I am going to Chicagoland this year (hopefully to see Dale Jr. win again) with my 10 year son who wants to have a head set and I have never used one - Better to buy or rent ? Not a good idea for a 10 year old ? Any info would be appreciated ...
2007-02-16 01:45:43 · 15 answers · asked by cathy b 1 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
We bought our own, and not the fancy model that is already set up with the driver frequencies. We had to do that ourselves. It was cheaper and once set, they rarely have to be changed. But, for a one-time, or first, experience, you would probably do better just renting one. They aren't that expensive and they will be set up so that you only have to put in the car # to hear the conversations. They also come with nice headsets and hook-ups for more than one listener. The newer models have monitors to actually "watch" the events. You and your son would enjoy the experience, very much!!! You miss a lot when you can't hear what's going on. MRN radio stations will be pre-set on the scanner, so you can listen to the commentators when something happens and get all of the details, right away.
2007-02-16 02:07:43 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have my own scanner and also have an adapter that you can connect 2 headsets to so you can hear what your son hears, I will say that there are some comments that come across that you may not want him to hear, but then again that's life... you never know who is going to say what when, it isn't often. It is fun to hear what the drivers, crew and spotters say to each other. Especially Jr. He acts like he is sitting on his front porch carying on a conversation with a friend at times... it's a hoot! I think your son will enjoy it at times very much as well as be confused at times. You can find the frequencies for the different teams online for free so don't let them scam you at the tracks into buying them there. Try the link below for frequencies. Other links I have found were not updated for 2007. If you buy a scanner then you have it for yourself and you can ues it for other things besides races, like police, fire and weather related things. Just make sure to program it before you get to the track and make sure you have fresh batteries in it, so buying one would be better. It will take some time to get familiar with it. You don't want to be fooling around with the scanner while the race is going on. Try Radio Shack for a scanner and the adapter and headsets. Make sure to get a 'fanny pack' to carry it around in to keep everything togeather. Have fun!!!
2007-02-16 07:47:07 · answer #2 · answered by junior_fan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have my own scanner and also have an adapter that you can connect 2 headsets to so you can hear what your son hears, I will say that there are some comments that come across that you may not want him to hear, but then again that's life... you never know who is going to say what when, it isn't often. It is fun to hear what the drivers, crew and spotters say to each other. Especially Jr. He acts like he is sitting on his front porch carying on a conversation with a friend at times... it's a hoot! I think your son will enjoy it at times very much as well as be confused at times. You can find the frequencies for the different teams online for free so don't let them scam you at the tracks into buying them there. Try the link below for frequencies. Other links I have found were not updated for 2007. If you buy a scanner then you have it for yourself and you can ues it for other things besides races, like police, fire and weather related things. Just make sure to program it before you get to the track and make sure you have fresh batteries in it, so buying one would be better. It will take some time to get familiar with it. You don't want to be fooling around with the scanner while the race is going on. Try Radio Shack for a scanner and the adapter and headsets. Make sure to get a 'fanny pack' to carry it around in to keep everything togeather. Have fun!!!
2007-02-16 03:10:30 · answer #3 · answered by Ling 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you dont care about your son hearing a few f letter words here and there they are great. Cheaper to rent however they are used and sometimes hard to hear through them. I take it your a junior fan so be ready he is a good ole boy and throws the f-bomb around with the occasional s words. Other than that they are great and you will catch yourself looking down at your scanner and getting into what is on the radio more than actually watching the race. Believe me I have done that and I was like what in the world am I looking at. ha ha it adds to the race for sure.
2007-02-16 04:05:20 · answer #4 · answered by big dog 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our family owns scanners. My brother and his wife have one, my parents have 2, and my aunte has 2 or 3. If you plan on using them more than once, like every year, go ahead and buy one. Scanners can be used for other things than just the races, you can use them locally to listen to police (some areas), fire, ambulance things like that. It is nice to be able to listen to the drivers and their crews while watching the race b/c you know whats going on at all times b/c you hear them communicating things before the fans even know about whatever is going on. You have to program the driver frequencies into the scanners yourself, so you can choose who you and your son can listen to. A lot of ppl let their kids use them, but fair warning, they aren't censored. Those communications are between drivers and crews and there is a lot of profanity used, especially during crashes and such.
2007-02-16 10:55:44 · answer #5 · answered by £i£-ßrAt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the time I had them was at Bristol and heard Dale tell he was going to spin out cuz of his tire going low which he did and got finded for it. Listened to them alot on scanners there is some cussing which I'm sure any 10 yr. old has heard before. But it is cool to hear them talking and begging for drafters etc. See if you can rent then at your hometown, could be cheaper but you will have to program yourself when you get to track. You will have to get the channels from a list. Have fun!!!!!!!
2007-02-16 09:59:55 · answer #6 · answered by dodgeum43 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Used a scanner at Texas Motor Speedway and it was fun. Sometimes the language gets a little off colored, but most of the time was ok. We rented ours and I don't know if buying is the way to go. The next time we went we got the nextel scanner that showed the race. It was nice also.
2007-02-16 01:52:40 · answer #7 · answered by Ray 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you plan on going to see more than one race ever than I would suggest buying them. I go to 2 races a year, but I am very glad to have the scanner. It adds more to the race. Prepare your son for the language that is used though!! Everyone is right. F- bombs all over the place!! It adds some spice!!!
2007-02-16 06:09:32 · answer #8 · answered by Terrie D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used the scanners at Dover. I don't think you want your 10 year old listening to them though. Dale Jr. (which of course is my driver).....Holds NOTHING back when he is talking on the radio. I think you should rent it first and see if you enjoy it. It really is cool to listen to the drivers and crew chiefs.
2007-02-16 05:50:09 · answer #9 · answered by nascar88honey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my buddy bought his...and they charge 5 or 10 bucks for the frequency #'s...the great thing is...things get a little confusing during pit stops and the scanner lets you keep up to speed...but I'm a cheap Pollack so I bought a cheap am/fm with an ear bud and i listen to MRN radio...great full coverage...the scanner has a lot of dead air...and the occasional bad language and a lot of clear low.clear high...boring for a kid...I'd try the radio 1st with a good pair of small binoculars(less shake)...and turn your camera on his face during lap one...when they wind em up...his eyes should bug out with a BIG smile...better Kodak moment than the back of peoples head.
2007-02-19 14:49:42 · answer #10 · answered by roushski6 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