Digital slot car system of Ninco
The digital slot car system of
Ninco has been released at the end of 2006. The other
slot car brands were already on the market with a digital system at that moment. The expectations were very high. Ninco did a good job, but sadly did not manage to release a system without technical failures.
The N-Digital system of Ninco
- Compatible system with the standard tracks;
- Easy digitalization of all the cars without tools;
- Reversible, easy conversion from analogue to digital and vice versa;
- One console for the whole system, without extensions;
- The only one which allows up to 8 cars running at the same time.
From analogue to digital
Every car of every brand can be converted to Ninco Digital. The two pins of the motor that are fixed in the guide should be fixed in chip. The pins of the chip should be fixed to the guide. If the model is equipped with working lights you can add it to the chip too.
The chip of Ninco is quite big, so you should only check if there is enough space in the car. Chips for single-seaters are not available yet.
The console
The console shows some limitations. It is not possible during the race to check the positions of the other drivers. On the display, that is rather small and not lighted, you can only read who is at the front of the race and some other information (fastest lap, laps to go). You need the control tower to see the positions of the other drivers during the race.
Power and control
For three cars you need one transformer. If you race with four or more cars than it is wise to add a second transformer. The controllers are pretty good. At the backside you find the red button to change lanes. The working of this is perfect. You need to operate the controller with two hands: one to use the normal speed handle and the other to switch lanes.
There are two basic race modes; professional and amateur. In the first model the controller reacts too fast for the average slot racer. I use the amateur mode.
How to program the cars
Before you start to race you should program the cars to the controllers. By pressing the 'menu' button of the console you can start. Put the car on the track and press on the red button of the controller. On the display you can read the word 'end' and the number of the controller (the number is the position at the console of the controller).
Take the car of the track and you can start with another controller and car.
Pit lane kit
The pit lane kit is a nice extension to your circuit. It only works in the PS-mode of the console. You can program how many pit stops you want to make during a race. The console checks your fuel consumption and informs you by a trill-signal in the controller when you should enter the pits. Drive slowly into the pit lane and there you get new fuel. If you want to leave without a full tank you can do this by pressing on the red button on the controller. Otherwise you get power when your tank is full. If you do not enter the pit lane after the signal, you will loose a bit power.
Conclusion
Racing with the system of Ninco is fun. Unfortunately the system shows some limitations in the console. Ninco should work on this to make the system a success.
Jan Willem van Capelleveen
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