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Still trying to decide on my timinig system configuration, i dont want an overhead light source on my oval,or any kind of bridge for infra systems,,dont see anything good about reed switches,i was wondering if anyone has used the trackmate guide flag sensors?
any help or opinions would be appreciated.

Have you thought a dead strip for your counter? I have used one for years (over 40 ) and am using it now with the Trackmate timing system.

Chris

Yes, i had considered that option. Shotgun Dave did a tutorial on his system,that turned out using dead strips..
I may go that way myself,but i had seen the guide flag sensors on the trackmate sight,and i thought they might be the hot ticket.
it would be fairly easy to dead strip my track ,as i am using plastic sectional Artin..Since you have used that system for that long,it must be reliable!

It took me a while to find the guide flag sensor option on the Trackmate site. I am not positive that the sensors are included. That type of sensor was used with the Sensor Track system, 0ne of our tracks used that and we had problems with white guide flags not reading correctly. Most of the Shoreline Model Raceways tracks have used dead strips for years with no problems.

Thanks Dave, i am for whatever works the best, it will probably be the same amount of pain to disassemble six lanes of landscaped track for either system [not to smart putting the cart before the horse} but i am at a point where i need to do this. hopefully without destroying the infield! where did Bibbster post this here tutorial on flag sensors?

It is not the colour of the guide as such. What you want is the guide material to be IR absorbing. So depending on the additive in the plastic you may or may not end up with an IR absorbing guide. The black guide should be using carbon black as the colouring agent which will help.....but not always!! You could try reducing the voltage on the IR LED so that it just turns on the photodiode or phototransistor then the guide only has to absorb a little bit and the sensor will turn off.

Worth trying but you will probably always get a few cars that wont work well, unless you change all the guides to one that you know always does the job.

Ive built quite a few timing systems for guys in the club, either IR or dead strip. The timing circuit has an inbuilt false trigger rejection section. Unless you are good with electronics and soldering though, it may be a bit hard to build. Its not your standard LED connected to the back of the printer D25 socket.

Magic Marker on the guide will work until it rubs off. If the guide flag is thick enough you can Dremel a slight recess in the side of the blade and put some marker there so it won't rub off. If you expect to hold races on your track you would be better off using a system that works with any sort of car.