creator of Race Timing Systems, Electronic Timers  and Timing Software Solutions. As the developer, programmer and manufacturer for all of its proprietary products, Trackmate offers turn-key Timing Solutions for Slot car Tracks, R/C cars, Quadcopter/Drones, Drag racing, Skateboards, ATVs, Snowmobiles and many more. In addition to their unique electronics, Trackmate develops it's own timing software solutions that operates in Windows or a stand-alone hardware systems.

On to the post. I have been reading on another forum (only because the topic does not exist here, which it now does) regarding Trackmate Timing system, including Hardware and Software for Trackmate.

I have just purchased a complete four-lane trackmate timing system for my routed track system (MrTax modular system @ mrtrax.com) it would appear there are people and clubs having issues with Trackmate system and want to find out more regarding Trackmate from other users and clubs alike.

What are any issues that you have had in the past or currently, how have you fixed these. Thoughts, opinions all appreciated.

I have got the four-lane gantry, etc. here is a 40 second video of beginning of my track build by Peter at MrTrax YouTube video: https://youtu.be/1WVWmJOvjcU

[woodcote]

Your track is looking good Johnno

We use Trackmate hardware and software at Worthing HO Racing and have done so for about eight years. I also use the hardware and software at home on my HO test track and on my 4-lane routed HO bullring oval. Here is Trackmate in action at WHO and on the oval...

         

At the club, we use v.8.40 of the Trackmate software with a deadstrip. We use Trackmate as a stand-alone timer and use a separate Excel-based spreadsheet to run the evening - we input data manually into the spreadsheet. At home, I use a later version (v.8.71) with reed switches as sensors - these work fine with all the HO cars I run. For the oval racing, we set up Trackmate to run a rotation race, but also record the scores manually. I should really update to the latest v.9.41 from earlier this year...

Probably the biggest compliment I can give to Trackmate is that I really don't notice it. It simply does the job with absolutely no dramas and no arguments. No missed laps, a clear de-bounce (if a sub-minimum lap time is trigged) and a clear indication if a car has counted a lap at the end of a timed race.

I'm not aware of other people having major issues with Trackmate. The track interface hardware is as solid and reliable as there is. Daniel updates the software regularly to iron out any bugs and to add or improve features. It's no surprise that stand-alone race management programmes are often designed to work with the Trackmate interface or recommend it. Quite a few HO, 1/32 and 1/24 clubs in the UK now use Race Coordinator, often with the Trackmate interface. The majority of serious Slot Car Drag Racing series use the Trackmate drag racing package.

Having said that, it is important to understand how the hardware and software works. You can have a good look round the software now before you get your track - download from here. There are some limitations with the hardware, but that is often down to the lap sensing. For example, if you are using a light bridge and sensors, there is always the risk of a de-slotted car triggering all four lanes if it crosses the start/finish line on its roof! That's why setting a minimum lap time is important (and adjust it if you are running slower or quicker classes of car).

If you will have more that four racers, then you can have someone sitting on 'Race Control' running Trackmate and others marshalling cars at corners. If you have four (or less), then you'll need a stop button (you might have this in the package) so the drivers can pause the racing to re-slot cars.

I'd always recommend spending time with the software and - starting with the basics of running a simple race - just see how it works. Then gradually add more features in. Daniel has a basic outline of features, plus video and troubleshooting guide on the Trackmate website.

What were the issues these other clubs and individual were having? And are there any you are particularly worried about?

[Johnno]

Your track is looking good Johnno

snip... 

Probably the biggest compliment I can give to Trackmate is that I really don't notice it. It simply does the job with absolutely no dramas and no arguments. No missed laps, a clear de-bounce (if a sub-minimum lap time is trigged) and a clear indication if a car has counted a lap at the end of a timed race.

snip... 

Having said that, it is important to understand how the hardware and software works. You can have a good look round the software now before you get your track - download from here. There are some limitations with the hardware, but that is often down to the lap sensing. For example, if you are using a light bridge and sensors, there is always the risk of a de-slotted car triggering all four lanes if it crosses the start/finish line on its roof! That's why setting a minimum lap time is important (and adjust it if you are running slower or quicker classes of car).

