Hand held DC controllers

[harper]

I don't think my H & M Clipper would be suitable for a modern coreless motors, so I need a replacement that would be suitable for old brushed motors as well as coreless motors. A controller with slow running capabilites would be essential.

What hand held DC controller can members recommend?

[Newportnobby]

I have a Morley 4 track controller which came with 2 x hand helds but I purchased a separate one so I have 3. You have the option of control via controller or hand held. They carry a 5 year warranty.

http://morleycontrollers.com

[harper]

I have a Morley 4 track controller which came with 2 x hand helds but I purchased a separate one so I have 3. You have the option of control via controller or hand held. They carry a 5 year warranty.

http://morleycontrollers.com

I should had mention I only need a single track type, one engine in steam.Might be more on the main part of the layout at any one time but only one moving.End to end layout type.
Thinking of Gaugemaster or Trak but I have heard of some lesser know makes,can't remeber who made them.
Are Modelex still available new?

[PLD]

Modelex are as far as I'm aware still going, but Pat was already reducing exhibition attendances before COVID so I think now entirely mail order.
Their controllers are pretty much bomb-proof, but they are larger than most and I find them less comfortable to use single handed than others.

Gaugemaster - avoid the black-faced feedback versions which are not suitable for coreless motors. The current version of the non-feedback controller (cream front) from our experience are less durable than the older type which was a longer but flatter box. The 'lifetime guarantee' does live up to the billing though. (One of ours has been back 3 times, and all it cost us was the postage).

The best I've used with N gauge, for control and comfort and durability, are Kent Panel Controls (KPC) but sadly on the death of the owner about 20 years ago, everything to do with the business was literally skipped by his relatives.

[Bealman]

Vintage (1990) home made hand held, powered by an even more vintage (1962) Triang P5 transformer!

[ntpntpntp]

I agree with @PLD   regarding the old KPC controllers, I still have a pair as my main exhibition layout units. Superb devices, but I did modify them to make the feedback circuit selectable as some more modern locos don't behave well with the feedback: not just coreless motors, I have Kato-made models dating back to the 80s and 90s which become jerky under feedback.  I reserve use of feedback for old Arnold, Fleischmann and Minitrix etc. from the 60s/70s/80s.

Before I bought the KPCs I had a pair of AMR feedback hand-helds and kept them as backups, I still have them but they are definitely not good with coreless. 

I now carry a Gaugemaster Combi as a backup controller and that seems fine with all types of mechanism.

[PLD]

I agree with @PLD regarding the old KPC controllers, I still have a pair as my main exhibition layout units. Superb devices, but I did modify them to make the feedback circuit selectable as some more modern locos don't behave well with the feedback:

At least 4 of the 6 (at last count) KPCs we have between us had switched feedback as bought. Two of those are also the 'fine control' (FC) variant which give fantastic accuracy at slow speed but a lower top speed. They're still first choice for shunt control on both the N gauge and 009 layouts, and with the feedback switched in or out to suit the individual loco.

[jmupton2000]

I have been using the Gaugemaster W series controllers for decades now, no problems whatsoever other than a damaged cable that I had replaced free of charge by simply walking into the store and it was repaired whilst I waited.

The later design casing seems a little less robust than the earlier longer flatter ones but they still perform well, just wish the cable was longer!!

[Firstone18]

I recently found a damaged W controller in the O&E box at my club room. I needed a DC controller to test a load of gifted railway items, so took this home to investigate. The circuit is very simple; after tracing the circuit, I have now repaired the controller. It is the old oblong case type and most of the markings on the front have worn off through use, but it still a good basic DC controller. I am now gong to create my own version for use when running in new locos.
Cheers

[Trainfish]

I have a Morley 4 track controller which came with 2 x hand helds but I purchased a separate one so I have 3. You have the option of control via controller or hand held. They carry a 5 year warranty.

http://morleycontrollers.com

I should had mention I only need a single track type, one engine in steam.Might be more on the main part of the layout at any one time but only one moving.End to end layout type.
Thinking of Gaugemaster or Trak but I have heard of some lesser know makes,can't remeber who made them.
Are Modelex still available new?

Morley also do the Vector and Vesta controllers which have 2 controllers and 2 handhelds included. I use 2x Vortrak controllers (the same 4 controller version as @Newportnobby and can highly recommend Morley controllers 

[Geriatrix]

Bit late, but here's a shout out for Blue Railways. Handheld DC controllers, but WIRELESS as well. Wonderful pieces of kit, and a lot of fun to use.

[Platy767]

Like @Bealman I make my own. I have more than a dozen to pick from, but currently use a Roger Amos PWayMan (it has a DC option via a switch for the coreless motors, as well as PWM for slow running) and a Cooler Crawler that even let's my Dapol 45XX crawl.

The commercial unit I have is the Gaugemaster Combi which is a simple, full wave rectified source follower (uses a FET) and works with Grafar 5 pole, Kato Coreless and the Minitrix and Dapol motors.

Mark