Scalextric digital Vs Carrera digital Slot car sets

In the UK Scalextric has always been the brand to buy with its almost historic place in our minds. However, there are other makes available and are well worth looking in to before jumping to buy Scalextric.

Scalextric Digital is far more readily available, you will find the sets in most large toy stockists but additional track and cars are now really only available with specialist dealers.

The Scalextric track is good value as we all wish to have the biggest track we can have in the space available, so extending your layout is a cost effective reason to purchase Scalextric compared to Carrera.

Scalextric now produce a range of cars that have DPR chassis that only need the addition of a digital plug that can be easily fitted in under a minute and the cost of these plugs is very reasonable with prices on the net starting at less than £10. There is also a massive range of cars for you to choose from.

The actual digital track and operating system is not as good as its Carrera counterpart. We are still awaiting the arrival of the 6 car powerbase and even when it is on the market it still will not have the features of the Carrera digital unit. To use the pit lane game this is another cost that you will have to factor in to your purchase. Carrera provide the software as standard with their powerbase and this will save you further pounds.

Carrera Digital can be more expensive in the beginning but you will get a far higher quality track with rust proof rails that can even be used in your garden. Carrera produce a range of track that you can operate 1:24 and 1:32 scale cars. This means that the track is a little wider and does help remove the need for borders all the way around your layout.

Carrera do have a range of cars that are supplied with digital plugs already fitted or they also supply a range of digital plugs should you wish to convert any older cars or if you wanted to convert any analogue cars that are not available already converted to digital. The reason for their wide range of digital cars they have on the market is because Germany sold in the region of 90% of their sets in the digital form last year. Carrera have a better range of track pieces and we feel it is far more durable than its Scalextric counterpart. You will find the Carrera cars far better value for money and the finish of the cars is second to none. Their range of cars with no fitted lights start from £25

The Actual Digital system is head and shoulders above Scalextric track, with 6 cars already available, plus you can up rate your transformer to allow the racing of the magnificent 1:24 scale cars. These cars are fantastically detailed and are fully tuneable straight out of the box. Carrera offer Wireless controllers which are ideal if you are racing 4 or more people on your track at once, With Scalextric you will all be fighting around the powerbase which is not ideal in the heat of the racing situation. With the wireless controllers some players can set up and marshal the track while still racing which adds to the fun of the racing. The digital system can be plugged in to a lap top and even forwarded to a TV screen to show all the details of the cars and fuel levels can be programmed with slower speed for car with more fuel and this bring in the strategy to the pit lane and pit stops. There are also is monitors that can be fitted to the track so every racer can see their cars status right in front of them.



In conclusion we would suggest the purchase of a Carrera digital layout over the Scalextric digital. Although the number of retailers who stock the items is lower and the price may be a little higher, you will not be disappointed with the quality of the product and it will be more than durable enough to keep you happy for many years. You may wish to weigh up the pros and cons for your budget and needs but do not forget that there are other manufacturers out there.