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Post by carrman on Jun 23, 2020 18:19:39 GMT -8
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jun 23, 2020 19:55:05 GMT -8
KInda looks like the big deal is being able to use each of those typical knobs on the top of a Digitrax throttle to control two locomotives AT THE SAME TIME.
I'm not really seeing why I would want to do that. I'm an engineer. I got me a train. I DON'T have TWO trains.
I wonder what it's good for.
Ed
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Post by Christian on Jun 24, 2020 1:57:32 GMT -8
KInda looks like the big deal is being able to use each of those typical knobs on the top of a Digitrax throttle to control two locomotives AT THE SAME TIME. That's been a digitrax thing from the get-go. But, no, I don't know why - particularly with all the button-pushing needed for today's sound locomotives. I guess it is support for a layout where one train orbits and the other does work. My thought on the throttles is that they are a great example of UGLY.  |
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Post by fmilhaupt on Jun 24, 2020 3:27:23 GMT -8
If nothing else, the DT602 shows that Digitrax has been listening to a list of things that its installed user base has been asking for for a while:
- Gets rid of the permanently-attached Loconet cable
- Eliminates the need to remove the battery when you're done using the throttle wirelessly (the DT500 already did this, but it didn't have a marked button you could locate easily)
- Supports a to-be-released rechargeable battery pack that can be recharged without removing it from the throttle
- Has a larger display that supports less-cryptic prompts
- Has built-in Help display capability
- Has a more ergonomic case design
- Has integrated scanning for available duplex systems to simplify connecting
Digitrax is touting no longer having to use 9 Volt batteries as an improvement. In the context of having a rechargeable battery pack, I could see that as an improvement, but until then, I'm not seeing where having to have three AA batteries in the throttle is an improvement over using a single 9 Volt battery. Perhaps this is just a way of signaling, in the mean time, that its power consumption is superior to the older throttles.
I have mixed feelings about the battery pack idea, at least until I see whether they are going to be using a commodity pack or the throttle is going to be locked into using a single-sourced product.
Several of the new features look to address competition from the UWT-100. Aside, obviously, from the DT602 not being a wifi throttle.
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Post by jonklein611 on Jun 24, 2020 6:52:27 GMT -8
Hooray, no more 9V's. I have heaps of rechargeable AA's.
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Post by jonklein611 on Jun 24, 2020 6:58:22 GMT -8
KInda looks like the big deal is being able to use each of those typical knobs on the top of a Digitrax throttle to control two locomotives AT THE SAME TIME. I'm not really seeing why I would want to do that. I'm an engineer. I got me a train. I DON'T have TWO trains. I wonder what it's good for. Ed I've seen it used successfully for helper operations, at shows to increase trains on the rails, and for multiple switcher ops (one on each end of the yard). For the single operator, it's handy if you want a train to orbit while you do local switching. I've also found it helpful for shuffling staging while still controlling your train on the main. At my club, each member gets a yard track or two, so typically I'll have 2-3 trains stacked on one track. Once the first train is pulled out, I shuffle the others to the front of the line. |
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Post by jonklein611 on Jun 24, 2020 6:59:12 GMT -8
Video that shows the features, etc.
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Post by riogrande on Jun 24, 2020 12:55:40 GMT -8
The duel throttle that has been on present and older throttles seems like it could be useful for driving two different engines for purposes of consisting.
I've never found the key sequences to be intuitive for my system, and I added the DT402. My current plan is to add the WiFi adapter to the system I have and use a throttle like the TCS UWT100. One Digitrax user commented: "I'm very impressed with the TCS UWT100 on Digitrax." After spending the money on the DT402D I'm not interested in yet another Digitrax throttle.
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Post by ncrc5315 on Jun 24, 2020 14:34:27 GMT -8
KInda looks like the big deal is being able to use each of those typical knobs on the top of a Digitrax throttle to control two locomotives AT THE SAME TIME. I'm not really seeing why I would want to do that. I'm an engineer. I got me a train. I DON'T have TWO trains. I wonder what it's good for. Ed But, sometimes you need to split your power, to either set out, or pickup cars. Having the two throttles in one, makes this easier. |
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Post by ncrc5315 on Jun 24, 2020 14:37:39 GMT -8
KInda looks like the big deal is being able to use each of those typical knobs on the top of a Digitrax throttle to control two locomotives AT THE SAME TIME. I'm not really seeing why I would want to do that. I'm an engineer. I got me a train. I DON'T have TWO trains. I wonder what it's good for. Ed But, sometimes you need to split your power, to either set out, or pickup cars. Having the two throttles in one, makes this easier. |
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jun 28, 2020 8:45:49 GMT -8
I've been a Digitrax user since 1999. The twin throttle ability of the DT-series throttles have always been useful to me. I use this feature to control my own pusher, and I've found this to be fun to operate.
At my club, we have a few switching areas with several facing and trailing point switches. It's much easier to run the train with a switcher on each end. The twin throttle is great on these trains.
On my old layout, I've used one throttle on a mainline train while I operate a yard switcher on the other.
One other benefit to having two throttles is that one can control two different loco sound/light functions with ease. For example, I recently speed matched my old P2K FA-1's (without sound) to my brand new Rapido FB-2 (with sound). I can run the train and control the headlight using the leader's DCC address on the right knob, then switch to the B-unit to control the bell and horn just by moving the left knob and hitting F1 or F2.
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bis54
New Member
Posts: 32 
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Post by bis54 on Sept 9, 2020 11:32:30 GMT -8
Are you getting one Paul? Does anyone at the club have one yet?
I can't wait to see how it interacts with our giant layout.
Chris
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Sept 12, 2020 22:53:03 GMT -8
Chris,
The club just got one today (9/12/2020) and I had a chance to mess around with it at Dave's and his DCS50 Zephyr system. I like some things and dislike some others about the DT600. Selecting an engine, throwing a switch, accessing functions, controlling trains are all very simple and easy. Making & breaking MU's is not like the old DT400's and I found it confusing to start with. The built-in Fast Clock is apparently broken, but I'll try it out at the club first before I pronounce it worthless. Programming decoders is both good and bad; the good is that it spells things out for you and you can easily set up CV29. The bad is that the controls during programming selection can be frustrating if you rush things.
Another good/bad thing is the display. I like that it's color and good sized, but some programming choices are strange. For example, when selecting an engine the DCC address is large on the screen. That's good. But after you start running a train, the address is not that important to the user. What you want to know is your throttle percentage when you're running, and the DT600 has the speed numbers in a tiny font while the DCC address remains big. They should have programmed it so that when the throttle is greater than 0%, the speed percentage is large and the DCC address is small. Or at the very least, put in the throttle percentage bar that the DT400's and DT500's have.
I'll write more about the DT600 when I get to try it out at the club, hopefully this Thursday night.
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Post by ncrc5315 on Sept 13, 2020 5:51:50 GMT -8
Looking forward to your additional reviews. How did you find it to sit your hand? I have found the ESu Cab Control, while nice, is forward heavy, and tires my wrist.
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bis54
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by bis54 on Sept 13, 2020 8:04:23 GMT -8
Hey Paul,
Thanks for the quick review. I have a question, sometimes we have loss of control issues and the solution is run to the nearest plug and plug in. If this throttle doesn't have the plug as standard what will we do? Also the DT402 (I think, or whatever that last throttle was) the user was supposed to be able to aquire locos without plugging in, but I always had to plug in like with the DT400. I'm assuming that if you were only using the 602 at Daves it wasn't even an issue you could address.
I'll try to get to the club Thursday too, check it out.
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