I have the Lenz set 100 system and recently got the cordless phone adapter for $42 at Litchfield Station. It is so very easy to use I am in love. I have a cordless phone that controls all the major functions except programmiong. Which is not bad. I think that with the Digitrax wireless you still have to plug it in to program the train too. The Lenz Adapter is brilliant. Something so very easy and much cheaper than NCE, and Digitrax wireless controllers. Do you have wireless and how has it changed operations for you? How do you rate your wireless controllers? If you do not have wireless are you going to do so soon?
A question ready for responses. Go ahead its Ok. LOL I really want to know if you have the joy of having wireless?
I have the same as you!!
It’s awesome. I’ve just expanded with a LH100 and LZV100 command station.
You might be able to answer a question for me?
The Lenz Compact and the XPA should have the same features as the LH100 like momentary action F1 F2 etc.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Ken.
i went with the digitrax super empire builder and i’ll be picking it up wednesday night. right now i’m using a hogger with a 25 ft cord so i didn’t have to wire for modular telephone jacks. but it is a pain dragging the cord around. i’ll probably have to wire in some jacks for when the batteries go dead in the handset. i only have two locos that are dcc ready and i have to install the decoders in them but i will try it out by running non decoder locos to get used to operating with it. i hope it is as good as i expect it to be.
‘WIRELESS’ is the only way to go if you want to walk along with your train, trouble shoot, throw switches, become the Brakeman, Switchman, as well as the Engineer.
I’m in a wheelchair so wireless was almost a necessity. I’ve got the Digitrax Chief. I’ve had it since 1999 and been very satisfied with it. I read about the Lenz system using a cordless phone for a controller, very, very cool. Digitrax wireless controllers are a little on the costly side.
Yeah I’ve got wireless. Digitrax zephyr with the UR91 and a UT4. I couldn’t believe all the track problems I spoted by running trains around and being able to watch them up close as oposed to sitting by the throttles.
Jesse
I went Rf also, NCE, it is the cats meow !!!
Yes wireless is great for what some have said. Most off all being up close to the train to locate a problem, but that can be done with wires too. The one thing about wireless though is one hand is free and you can move easier while locating the problem too. I love the walk with your train option. No wires to hold you back.
As for the Cordless phone option of momentary functions it is easily accomplished by pressing *1, *2, *3, etc. You want to turn the light off *0 You want the sound off that loco? *8 Very easy operations. I taped the button funtions to the back of the phone for non skiled users. Which no one has ever run my layout but me. LOL Wireless is a must just like some say DSL is a must. Here is a fact, Once you go wireless you never go back. Agree?
I have the Infra Red Wireless that comes standard on the Digitrax throttles. I started with only one reciever, and found that this was not really sufficient, so I have added a 2nd in the middle of the room on the cieling and this has worked great. So far I am really pleased with the performance. I plan to pick up a couple of the lower cost UT-4 throttles for the kids to use next month.
Will the Lenz cordless-phone adapter plug in to other DCC systems, or just to a Lenz system?
I am pretty sure only The lenz wireless works with the Lenz. That is said by the manufactures. However has anyone even tried to hook it up to their Digitrax? Maybe I should bring mine to a layout and try it out. It will probably work and if it does all hell will break out as many of you scramble to buy these adapters up. I will look into it if no one else has
I would love a radio equipped DCC system . Unfortunately they are illegal in the U.K. as the transmition signal corresponds to the emergency services here. CPPedler.
The club I belong to has Digitrax IR but we will be switching to radio very soon. For big layouts its the only way to go. Butch you do need to plug the throttle in to bring up Locomotives with the infra red system.
I have a special surprise up my sleeve for you Lenz users.
But you’ll have to wait a little while longer. big grins
~Don
The Lenz wireless adapter will not work with a Digitrax system. It may work with an Atlas Master system, or, possibly a Bachmann EZ-DCC system, since they are manufactured by Lenz and should have a compatible throttle bus.
The Lenz adapter is a really neat idea that overcomes some of the radio band usage limitations in place outside of the US. It wouldn’t do much for me, though, since not only do I already have the Digitrax radio system (and am fully satisfied with it), but I prefer a knob for speed control on my throttles, rather than pushbuttons (just a matter of personal taste).
As for radio throttles, I like the features and compactness of the DT300R, but also appreciate the simplicity of the UT4R, especially when guest crews are operating. The DT400R is nice, but for switching or for running trains on the mainline, I prefer either of the smaller throttles.
Whatever the brand, radio throttles combined with DCC (I’d actually say ANY command control, not just DCC) really make operation a lot more fun, and make realistic operation a LOT easier.
I would like to go wireless at some point but first I would have to upgrade to a better and more sophisticated DCC system. I’m currently using the Bachmann EZC and will be content with that, in the meantime.
Not to get too philisophical about the post but…let’s make a destinction between wanting and “needing” here. You “need” food, water, and sleep. Wireless would be “nice to have” - maybe, REALLY nice to have - but it nowheret falls in the “I need it” catagory. Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now…
Tom
I used a wireless NCE system once and it was amazing
If you have the Lenz system you can easily get wireless from Litchfield for only $42. Thats so great. Then get a cheapo phone for only $20. That is $60 for wireless. I recommend anyone with this Lenz system to go ahead and go wireless. I promise you will love it.
The price of the Lenz wireless option relative to Digitrax and others is one of the reasons I chose the Lenz DCC system.
Difference as has been noted by others is that this additional throttle is push botton (wireless phone). Also you cannot program from the phone - you can only operate.
For this reason I installed additional ports for the tethered Lenz throttle - so that throttle is able to be used in any area on my layout.
Plus - is that you get to pick any throttle (cordless phone) that you want considering, size, buttons, color, display, etc.
I used a caller-id phone for $35 bucks. You can see the numbers you are pushing on the display - catch is - as you push additional buttons the display will scroll.
I think the phone is a little less intuitive than the main Lenz set 100 throttle, so I will probably use the phone and give the Lenz tethered throttle to guests during operating sessions.
I you have the Lenz or compatible system - you might as well spend the extra $70 or so bucks per setup. At that rate you could add 2 or more throttles for the price of one of the competitors’.