What
is the Tyco "X3"? There is a lot of mystery
about what the REAL Tyco X3 is or was. Let's see if we can
set the record straight here. Why? Because Vargo
Speedway
own both the PROTOTYPE version, and the later version
sold to the public. Steve the "UPSGuy" on the HO
boards was kind enough to give Vargo Speedway
one after he received a bunch from his friend who worked at
Tyco.
On to the Cars:
The
prototype X3 Tyco chassis received is pictured here.
Unfortunately, it was mistakenly pulled off the shelf, and run
for nearly six hours by a friend who was house sitting while I
was snowmobiling. He liked it because
"It
really hangs on!."
Cobalt Traction Magnets: The most obvious difference about this chassis is the
traction magnets.
They are small Cobalt traction magnets, clipped into small black
plastic holders that are equal in size to the stock Tyco
traction mag. Interesting little items! It
has been told these are actually Puma magnets. They
are very strong. The stock armature didn't appear to be
modified, and it did get hot after just a few seconds of
running. The chassis did move and handle very well considering
the added downforce of the Cobalt traction mags. The car
kept up to a Tomy Super G+ on the few runs Vargo Speedway
got out of it. It took some skill to get it there, but
that's a Tyco for ya! It was definitely fast!
Silver Shoe Springs: Closer inspection, (and having to change the shoes after 6
hours of trashing..) I found that the chassis also has silver
pick up shoe springs installed in place of the copper ones.
I'm not sure of the reason for this, but perhaps the engineers
were looking for better conductivity in hinsdsight of the extra
load the arm would be under with the added downforce.(?)
Or, maybe they were also looking for ways to get rid of the
extra heat they were getting in the arm after some initial
testing.(?) Again, more answers Vargo Speedway would
like to get.
Factory
ID Tag: The other puzzling thing was the meaning of the numbers
marked on the ID tag on the back of the chassis. At the
time Steve gave me the chassis, he couldn't get any information
about their meaning. Vargo Speedway is hoping maybe
they can get an answer with this web page on the Internet now.
"The
Tyco X3 Phonies"
Some
Tyco X3 packaging made it to the market in 1996-97. However,
the cars in the package were nothing more than 440X2's with newer body
styles. They also came equipped with small capacitors mounted
across the power input that acts like a filter, controlling the
interference in home appliances like TV's and AM/FM stereos, which is
normally generated by the arcing of the brushes and pick shoes.
(Remember your dad yelling at you for playing with your slot cars while
he was watching the golf game?) It also helps the toys conform to
various new overseas communications standards.(similar to FCC) The
capacitor is also used in cars included in Mattel slot car track sets,
where the sets incorporate electronic effects using sensitive IC chips.
The
prototype X3 Tyco chassis received is pictured here.
Unfortunately, it was mistakenly pulled off the shelf, and run
for nearly six hours by a friend who was house sitting while I
was snowmobiling. He liked it because 
Factory
ID Tag:
However,
the cars in the package were nothing more than 440X2's with newer body
styles. They also came equipped with small capacitors mounted
across the power input that acts like a filter, controlling the
interference in home appliances like TV's and AM/FM stereos, which is
normally generated by the arcing of the brushes and pick shoes.
(Remember your dad yelling at you for playing with your slot cars while
he was watching the golf game?) It also helps the toys conform to
various new overseas communications standards.(similar to FCC) The
capacitor is also used in cars included in Mattel slot car track sets,
where the sets incorporate electronic effects using sensitive IC chips.