Hello,
I'm looking for a fun model train gift for my dad and need your suggestions please! He has the basics and I'd like to find a gadget to add to his layout.
I'm considering a sound system for the scenery, but have no idea what system is recommended. He already has some type of DCC system for the train sounds, but I don't think he has anything for scenery. Something that comes with preloaded sounds and the ability to download additional sounds would be nice. I found one with a motion sensor that automatically turns on when you approach that looked interesting (PRICOM Dream Player) but it just looks like a circuit board and I have no idea how it's installed. It also looks like it was released in 2006 and I think there may be more recent options. I can snoop around his "train stuff" if more information is needed
My dad's a smart guy, but I'd like to keep his frustration level to as little as possible so something that doesn't require 50 years of experience to install would be a plus. Troubleshooting track problems is enough frustration on its own!
I'm open to a wide price range. I have no idea how much this system costs and would like to get a solid product.
Thank you in advance. I'm extremely grateful for any assistance you can provide!
Kerry
May I offer a different suggestion? This is a minature camera that he can mount inside a locomotive or just sit on top of a flat car. It lets you watch the train as it travels around the layout from the perspective of the train's engineer.
http://www.micromark.com/WIRELESS-MICRO-CAMERA-SYSTEM-WITH-SOUND-24-GHz,8776.html
I have a slightly different model from a different company, but the principle is the same. You can also find these on eBay and from other dealers.
I did this video of my subways using one of these things:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5OvZtI-QU&feature=channel
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
It's really not that hard to install, they saved money on a complex case and put it into the design. It doesn;t get much better, digital sound played off CF memory cards. DOn;t get suckes into the idea that because it was designed 4 years ago it's somehow inferior - it plays CD quality audio and has multiple options for triggering and output. Thre's not much more that could be done besides maybe upgrading the processor to one of the newest models just for the exercise of redoing the code that runs it.
By all accounts this is a top notch product, and between the information on the Pricom web site as well as Fantasonics who makes sound recordings for it, there are tons of DIY ways to add on and make it do even more.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thank you for the suggestion! This will be perfect for my dad's birthday in February!
I think I'll get him the Dream Player for Christmas and Micro-Camera for his b-day. Thank you very much for the replies.
Hopefully this will get him to stop fiddling with the track layout and get to the fun scenery part.... :)
Happy Holidays!