[LBRC]

Unfortunately that’s pretty much low end for an RC timing system although it is MFSR so we can expect sale prices to be a bit lower with a MAP somewhere around $325 or so would be my guess.

Expmples:
GiroZ $399.99 with bridge and $299.99 without, (when you can find one in stock that is).
Robitronic Lap Timer $359.99

But for a single car, sure you can build your own laser lap timer for under $30, using free slot car timing software, it would have to sit low to the track for the dNaNo is all.

Regardless of the type a reliable timing system takes the hobby to a whole new level, in my opinion it’s an absolute must have. Lap time reality checks can be real eye openers, sometimes I will swear that a car I’ve modified is faster until I time it and find out that back in the real world on the track it is now actually slower. Not to mention basic driving lessons; for example with the stock motor and battery the dNaNo can make it around my 2xWL track at WOT and you might think that constant full throttle would hands down give you the fastest lap times but “reality check” slowing for a better line and less skidding on the tight corners is not just a little faster but a whole lot faster especially when added up over 50 laps.

For me it will all depend on how good the software is and availability of low cost RFID tags for my Mini-Z’s and other cars. One big mistake Kyosho could and probably will make is to get greedy and proprietorize the RFID tags and reader. Buy giving the tags a hidden (known only to Kyosho ID code) and making their system work only with RFID tags that have that code written on them they can make it so that you have to buy tags from them to work with their system. At first this might sound like a good financial decision on their part, but “RALITY CHECK” that type of sales strategy has always backfired, time to decide whether you want to sell cars for the long run or a few timing system tags, it’s just the type of mistake that could actually sink dNaNo sales. Simple really, a timing system that works with any industry standard RFID tag will sell more timing systems and cars, think of a Mini-Z race where you could only use Kyosho parts, yea that would go over like a lead balloon. Woops the Kyosho Cup, might have worked in Japan but not here in the states, I know of shops that still won’t carry Mini-Z’s because of it.

While I’m rambling on, if I where selling a high end 1/43 scale RC car I would try to sell, push, or even give away in some instances, as many tracks and timing systems as I could, fast! Question, if you had a track and timing system how many cars would you, your family, and friends want? Just one, not likely. A good product combined with a track and timing system encourages customers to stay interested, without them as a group they tend to get distracted by the next toy that comes along.