MAGracing Forum

Considering most of us excited by and interested in this Magracing concept are coming from the slot racing world, it is strange that the controller hasn't been subjected to much thought.

As a slotracer you're most likely very used to the common old pistol grip controller (once upon a time developed by Jim Russell of Russkit fame). If you're a lefty, you probably use your left hand to grip the controller and trigger the throttle with your left index finger. Fine.

But as most of us out there are right-handed, the most common way to use a pistol grip controller in the slot car racing world is by gripping the controller with your right hand and trigger the throttle with your right index finger.

Thus, it is strange that the Magracing controller is designed for left-handed people:



I understand that most pure RC car controllers look like this, designed to hold and throttle with your left hand while using the steering wheel with your right hand.

But most of us pure slot racers aren't used to that kind of awkward "lefty" maneuvering. It's hard to teach old dogs to sit. We will certainly prefer to keep throtteling right-handed, and use the left hand for the new concept of steering. With a controller like this:



Am I wrong, or...?

No you are not wrong, I ask Wes the same some time ago, and Yes that's because its the normal from R/C.

In R/C you has to steer all time and therefore the right hand do the job, the left only adjust the throttle, and that is not the primary job in R/C.

But you are correct in slot and MAGracing the Throttle is important, steering is not, it can be done by the left hand.

I can see that in the club out of 25 guys trying this only 5 use left hand for throttle, the rest have the transmitter in the right hand and look stupid

We are going to change this transmitter, rebuild or a brand new design is necessary.

The controllers look pretty "Heath Robinson" at the moment, especially with the straight lines and 90 degree corners. One of the biggest improvements which would come from commercialisation of the system would be improved controller ergonomics, I would hope.

If the steering wheel mated to a rotating shaft inside the controller, which if it went all the way through the controller body could allow the steering wheel to be mounted on either side.

Ravajack you are correct, being right handed and into slots for years I prefer right hand throttle. With most RC controllers set up for lefties also, I like to hold in my right hand and steer from the top holding the steering wheel facing up. I have seen one RC controller that the steering wheel could be removed and flipped to the other side. The controllers work very well, but could use some work on ergonomics.

Paul

Regarding the fact that the inventor of the Magracing concept, Wes Raynor, has his background in the R/C world (30 years as a designer for the company Mardave R/C Racing) it is not very strange that the transmitter/controller is designed and looks the way it does. It's and ordinary R/C car concept.

But this Magracing concept is not very likely to catch on in the R/C world, but rather in the slot racing world. And as Mr Raynor doesn't seem to have very much knowledge about the slot racing scene, someone really has to put down their foot and tell Mr. Raynor some hard facts about slotracers and their habits. As I stated above, it is hard to teach old dogs to sit, and an awkward "lefties" maneuvering system might well put off potential users right off the bat.

The awkward looking controller is the very reason I myself has not yet ordered a start kit, though I find the Magracing concept utterly interesting.

Thus it is of importance to design a new and "slotracing-friendly" controller as soon as possible, IMHO.

I.e: A chain is not stronger than its weakest link...

I must be quet easy to have a move to the another side of the pistol.
Or if we should think free, a wiper or a small stick, on the upper back of the pistol, contolled bye the tumb!.
Because you dont need accurancy, just left or right for a very short period.

I will test when I get the material says Lasp

BTW, anyone out there (here) know if this edgy and not-so-very-ergonomic Magracing RC controller is Mr Raynors own design and make, or if it is a simple knock-off conversion of some cheap China product. I've scanned the Net (not very extensively, though) but have not been able to find anything more hideous even remotely similar...

D--m you guys are that bored to rag on where items have been seen before and not working to improve magracing, thought this was a friendly forum not to put everyone down because they aren't perfect LIKE YOU.

oldman age 71

Thanks for you comments Mr Oldgot Or I say hello Oldgot because i am older!

How have put someone down?
Isnt it a progressiv story about things chape and howe it could be better. I am not bitter

And for shure, this is a friendle place. We all Want better, realistic, racing!

I hold the controller horizontally, parallel to the floor. This gives me my 'good' right slot car hand to control the throttle - and I find I can intuitively 'twist' the knob in the direction I want the car to 'twist' or steer, wherever the car is on the track -
It works pretty well for me - and I don't even have to think about about 'left' and 'right' - Just twist the way I want the car to 'twist' or steer.