After quite a hiatus I am getting my layout up and running again. Part of this is to replace the painfully slow 15 year old Windows 2000 Pro PC with a new cheap all-in-one Dell touchscreen running Windows 10. Of course this new PC does not have a serial interface, so my Locobuffer 2 is going to be replaced. All I need is a PC interface USB for running JMRI, so I am leaning towards a Locobuffer USB. I won't use it for anything else. Just looking for an expert to give me a thumbs up.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Two Choices:
Both will work fine with Win10. I have the PR3 on my new laptop - The PR3 just attaches using the Windows 10 driver. Same for the club's new DCS240 Command Station(PR3 is built-in). My old laptop that is attached to the the layout uses a Locobuffer USB. The old Win7 drivers worked when it auto upgraded to Win10.
Make sure you download the current version of Java and JMRI.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Hi Simon! - Welcome back! You've been missed. Okay, now that I've got that out of my system I'll let others answer your question.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Don't discount the stand-alone decoder programming capabilities of the PR3.
If you've been away for any length of time, you've likely missed the switch from silent to sound decoders. Many older DCC systems have difficulty programming sound decoders due to their increased current equirements. But the PR3 handles them with ease.
Hi Tom, thanks for the welcome back. I have been lurking for a few weeks. About a month ago I repaired the lift out section that had caused the layout to go dormant for best part of 4 years. Now it is actually running again, I became completely frustrated with the incredibly slow PC. So time to upgrade. There are tons of things to clean and repair on the layout. I plan on doing some of that this evening.
Jim and Stevert, thanks. I just took a look at the new Digitrax command station, wow, that is quite a beast. My current equipment comprises the original DCS50 Zephyr as my command/booster and a DB150 booster. Plenty of power for my needs really, but I used to find the slot limit on the Zephyr a bit of a pain. I always like to keep a PC running JMRI the whole time just monitoring slots and cleaning things out when the boys failed to release locos properly. You have me thinking that I might do an upgrade on the command station. I have a PR3 from before and have it setup on a programming track that I would keep by my desk. I think I might use that right away for the interface, in the layout room and then hold off for a bit and see if I get frustrated with the limits of the Zephyr.
Simon, how good it is to see you here, even if just a pop-in.
I hope you are well. Still in the med eqpt biz?
-Crandell
Hmm, running more than 12 different trains? I haven't hit that yet. I think I had a whole layout come and go since you were last here, but that one had a realistic capacity of 2 simultaneous trains, a third if I had ever finished the cement plant penninsula, but I took it all down and moved, so running the Zephyr as my command station was more than adequate. Now that I have a decent amount of basement space, I am planning my 'big' layout which at some point will need more than just the Zephyr and the DB150 I have.
I still have my old homemade (with the Hans DeLoof PC board) Locobuffer, I just use it with a USB to serial adapter and it works great. Plus I have a standalone programming unit with a PR3 on it, which so far has been able to program anything that's been thrown at it. With my old layout, I actually had both hooked up to the same computer at the same time, as newer versions of JMRI allow multiple connections. The PR3 was set up as the programming interface, and the Locobuffer for the layotu interface, so if I went in to DecoderPro it used the PR3 but if I opened up a JMRI throttle or launced WiThrottle it used the Locobuffer to my layout.
For cheap computers, check the off lease refurbs on a place like Newegg. They are recent model Dells and HPs, often the nice small form factor ones, and you can pick up one for around $200 sometimes. More than sufficient for JMRI and web surfing and even fine for model railroad CAD other than maybe heavy 3D rendering. If you're looking for something to dedicate to the layout and not a general family computer.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hi Crandell, indeed, I am still in the medical business, that, and the fact that my boys are now 17 and 19 and not so interested in the layout, has kept me away. I have also been spending quite a bit of time in the garage tinkering on an old MG. I am well indeed. I imagine by now that your layout has really progressed? Thanks for the welcome back.
selector Simon, how good it is to see you here, even if just a pop-in. I hope you are well. Still in the med eqpt biz? -Crandell
Thanks Randy, you are right and there is no way that I would run anything like the capacity of the Z, The replacement PC is purchased already. A nice cheap Dell all in one that I was able to mount to the VESA mount arm that I have over the layout. I might just try and get a serial to USB adapter for the Locobuffer II.