Carlson's Slot Cars
Home of Custom made SensorTraks

Slot Car Computerized Lap Timing and Counting
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


SensorTrak and SensorHarness for Computerized Laptiming


What is a SensorTrak/SensorHarness?
A SensorTrak is a piece of hardware that interfaces with the standard parallel port (printer) of a IBM compatible computer. The hardware along with software allows a slot car enthusiast/hobbyist to count and time laps via the computer. The requirements of the computer will depend on the software chosen but it must have a parallel port that can be set to NORMAL, SPP (Standard Parallel Port) or COMPATIBLE in the computers bios. With the free dos version of the software even a 486 will be quite sufficient to do lap timing. Most software programs also have extensive database functionality that lets you catalog and record all your cars and races. Please use the menu on the left for a list of some but not all the lap timing software available.
 
I started making my SensorTraks early in 2003 it started from a prototype I made for myself. I made the prototype because I didn't like the use of a light bridge on my track, it looked unnatural! I posted pictures of that prototype on the internet, namely SCI and HRW from there people e-mailed me to make them one. The design of the SensorTraks is very simple and that is it's strength, because of the low number of parts there are no problems to deal with. Below you will find customer comments on my SensorTrak, please e-mail anyone of them.
 
SensorTrak Lite! Please read the user comments.
Is free software available? FAQ
SensorTrak Pictures. SensorTrak Lite Picture.
Test your computer's parallel port.  
Shipping Status Page. How much does a lap timer track cost?

Reviews:
SensorTrak
Review #1 done by Harry Wise owner of Home Racing World.
SensorTrak Review #2 done by Steve Sawtelle for Slot Car Illustrated.
SensorHarness Review #1 done by Harry Wise owner of Home Racing World.
Thank you for the great reviews Steve and Harry!

 
Software
I would like to thank the authors of Laptimer 2000 (Gregory Braun) , SRM2 (Mario van Ginneken) and Ultimate Racer 3.0 (Pierrick.Guillard-Prevert) for writing wonderful software and making it available to everyone for FREE. I use these packages and I find them quite good. Laptimer 2000/UR3 are win32(win95/98, 2000, XP) compatible packages while SRM2 is a dos only program. SRM2 is remarkably good for a small dos application and it gives life to the old 486 PC's out there, while Laptimer 2000 and UR3 will work on the old Pentium line of CPUs (P133+). Please check out each web site for minimum hardware requirements.
Laptimer 2000 users please read.
The default "Timer Resolution" is set to 10ms please change this to 1ms for all computers with a Pentium 100 or faster CPU.
No power converters are needed for European or Australian use.
 
 
How much do they cost?

Original SensorTrak
2 lane SensorTrak Features:
Power Status LED
Printed Circuit Board mounted to track.
Power connector mounted to track.
All Sensors mounted to track.
12ft computer interface cable.
AC Adaptor.
Price: 79.95US + Shipping
Track Included.
Select Track Type

4 lane SensorTrak Features:
Power Status LED
Printed Circuit Board mounted to track.
Power connector mounted to track.
Single Track to Dual Track Connector.
All Sensors mounted to track.
12ft computer interface cable.
AC Adaptor.
Price: 114.95US + Shipping
Track Included.
Select Track Type
 

SensorTrak Lite
Who should bye the Lite version?
The Lite version is meant for someone that can drill a hole in their table and drop the wiring down under. Obviously floor racers, ping-pong and dining room table racers can not do this.
The Lite version will only have the sensors mounted to the track!
In a 2 lane setup There will be a connector located at the track to disconnect the computer interface cable but it will just hang down. As well the power connector will do the same and there will be a "power status" LED but just not mounted the track. On the 4 lane track there will not be a connector between the two pieces of track and like the 2 lane Lite version the computer interface and power cables will hang down.
The most important aspect of my SensorTrak is the mounting of the sensors and while it is relatively easy in wood with the SensorHarness the same can not be said for plastic. To be able to offer a reliable and less costly product but maintain the Plug-n-Play feature I will do the sensor mount and wiring but leave the interface cables (power, computer) tie wrapped to the track however the cables will still have quick disconnects.
The SensorTrak Lite will still include an 12ft computer interface cable and AC Adaptor and be fully test before shipping.
Price:
SensorTrak Lite 2 Lane: 64.95 + Shipping.
Select Track Type
SensorTrak Lite 4 Lane: 84.95 + Shipping.
Select Track Type
  If you want to run a 4 Lane SensorTrak Lite in 2 lane mode please add an extra 9.99 for the connectors to allow only 2 lanes at a time.

   

 

Please select your track type. Note there is no value to these buttons.

Carrera

Ninco

Sport

Artin

Scaley Classic

SCX

I'm shipping my track to you.

Shipping Canada and the USA (lower 48)
Shipping is 20.00$ US
All US orders are shipped on Saturdays or Mondays using USPS priority post. Not all orders will ship the following Saturday/Monday. I do need a couple of days to make the order up and test the sensors. I have a full time job and make the SensorHarness in the evenings and the weekends. Please make allowances for this.
Please read the FAQ for more questions and answers

Shipping Overseas
If you are located over seas please e-mail me for a quote as shipping rates change constantly.

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