Wayne2467 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Is it any good? Should I buy it? Or maybe something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 That's a pretty vague question. What do you want it to do?The Elite is 100% better than the Select, but I've onl used the Elite, so I cannot compare with anything else. (except dc, of course!)Is it any good? How long is a piece of string?As with anything mechanical or electrical, you can get superb ones, and real rogues, and the more complex it gets, the more chance of something going wrong - but having said that, I've got a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne2467 Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 TTS sound having tried two of these with the select have not had much success. Have only managed to get the chuffing sounds unless manually pressing buttons to enable the others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB51 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 I have E-link, Select and Elite. The first two are in a cupboard somewhere and I use the Eilte in conjunction with RM. Can't fault it. Not cheap, but well worth the money. R- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Elite - I wouldn't have anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete172 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Hi Wayne,I have an Elite which I consider is a very capable unit..In terms of DCC controllers I can't think of anything it can't do, so you will be well covered in that respect. I also use my Elite with the optional Railmaster software + 21" touch screen, which is really very good indeed & adds an extra dimension to running a layout --it also makes adjusting CV's etc a doddle ! Railmaster will only work with Elite or E.Link.IMO the casing design could do with a re-vamp, mainly to introduce a more solid feel to it, particularly when twiddling the knobs & buttons,apart from that it's well thought out with plenty of connections that you may need.Overall, I would probably but another one if I needed to.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Let me put it this way: The Select is a non-NMRA compliant entry level controller that has very limited functionality for DCC. Address range is limited for both locos and accessories and you cannot directly change any CVs. Such CVs are used to adjust a lot of simple and more advanced things, including being able to reset a decoder to factory defaults. Also, I believe it has only 9 functions, and it is this that is one of the major limitations for TTS. The other is not being able to change the running algorithms (CV150) which many have found necessary for smooth running. The Elite on the other hand can be described as a controller with full DCC functionality - if it is adjustable in the DCC spec, the Elite can adjust it. Also, it has I think 29 functions it can handle (more than needed for TTS) and the 2 throttles can do finer speed adjustments than Select's one. It takes a little time to understand fully Elite's menu system but that is only because it is so extensive. It is all explained in the manual. I disagree with 2e0 about its being 100% better then Select, it is much more than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graskie Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 I never regret my decision to "select" an Elite. Bit of an elitist preference but.......it works as good as gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 I'm a total Elite fan. I have 3 - a good one for the layout in Cyprus, one with no programming output that I use to run trains on my small UK test track and I also have one that is permanently in bits that I use for fiddling with - e.g. I installed a backlight for the screen, I failed at trying to convert it to wireless, next up is a trial installation of a decoder test socket on the casing with a micro-DPDT switch to flip between Track and Prog and some small LEDs to show what is happening. As for the complex menu systems there is a good flow chart in the manual which you can print out and refer to to make life easier until you become familiar with the various options. Any downside - often you turn a rotary knob to set a parameter but as you click it it moves to a different value - annoying. There is a detent on the knob but its not firm enough for my liking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zues Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 The Elite for me, expensive but if you shop around you can get it for under £200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo1707820979 Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 The Elite for me, expensive but if you shop around you can get it for under £200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne2467 Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 The Elite for me, expensive but if you shop around you can get it for under £200. Do you know anywhere that currently has stock at that price? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idlemarvel Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Fleabay currently (11:20 am 11/5/15) has one new at £215 and one "as good as new" (used once) for £179 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graskie Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/R8214-Elite-Digital-Controller-/251947223575?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa9398a17Wayne, if you're there, have a quick look at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/R8214-Elite-Digital-Controller-/251947223575?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa9398a17 Sorry, I don't seem to be able to set that link as clickable-on. You'll need to copy and paste to your browser. Second hand Elite currently with top bid of £103.01 with 7 bids so far and only just over 30 minutes to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graskie Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Wayne, have a quick look at this if you're about http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/R8214-Elite-Digital-Controller-/251947223575?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa9398a17 Sorry, I can't make this link clickable-on so you'll need to copy and paste it to your browser. Second hand Elite going for £103.01 at the moment with 7 bids and ending in about half an hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne2467 Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 Wayne, have a quick look at this if you're about http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/R8214-Elite-Digital-Controller-/251947223575?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa9398a17 Sorry, I can't make this link clickable-on so you'll need to copy and paste it to your browser. Second hand Elite going for £103.01 at the moment with 7 bids and ending in about half an hour. I looked on eBay and saw this with three minutes to go and won it with one bid. Hopefully be ok as the seller is saying send it back if not satisfied Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitter Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Don,t even dream about anything other than an" Elite " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poliss Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 The problem with asking on Hornby's website is that we're not allowed to recommend any other makers product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne2467 Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 The problem with asking on Hornby's website is that we're not allowed to recommend any other makers product. yes but if people on here thought the elite was not up to scratch, they could say so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poliss Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Maybe they haven't tried the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne2467 Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 I suppose if they were well off they could try all of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graskie Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Congratulations, Wayne! It went for only £132 in the end, didn't it? I wondered if if you were the winner. Let's hope it works just fine. If it doesn't by any chance, or you have certain things you don't understand about its operation in any way, have a word with us on this forum for more advice about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne2467 Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 Congratulations, Wayne! It went for only £132 in the end, didn't it? I wondered if if you were the winner. Let's hope it works just fine. If it doesn't by any chance, or you have certain things you don't understand about its operation in any way, have a word with us on this forum for more advice about it. Yes it did. Thanks will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugbyboys Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I'm a total Elite fan. I have 3 - a good one for the layout in Cyprus, one with no programming output that I use to run trains on my small UK test track and I also have one that is permanently in bits that I use for fiddling with - e.g. I installed a backlight for the screen, I failed at trying to convert it to wireless, next up is a trial installation of a decoder test socket on the casing with a micro-DPDT switch to flip between Track and Prog and some small LEDs to show what is happening. As for the complex menu systems there is a good flow chart in the manual which you can print out and refer to to make life easier until you become familiar with the various options. Any downside - often you turn a rotary knob to set a parameter but as you click it it moves to a different value - annoying. There is a detent on the knob but its not firm enough for my liking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Rugbyboys - you have repeated RAF's post, but not added anything!Please, do NOT use the blue reply button. Scroll down a bit to the white box, type your words in there, and use the GREEN reply button! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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