First is noticeable that the position Tower is quite large (30 cm). Who has not previously seen him in live, might be a little surprised, but the size is very positive, since all of the up to 6 riders must also read the Tower good. How Carrera came on the design of this tower, do not open up to me. For the casual gamers it is safe no matter because the function is super and like form also white. People who want to build a model slot car racing track, will be safe disappointed because it has little realism. Unlike many other accessories that need to be fixed directly to the web Carrera returns the position Tower from a cable, so he must be afraid cooked up only to an adapter unit at the track and can then be positioned relatively freely in space.
The LEDs are super from the brightness. in the top line of the current race lap of the leader is displayed (red LEDs). Although it is only a two-digit display, but by small dots at the bottom right, up to 299 laps can be counted. As a rule, no longer as 100 laps per race are probably gone, so I think more than sufficient.
Directly below it is the positions are displayed (up to 6 drivers). On the digital track so each rule has a number (ID) and, this knob adjusts the vehicle is then occupied. This number will be displayed according to the jeweilgen postition. So are 15 laps and vehicle 4 demonstrates 2 3 and 1, will be available at the Tower from top to bottom:
15
4
2
3
1
Also ghost cars (ie vehicles driving without a driver at a constant speed on the route) are recorded under the number 7. Then, however, can be counted "only" 5 other drivers. For normal home use so that's more than adequate.
For me personally the Position Tower is the most important extension to Carrera Digital 132 or 124 railway. Although the Control Unit and the Blackbox already count the laps, helps a driver as the not, because you can never see the positions and laps. Here you need either the tower or the lap counter. Although the lap counter detects additionally the lap time, but must always switch touch of a button between the vehicles. In addition, the values shown are so small that they can not be read during the race. Correct race so you can go only with the Position Tower (or PC software).
Who can do without the current round, could also pick up the Driver Display. Here, the current position is displayed next to the tank capacity also. However, again only for a driver. Either one turns during the race permanently by or are required per driver a Driver Display, which is relatively expensive quickly. Unfortunately, there is this (apart from PC software) is no alternative if you want to know the tank contents.
For all those, a position Tower is superior for railway use a PC software is not absolutely necessary, but still a nice addition, because you faster times back looking there than on a monitor. In addition, the position of Tower with a lot of popular racing software is kompatbel. When combined with the cockpit XP For example, the remaining laps will be shown instead of the already stalled.
Conclusion: A well-designed accessories, through which it is only possible to drive right race. If Carrera but again would produce a successor, they might choose a more realistic design and integrate a means of fastening to the substrate, which is missing namely unfortunately.
What is the display?
- It shows the current position in the race by a flashing green LED on
- It shows when using the tank function the current tank content through a LED semicircle on (including fuel reserve.)
- No one uses the tank function is the "speed" appears on the semicircle (MMN senseless function)
(Or be the vehicle IDs 1-6 switches) over the small round button at the bottom left, is between the vehicles -
Who needs a Driver Display?
That's a good question. Who buys a Carrer Digital Basic package, though may leave his car driving in circles, the game is short-lived, however, because you can not drive a real race. Namely it lacks a lap counting. In addition, the digital train makes a lot more fun when you play by pits with fuel stops. A Carrera Digital track should therefore have, in my opinion, a pit lane.
It has now its basic set of pits, so the following questions?
- I How many laps?
- Who will lead?
- How much fuel tank capacity is still available (the car flashes in reserve) and especially when it's a full tank (no display on the car)?
Hence the question: What do I need of additional parts to get this information?
The answer is a bit unsatisfactory, as well as non-transparent from the Carrera prospectus. Namely you need several components. For lap counting, there is the Position Tower (counts laps and racing positions very clearly) and the Lap Counter (does the same plus measurement of lap time, but only by switching for each vehicle).
For the tank capacity is needed the estimated here Driver Display. The current race position are not seen but also the number of rounds, etc. Those who want to have this position requires a Tower or Lap Counter in addition.
But what you need to complete the Driver Display is that there are in each case indicating the position and the tank contents only for a vehicle. If you want to use it for several cars, you have to switch during the race respectively the display via the button. Since this is almost impossible in racing, you need sensibly for each driver a display. Anyone who wants to exploit the full 6 riders in Digital 132, then you need theoretically 6 Driver displays!
All one can theoretically get read from the Carrera product, but is not very easy. Therefore makes sense you need a lap counter or Position Tower (50), a pit lane (70) and at let's say 3 drivers and 3 Driver display (90). Besides the additional cars so you should again take into account 230 can order useful to race for a digital track. This is the part of Carrera and the dealer usually secretive and ensures frustration.
An alternative is for example a software for the PC (I use additionally beside Driver displays and a Tower). Who has a laptop available can (only works with Control Unit) which run very comfortable with enormous adjustment via PC for about 70 whole. That is a total significantly less expensive, but you need a PC and this must also only starting, etc. So only partially suitable for the kids. Nevertheless, one should consider the price-conscious buyers in advance exactly what to do with the train wants to unnecessarily "burn" money.
