Hornby select/elite

[carr955]

I am new to DCC,and just wondered what the differences are,and what are the best controllers for DCC,I know its a basic question,but its all new to me.Thanks.Simon.

[RAF96]

The answer to your question is there are no 'best' controllers - its all down to what you want them to do and can they do it and within your budget.

 

The Select is a very basic controller that is flagged as not NMRA compliant and thus does not work properly with some other manufacturers (other than Hornby) decoders. It is also very restricted in which CVs it can access and adjust. The Select can only be updated by return to Hornby for a free fettle. Summary - a basic but limited controller supplied with several Hornby DCC train-sets.

 

The Elite on the other hand is fully NMRA compliant and works with all other manufacturers decoders (OK there is the odd Bachmann decoder it grumps about, but this is being fixed) and it also has a USB port that allows it to be connected to a pc for firmware updates and/or to interact with various train control software programs such as RR&Co, JMRI, Rocrail, Hornby Railmaster, etc. It can also access and adjust the full range of decoder CVs. Summary - a much more capable controller that can interact with a pc and be updated from free downloadable files.

 

What are CVs. These are variable configuration parameters that can be altered by the controller to change the characteristics of the DCC decoder fitted to your loco to make it behave differently according to known variables.

 

There are many other controllers on the market and you should take due consideration of their capabilities and restrictions, including if possible visiting a model shop or club where you could possibly see demos of their capabilities, before committing funds to any one particular make. Neither the Select nor the Elite are the best or the worst controllers on the market.

[Oakydoke]

If you are new to DCC and are not familiar with the range of different control systems that are available, it may seem the safe option to look at a brand name such as Hornby. However there are far better options available from established players in the DCC world, with Hornby being a relatively junior in this field and not really the best option in many people's eyes.

 

The first thing to do is establish both your budget and whether you would prefer a console type control interface, or prefer a handset based system. The latter will allow you the freedom to walk around your layout or operate from any position, rather than a fixed point.

Then think about what operational features you think you will need from the system, both initially and possibly later on. Will the systems under consideration be able to match your requirements, both short term and long term?

 

Budget wise, prices for a system can vary from £60 or £70, up to £500 or more. Generally speaking, the more you pay, the more you get; but do you need everything that's being offered? A £130 or £250 system might provide all you need and more.

 

Most importantly, if possible try to find somewhere where you can try out a number of different systems, to see if you're comfortable with using them and being able to easily understand the layout of buttons and any knobs.