If you will have more that four racers, then you can have someone sitting on 'Race Control' running Trackmate and others marshalling cars at corners. If you have four (or less), then you'll need a stop button (you might have this in the package) so the drivers can pause the racing to re-slot cars.

I'd always recommend spending time with the software and - starting with the basics of running a simple race - just see how it works. Then gradually add more features in. Daniel has a basic outline of features, plus video and troubleshooting guide on the Trackmate website.

What were the issues these other clubs and individual were having? And are there any you are particularly worried about?

Hi Andy, 

Apologies for late reply, I have been reading it several times since you posted. Been distracted a tad.

Thanks, I am hoping it will be better once it gets here and I can play with designs, in that short video, you are seeing only three modules that includes the cross over. There are another nine modules to be attached   

Not actually noticing the system is a good thing, that means it works without very little issues popping up. That is a huge positive.

I am probably jumping the gun a bit here then as I don't have the hardware to play around with, the software I grabbed weeks ago and have played around some with the settings, however, no hardware makes it hard to really grasp the power and use of such.

I find it interesting to see that others are using the Trackmate hardware with the Race co-ordinator software. I am not sure if there will be a stop button included, no doubt it isn't. I did see this on the site while browsing. Might have to add that later I guess. Do I need one for each driver station? I'd assume this is a yes rather not assume though.

Hopefully Peter will spend an hour with me running me through the setup, after he leaves I will be relocating the modules upstairs to the lounge room so explanation and guidance will be required by this noob. I am already expecting the learning curve to be a sharp instant climb.

As you suggested about starting with the basics is a good suggestion, thanks for that. I haven't even really started my Q&A document for when Peter arrives, any thoughts that come to you?

I have been trying to find these other posts, without success though... I hope that there is no problems with the SF gantry, I guess I will find out as it gets used more and after I learn loads more. I can't say that I have any worries currently in mind.

[DPJ]

Hi Johnno, I understand the feeling of being tasked to install something you know nothing about. It can be daunting just thinking of all the things that could go wrong! Well, that's the devil on your shoulder and don't let him have the upper hand! The bright side is the system is bulletproof if you wire and connect it properly. When I was building my custom Carrera track I was in the same scenario as you, searching for a hardware and software solution that would be simple to install and not have any issues. Trackmate is that system! I called and spoke to Daniel about how I wanted the system to operate, he put the parts together and I installed it as per his instructions. Couldn't be simpler! I have a 2 lane IR LED setup where I modified the track. Here's a pic. The Only Issue is some cars I have (NSR mainly) don't register a lap because of a white guide - Daniel told me about this possibility before he put my parts together, I just didn't want a light bridge like yours. I've since changed their guides and all is good. You'll be grateful you went with the system I think. Enjoy and have fun! The track looks great!

[Johnno]

After having the entire TrackMate Gantry and hardware in place and actually racing proper races now I can see the main problem with an overhead gantry and that is if it is located anywhere near or too soon after a corner and cars slide out they do clip the gantry, need to move the gantry hardware further into the straight again.

I am looking at some sort of customisation for this gantry design to move the supporting legs out further completely away from the track altogether, though, I really can't do this until I work out what is being replaced as I don't want to damage/modify anything until that is determined (I should actually email this enquiry through today).

I've since got the TrackMate hardware setup and running well with Race Coordinator which was easy to accomplish and Dave actually provides the information on how to do this within his FAQ.

This C-19 crap has really put a complete stop to 99% of anything currently happening, for us all. So patience is just required.

As mentioned by DPJ regarding the guide, I've been noticing only a few cars that I need to replace these with as they deslot so easily having very small guide depths. Tuning will be concentrated more so on cars now rather than the track as the track is easy to relocate the gantry etc. Hopefully this week with the new location and spacing of driver stations the system will be better for everyone.

