QUOTE (Oakydoke @ 22 Jan 2007, 10:04)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I still think companies like Lenz have something to worry about if and when mass market companies like Hornby start offering Locos fitted with decoders equivellent to the Silver or Gold.
At the moment Hornby have stumbled in with "dodgy" budget kit, but this will change, as we see better spec items appearing.
IMHO - don't think so, except in the UK or other markets percieved as "Hornby". Don't forget Hornby's main market is the UK. They will have to go some to crack the european (especially German) markets. The european modeller is so totally different from his/her UK counterpart. Why do you think Marklin (stud contact AC) is so strong in europe ?
Yes, Hornby will do well with the Lima/Jouef/Rivarossi brands (no el cheapo decoders there - just the sockets as per the norm in mainland europe).
Even if Lenz/ESU & Zimo (to name 3) "lose" the UK market they won't worry too much - they have the rest of the world to sell to. Hornby may be a big fish in the UK pond, but at the moment are a small fish elseware & the whole Select/compatability/problems issues will have done them no favours at all.
Even though I am a "Lenz Gold/ESU man" I will give the new Hornby decoder a try - once only if I don't like it - I suspect that will go for the majority of the experienced DCC'ers as well.
