Test report by CoMod JoergW on the Carrera DIGITAL 124/132 Control Unit
(Art. No. 30352)
The control unit replaces the previous black box and, in addition to its basic function, serves as a power supply and connection for the hand controllers for programming various digital functions, but more on that later.
The handheld controller extension box can be connected even with older ProX controllers. Equally welcome is the news that older wireless controllers (from the ProX era with dip switches) can also be used.
In terms of operation, the new control unit is similar to the old Black Box. Significant differences are only noticeable in the details. The new dedicated buttons "Speed," "Brake," and "Fuel" are quickly assigned, and braking behavior, top speed, or fuel level can be adjusted without a manual. However, things get tricky when it comes to the setting "Pit stop passage does not result in lap counting." The manual is indispensable here, as settings can be made not only on the control unit (press the "Speed" button with the unit switched off, switch it on, and release the button), but also on the display.
Instead, the Pit Stop Lane must be connected directly to the control unit's electrical circuit. It can then be placed where you planned it in the track layout. This sounds more complicated than it actually is, and you won't need to do it that often later on.
The Autonomous Car's settings are very sensitive, and even after over 100 laps on a small, basic track, it didn't crash. Since the Autonomous Car uses the switches unpredictably and doesn't need to refuel, there's no real opponent on the track, but at least there's a gameplay-enhancing component with a high fun factor. Good to excellent lap times are then significantly more difficult to achieve, and even in multiplayer mode, it's not entirely easy, as human predictability is lacking! The third driver on the track practically forces you to use the switches, even if it means leaving the racing line.
The pace car is actually only useful when there are two pit lanes: one for refueling and one for the pace car. The latter is determined via the 'code' button on the control unit and then moves into the pit lane.
In racing mode, the vehicle leaves the pit lane at a previously set speed after pressing the 'Pace Car' button and remains on the track until the 'Pace Car' button is pressed again.
CoMod Joerg
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Test report from CoMod Carrera124 on the Carrera DIGITAL 124/132 Control Unit
(Art. No. 30352)
The control unit is the main element of the new digital components and a prerequisite for using the new elements. And most importantly, the control unit is compatible with the old wireless controllers with DIP switches on the top.
Connections
The existing connections largely correspond to those already familiar from the Blackbox. Only the module socket has been omitted, so the following connections are available:
Lap counter
PC unit
Hand controllers 1-4, of which the first two connections are also used for connecting the wireless reception towers
Hand controller extension box, for 6 wired hand controllers
power supply
Keys
Compared to the black box, something more has happened here:
On/Off slide switch
Start button
Pace Car
Slide switch for tank function with new mode: Off/ On/ Real
There are also four new buttons for:
Setting the speed
Adjusting the braking behavior
Setting the tank content
Coding of vehicles
Functions
Looking at the control unit on its own, the first thing that catches your eye are the additional buttons for the vehicle settings. Assigning a vehicle to a handheld controller is significantly easier than with the black box, as are the settings for maximum speed, fuel level, and braking behavior.
Also noticeable are the two sensors on the road surface, which were previously only known from the lap counter. Consequently, the control unit takes over at least some of the functions of the lap counter. However, the full potential of the control unit can only be realized in combination with the new accessories.
Some important settings for new accessories are not performed on the accessories themselves, but rather using a programming sequence on the control unit. These programming sequences are summarized in the control unit's operating instructions.
CoMod Carrera124
(Art. No. 30352)
The control unit replaces the previous black box and, in addition to its basic function, serves as a power supply and connection for the hand controllers for programming various digital functions, but more on that later.
The handheld controller extension box can be connected even with older ProX controllers. Equally welcome is the news that older wireless controllers (from the ProX era with dip switches) can also be used.
In terms of operation, the new control unit is similar to the old Black Box. Significant differences are only noticeable in the details. The new dedicated buttons "Speed," "Brake," and "Fuel" are quickly assigned, and braking behavior, top speed, or fuel level can be adjusted without a manual. However, things get tricky when it comes to the setting "Pit stop passage does not result in lap counting." The manual is indispensable here, as settings can be made not only on the control unit (press the "Speed" button with the unit switched off, switch it on, and release the button), but also on the display.
Instead, the Pit Stop Lane must be connected directly to the control unit's electrical circuit. It can then be placed where you planned it in the track layout. This sounds more complicated than it actually is, and you won't need to do it that often later on.
The Autonomous Car's settings are very sensitive, and even after over 100 laps on a small, basic track, it didn't crash. Since the Autonomous Car uses the switches unpredictably and doesn't need to refuel, there's no real opponent on the track, but at least there's a gameplay-enhancing component with a high fun factor. Good to excellent lap times are then significantly more difficult to achieve, and even in multiplayer mode, it's not entirely easy, as human predictability is lacking! The third driver on the track practically forces you to use the switches, even if it means leaving the racing line.
The pace car is actually only useful when there are two pit lanes: one for refueling and one for the pace car. The latter is determined via the 'code' button on the control unit and then moves into the pit lane.
In racing mode, the vehicle leaves the pit lane at a previously set speed after pressing the 'Pace Car' button and remains on the track until the 'Pace Car' button is pressed again.
CoMod Joerg
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Test report from CoMod Carrera124 on the Carrera DIGITAL 124/132 Control Unit
(Art. No. 30352)
The control unit is the main element of the new digital components and a prerequisite for using the new elements. And most importantly, the control unit is compatible with the old wireless controllers with DIP switches on the top.
Connections
The existing connections largely correspond to those already familiar from the Blackbox. Only the module socket has been omitted, so the following connections are available:
Lap counter
PC unit
Hand controllers 1-4, of which the first two connections are also used for connecting the wireless reception towers
Hand controller extension box, for 6 wired hand controllers
power supply
Keys
Compared to the black box, something more has happened here:
On/Off slide switch
Start button
Pace Car
Slide switch for tank function with new mode: Off/ On/ Real
There are also four new buttons for:
Setting the speed
Adjusting the braking behavior
Setting the tank content
Coding of vehicles
Functions
Looking at the control unit on its own, the first thing that catches your eye are the additional buttons for the vehicle settings. Assigning a vehicle to a handheld controller is significantly easier than with the black box, as are the settings for maximum speed, fuel level, and braking behavior.
Also noticeable are the two sensors on the road surface, which were previously only known from the lap counter. Consequently, the control unit takes over at least some of the functions of the lap counter. However, the full potential of the control unit can only be realized in combination with the new accessories.
Some important settings for new accessories are not performed on the accessories themselves, but rather using a programming sequence on the control unit. These programming sequences are summarized in the control unit's operating instructions.
CoMod Carrera124
