Review: Max Traxxx 'electronic' finish gate
Overview
- Well built and works with Hot Wheels orange track
- Very affordable, under $20 delivered
- Automatic reset with batteries included
- Paddles have some lag but nothing serious
Max Traxxx Electronic Finish Gate
After seeing the Max Traxxx Electronic Finish Gate in the Possum Hollar race track photos, I had to check it out. It looked like a stand-alone finish line that met all the requirements I wanted: mechanical, affordable and compatible with Hot Wheels track. Could this be the one?
As we've all probably experienced, the "off brand" non-Mattel accessories rarely work well with Hot Wheels toys without some alterations.
Well I'm happy to say that the Max Traxxx 2-lane finish line is everything you could want in a mechanical finish line. It meets all my criteria to the point where I'm probably going to buy a couple more. I was very surprised at the quality and compatibility.
The only real "feature" of this finish line is the LED indicators atop each of the two lanes. The LEDs are triggered by your usual flappy paddles...so this finish line really isn't "electronic" as you might think. There's an on/off switch on the back of the finish line to help save the batteries. However, the 3 watch batteries are included, and while that type of battery might be harder to replace, they should last much longer than normal AAA batteries. Another nice feature is the LEDs automatically reset after a few seconds, so you don't have to run to the end of the track after every race.
Of course, the best part about the Max Traxxx finish line is that it is compatible with Hot Wheels brand orange track. I expected one of two things to happen in regards to orange track. Either a) it wouldn't fit at all, or b) it would fit but would do so in a shabby manner that would prohibit quality racing. Thankfully, it's false on both accounts. Orange track slides on snug without any serious unevenness. And since this track is a pass-thru track, you can have an extra length of track on the back side leading into your catch box.
Another bonus about this finish line is the clearance height is about 2 ¼ inches so this gate is well suited for any tall stocks or modded cars. You'll definitely want this for your next Heavy Hauler tournament.
If there's anything to complain about with this finish line, it's that the flappy paddles require some distance before they trigger the light...let's call it trigger lag. Given this trigger lag, I'm sure there are some cars that will trigger the light sooner than others but I imagine it will be negligible (or unnoticeable) for most cars and races. There could possibly be some easy modification that would help reduce the lag but this review only covers the out-of-the-box toy.
Don't buy just one
So this finish line is sturdy, easy to use, compact and compatible with all the track you already own...but best of all, it's affordable. I ordered my Max Traxxx finish line from Fat Brain Toys for $13 and $4 delivery, so I was out the door for under $20. You can also buy it direct from the maker, Skullduggery Toys, and they're all right around that same price point.
You might say that for $20 you could buy a whole playset that comes with cars, loops and a bunch of other things. That might be true but it's hard to find good drag racing accessories and the Max Traxxx finish line is a true gem. Now excuse me while I go order a couple more...
Where to buy
Discussion
Another thought to buying multiple is having segmented races. Since it is a pass through design, you could have "checkpoint" winners. Great way to see which cars are your good short and long trackers at the same time.
I'll be getting some of these soon.
Great Review..I have another one coming.Hard to beat at that price..
Rusty
Thanks for the review Brian. Just a heads up though. I stopped at Toys R Us Friday hoping to buy one and was told they no longer carry it. The clerk checked the inventory and said there are none to be found in any store in the country. The TRU website had it for about $12 I think.
I ordered one yesterday on Amazon...$12.99!
I got mine yesterday...it seems cool! The only thing I have to say is that the 'paddles' don't really swing all the way up, so the clearance might not be that much more than others.
I'll try it out this weekend!
Yeah, the paddles could be a weak point but I'm not sure they're a point of worry...only time will tell. I slammed a ton of cars through mine already in tests and nothing seemed like a problem. Lets just say I trust the Maxx more than the old Mattel V-Drop I was using...that thing was pretty beat up. I got 2 more Maxx Traxxx just yesterday, so I'm stocked.
I think this finish line would be a good base for modifying too, or at least seeing how it can. Since the electronics are in there and small, as are the batteries, you could probably rebuild structure/paddles to be better or custom to the tracks you have. At $13 there's not much risk if you really mess up.
YOU GOT ME ON THE RECYCLING ITS GUTS INTO SOMETHING HOME MADE... WHAT IS THE LINK AND CAN I PAY WITH PAY-PAL ? sorry about the caps
Here it is on Amazon, Smitty...
- Added more links to the bottom of the first post, I'll add as people post others — redlinederby
I just ordered one, just because.
- Is the Maxx Traxx track compatable with the HW orange? — Nightstalker
- Like, will the loops or turns work with the HW stuff? — Nightstalker
- Don't know...just got the finish line, but it's compatible so maybe the track is too — redlinederby
- 3rd pic from the top shows it plugged into the orange track in both directions... cool ! — model40fan
I see that the roll-through width is slightly wider than the 2 [orange track 3.25"] sections... [DRAG TRACKS won't fit 3.5"].... hmmmmm.......
- it wouldn't take much to make them work with Drag Tracks, Smitty — 72_Chevy_C10
- had the pencil and paper out this afternoon... — model40fan
I tried mine out today. I used one of Smitty's drag-track-to-orange connectors and ran it off the end of my drag track.
It seemed to work very well! And, we are going to run heavier classes, I can use a Smitty started gate to my drag track, with this for a finish line!
If you need to order some things from Amazon, they can be had for $12.99 and then possibly free shipping. They also make glow in the dark tracks, if interested in some fun for the kidos.