Anyone Use Amb Personal Transponders.

[tupers]

I guys Im going to be getting into touring car racing and possibly truggy racing in the future. Im thining about getting my own transponder. I like the idea of not having to worry about forgetting to put a transponder in. So really I just want some advice and experiences on them.

Tupers

[terry.sc]

Generally just plug them in and they work. Make sure you mount it horizontally, that way to picks up and transmits the signals most cleanly. The truggy isn't a problem, but it depends on your choice of motor in touring cars. Running modifieds there can be a problem with the high current draw can cause an AMB PT to reset itself, which takes a second or two and can prevent laps being counted. The fix for this is to install an AMB Bug Booster from http://www.team-mrt.com/ This is only a problem in electrics, so will not affect a truggy.

If you are planning on running a second car with a PT the best solution is to get MRT to program a PTX clone transponder which uses the same number as your AMB PT but they cost a lot less and are more reliable.

[highflyer]

I use a PT and would never race without it. Plus it is convenient..

[BiggusDitchus]

I use a PT and would never race without it. Plus it is convenient..

Yup, highly recommend them, both myself and madmini use them and have not had any bad experiences with them. No more forgetting to fit the transponder or even worse fitting the wrong one.

[highflyer]

Also, the AMB PT is about $100.00. But compared to the track transponders that are given out for race day, thoughs are more expensive to replace..

I have seen a racer pay the track $230.00 because he did not mount it properly and ruined it during a race!

[SDGator]

I also have my own transponder. No hassle with mounting and taking off during a race day. And like mentioned it is your own if you brake it it is your loss and you do not have to worry about replacing it for the track.

[twisty]

Buy one if you can afford one,it means less stress for the club handouts (you are helping the club) ,you never forget to put it on the car and you will never get shouted at for forgetting to bring a handout back

[civilguy]

If you are planning on running a second car with a PT the best solution is to get MRT to program a PTX clone transponder which uses the same number as your AMB PT but they cost a lot less and are more reliable.

How does that work? I looked quickly one time at their website and it looked that by the time I was done with postage (to/from the US), I'd be at the same cost as an AMB. $75 for the clone + $9 shipping = $84 PLUS the shipping to get my original AMB there...... I paid $90 shipped for my 2 brand new AMB transponders and may buy a couple more next year--- they make life very easy at the track!!

I've also never had reliability issues with the AMBs-- could anyone elaborate on what has happened to them??

A bunch of people told me to look into PTXs but it just doesn't seem worthwhile from the US. One arguement was that you only need to remember one number, but once you've been to a track you're stored in their computer. If it gets deleted, I just have my #s on the inside on my bodyshell on those that you can't see the transponder (my 1/8th scale buggy mounts upside-down!!)

My 2 cents...

[tupers]

Thanks for the help guys Im defiantly going to get one. Im going to look into the MRT ones as well as Im quite fond of thier products.

Thanks Tupers

[terry.sc]

How does that work? I looked quickly one time at their website and it looked that by the time I was done with postage (to/from the US), I'd be at the same cost as an AMB. $75 for the clone + $9 shipping = $84 PLUS the shipping to get my original AMB there...... I paid $90 shipped for my 2 brand new AMB transponders and may buy a couple more next year--- they make life very easy at the track!!

I've also never had reliability issues with the AMBs-- could anyone elaborate on what has happened to them??

A bunch of people told me to look into PTXs but it just doesn't seem worthwhile from the US. One arguement was that you only need to remember one number, but once you've been to a track you're stored in their computer. If it gets deleted, I just have my #s on the inside on my bodyshell on those that you can't see the transponder (my 1/8th scale buggy mounts upside-down!!)

My 2 cents...

In the UK an AMB PT will cost you $135 and the PTX clones are half the price, makes it a no brainer to us (and tupers) if we want a second transponder. Obviously it costs us a lot less to post the transponders to them as well.

The advantage with the PTX is that the club only has one number stored in their computer and you can choose to run whatever car you want. Certainly here in the UK at the top level racers have a dry setup car and wet setup car, having a clone transponder means if it rains you can just swap cars without having to transfer over your transponder.

You won't notice reliability issues with AMB PTs in 1/8th, but in a modified class touring car when accelerating out of a corner the voltage can drop enough to cause the PT to reset itself. This takes a second or two so the transponder can be switched off when it passes the timing loop. Being a PT the club has no responsibility to count your laps if your PT has shut down. This problem is made worse now we are running 5 cells in modified class. The same problem occurs in 1/12th which run on only 4 cells.

[tupers]

If voltage dropping is an issue can you not just run a separate reciever pack and disconnect the power lead from the ESC. I know that running a a NiMh pack would be out of the case but could you not run a LiPo pack with a voltage regulator. It would end up being lighter than a NiMh pack and not much heavier that a single cell. I think that it would be quite beneficial to people running in mod because you wouldn't have to worry about loosing a lap. What do you think??

Tupers

[highflyer]

In the UK an AMB PT will cost you $135 and the PTX clones are half the price, makes it a no brainer to us (and tupers) if we want a second transponder. Obviously it costs us a lot less to post the transponders to them as well.

