Power, Sound, R/C
:
Remote Control
Radio Control Systems Comparison
Jul 13, 2005
By Randy Mower |
Author
Bio
Now that we have looked at the different systems available from each of the major suppliers of large-scale radio control systems which one is right for you?
|
Over the last few months I have been writing about the different options that you have for remote control. So far we have covered three of the major remote control systems available for your Large Scale Trains.
Throttle Guide Part I : VCS Realroad Throttle Guide Part II : Remote Control Systems Throttle Guide Part III : Aristo-Craft Train Engineer
In the near future we hope to bring you information on LGB's MTS system, the AirWire system and some other new comers to the Large Scale Industry. Also, as this series continues, look for future step-by-step articles on installation of radio control systems in steam engines, diesels and rail buses. We will also look at how to make your own battery packs and the best way to keep them charged. RCS, TE, VCS Comparision Chart (PDF file) 
Now that we have looked at the different systems available from each of the major suppliers of large-scale radio control systems which one is right for you? You can donwload the PDF document I have created for you and take a look for a side-by-side comparison of all three systems we reviewed so far.
So, back to the million-dollar question, which one is right for you? There are a couple of factors to consider. * Operations - Are you going to be controlling your trains a lot and planning on doing a lot of switching or are you just going to turn it on and let it run around without much interaction? * Number of trains - How many engines do you have? How many trains do you run at one time? Do you run just a few engines at once or are you running half a dozen at once? * Size - How large is your layout? How far away do you want to be able to reliably control a train? 
When it came to reliability and range the Realroad and RCS systems worked the best. They had the best range and were not subject to glitching or missed commands, so these two would be the best choices if you plan to do a lot of operations and switching. The Aristocraft system allows you to control up to 10 trains with one transmitter, which may be an important factor if you are running a large number of trains. The other systems require a controller for each train and this could become an inconvenience. If you are running 6 trains at once you would need to have 6 transmitters sitting around where you can get to them in a hurry. With the RCS system, becuase of the size, you could still conceivably have all six on your person (one in each pocket). When it comes to ease of installation, the RCS and Realroad systems are the best choices due to their use of screw down terminals on their control boards. The RCS system also offers a wide variety of neat do-dads to assist with wiring in the battery controls, opto-isolator board, etc. But, if you are installing an Aristocraft receiver in an Aristocraft engine with the latest electronics upgrades, installation is very easy, you just plug it in.
Then, of course, there is the price. The Realroad system is the least expensive (even less when you factor in that it does not require an optoisolator circuit if you are using a Sierra sound card). When you start to add additional engines the Aristocraft system will become less expensive per engine overall, if you just buy additional receivers and only have one transmitter to control them all. 
When it comes to flexibility, the RCS system offers the most choices in programming setup, function programmability, and even offers automatic operation. To pick the right one for you look at the factors we have mentioned, determine what is the most important to you and make a choice. Just remember, there is no wrong decision, as all three systems will work. Top of Page
|
