woodenhead

Don't skimp on decoders. Just get the budget Zimo's @ £20. MX617's. Then you'll start off with the best motor control and not waste money on second rate ones. If you have a laptop and are happy using it then for a controller get a Sprog2. (Try Coastal DCC for supplies of both or Sprog direct for the latter). Load JMRI and your away for about £60. If you have a smart phone then these can be used as wi-fi throttles with it. Possibly the cheapest way of doing it with the widest capability. Sprog + JMRI/Decoder Pro easily the best way of setting up decoders bar non whatever DCC system you use so the cost outlay is never a waste. ( The Sprog can be used as a decoder programmer or a command station).

Have fun whatever!

Izzy

Thanks Izzy

When I read this last week, I thought what the heck are you on about, but today I took at look at JMRI and then Sprog.

For £60 plus a chip I can test this out, you wouldn't think I spend all day writing code when I seem to be such a luddite when it comes to train control.  Having looked at Bachmann Dynamis over the weekend and other budget makes of controller like NSC, Prodigy and Hornby they all seem to have downsides and none stand out.  But when I looked at Sprog today I actually saw why it is an option and why I should give it a try - even found a recent Lenovo PSU I can use for the power - 20v 4.5a - perfect for a Sprog 3.

It seems daft to buy a controller when my phone and laptop are both next to the railway!

Glad you think it might be of use to you. I think it's probably the best bit of DCC kit I have bought. Lots of people use them with Raspberry Pi bits to make standalone DCC systems. I am now looking at this via the new Pi 400 but I'm a bit of a numpty with all this kind of stuff. I just ride the tailcoats of others....  There is a thread in the DCC discussions section. Thanks to all the efforts of many the open source JMRI kicks most others into touch given all that is possible with it.

Izzy