Keithco - Locolink

[editor272]

 I'm resurrecting my garden railroad after it was destroyed in a flood a few years back. In looking through the inventory of what servived, I still have my rather new Locolink system and a few receivers.

The question is - should I pursue upgrading / using this system? If not, what is new and exciting in wireless to look into?

 I do not seem to find much info or chatter on Keithco around, which makes me skeptical that they are not being used by other roaders.

[Greg Elmassian]

There's people who are completely happy with it and continue to use it.

If it has all the features you want, great.

Compared to current designs, it's short on features, range, and number of manufacturers that produce it.

What should you use?

Well, there's tons of options, from mild to wild, and in different price ranges, and also choices depend on battery or track power.

You might want to consider what you want to do. I'd make the track power vs. battery decision first, that will help you decide.

What kind and quality of sound will help you too. 

If you have been out of it for a while, a suggestion would be to visit some other layouts and see various systems in operation.

Regards, Greg

[editor272]

 Thanks Greg.

To answer your questions

- Track power /distribution / charging with battery
- I'd love a Bose system in the tender. Doubt that's happenning. I love the Phoenix that I salvaged.
- turnout and other controls
- about 100ft max distance.

 I think I am more worried about the proprietary nature of these things vs the longevity of the manufacturer.

[cacole]

I studied the Keithco system a few years ago when I first got into G-scale and was looking for a radio control, battery powered system. 

At that time, there was a lengthy discussion here about the risk of using a proprietary system and what would happen if that company suddenly goes out of business.

The primary focus of the discussion, however, centered on Keithco's warranty and service support, or lack thereof.  One person related his experience of purchasing several Locolink receivers that were defective and being charged $25 each to return them for service.

I eventually settled on the AirWire900 system from CVP Products of Richardson, TX and have not regretted it.

[editor272]

 I seem to be headed toward the AirWire system too. Although, I remember not getting it originally, when I bought the LocoLinc. I keep telling myself that cheapo car remotes is almost a fool-proof solution, that has tons of support.

 

[TonyWalsham]

editor272

SNIP ........ I keep telling myself that cheapo car remotes is almost a fool-proof solution, that has tons of support.

 

Keep thinking alongs those lines and you might end up with exactly what you need.
There are a number of ESC's avaialable that utilise the low cost 2.4 GHz R/C stick radios, for superior range, digital proportional speed control and the lowest pricing.