Has anyone else heard that Walthers was going to be producing a powered and indexed version of 85’ turntable? I heard that once they had the 130’ turntable released and working fairly well, they were going to do the same with their shorter turntable.
Does anyone know when this might happen? I know that it took them forever to actually release their 130’ turntable and that they had to keep changing their release dates.
I remember reading somewhere (perhaps the Walthers website?) that they were going to come out with a 90 foot version of the 130. I think it may prove to be a very popular thing, as the 130, I thinking, may be way to big for alot of folks.
Yeah, I was kinda put off by the constant delays on the 130 (was dying to read a review and see what folks on here thought), but given the mechanics and electronical (new word) things involved, I think that delays are a much better option than a flawed product. Hopefully the 90 footer will be darn near perfect!
From what I understand, the 90’ Walthers turntable is supposed to have the exact same mechanism as the 130 version’. That bodes well, since the new 130’ turntable has been touted very highly. The downside? It’s going to cost as much as the 130’: $300 list. [xx(]
Tom
Are you Kidding…the same price for a smaller turntable???
Can you say OUCH!!!
Ouch. Yep, that’s what I was told. I had the same reaction that you did, Michael. It was explained to me by someone else on the forum that the 90’ turntable would have the same exact machanical indexing unit as the larger 130’ version. Since that was the bulk of the cost of manufacturing the turntable, they would be the same price. Don’t seen fair to me either…
Tom
Tom,
I agree. It is difficult to pay the same amount for something that is smaller. It’s a psychological thing I’m sure (that’s why I can’t do N scale, no matter how many advantages it has!). Of course if it looks great, runs good and indexes near perfectly, it is still a deal, I think, over other turntable, motorizing, indexing combinations that are out there.
Dave,
Can’t argue with you there, my friend…
Tom
Dang I wish ATLAS would re-tool there old noisy and reliable turn table,to an 85’ and an 130’ I’am sure it would come in under $200.00 or less and be an hit.
JIM
Difference between the fully indexed 130’ table and 90’ table is about 50 cents worth of plastic to make the bridge smaller - so yes, it will cost the same. It’s not like they are bumping the profit on the 90’ version.
Regardless, the next closest comparable indexing system costs (for the drive ALONE!) more than the entire Walthers package. Plus you’d still need a table and pit - and the Diamond Scale ones aren’t cheap. It may not seem like it, but the Walther’s turntable is a heck of a bargain.
–Randy
If you like to fool with mechanical things don’t give up on the current 90’ Walthers turn table. With some basic mechanical abilities you can make the sucker work satisfactory.
There has been a lot of information provided by the good folks on this forum regarding the problems they had with the TT and the solutions they applied to make it work properly.
My guess regarding the high cost of the 130’ TT is the indexing feature. When I first decided to put in a TT on my current layout I thought I would need an indexer as well. When I found that by reducing the motor voltage to 5 volts I could control the TT and get my equipment on and off with very little problem. My 6 year old can get it dead on each time the.
The biggest problem that the 90’ has ( in my opinion ) is the slop in the bridge travel but that issue was also addressed on the forum.
After getting my TT up an running I now believe that an indexer is a luxury that I don’t need and that I wouldn’t consider in the further. I like to control things manually, were practical.
I like the feeling that I’m operating the rail road. Joe
I have an old Pioneer turntable, but haven’t found a reliable source for LPs. Now, If I could find an 8-track player in good condition. [:)]
Somehow I can’t picture a Big Boy at 78 RPM.
The 90’ Walther’s TT is in the 2006 Caltalog. Yep, 3 bills, but it’s not out yet.
It’s kind of neat to compare the size of an 8 track tape and today’s iPODs. Truly amazing. In the same vein, I was watching an old star trek episode the other day, funny, those communicators which seemed so tiny when I was a kid are absolutely huge!!