Waverley West Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 Its worth pointing out, that the upgrade (ie the 611) will have a completely new mother board made using more modern components and with much larger capacity memory chips. The software is being completely re-written from scratch in a more modern programming language which will make it much easier to add new enhancements and maintain. So 511 software bugs wont move to the 611. That is good to know. At least with the delay, I have no excuse for not working on the scenic side of the layout. I can run trains using an old Hornby Select (dreadful to use) but the signals don't work and the points have to be operated manually. Result: lots of scenic work getting done right now! I'm really hoping this upgrade irons out the bugs because my 511 was a joy to operate otherwise. Cheers, Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted July 1, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 1, 2013 Sounds very interesting Sadly can't justify the price today with a baby on the way, but I am getting rather tempted to buy a second hand 511 and the buy the upgrade when funds permit..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crosland Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 The software is being completely re-written from scratch in a more modern programming language which will make it much easier to add new enhancements and maintain. So 511 software bugs wont move to the 611. BTDTGTTS. It wil have it's own completely unique set of new bugsfeatures :-) Andrew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waverley West Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Maybe, but perhaps we should give the bloke a chance before writing him off already. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Combe Martin Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 (edited) BTDTGTTS. It wil have it's own completely unique set of new bugsfeatures :-) Andrew Thats a very cynical view, but I accept possible. It depends upon the quality of the programming & testing. The problem with the 511 is that it's memory is full, and the software is written in a language that's now difficult to modify because it's gone out of fashion, and few people know it. Dont forget, the new ZTC company is completely different from the old one. Neil Kinison has invested a lot of his own money in restoring ZTC, and developing a new mother board with complete software re-write and new features dosn't come cheap ! I know that his predecessor (Dave Nicholson) upset a lot of people, but you shouldn't tar Neil with the same brush ! Edited July 2, 2013 by Combe Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Your last statement Combe Martin is very true. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) Your last statement Combe Martin is very true. But I did not buy the man, I bought his 505, and after some seven or more years it (the 505) does all that I wish. I shall now go and try it again this afternoon, and if it gives me any grief I shall say so. PB Edited July 3, 2013 by Peter Bedding Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Its worth pointing out, that the upgrade (ie the 611) will have a completely new mother board made using more modern components and with much larger capacity memory chips. The software is being completely re-written from scratch in a more modern programming language which will make it much easier to add new enhancements and maintain. So 511 software bugs wont move to the 611. So it's not really an upgrade to the 511 then, more a question of removing the innards, binning them and replacing them with brand new. The only parts being retained are the case, the display, and the PSU. For someone with an original spec true 505 it looks like a reasonable deal always assuming that the upgrade price is the same. Upgrading a 511 looks like an awful lot of expense, especially if you bought it in the last 2-3 years, but if you've already had it for 5+ years then I'd be inclined to look on it as the equivalent buying a new more modern DCC controller. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bedding Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 So it's not really an upgrade to the 511 then, more a question of removing the innards, binning them and replacing them with brand new. The only parts being retained are the case, the display, and the PSU. For someone with an original spec true 505 it looks like a reasonable deal always assuming that the upgrade price is the same. Upgrading a 511 looks like an awful lot of expense, especially if you bought it in the last 2-3 years, but if you've already had it for 5+ years then I'd be inclined to look on it as the equivalent buying a new more modern DCC controller. I agree with you, Keith. If I should ever need to improve/mend my 505, then - as at today - the 611 would be my preferred option. I see from my archives that I visited the Glastonbury unit 13 May 2006, for a workshop/tutorial session. I bought the 505 for £212.77 and a 4004 Plug and Play decoder to hardwire into my Hornby Q1. As may be seen in my photo below, as at this afternoon, both are still fully operational, and fully satisfactory. Usual disclaimers. PB 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) But if the man had a different approach to his customers and his business maybe ZTC would still be in his hands and not version whatever. But anyway, back on topic. Edited July 3, 2013 by two tone green Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted July 8, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 8, 2013 So it's not really an upgrade to the 511 then, more a question of removing the innards, binning them and replacing them with brand new. I'd be interested to know if you could retain the old parts they remove from the Controller, rather than seeing them binned... You never know when they might come in handy... polybear (A bit of a squirrel by nature) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWG Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 So it's not really an upgrade to the 511 then, more a question of removing the innards, binning them and replacing them with brand new. The only parts being retained are the case, the display, and the PSU. For someone with an original spec true 505 it looks like a reasonable deal always assuming that the upgrade price is the same. Upgrading a 511 looks like an awful lot of expense, especially if you bought it in the last 2-3 years, but if you've already had it for 5+ years then I'd be inclined to look on it as the equivalent buying a new more modern DCC controller. I originally thought that £199 for an upgrade seemed excessive, but if you look at it in a different way it could be thought a bargain. Those who buy a new 611 will pay £250 for the box and the tiny display. