Hi
The list also misses the set which is to me the current "best of the start Sets" the NCE PowerCab - It has none of the shortcomings of other start sets amd it is also right on your budget.
It is easily upgradeable to the higher power handling of the full PowerHouse Pro system and it has all of the operating features of the full system too. So...as a Start set, its very "no compromises" - and has more than enough power to meet your stated operating needs.
Regards
PS: Doug - there are also some errors on the System listing
(1) for the NCE Powerhouse Pro -
a / it has "rotary + buttons" for control
c / it has integrated computer interface (no black box needed) .
d / Also, you say NO to routing but that is not correct - it has a huge "Macro" storage so can definately handle routing and any other complex set of commands as a built-in featurl.
e / It has 28 functions not 13 as stated
f / It is available in 5 and ten amp versions
g / it has several consist modes including advanced consists as do several other brands, whereas brands such as ZTC and hornby etc have only limited or old style consisting.
There are BIG differences in this area so it really does need expansion and differentiation. Perhaps a new row?
also of note and it should be mentioned.
(2) There should definately be a row for "can read CV's". This is a critical feature for anyone who want to gain benefit from sound or loco tuning abilities.
(3) There should be a row for "separate programming track". Also an important issue.
(4) The MRC/Gaugemaster has lots of functions but ONLY the latest version is actually able to control the higher functions properly as MRC made wrong use of the spec for all higher functions and so they not NMRA compatible except for the NEW version which is called Prodigy advance squared.... Others can I believe be upgraded at a cost ($USD50 in the USA - not sure for UK)
(3) I really think there should be a warning on the Hornby Select that it is an adequate trainset controller when used wit hHornby chips but it is NOT strictly a DCC system "as released" as it cannot reliably control several decoder brands and wrongly implements some important NMRA specifications.
(4) I think a row for "console or walk around" should be added. Most will end up with only ONE system controller, so this is an issue.
I appreciate its hard to keep up with charts like this, and I must admit worry that users read and judge based on them when they can never really tell the story properly.... Especially when systems upgrade software ability more and more frequently ...However, hopefully the above will at least correct some issues.
Regards
Richard
DCCconcepts