I just saw this Tortoise Swith Machine with internal DCC decoder. Can someone please tell me more about it. The thing I think it’s most interesting is what the DCC decoder can do. Can it be compared to the hare for example?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/800-6200
Saw that too! What be the scoop?
Electrolov, while I have not used it, this just appears to have a decoder built into the motor.
Another company is coming out with a Walthers-Shinoharo code 83 switch with a built in motor and decoder. Check this out. I think it is a startup company. There was a thread on this forum a week or two ago about it.
http://www.cypress-engineering.com:80/ModelRailroad.htm
Regards,
I think this is too new for anyone who might have experience with it to see your question. You might have to wait a few months until more users begin to report their findings here on the forum.
The Cypress Engineering switch motor, too, has just been announced and there may not be any actually on the market yet.
Tom, I checked out the web site. Looks very interesting…
These things are neat, but wow, expensive. You’re basically paying $20-$25 for a SINGLE DCC accessory decoder (difference between Tortoise and SMAIL, or cost of the Hare), whereas if you just run a couple of wires to a normal Tortoise you can use Accessory decoders that are $10 per output or less.
Might be good for some, but the reduction in wiring isn’t worth 2x the cost for me.
–Randy
Randy, look at the site again. You get a decoder, a switch machine, and a switch!! A great buy if they work as they say they do!![8D]
FOr that Flea one (which BTW is a trademark of NWSL for their self-contained power unit…) yes, you get the turnout, motor, and decoder. But it doesn’t have a pricelisted. My guess it will be priced the same as a Walthers COde 83 turnout plus one of those SMAILs.
–Randy
The flea looks awesome and will be when It is cheap and compatible with all types of switcht rack like atlas and so on.