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 (edited) I originally thought that £199 for an upgrade seemed excessive, but if you look at it in a different way it could be thought a bargain. Those who buy a new 611 will pay £250 for the box and the tiny display. Not sure that I understand how you arrive at a new 611 costing £250. If you are saying what I think you are, then £250 (£449 - £199) is very expensive for an empty metal box and a small monochrome LCD display, the only common components between a 511 and 611.. If you don't have a 505 or 511 to upgrade, the price of a new 611 is shown as £449. The web site is not explicit, but it looks like a first time 611 owner will also need a PSU, and the ZTC 560 PSU web list price is £49, assuming that's what you will need additionally, making a total outlay of £498. Also there is no mention that I can see of owners of the original spec 505 being offered the upgrade. Very frustrating when replcing the innards of a 505 with the 511 upgrade turns your 505 to a 611, unless ZTC expect you to stump up the old upgrade a 505 to 511 spec fee of £200 as well before they'll do the work. Edited July 9, 2013 by GoingUnderground Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dymstocklr Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 I specifically asked Neil at the Exeter Show if the 505 could be updated in the same way and the same cost as the 511 and he said yes . Bill 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I specifically asked Neil at the Exeter Show if the 505 could be updated in the same way and the same cost as the 511 and he said yes . Bill In that case an original spec £200 505 with the 611 upgrade looks to be much better value than a 511 which had the extra routes memory module fitted previously. If you're throwing away the original circuit board from a 505 or 511 then it might as well be the cheaper original 505 that you use as the donor housing. Good news for 505 owners. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted October 22, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 22, 2013 SBX did a deal with the Nicholson business to market ZTC products, I think manufacture was still with the Nicholson business. The SBX deal fell apart after about a year, reasons unknown. I seem to remember phoning SBX around the time this happened. And getting the distinct impression that the owner was more than a little P****d Off about recent occurrences.... polybear Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted October 22, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 22, 2013 (edited) I specifically asked Neil at the Exeter Show if the 505 could be updated in the same way and the same cost as the 511 and he said yes . Bill I got the same confirmation from Neil Kinison at Peterborough last weekend, which is good news I know that his predecessor (Dave Nicholson) upset a lot of people.... Agreed. I saw Dave N. flogging off ZTC kit at a Scaleforum several years ago, at a hefty discount (clearing as much stock as possible, no doubt). And then very soon after announcing the closure of ZTC. I'd be really impressed if I'd just spent ZTC-type money on a system... If I recall it was some time before the SBX deal was subsequently announced. polybear p.s. Wishing all the best to Neil Kinnison/ZTC - it may not have all the "bells & whistles" of some other top systems, but to me it's still the best driving desk out there. Personally I liken some of the cleverest DCC systems to fancy VCR's - lots of functions but most people still only use Play/Stop/Rec/FFWD/Rev/Eject... polybear Edited October 22, 2013 by polybear Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted October 22, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 22, 2013 One thing I would be interested to know is if the upgrade is a limited time offer or will be ongoing I will definitely be looking to upgrade mine, but won't have the funds available until 2015 when my wife returns to work post maternity... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Any further news as to when though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waverley West Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Any further news as to when though. Well, two emails to Neil Kinnison have so far failed to elicit a response and a look at ZTC's website has left me none the wiser either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Yes, I looked at the web site and was left wondering what was happening. Perhaps some answers at Warley Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waverley West Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I certainly hope so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waverley West Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 For those interested, I have had a reply from Neil, who says that release of the 611 is now expected to be in January. Cheers, Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Really ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 So what did ZTC have on display at Warley to do with the 611. I would have thought that if its due in January they would have had some form of prototype to tempt potential new users as its the biggest show of the year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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