The advantage with the PTX is that the club only has one number stored in their computer and you can choose to run whatever car you want. Certainly here in the UK at the top level racers have a dry setup car and wet setup car, having a clone transponder means if it rains you can just swap cars without having to transfer over your transponder.

You won't notice reliability issues with AMB PTs in 1/8th, but in a modified class touring car when accelerating out of a corner the voltage can drop enough to cause the PT to reset itself. This takes a second or two so the transponder can be switched off when it passes the timing loop. Being a PT the club has no responsibility to count your laps if your PT has shut down. This problem is made worse now we are running 5 cells in modified class. The same problem occurs in 1/12th which run on only 4 cells.

I understand the 'Clone' now with swapping the cars, that is very nice to have.. Does the PTX count lap times during practice runs like the AMB PT? The PTX sounds like a deal for you lucky guys across the pond..

Also, I have yet to have a problem during practice even when my 4200's volts get low (drop) with lap counting. My brushless 501X has never had a problem I noticed with voltage drop during a race. Either I am lucky or do not notice it..

[highflyer]

If voltage dropping is an issue can you not just run a separate reciever pack and disconnect the power lead from the ESC. I know that running a a NiMh pack would be out of the case but could you not run a LiPo pack with a voltage regulator. It would end up being lighter than a NiMh pack and not much heavier that a single cell. I think that it would be quite beneficial to people running in mod because you wouldn't have to worry about loosing a lap. What do you think??

Tupers

Unfortunate for many U.S. race tracks, many track owners do not allow LiPo in the pit areas. I think you are on to something 'tupers'

[terry.sc]

If voltage dropping is an issue can you not just run a separate reciever pack and disconnect the power lead from the ESC. I know that running a a NiMh pack would be out of the case but could you not run a LiPo pack with a voltage regulator. It would end up being lighter than a NiMh pack and not much heavier that a single cell. I think that it would be quite beneficial to people running in mod because you wouldn't have to worry about loosing a lap. What do you think??

Tupers

No point, just fit a MRT Bug Booster which tops up the power when the voltage drops. Only needed in modified touring cars when the timing loop is placed shortly after a tight corner, which is more popular here on the bigger tracks.

[terry.sc]

I understand the 'Clone' now with swapping the cars, that is very nice to have.. Does the PTX count lap times during practice runs like the AMB PT? The PTX sounds like a deal for you lucky guys across the pond..

yes the clone acts just like an AMB PT, so you could run two cars in practice and the computer would count them as the same car.

My brushless 501X has never had a problem I noticed with voltage drop during a race. Either I am lucky or do not notice it..

The voltage drop problem only affects modified touring cars, they draw a lot more current from the batteries than off road does and remember we run mod touring on only 5 cells/6 volts.

[highflyer]

The voltage drop problem only affects modified touring cars, they draw a lot more current from the batteries than off road does and remember we run mod touring on only 5 cells/6 volts.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, I can see why it would drop in a mod t/c with only 6 volts.. BTW, how long is a race with 5 cells?

[Terry_S]

I understand the 'Clone' now with swapping the cars, that is very nice to have.. Does the PTX count lap times during practice runs like the AMB PT? The PTX sounds like a deal for you lucky guys across the pond..

We have an offer on with a discount (until next Monday) and there's also free shipping so it's a deal for anyone in the UK, in Europe or anywhere overseas.

There are now new PTX versions that have custom ID#'s also with custom LED/Lead length options if required so now you can have a new ID# (plus the standard 20 'generic' ID's). We also still have cloned versions where you need to send your AMB PT to us along with the order form (first order only, no need when re-ordering). Either way you get an improved personal transponder at a lower price, and with custom options included. We also now have a new purple LED option added to the custom option list, plus the new micro-size 'shrink' PTX version. Details are on http://www.rclaps.com/

[Hopperboy]

We have an offer on with a discount (until next Monday) and there's also free shipping so it's a deal for anyone in the UK, in Europe or anywhere overseas.

There are now new PTX versions that have custom ID#'s also with custom LED/Lead length options if required so now you can have a new ID# (plus the standard 20 'generic' ID's). We also still have cloned versions where you need to send your AMB PT to us along with the order form (first order only, no need when re-ordering). Either way you get an improved personal transponder at a lower price, and with custom options included. We also now have a new purple LED option added to the custom option list, plus the new micro-size 'shrink' PTX version. Details are on http://www.rclaps.com/

I have AMB's in my 2WD and Tourer, but have bought an MRT for a future 4WD car. I don't understand the cloning thing though. If I have an AMB on my 2WD, why would I need a cloned one for the 4WD class-car, won't that send the computer screwy? I just assumed I'd have to pay 2 race entry fees and would be logged on as effectively 2 separate people so I never gave it a thought - have a done it wrong????

Never had a problem with a PT, much much better than a handout - no more stress of dismounting it after a race, running back to race control AND getting out to marshall within the alloted time period. Couple a PT with a 2.4g radio and a lipo and you're looking at perfect lazy-mans racing with no hassles.