[Johnno]

ok well I am stuffed... all of a sudden RC (Race Coordinaor) and Trackmate Infrared Flood Bar are missing every second lap, I remember reading something about this some time back and stuffed if I can locate that now, does anyone have a link or information on the setting that could be causing this?

I have noticed from testing that running fast this happens while a slow pass thru it detects...

TIA
Johnno


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[woodcote]

If it's every other lap, I'd check the minimum lap time setting (sometimes known as 'de-bounce') in the software. If it counts when you go slow, that makes sense. There should probably be a noise from the program on the lap when it doesn't count.

If you're running Race Co-ordinator, it's always good to have a copy of the Trackmate software available - then you can check if you have the same problem on both programs. That would suggest a hardware problem (or a too-high minimum lap time on both!). If the issue is just on Race Co-ordinator, that would suggest an incorrect setting or a bug.

[CMOTD]

I don't have Trackmate hardware so don't know if you have a problem with that but it would pay to check whether the sensors need a clean.

Re RC software:
Have you tried running in demo mode? If it does it with that then you have a bug.

Does it do it on every lane?

Does it do it with every different type of race, including practice?

Is it literally every other lap?

The obvious suspect is too high a minimum lap setting but I assume you have checked that.

By the way, did you receive the Murray Walker audio files I sent you some time ago?

[Johnno]

If it's every other lap, I'd check the minimum lap time setting (sometimes known as 'de-bounce') in the software. If it counts when you go slow, that makes sense. There should probably be a noise from the program on the lap when it doesn't count.

If you're running Race Co-ordinator, it's always good to have a copy of the Trackmate software available - then you can check if you have the same problem on both programs. That would suggest a hardware problem (or a too-high minimum lap time on both!). If the issue is just on Race Co-ordinator, that would suggest an incorrect setting or a bug.

It was every other lap (every second lap essentially) yes it was the de-bounce, managed to get it sorted. Thanks for your fast response and help, it is appreciated.


Sadly and very unusual, though for some reason I am getting no replies to my emails from either Daniel at Trackmate nor Steve? from RC which is actually pissing me off considerably. Businesses are quick to take my money, provide 2/3rds of the order and then proceed to ignore my communications, grrr    bad business in my view, oh well I shall wait another three days and resend the emails

I don't have Trackmate hardware so don't know if you have a problem with that but it would pay to check whether the sensors need a clean.

Re RC software:
Have you tried running in demo mode? If it does it with that then you have a bug.

Does it do it on every lane?

Does it do it with every different type of race, including practice?

Is it literally every other lap?

The obvious suspect is too high a minimum lap setting but I assume you have checked that.

By the way, did you receive the Murray Walker audio files I sent you some time ago?

It was every other lap (every second lap essentially) yes it was the de-bounce, managed to get it sorted. Thanks for your fast response and help, it is appreciated.

Demo - Didn't try that, haven't used that for ages, good thinking - Thank you
Every lane - Yes
Every Race Type - Yes
Literally every other lap - Yes
Murray Walker audio - Can't locate, hmm, now that is a great question re the Murray Walker audio files, just searched my emails and there is no email with that attachment...
Suspect de-bounce too high - Yes (which is unbelievable to be doing under 8 second lap times... woohoo)

I also ran into the similar issue with the Fuel Race where random times it would miss a lap, again from some quick investigations it would appear that we are actually doing quicker than 8 second lap times (NSR's and Revo's) with a 10 metre straight which is fantastic , I think... 

Sadly and very unusual, though for some reason I am getting no replies to my emails from either Daniel at Trackmate nor Steve? from RC which is actually pissing me off considerably. Businesses are quick to take my money, provide 2/3rds of the order and then proceed to ignore my communications, grrr  bad business in my view, oh well I shall wait another three days and resend the emails

[Gordon Steadman]

I was going to get a trackmate. Still might eventually but as I received zero communication from the company when I asked a few questions, I decided not to risk it and got a Carrera timer to tide me over.

Really not good customer service. As you say, I'm sure they would have been happy enough to take my money without delay.