Race Gate - Monster Edition

The Cook’s Projects Race Gate - Monster Edition is a Race Timer, Start/Finish Line and Speedometer for larger wheeled models up to 100mm wide and 98mm tall. It’s functionality is similar to our smaller Race Gate version. The Monster Edition is an advanced electronic timer intended to reveal the winning model and it’s speed with larger model car racing. The unit is designed for use with Hot Wheels Monster Trucks or Monster Jam style Monster Trucks and 1:24 scale model cars and trucks. The tunnels allow any size track up to ‘fat track’ style (1.5 x standard Hot Wheels track size).

The Race Gate has 2 modes: it provides the times and real speeds of each vehicle in a 2 lane race; or continuously measures each model’s real speed travelling in Speedometer mode. The Race Gate begins a race with a Formula One style light and audio race start sequence. When the lights go out, it’s Go, Go Go!

The Race Gate - Monster Edition is a self-contained unit which can be placed over any straight piece of track up to 102mm wide. No Track modification is needed or long wires to trip over. To use, simply place on top of any track which is less than 102mm wide (fat track compatible). It comes with a USB cable that powers the unit by connecting to a USB (A) power supply or computer (USB cable is provided but power supply is not included).

There are 2 versions of the Race Timer - Monster Edition available in various colours and with options to display imperial (mph) or metric (km/h) speeds on the LCD. There is a complete self-contained unit suitable for instant fun and an Advanced version which is capable of 7x more accurate readings and more precise measurements which can be sent to a computer.

Simply Place and Race!

Unlike other timers, there is no need to modify any track, route long cables between points or calculate track lengths etc. Simply place the Race Gate on the top of the track at the finish line or measuring point, provide power via the USB cable, and play.

The Race Gate - Monster Edition is a race timer and speedometer which has two operating modes selected at power up. As a Race Timer, it will provide a Start Sequence with sound and lights and then reveal the winning vehicle in a 2-vehicle race by instantly showing a light over the winning lane. The race time, winning margin and the speed of each car is displayed on the onboard LCD display. Alternatively, select the Speedometer mode to continuously and immediately display the speed of any vehicle that passes through the unit.  The mode of operation is selected at initial power up. With Advanced models, more precise and detailed data is also sent to a connected computer in both operating modes.

The race time, time difference and speed information is displayed on the LCD screen. There is also the ability to pause these displays to provide more time to record the data or delay the start of the next race. If the next race is already set up, no need to wait for the setup countdown, select the skip function to instantly begin a new race start sequence. There are models available that display speeds on the LCD in Km/h or MPH.

There have been improvements in the hardware to optimise the accuracy of car detection. The processor has been updated to now measure time in nanoseconds (one thousand-millionth of a second). The Race Gate now monitors the sensors so quickly that the unit can detect vehicles within 0.00025s (0.00004s with the ADVANCED model). So what? Well this makes all the difference with precise speed measurements. The STANDARD model can record speeds within 1% tolerance of real speeds up to 12.5Km/h whereas the ADVANCED model can more precisely detect the real speed of a car within 1% up to 88Km/h! Slower speeds below these limits are measured with increasing accuracy. For example, the ADVANCED Race Gate can determine the actual speed of a car to within 0.07Km/h at speeds of 25Km/h (0.25% accuracy). So if accuracy and precision is required, the ADVANCED version delivers. Advanced algorithms have been developed to improve accuracy and even account for the few milliseconds it takes for the LCD to display a measurement, or send the information to an attached computer. So if the Race Gate is busy updating the LCD screen just when another when a car slips by, a ‘#’ warning will be displayed next to the reading to indicate the possible unreliability of that measurement. To reduce the chance of this occurring and improve accuracy, the display of the Elapsed Time on the LCD is suspended when a car is in the Race Timer. The internal timer keeps rolling and the lack of an LCD update normally goes unnoticed. The LCD display is updated again once the car passes. The Race Timer is still functioning during this time but devoting full attention to detecting the car.

There is also a pause and skip feature. During the LCD data display post race, the display can be paused by swiping a hand across the front sensor and un-paused in the same way. Swiping the rear sensor will skip the data screens or start delay and immediately begin the race start sequence for the next race.

