I am interested in finding out what people think of Rail Lynx IR command/control system. I’ve been to their website, but I would like some input from people who actually use this system on their layouts.
The main concern I have is with DCC becoming pretty much the hobby standard, if I go with Rail Lynx, and 5 or 10 years down the road have a problem, will there still be support available?
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
-George
Beuhler? Beuhler?
Anyone?
-George
IIRC, Rail Lynx uses a constant DC on the rails, with an IR controlled ‘decoder’. I have not seen the system, but I suspect you will need to modify the exterior of your model. This is not DCC, and I suspect it will not operate on a DCC layout. I went out to their web site, but a lot of the technical stuff and examples are missing. I wonder if the product is still sold/supported…
Jim
To be on the safe side just go with a company that’s already proven their worth. Like digitrax or nce, I don’t think their going out of business anytime soon. Their equipment has been highly rated on this site by others, not to mention if you should have any problems with any of those two systems, people on this site are willing to assist you as well as the companies that sell them; but mostly the people on this site will assist you alot quicker. Good luck on whatever you choose !
I’ve run on a RailLynx layout and it wasn’t too bad - the receivers were in the cabs of the locomotives so you aim the controller through the windows. One comment I thought interesting was that because they do run on a steady 16v AC, you could put the locomotives on a DCC layout and run them independently.
I don’t know if anyone has ever proven that or not…
Occasionally you’d have to try a couple times to acquire the locomotive and you’d have to stay close in order to perform speed changes or anything.
Everybody, thanks for the responses.
Jim,
I had the same experience as you with their website. I sent them a email, but haven’t heard anything back yet. I was kind of hoping someone who works there is a member of these forums.
I liked the idea of the IR control and I also liked the fact that their throttle unit is fairly simple and easy to understand. When I run trains I want the throttle to be a knob, I want the head light to be controlled by a button that says “Headlight” not F12 or whatever. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a technophobe, it is just that when I run trains I picture myself as an engineer, not a computer programmer.
Anyhow, thanks for the input, all.
-George
The club I used to belong to started using it. Even with repeaters there were control issues in hidden areas. In the cab receivers didn’t seem to work as well as putting it in the hib of one of the radiator fans, and I did’t like the idea of defacing a nice loco for that. They have since gone to DCC.
–Randy
While I have not operated a Rail Lynx layout, I’ve seen one at the Springfield (MA) show. It was kinda odd to see it in action. They constantly had to raise their throttle above the shoulder level to shoot the IR beam into the tops of their locos. It looked very unsatisfactory to me.
I have operated IR throttles before (both DC and DCC), and I haven’t been impressed with any of them. I can’t imagine that a IR beam to a moving loco is any better. And what about tunnels or engine houses? Ick.
BTW, on Digitrax’ throttles, the headlight button (F0) has a small light bulb printed next to it:
http://www.tonystrains.com/products/img/dtx/dt400r.jpg
On the NCE throttles, it actually says “headlight”, “bell”, etc.: http://www.tonystrains.com/products/img/nce/nce-procab.jpg
The Lenz throttles, OTOH, are not too inututive:
http://www.tonystrains.com/products/img/lenz/lz-lh100.jpg
As for not wanting to be a “computer programmer” and wanting a real cab, try www.raildriver.com. They got a full size reproduction cab that is USB and DCC capable…it weighs in at 105lbs and starts at $10,000! Not exactly a walkaround control, however. [:)]
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
