Just been going through my large box of controllers.
I think I may have to clear some.out.
Current collection consists of the following:
ZTC 511 DCC controller-not using DCC on N gauge.
Gaugemaster Combi complete and the main one I use.
Gaugemaster handheld type W wired ready for use but without transformer.
Kato Controller
2 x Marklin Z gauge controllers. 1 Used for Zn gauge.
other ancillaries not used include :
Gaugemaster HF1 hi frequency cleaner
Heathcote Shuttle unit with IR detection.
All mine are Gaugemaster which I have always found to be excellent and reliable.
Three track, 1 with brake simulator
Two track, both with brake simulator
Single track with additional handheld
All will be wired up when the layout is fully built. Have to concentrate lots, especially when the children are 'helping' :doh:
Cheers,
Flounder
Two Gaugemaster combi's, one Gaugemaster E series, two ancient Hornby train set controllers (one is a three speed - remember those ?!) which really i should throw out... I had a H&M twin track controller once, but decided to weight it in... :-X :smiley-laughing:
Only two :)
Gaugemaster D bought from Ebay, used for running in locos on DC before chipping and also to provide auxiliary power to the layout for lights, signals, point-motors, etc.
Prodigy Advance2 DCC system :thumbsup:
Paul
Started off with a Gaugemaster twin track + brake simulator but last year I bought a Morley N Vortrack with handhelds. I also have an old Clipper somewhere and a Farish one I got with the Master Cutler set :-[
Quote from: newportnobby on December 18, 2012, 09:23:36 PM
Started off with a Gaugemaster twin track + brake simulator but last year I bought a Morley N Vortrack with handhelds. I also have an old Clipper somewhere and a Farish one I got with the Master Cutler set :-[
Just curious newportnobby, how does the morley stack up against the gaugemaster ?
Hi Mike,
The Gaugemaster has always been good, but the Morley is just as good with slow running etc. However, the Morley came with 2 handhelds on 5 metre leads and it has a built in CDU for point operation. The controller itself has no centre off but the handhelds do, and they can be plugged into any 2 of the 4 sockets via DIN plugs. I likes it :)
Just to add - Gaugemaster give a lifetime warranty but Morley give 5 years
I have one 3 track controller that I built from a plan I found on the net, two of those Bachmann things that come with Farish sets and one single track kit built controller, they are all being used on my two layouts.
A graham farish one which is really good.
Also have a Hammett and morgen clipper and a Hornby. Both of these are poor for slow control. Have also heard bad things about the H + M
Currently have just an old Graham Farish (Poole era) plug in hand held,
an AMR panel mounted controller converted to a hand held and an old
ECM compspeed panel mounted controller awaiting a new control panel to be fitted into!
The last one gives a nice fine control and has been on many layouts... :)
Quote from: newportnobby on December 18, 2012, 09:35:35 PM
Hi Mike,
The Gaugemaster has always been good, but the Morley is just as good with slow running etc. However, the Morley came with 2 handhelds on 5 metre leads and it has a built in CDU for point operation. The controller itself has no centre off but the handhelds do, and they can be plugged into any 2 of the 4 sockets via DIN plugs. I likes it :)
Just to add - Gaugemaster give a lifetime warranty but Morley give 5 years
Thanks ! I have thought about getting one (second hand probably), but was unsure if it would be worthwhile.
I think my gaugemasters will stay for now, but you never know what will turn up on ebay... :hmmm:
Quote from: 4x2 on December 18, 2012, 10:37:36 PM
I think my gaugemasters will stay for now, but you never know what will turn up on ebay... :hmmm:
. . . . or on our Christmas Raffle where we have a Gaugemaster Combi Single Track Controller :D Could be yours for the price of a ticket!
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=9115.msg96101#msg96101 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=9115.msg96101#msg96101)
Has anyone who owns a couple of the recent products of the main commercial brands actually tried doing a controlled side-by-side comparison? Test them out on a few varied locos, and see how they perform. I'd be interested to hear the results.