But why do I need to bother with the additional accuracy?
The Race Gate internally measures times in nanoseconds (1/1 000 000 000th of a second). Every nanosecond counts for accurate speed measurement, close races and for tuning a car or track by measuring the effect of your modifications. Many of the races we run have a winning margin of only 1/1000th of a second. The faster the sensors are sampled, the more accurate all the measurements will be. For example, at 25Km/h, the car will run through the Race Timer in 0.012s, that is 12 milliseconds. The quicker the sensors can be checked, the more accurate the measured speed will be. That is why the STANDARD version will have a region of uncertainty of ±0.5Km/h when the ADVANCED version will have a better tolerance of ±0.07Km/h when measuring the 25km/h car - that is over 7 times more accuracy. At any speeds below 25Km/h the accuracy will be better for both models.

*Datalink output requires a USB connection to a computer running compatible software (software not provided but instructions on how to download and use our recommended freely downloadable suggestion are).

Race Timer Mode 

The Race Timer mode starts with a grand prix style audible start sound and flashing light sequence.  The race begins when the lights go out, just like a real Formula 1 car race. The Race Timer indicates the elapsed time from lights out.  The winning car lane LED is turned on immediately the first car passes the finish line sensors giving an instant and easily visible indication of the winning lane.  The race continues until the second car passes both sensors, or 10 seconds elapse from the first car completing the course.  The winning race time and time difference between the winning and losing car is displayed on the onboard LCD in thousandths of a second.  After a short delay, each car’s actual speed through the Race Timer is shown (Km/h or MPH depending on version).  The Race Timer then counts down for another race with a flashing light sequence before starting the race start sound and lights sequence again.

If the second car does not pass the sensors within 10 seconds of the first car finishing, a crash is assumed and the winning lane’s times and speeds are displayed before resetting for another race.

Data screens can be paused or bypassed to immediately begin the next race by swiping front or rear sensors. Full detail including more precise time, speeds and speed conversions into Km/h, mph and metres per second are output to a connected computer at the end of the race (advanced model only).

Speedometer Mode

In Speedometer mode, the Race Gate will continuously monitor every vehicle travelling past the sensors.  The lane’s LED will light whilst the car is travelling through the tunnel. The flash provides an indication of just how little time it took the car to travel through the tunnel. Once the front and rear sensors have been passed, the measured speed (Km/h or mph depending on version) is instantly displayed on the LCD. That lane’s speed remains displayed until the next car passes. With Advanced models, more detailed information is sent to a connected computer each time a car’s speed is measured.

Once chosen at power up, the Race Gate - Monster Edition will remain in the selected mode until power is removed from the unit.  To change the mode, first remove the power from the USB connector.  When power is reapplied, the mode can be reselected.

Send more detailed data to a connected computer

OPTIONS

All models are available to purchase as either Imperial (mph) or Metric (Km/h) LCD speed display. All Datalink models output speeds via datalink in additional units such as Km/h, mph and metres per second (m/s).

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

DATALINK model: Adds a transmission function of more precise measurements to an attached computer (USA A port required). This function allows greater accuracy of internal data than can be provided on the onboard LCD. The results are formatted to allow easy presentation or for data analysis with programs such as Excel or as a log of races and car speeds. The measuring accuracy is the same as the STANDARD version.

ADVANCED model: Hardware improvements provide more then 7x greater accuracy than the Standard model along with data link capability to a connected computer. Race data can be transmitted to a computer via the USB cable to reveal more detailed information for both lanes, including actual times at an increased resolution of 1/10 000th of a second, speeds in metres per second (m/s), Kilometres per Hour (Km/h) and Miles per Hour (mph). This data output could be used as a record of all races or speedometer data runs in a multicar multi-race style event or for comparing different car or track characteristics. This data allows for varied analysis and record keeping. The speed is reported to an accuracy of 3 decimal places whilst times are also provided to the microsecond (One millionth of a second) in Speedometer mode.

