Help with first scalextric

[Terry-1257404]

So I can't decide what to go with

Was looking at 3 sets

1 new (59euro) continental sports cars

2 used (50euro) super GT BMW (arc one)

3 used (100 EUR) digital ignition

It's just for fun at home .

[Andy P.]

You can always upgrade to digital later is what I usually tell people.

There are lots of advantages to digital: More cars in less space, lane changing etc... but the investment is higher.

The problem with that digital set is it is very old and the power base included is known to have a lot of issues.

The latest power base is called ARC PRO:

See the bottom of this page: https://uk.scalextric.com/community/advice/app-race-control

With two power supplies it can handle 5 cars easily.

There is one on sale in ebaykleinanzeigen.de for about 120€ I think...

Personally I used ARC AIR for a long time before going digital (ARC PRO has an analog mode that works like ARC AIR).

ARC ONE is OK but the powerbase does not allow the cars to brake: They just coast when you let go of the trigger. It does allow pitstops though which is fun...

So in an ideal world you would get a cheap ARC PRO, use it in analog mode until you decide to upgrade to digital for all its features.

Failing that I would get an ARC AIR.

Nearly as much fun is the ARC ONE with the "brake mod" which basically means getting an older analog Sports power base and putting it in the layout after removing a plug in the ARC ONE...

[Andy P.]

You mean an ARC PRO that includes cars and track?

https://uk.scalextric.com/catalogue/sets/european-sets?encoded=JctBCsIwEEbh22QjLoSA3QzdeADBZSlhTMY4GJsy-Qvt7S11-z1eX3jKd8abWuQiK0zjefm4lxaIteHLU2JU28JfwnMbh9lqWiJCZEje20g3zQoup4eguZmzBE3UXb33rlXDflF3OF1-

[Terry-1257404]

Yes basically a nice starter set that includes everything that can be purchased in the EU without the import duties

[Andy P.]

Technically there are no import duties from Great Britain BUT since items are coming outside the EU they must be checked that they are indeed of origin to Great Britain and THAT costs money.

Also you don't pay UK VAT but you do way local VAT. Usually in my experience the price difference is only 1-3% to what it was before Brexit.

It is a lot more hassle, takes longer and annoying but that is democracy for you...

On the page I linked above use the article or part number to find a seller at the usual online places. I can also recommend Slot Car Union in France...

[Terry-1257404]

Thanks for the information. Is the set you linked pretty much the top of the range?

[Andy P.]

I believe the Ginetta set is the best "bang for your buck" deal...

[Andy P.]

Please read the actual product description.

The Continental Car set is a basic analog, not even ARC of any kind, just a simple slot car set.

The Ginetta Set includes ARC PRO, lane changers and the digital cars plus even more track...