Weekend Update 6/3/18

[narrowminded]

The club got a couple of these recently, and I find that in combination with JMRI to set up consists, it's rather preferable, especially for simpler operations.

Are these any easier on battery life than the full size unit?

[wm3798]

I actually have a UT4, but it wasn't on speaking terms with Ed's rig for some reason.  But enough griping.  Here's what I did manage to get working...



A headlight!

It was at least fun to see my old namesake GP40 sitting in its old stomping grounds.  Thanks for the invitation, Ed.  It really was great seeing everyone.
Lee

[OldEastRR]

I hate the NCE scroll wheel. I actually LIKE the encoder wheels Digitrax uses for control. I find them precise AND they provide good feedback that your finger is doing something AND how much it's doing (an important thing... TWSS).

That said, I don't find selecting engines or MU'ing them too difficult: "Tell it to select, enter the number, tell it you're done". I can't imagine it being much simpler.
I think part of the issue is the ergonomics and labeling of the buttons. It's a mess. I wonder if a better overlay could be made for the throttles that makes them a bit more intuitive.

You do know there are also Accelerate and Decelerate BUTTONS on the NCE, right Ed? You go up or down one "speed" number at a time. I'd say that's more precise than twisting a knob. Plus if you need to Emergency Stop your loco you can do it without stopping everybody else's loco on the layout at the same time. The main thing with NCE is you can run the basic stuff of your loco (sound, speed) with ONE hand. Not possible with DT. (Something people who drink beer during ops should ponder).
From what I understand, the people and clubs who have big Digitrax systems are always going to have Digitrax systems, because to replace everything would cost a fortune. Which is sad, because it's kinda like still using AOL instead of a modern provider.

[eric220]

@OldEastRR there are speed up and down buttons on the Digitrax 400 series throttles too.  If there's a less prototypical way of operating a locomotive, I have yet to see it.

I'm a satisfied Digitrax user.  I have to politely disagree with the characterization of Digitrax as "AOL instead of a modern provider."  It did everything I wanted it to do on a basement monster layout.  I've used NCE systems, and I agree with Ed: I don't find that scroll wheel to be an intuitive interface option.  In the end, it's a matter of preference, and Digitrax works for me, and many others.  I don't think there's much to be gained by rehashing the DCC wars.

[John]

I was just busting Lee's since I haven't seen him a while .. it's all good  

[MK]

Plus if you need to Emergency Stop your loco you can do it without stopping everybody else's loco on the layout at the same time.

My Digitrax DT throttle can do that.

[jpwisc]

WECX 800 is painted and decalled. Still lots to do, but I test assembled it again for pics. Unloaded the car is 17.375 inches long. Not bad for N Scale. I’ll paint the load tomorrow. That will push the total car length over 24 inches.
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[Teditor]

Will it handle a 9inch radius curve OK?

Teditor.

[jpwisc]

Will it handle a 9inch radius curve OK?

Teditor.

I don’t have any curves that tight, so I can’t confirm. Per the designer it can handle any curve a 50’ boxcar can roll through.

[Blazeman]

I think part of the issue is the ergonomics and labeling of the buttons. It's a mess. I wonder if a better overlay could be made for the throttles that makes them a bit more intuitive.

I'm way down the totem pole in terms of tech savvy.  At a couple ops sessions on various layouts, I was handed one of those throttles with all the options. Took a couple stabs at it, then rather than requiring someone to spend lots of time coaching me and ruining their ops day, traded out for a simpler throttle.

Not a knock at Digitrax (since that's the system I use). Just that it's overwhelming to me at this point.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm way down the totem pole in terms of tech savvy.  At a couple ops sessions on various layouts, I was handed one of those throttles with all the options. Took a couple stabs at it, then rather than requiring someone to spend lots of time coaching me and ruining their ops day, traded out for a simpler throttle.

Not a knock at Digitrax (since that's the system I use). Just that it's overwhelming to me at this point.

And that's the chief issue with them. They're designed to be the primary interface to the system for the owner. They're like the "admin" throttle. Anyone really only needs ONE for their layout.

The problem is that at the other end, the UT throttles are too dumb for my liking. Not being able to consist and having to use those weird number knobs along with cryptic feedback is weird.

There were intermediate throttles at one time, the DT-100s. They were perfect! But for some reason they stopped making them:
http://www.digitrax.com/products/retired/throttles/dt100/

I really wish they'd bring back a modernized version.

[Dave V]

And that's the chief issue with them. They're designed to be the primary interface to the system for the owner. They're like the "admin" throttle. Anyone really only needs ONE for their layout.

The problem is that at the other end, the UT throttles are too dumb for my liking. Not being able to consist and having to use those weird number knobs along with cryptic feedback is weird.

There were intermediate throttles at one time, the DT-100s. They were perfect! But for some reason they stopped making them:
http://www.digitrax.com/products/retired/throttles/dt100/

I really wish they'd bring back a modernized version.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digitrax-DT100IR-Digital-Command-Control-Handheld-Throttle/232789414213?hash=item3633549145:g:i2IAAOSwNNda75UN

[JMaurer1]

I'm way down the totem pole in terms of tech savvy.  At a couple ops sessions on various layouts, I was handed one of those throttles with all the options. Took a couple stabs at it, then rather than requiring someone to spend lots of time coaching me and ruining their ops day, traded out for a simpler throttle.

Not a knock at Digitrax (since that's the system I use). Just that it's overwhelming to me at this point.

Don't get me started on how DCC (especially Digitrax) should and could be SO MUCH EASIER if only they cared...I'm a computer tech and I still have to constantly look up what button I need to press to do something simple.

[davefoxx]

And that's the chief issue with them. They're designed to be the primary interface to the system for the owner. They're like the "admin" throttle. Anyone really only needs ONE for their layout.

The problem is that at the other end, the UT throttles are too dumb for my liking. Not being able to consist and having to use those weird number knobs along with cryptic feedback is weird.

There were intermediate throttles at one time, the DT-100s. They were perfect! But for some reason they stopped making them:
http://www.digitrax.com/products/retired/throttles/dt100/

I really wish they'd bring back a modernized version.

I never had a problem operating my Digitrax system on the Virginia Central or the Seaboard Central 2.0.  Acquiring a loco address and consisting is no more difficult than learning the idiosyncrasies of any particular brand of DCC.  That said, I have never regretted my switch to NCE on the Seaboard Central 3.0, except that I haven't been able to hook up to JMRI yet, because of the stupid serial cable that my Mac won't recognize without the drivers.  Of course, the drivers aren't available online and my Mac doesn't have a CD drive.   

DFF

[Maletrain]

I never had a problem operating my Digitrax system on the Virginia Central or the Seaboard Central 2.0.  Acquiring a loco address and consisting is no more difficult than learning the idiosyncrasies of any particular brand of DCC.  That said, I have never regretted my switch to NCE on the Seaboard Central 3.0, except that I haven't been able to hook up to JMRI yet, because of the stupid serial cable that my Mac won't recognize without the drivers.  Of course, the drivers aren't available online and my Mac doesn't have a CD drive.   

DFF

Can't you get somebody to copy a CD of the drivers to a USB flash drive?