Hornby Elite DCC - some comments

I was trying to illustrate that being NMRA compliant means that all devices can communicate with each other its another thing if they all understand what is being sent. Both Lenz and Digitrax have extended the types of packets for transponding for example in different ways. So basic DCC system would not know what to do with that information. Does that make the basic system non-compliant.

For end users who don't need to know all the above and just want to run trains a be a better description would be that a system is NMRA compliant and meets all the RP (recommended practices). Rather than NMRA compliant but does not implement some of the RPs that alot of people think are essential.

Chris

I think we (all of us inc me) have lost the plot on this one. its a budget system and not claimed to be any other, costs £50. thats a lonely meal out in London and the south. Not sure what happens up north, but could be a few drinks with a mate. one and a bit computer games Its £10 less than the cost of a duff running Duchess ! Didnt see much indignation on that dodgy deal (still cant believe I let someone suggest a trader couldnt afford the hit).

For that you get a system that allows for 59 addresses and will run 2-3 engines at the same time whilst holding some more at a stand.

Plenty for me and my loops. Plenty for many people. Doesnt lock anyone in to Hornby decoders (bachmann and lenz said to be fine, others likely to be as well). So me and many others know enough to check the literature and choose a suitable decoder, install it and away everything goes. Some will not be keen to install so will get a shop to do it for them. Most will be able to program it themselves - or get a child to do it for them. Some will buy their locos with a decoder installed - some shops already do a good deal on that.

Yes I know some people will want a bigger, better system. But again its £50 - less what you get for it by selling on.

So many people will have to trust the retailer - perhaps this will be one way independent shops can benefit.

Its not a perfect world, its not a perfect product but its an excellent one for the targeted market. as for people that get put off DCC cos of problems with this product, they can have some sympathy, but many would have been by any other system. More important it will bring lots more people into DCC (including me) and possibly into the hobby.

Well done hornby !

Cheers, Simon

What can be achieved with the interface does concern me. yes it has one, but do they supply, (or can I get) drivers to control or use it ? If they dont, will grumble and look at sprog.

BASIC is fine if thats all youve got, however, we could debate the advantages of object-oriented programming with C++ vs BASIC if you want ?

Were not talking 'like for like' here.

Simon

Don't you just hate exceptions!

Decoders should ignore messages that don't make sense to them.

I guess I could email you the Ma/Arnold Basic code.

The Arnold system interface just reads the printer port.

I don't want anything like the Airfix multi-train system!!! ;-)

Regards, Greg.P.

Yep.

They do but some users expect that they should.

Pondering for a moment what else they could do :- Look questioniong ? If had sound then politely question, say wtf or sound a loud f...? Try a reasonable guess depending on current surroundings ? choose a random instruction to show displeasure

Simon

May not help as hornby Elite is USB connected.

I think youll have to collect it then

Simon

Just thank your lucky stars that Microsoft didn't invent DCC

You could get a message like: " DCC has encountered an error and will now close. You will lose all your loco and feature addresses, but hey, tough s**t , that's life!"

Long live Windows XP

messagenews:ejvmi4$6er$ snipped-for-privacy@newsreaderm1.core.theplanet.net...

I think you find that LGB predated this by about 10 years or more - at least looking back at old RM's and Constructor adverts seems to suggest this IIRC. Although a primitive system by today's standards, it did exhibit simple versions of many of the features which are now standard with DCC today.

Graham Plowman

Maerklin's/Arnold's (Lenz) Digital made the shops in 1984.

Regards, Greg.P.

In message , snipped-for-privacy@gppsoftware.com writes

I've just found an article in the June 1999 Model Railroader which suggests that the technology dates back to 1963 with a product called Astrac from General Electric. With Astrac a microreceiver was installed in each locomotive and up to five locomotives (later it was upgraded to ten) could be controlled independently of one another.

Astrac was an FM modulated analog system.

From MREMag ....

Hornby today confirmed that both the Select and Elite are NMRA compatible. Furthermore, the Elite can accommodate all 4 programming modes - Ed.

If Pat Hammond says that then thats enough for me !

Simon

"simon" wrote

Not wishing to denigrate Pat in any way, but to be fair he will only be repeating what he's been told.

John.

I knew it, should have put the "if Pat Hammond says that Hornby says "

Hornby today confirmed that both the Select and Elite are NMRA compatible. Furthermore, the Elite can accommodate all 4 programming modes

then thats good enough for me.

It was the quote from hornby that I thought was significant - although didnt think they needed to say anything - IIRC the hornby name being enough......

Cheers, Simon

On MREMAG today, from Mr kohler.....

Concerning your e-mail, I suspect, although I would need to check to be absolutely certain, that the reason why the TCS decoders do not appear to function correctly is the fact that they may require to be programmed using a different format than the Select uses. There are, in principal, 4 specific programming modes - Direct, Operation, Paged and Register. The Select uses the most recent format, which is Direct, but without receiving the technical spec of the decoders in question I cannot be more specific. Incidentally, the Elite can accommodate all 4 programming modes. Finally, both the Elite and Select are NMRA compatible. I hope the above is of help. Simon Kohler

Now hows that for a statement, simple facts, complete explanation, no name calling. Its one of the reasons I have a lot of respect for the man as well as the company.

Cheers, Simon