Using the Speedometer function, the LANE and the speed is output to a computer as well as the time taken in microseconds to travel the measured distance. Speed is provided to 4 decimal places. The data transmission causes a small delay immediately after a car has passed the rear sensor so that the data can be sent to the LCD and via the datalink. This may affect the accuracy of the readings if a car is in the unit within approximately 9 milliseconds (0.009s) of the first car. If the Race Timer detects that this may have occurred, a ‘#’ is displayed next to the time to show there may be inaccuracy in these times and speeds. If speed accuracy is required, we recommend separating cars by at least 1/5th of a second. A record of all car speeds is provided to the computer for later analysis.

We offer a free download in Excel spreadsheet format that can be used to analyse car or track efficiencies.

NOTE: There are 3 versions of the Race Gate - Monster Edition. They look the same but the datalink facility or increased performance cannot be added to Race Timer’s models purchased in the STANDARD format.

Specifications

All Version Models

Power Supply:

Maximum Recommended Car Size:

Dimensions:

Weight:

LCD Display:

Basic Version

Output: Onboard LCD

Internal Accuracy :                       

Race Timer:            Normally within 0.3 ms
Speedometer:       Normally within 0.3 ms
Internal timer resolution to 24/100,000th of a second.

Measured speeds within 1% of real speed below car speeds of 12.5Km/h.
Accuracy within ± 0.1 Km/h at 10 Km/h
± 0.5 Km/h at 25 Km/h

Output Accuracy
LCD Display

Time displayed to 0.01 s
Speed displayed to 0.1 Km/h or 0.1 mph (depending on version)

(Maximum error 7.2 ms if car passes during periods of LCD output. Speed will be flagged with # if this is detected)

Datalink Version

Output: Onboard LCD and datalink

Can also be used without connecting to a computer as per Basic version.

Internal Accuracy:           

Race Timer:            Normally within 0.3 ms
Speedometer:       Normally within 0.3 ms
Internal timer resolution to 24/100,000th of a second.

Measured speeds within 1% of real speed below car speeds of 12.5Km/h.
Accuracy within ± 0.1 Km/h at 10 Km/h
± 0.5 Km/h at 25 Km/h

Output Accuracy
Serial Datalink via USB cable (supplied)
Race Timer

±0.24ms (24/100,000th of a second) for Race Time AND Winning Difference
Speeds in metres per second, Km/h and mph:
0.001 metres / second
0.001 Km/h
0.001 mph

LCD Display

Time displayed to 0.01 s
Speed displayed to 0.1 Km/h or 0.1 mph
(version dependent)

  (Maximum error 5.1 ms if car passes during periods of LCD output. Speed will be flagged with # if this is detected)

Speedometer

0.0001 Km/h
measured distance time in microseconds (µs= 0.0000001 second to accuracy ±244µs)

 (Maximum error 8.2 ms if car passes during periods of LCD/serial link output. Speed will be flagged with # if this is detected)

Ability to Save and Record results

Data for further analysis and record keeping is output via the USB cable to an attached computer running serial port software.

(Scale speeds are not provide with the Race Gate - Monster Edition as vehicle scales can vary)

Advanced Version
(includes datalink)

Output: Onboard LCD and datalink

Can also be used without connecting to a computer as per Basic version.

Internal Accuracy:           

Race Timer:            Normally within 0.03 ms
Speedometer:       Normally within 0.03 ms
(over 7 times better than standard model)
Internal timer resolution to 3/100,000th of a second

Measured speeds within 1% of real speed below car speeds of 88Km/h.
Accuracy within ±0.01 Km/h at 10Km/h
±0.07 Km/h at 25Km/h

Output Accuracy
Advanced Datalink via USB cable (supplied)
Race Timer

±0.03ms (3/100,000th of a second) for Race Time AND Winning Difference
Speeds in metres per second, Km/h and mph:
0.001 metres / second
0.001 Km/h
0.001 mph

LCD Display

Time displayed to 0.01 s
Speed displayed to 0.1 Km/h or 0.1 mph
(version dependent)

  (Maximum error 2.6 ms if car passes during periods of LCD output. Speed will be flagged with # if this is detected)

Speedometer

0.0001 Km/h
measured distance time in microseconds (µs= 0.0000001 second to accuracy ±33µs)

  (Maximum error 4.1 ms if car passes during periods of LCD/serial link output. Speed will be flagged with # if this is detected)

Ability to Save and Record results

Data for further analysis and record keeping is output via the USB cable to an attached computer running serial port software.