I have a Gaugemaster dual track which I obtained for a whopping £10 and blew off the dust to get working :D
A SPROGII USB Controller which programmes up the locos and can control the whole layout if I'm being lazy
Two E-Z Digital Controllers (One Master & One Slave) which usually run the layout as I like to twiddle my knobs for easy dual loco control :uneasy:
The good old Standard Bachmann DC one dial job
Once again I'm feeling deprived! :)
All I have is a hand-held Gaugemaster Combi that I use for DC locos prior to chipping and the NCE PowerCab for the DCC control. They are sufficient for my needs however.
In the not-so-useful pile is a Relco track cleaner that I picked up cheap - it might get used some time when all the DCC stuff is off the tracks but it's unlikely.
Glen
Quote from: martink on December 19, 2012, 07:49:19 AM
Has anyone who owns a couple of the recent products of the main commercial brands actually tried doing a controlled side-by-side comparison? Test them out on a few varied locos, and see how they perform. I'd be interested to hear the results.
I have run side by side tests using a Gaugemaster twin track and a Morley Vortrack, and to be honest there is no difference in running control over steam, diesels or DMU's from Farish, Peco and Dapol.
The big advantage are the Morley handhelds and the built in CDU, but Gaugemaster score on their warranty.
One drawback if using the Morley main controller is the lack of 'centre off'
Hope this helps
just the one at the moment a e z command that came with the train set, but winging its way to me a little eBay bargain of a bachmann dynamis
Had the latest for the past 18 years....the current Mrs H.
Quote from: Jerry Howlett on December 19, 2012, 04:58:26 PM
Had the latest for the past 18 years....the current Mrs H.
Ouch, more plaster casts over Christmas. :uneasy:
Just hope no references to Sodar appear. :sorrysign:
Quote from: Jerry Howlett on December 19, 2012, 04:58:26 PM
Had the latest for the past 18 years....the current Mrs H.
Can I invoice you for a new laptop, Jerry? I've just blown coffee into this one :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing:
Quote from: Jerry Howlett on December 19, 2012, 04:58:26 PM
Had the latest for the past 18 years....the current Mrs H.
:smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: love it, hopefully she does not read this forum :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
:laughabovepost: Thanks all. Just taking advantage of the Christmas ceasefire in the house !!!
Wait till she sees that I am now paying for all my Pay Pal transactions using HER credit card....
Amazing what we keep is it not ?
Well since going DCC I am now down to a ZTC 511 Ver 4 still in use and not having problems on my oval test layout and new layout will be controlled solely by MERG components with a SPROG II for prg purposes.
I've never been that enamored with Gaugemaster controllers although they seem to get good reports.
I've got an old EMC compspeed controller, at least three hand held AMR units, a couple of KPC handhelds with switchable feedback and three Pictrollers with inertia control. Being a bit of a ludite and prefering to do railway modelling rather than computer modelling/programming I've not embraced DCC. Besides I prefer to run and control the service rather than the individual train.
H.
Until recently I was using an old Gaugemaster "Combo" handheld controller which I've had for 20+ years (bought for me when I built my first N gauge layout in my teens). I've since replaced it with a larger non-handheld unit, a Gaugemaster Series 100 (£22 second-hand on eBay) - I bought this to run my small OO gauge layout as the Combo didn't seem to have the "oomph" to cope with running many OO locos, especially older ones, with their higher current draw - it was very prone to overloading and cutting out. But I noticed a significant improvement in running quality and smoothness when I tried the Series 100 with my N gauge layout, so I now use the controller for running both layouts (not at the same time!) and the old Combo is now relegated to loco testing use on my test track.
Since the Combo is advertised as suitable for both N and OO gauge, I suspect mine was just worn out. I did attempt to dismantle it to see if it was possible to clean the speed control dial contacts, but couldn't work out how to get into the case (it appears to be a sealed plastic box).