Hot Wheels 2014 Digital Speedometer

Picked up two of these on Saturday. My plan was to install them near the end of the new Dragtrack layout and add recorded speeds to the racing action.

But first testing!

I only opened up one at first and set up a test track of about 9 feet with the new Hot Wheels orange sectioned track.

Like others have noted with their speedos, the recorded speeds where mostly consistent, with this one having a 2 to 3 MPH difference between most test runs. I did have a few 10+/- MPH runs the first couple of times. But after that, the times were more consistent on subsequent runs. Each time I came back for more runs the speed differences were greater at first, but stabilized at the 2-3 MPH differences. I eventually ran 4 different cars of different lengths for the test. As others have also noted the smaller a car - the faster the recorded speed.

The slowest time I noted was 34 MPH and the fastest 364 MPH. Releasing the cars by hand did cause some difference in speeds. Where a little extra push or stray finger drag caused a noticeable difference in recorded speeds.

It seemed to work well enough for what I wanted to do with them - that I decided to open the 2nd one up as well. I ran it next on the same test track set up. The speed differences where the same initially 10 +/- on the first couple of runs. Then 6-8 MPH consistently different for this one.

Both out of the box with no stickers.

I then ran them in a series - on the same test track set up. The track was shortened by one piece, but the 2nd speedo added back half that length in distance. They where separated by one track piece at first. The difference in times recorded where about 10 MPH between them. I then switched their positions and the same time difference of 10 MPH was noted. I then moved them closer to the release point and the time difference was a bit greater, but also consistent when I switched their places again! Moving them even closer to the release point showed the same results. The speed differences also increased when I separated them by first 2 and then 3 pieces of section track. When the speedos changed places in these arrangements - the differences where still consistent with the above!

Time to install them on the dragtrack layout!

At first I thought of putting them together on the Dragtrack set up - back to back, but the sensors are not in the center of the piece. So they were not evenly lined up! Would be nice if the piece were to be retooled. That it to be designed, where the sensors line up and the backs are uniform in shape. Or maybe a dual lane piece can be offered eventually!

So I decided to place them so the speed readouts where visible from the same side instead.

Stickers added and installed. (No light poles!)

Follow this link for testing on the dragtrack layout

http://www.redlinederby.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1749&p=26413#p26413

Also would like to hear from others on their experience and incorporation into their track layout with this accessory!