04-04-2010, 02:12 PM
Yes indeed, I meant the Powercab system. :-)
Thanks for your feedback so far (any more any one? ), it really helps to read experiences of other people next to product information from manufacturers.
It does appear to be easy to program. The Lenz systems (particularly the set 90) are harder due to smaller displays and more abbreviations. I don't think they're quite sitting on their hands. They are a more conservative company that doesn't go with hypes like wireless throttles (not saying it isn't useful, I can think of circumstances where it is). They are developing next generation protocols and technologies, decoders that can keep the loco running regardless if you left a piece of masking tape on the rail etc... But bringing these to market is slow, but perhaps they want to do it right first time.
Anyway, NCE appears very attractive indeed, and I've found several companies now that offer NCE in the UK, so that's good too.
Now it's time for sound decoder prices to start dropping a bit, as adding sound to a loco is just as pricey as buying a (DC) loco (DCC ready though). You can get standard decoders for around $20 bucks now, so why can't sound decoders come down to lets say $35,- to start off. ( a basic decoder,with back EMF, an EMD diesel engine sound, a 3 chime nathan horn,1 bell, and 4 light channels would do for me) More expensive decoders can add the choice of more bells and whistles, literary :-) NCE are you reading this? :-)
Thanks for your feedback so far (any more any one? ), it really helps to read experiences of other people next to product information from manufacturers.
It does appear to be easy to program. The Lenz systems (particularly the set 90) are harder due to smaller displays and more abbreviations. I don't think they're quite sitting on their hands. They are a more conservative company that doesn't go with hypes like wireless throttles (not saying it isn't useful, I can think of circumstances where it is). They are developing next generation protocols and technologies, decoders that can keep the loco running regardless if you left a piece of masking tape on the rail etc... But bringing these to market is slow, but perhaps they want to do it right first time.
Anyway, NCE appears very attractive indeed, and I've found several companies now that offer NCE in the UK, so that's good too.
Now it's time for sound decoder prices to start dropping a bit, as adding sound to a loco is just as pricey as buying a (DC) loco (DCC ready though). You can get standard decoders for around $20 bucks now, so why can't sound decoders come down to lets say $35,- to start off. ( a basic decoder,with back EMF, an EMD diesel engine sound, a 3 chime nathan horn,1 bell, and 4 light channels would do for me) More expensive decoders can add the choice of more bells and whistles, literary :-) NCE are you reading this? :-)
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->