Sorry for the delay in replying, but I've been at the Thornbury show (south Glos.) Mrs W always like a good show on a Saturday!. You appear to have a Hornby fetish Gary. You also seem to think I have an axe to grind with Hornby. I would like to state here publicly that I have nothing but admiration for the way Hornby have clawed their way back into the hobby market with a range of outstanding products. This however has nothing to do with what we were discussing with regard to their
Elite DCC unit.
I would say further that by refusing to accept some of the sensible points promoted by members of this forum, and by steadfastly backing the party(Hornby) Line, you have provoked the response. Your classic response to one of my posts "that we should trust Hornby" is pure rubbish. Never ever trust any company who principle objective must be profit.
Personally I don't care if you live in Simon Kohler's pocket. The rest of us are potential Hornby customers, and we feel passionate about our Hobby, we are entitled to our view point. When we as experienced DCC users see potential problems we are entitled to raise our voices, and point out the potential pitfalls. You or nobody else has to listen, this is a forum, not a legislature, please take note there is a difference.
QUOTE Would MMaD then please confirm that he does absolutely agree that Hornby have the intent based on the specification included with Hornby marketing material for Hornby Digital to be "compatible"?
Yes Gary I've also ready and read and read, and read again the specification for the Select/Elite. The press release from the launch at the NRM as covered by the Railway Modeller does not say anything about being NMRA compliant or compatible. There's nothing about compatibility on the Hornby web site either. So I then took the supplement in Model Rail October 2006, Following the section A-Z at the bottom of the page...
under DCC it say's and I quote " Digital command control. The application of computer technology to control the movements of locomotives. Each locomotive is fitted with a decoder (or chip) which is uniquely programmed and recognises it's own identity and responds only to those control signals which are addressed to it. DCC also allows a wide range of extras including controllable lighting and on-board sound. The acccepted stamdards have been laid down by the NMRA."
It does not say that the select or the Elite is NMRA compatable, it dosn't say it either. Of course it does imply compatibility, probably in most aspects of it's operation, and nobody including me did'nt say that this wouldn't be compatible.
As I stated in one of recent posts, we'll wait and see, just what Hornby does actually come up with. I've been very clear and consistent throughout this exchange, that lack of compatibility with addressing will create long term problems for this product. That's my opinion and those of others on this forum with long time experience of DCC. I would also point out I was looking forward to buying this product to use on my study layout, I most certainly won't buy it until we have clarification on what this unit is capable of, or not capable of.
Perhaps as someone pointed out on Usenet perhaps it's biggest asset is the USB connection, and potential communication and control by computer rather than handset. What ever our stand point agitator, party official, chief whip, or opposition we all now have to wait and see.
