I've been after one of the speed checker units for a while now, partly so I can see how fast theoretically my cars are and what difference various upgrades to the drive train make to the performance. This way in theory I know what to target when making new builds or upgrading existing builds as well as deciding on which chassis is most appropriate for certain circuits.
The one I've just obtained is a second hand unit off the ubiquitous eBay, but is in pretty good condition. It came boxed complete with the plastic internal parts to stop it rattling around in the box, but unfortunately no instructions although these may of course not be in English anyway so wouldn't be much use unless they are. Listed as being functional by the seller, but with some battery corrosion on the battery terminals, so it works but you have to fiddle around a bit with the batteries to get it to work properly. Knowing this upfront I wasn't too bothered as looking at the pictures of the terminals it looked like they may clean up ok. Bottom line is out of the box as the seller stated I had to rotate the batteries a bit to get the unit to turn on and function, but it was functional. So I decided to give the terminals a proper clean, after doing this and removing all the gunk and getting the positive terminals shining a bit again I put batteries in and it is working just like a new unit and no fiddling with the batteries. Otherwise the unit looks like it has had little if any real use, the front panel is not scratched or scuffed, similarly the rollers run fine and have no marks on them. Now the battery terminals have been sorted if it wasn't for the missing instructions and slightly faded box art you would think it was brand new so overall a result.
My first car I put on it was a stock version of the "City Circuit Special" version of a Manta Ray Mk II" - a limited release and well worth getting if you can find one. This is so far only built as a 'stock box' version so is a good benchmark for a good but non-modified build. This uses the MA chassis and is running the basic 130 dual shaft motor. Speed achieved on a test run 20kph. Not the fastest you can get I admit, but not bad for a stock box model. I should warn anyone thinking of getting a speed checker though, that although it appears to support all chassis types you can't necessarily fit the car on the checker if it has things like the spinners and rear brake fitted as at least with the MA chassis foul the edge of the test surface lifting the rear wheels off the speed checker rollers. So if you want to optimise your car its best to do it before you fit those sort of things or decide to go BMax/Open!
