DIFFERENT differentials - do you beg to differ?

[SHY]

Back in the 80s we had the gear diffs. Those were quite smooth I thought back then, and practically maintenance free.

Then the ball diffs came (I now know that Cecil Schumacher invented it, and that their logo illustrates just that, thx)... They cost more than the whole car and were much better it was claimed.

Can someone do a short story about why this is better?

I'm quite sure I read that Serpent is making a gear diff for their S400 (TC), that would be adjustable? Anyone got more on this? Will they try it also in the S500?

Personally I think the ball diffs work fine, but they don't last very long. For 1:12 it sucks big time! One single run and it's not smooth anymore... Not far as troublesome in 1:10 OR, but still I find it too much work (I'm lazy by nature).

1:8 OR cars use gear diffs because of the abuse right?

Give your thoughts and ideas! Can the ball diff be improved? Can gear diffs be just as good? New and even better solutions?

1:8 TR has a solid rear axle and a front one-way... now that's easy for ya!

SMP tried with a one-way in the rear axle many years ago... why? To stop the WHOLE transmission when coasting... Has this been tried in 1:10 OR?