[Doug]

Hornby are proud to announce the introduction of a new multi function decoder for those Digital enthusiasts who like to customise the control of their locomotives. The Hornby Sapphire will offer many, if not more features, including RailCom® than the Digital enthusiast would expect from a top of the range decoder.

Available in the second quarter this addition to the Hornby Digital range of products is a positive step towards Hornby's commitment to Digital control for model railways.

This is very welcome news indeed. Lets just hope that the decoders are available
soon. I'm secretly hoping that they are actually Lenz Gold decoders with a big
Hornby logo on top and sold for half the price of the normal Lenz...

Also in the News is info about Hornby offering DCC Ready locos - of the
models that were originally only to be releases as DCC Fitted. Se

here for more.

 

[Doug]

I think that Hornby locos are great - over the last few years they have re-kindled my interest in railway modelling. I also enjoy DCC.

I am a bit of a perfectionist and I like a good decoder - so to my cost I end up buying Lenz Gold.

I have said before that Hornby should include a "Lenz Gold" type decoder with their locos - there was even some financial reasoning behind the argument.

If there is a budget decoder pre installed, I'm going to think twice about getting the loco. The idea of taking it apart, removing the budget, installing a better one selling on or dumping the budget one... doesn't appeal to me.

I think it would be a good idea for Lenz to speak to Hornby if they are not doing so already.

 

[Doug]

Interesting things being said.

What about the Lenz strategy for the USA? They seem to be shipping plenty over there at prices much lower than in the European markets. Lenz seems to be the decoder of choice for many an American modeller.

 

[Doug]

Hi Nitemare, welcome to the forum.

I have used about 7 different types of decoder over about 7 years. I have now ended up with Lenz Golds and they do offer the best 'bang for the buck' and are highly configurable. If you buy them wisely, they are not that expensive.

I would just like to get the courage together to take out the other types of decoder that I have installed and swap them for Golds them.

Optimistically holding out for RailCom too...

 

[Doug]

QUOTE (Nitemare @ 7 Feb 2007, 23:12) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks for reply. I take it the Lenz decoder is compatible with Hornby DCC such as the Elite?

Yes it is. It will work well with the Elite.