Off topic but you may just be able to help.... Scalextric !
Discussion
Little Pcn1 Jnr is hittin' his 7th birthday and wants a scalextric set. (Not that I influenced him you understand....)
I never had one and dont know a great deal about them. Up to £100 budget for a starter set and or any recommended extra's (lap counter seems recommended)
Seems some cars are better than others for robustness ?
Dont want the micro system and not bothered about digital at this stage.
Any suggestions (apart from get the 911 set !)
Thanks chaps
I never had one and dont know a great deal about them. Up to £100 budget for a starter set and or any recommended extra's (lap counter seems recommended)
Seems some cars are better than others for robustness ?
Dont want the micro system and not bothered about digital at this stage.
Any suggestions (apart from get the 911 set !)
Thanks chaps
Perhaps not a huge amount of help, but I'd check amazon out - they sell a few sets and the customer reviews there are usually quite helpful. A quick look just now and the starter set seems a good bet, with sturdy cars (if lacking in detail) - then easy to add a few bits, and comes in below budget. Oh, and one of the cars looks like a guards red 997 GT2 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scalextric-C1243-Scale-Spe...
(and only forty quid! I might get one for myself for the winter...)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scalextric-C1243-Scale-Spe...
(and only forty quid! I might get one for myself for the winter...)
You will need more than the basic oval to maintain the interest of a 7 year old.
It may be better getting a bigger set to start with or a couple of the track extension packs.
Lap timer/counter always a winner. The "jump" was a surprising hit for us. Bridges have let us down in the past as you can damage the connectors between the pieces of track and that spoils all the fun. Crossover pieces are loved for their crash potential.
Get other relatives looking for gift ideas to buy extra bits - the cheaper cars are better for younger drivers, go for robust rather than intricate design. We have a hard top Boxster and it gives the GT3RS a very hard time!! Don't forget to put the crash barriers on the track, they are not just purely decorative!
Hours of fun for Dad and son, think we'll get ours out this weekend now - the dark nights give me an excuse to take over the Conservatory...
It may be better getting a bigger set to start with or a couple of the track extension packs.
Lap timer/counter always a winner. The "jump" was a surprising hit for us. Bridges have let us down in the past as you can damage the connectors between the pieces of track and that spoils all the fun. Crossover pieces are loved for their crash potential.
Get other relatives looking for gift ideas to buy extra bits - the cheaper cars are better for younger drivers, go for robust rather than intricate design. We have a hard top Boxster and it gives the GT3RS a very hard time!! Don't forget to put the crash barriers on the track, they are not just purely decorative!
Hours of fun for Dad and son, think we'll get ours out this weekend now - the dark nights give me an excuse to take over the Conservatory...
I did the same thing a couple of Christmas's ago. You'll really struggle for £100.
I went down the digital route and got the 2 F430 kit with some extension track - but it was far >£100.
They will get bored unless the track is suitably long and interesting also.
In terms of durability of cars - they are all rubbish these days especially with the way children abuse them - so get the cheapest ones!
I went down the digital route and got the 2 F430 kit with some extension track - but it was far >£100.
They will get bored unless the track is suitably long and interesting also.
In terms of durability of cars - they are all rubbish these days especially with the way children abuse them - so get the cheapest ones!
ANother one voting for get something more than an oval.
Have a look at this site to get some ideas.
http://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/c-189-analog-set...
They are great guys and if you give them a call you might even get them to do a little trim on the price. I'm on their mailing list and they seem to do a few 10% off days every month or so.
Have a look at this site to get some ideas.
http://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/c-189-analog-set...
They are great guys and if you give them a call you might even get them to do a little trim on the price. I'm on their mailing list and they seem to do a few 10% off days every month or so.
Can run upto 6 cars at any 1 time (need the 6 car pb for this). But all standard digital sets are capable of running 4 cars from the box.
Worth the money if you ask me, being able to swap lanes is good fun as you can actually race better. But you'll need to get a half decent set with a fun track layout and a couple lane changers. The best starting point for digital racing is the Jadlam SL1. Its more expensive than a standard boxed digital set but it comes with a track layout that you won't get bored of within 10mins.
http://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/p-1587-scalextri...
Worth the money if you ask me, being able to swap lanes is good fun as you can actually race better. But you'll need to get a half decent set with a fun track layout and a couple lane changers. The best starting point for digital racing is the Jadlam SL1. Its more expensive than a standard boxed digital set but it comes with a track layout that you won't get bored of within 10mins.
http://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/p-1587-scalextri...
at the risk of sounding like a tool, is the track the same now as it was when i were a kid 20 years ago?
Is it all interchangable still? The little man may only be 9 weeks old, but this is the sort of thing that deserves a bit of planning to cover the whole downstairs of the house. If i do it on his birthday she cant moan!!
Is it all interchangable still? The little man may only be 9 weeks old, but this is the sort of thing that deserves a bit of planning to cover the whole downstairs of the house. If i do it on his birthday she cant moan!!
Classic track will work with digital, but only if it's in "as new" condition. We generally tell people to avoid using it though, you'll end up losing current and with a few digital cars going it just won't work properly.
Plus when you add in the cost of all the converter pieces you may aswell get some new shiny stuff.
Also be aware of scalextric start, although this is the same scale as standard scaley the track has different connectors so therefore requires another converter piece, plus start track only comes in 2 pieces, standard straight or one type of bend.
The track you need to look out for is "scalextric sport track".
Plus when you add in the cost of all the converter pieces you may aswell get some new shiny stuff.
Also be aware of scalextric start, although this is the same scale as standard scaley the track has different connectors so therefore requires another converter piece, plus start track only comes in 2 pieces, standard straight or one type of bend.
The track you need to look out for is "scalextric sport track".
I soooo want it tho!Ninco track is also worth considering, it`s wider with more
grip and deeper slots. A set that is good value is the
N20147 Amercian Speedway, if you dont mind Corvettes, from
http://www.slot32.co.uk/acatalog/Ninco-sets-1.html
grip and deeper slots. A set that is good value is the
N20147 Amercian Speedway, if you dont mind Corvettes, from
http://www.slot32.co.uk/acatalog/Ninco-sets-1.html
yorkieboy said:
Although I have not bought this set (yet) from jadlamracingmodels, I have used them many times for both Scalextric and Hornby and find them brilliant to use. Fully converted now to digital Scalextric and Hornby !!! (sorry my son is)
Tuscan Rat said:
yorkieboy said:
Although I have not bought this set (yet) from jadlamracingmodels, I have used them many times for both Scalextric and Hornby and find them brilliant to use. Fully converted now to digital Scalextric and Hornby !!! (sorry my son is)
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