Looking to get a Digitrax system equiped with IR, and just wondering what the performance is like?
I’ve not used it, but have read reviews. The main thing is that IR is line of sight. You can’t turn your back on it or have someone between you and the receiver. Most people pay a little more for radio.
I have a Digitrax system. I would skip the IR and move to radio. It is well worth the extra cost. With a Digitrax radio system you will probably only need one receiver (UR-91), but with IR you will need multiple IR receivers (UR-90) because of the line of sight issue stated previously.
I agree, the radio controlled system is well worth the money.
Have there been any issues with the radio’s? What type of batteries do the handhled transmiiters take? Thanks.
I tried the IR. Could not find enough places where it would work that were better than tethered. I considered more receivers and then decided it was radio I wanted. That is really cool. One receiever and I can walk around without issue. The radio reciever is also IR but I have not tried IR since I got it to see if enough receivers do the trick. The opperations group I visit uses radio and tethered for the yards. I did not find IR better than tethered. With tethered you have to move the plug, with IR you have to worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I use regular batteries and take them out when I am done.
Digitrax throtles (IR/Radio) use a 9 volt battey. I use rechargable 9 volt batteries and charger, which can be purchased at your local Walmart. If you use the throttles in the tethered mode you don’t need batteries.
9 volt, TAKE THEM out of the unit between sessions.[:D]
Radio is better than IR. BUT the radio 91 ALSO works for IR. We have 2 in 1800 sq ft and both sork well with FRESH Batteries.
IR did not like the old flouerscent lights at all. Went to Low voltage and all is now well.
Radio is a lot nicer since you do not have a 6ft cord to trip on.
ONLY real down is you must plug in to change loco’s. With that in mind make sure you have enough UP5’s to do the job. One every place you would have to change engines plus at the storage.
Digitrax has been a good solid operating system with fewer problems than the Prodogy had, at least in my operation.
Best deal is to get the whole system at one time and if you need more boosters by the whole system again since it is cheaper than piece by piece.
I had an L-shaped 10’ x 2’ + 8’ x 2’ switching layout that had three UP-90 IR receivers installed. I never had any issues with response. Of course, I didn’t try to use them with a person in between me and the layout, nor did I try it with my back turned to the layout or pointing at the carpet.
Yes, it’s line of sight, but it’s not ‘laser-pointer’ line-of-sight. Just pointing it at the layout will work fine.