I am looking to upgrade my command station and going to a wireless throttle for my small layout! What are your thoughts either way on this starter set from Digitrax? EVOXD
Upon watching some youtube videos, the only thing I can see that may drive me crazy is the display turning off after 20 seconds...Is this adjustable?
My Digitrax system has evolved in the fifteen years since I began using it.
I recently replaced my command station with the DCS-240 which is, I believe what is in the Evolution set and I recently added the DT-602 throttle and also a UT-6 throttle. I'm beginning to really like the UT-6 throttle.
Digitrax_DT602Da by Edmund, on Flickr
There are many features I like about the new throttle and some I'm not too impressed with. I've downloaded new firmwatr twice and the most recent has cleared up some operational issues (the track power would turn off when selecting another address!).
Yes, the timeout is adjustable using option switches. I have mine set to never turn off. The power on switch is a rocker switch. Diditrax hasn't made this well known and some users are complaining about "sensitivity" of the switch. You have to be careful which "side" of the switch you press.
Here is the option list. ID 8 and 9 have "wakeup" options. ID 18=0 I believe will disable the sleep feature. LCD screen will always be on.
https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB1067/dt602-throttle-options-list/
The rechargable Digitrax battery isn't all that great. I buy bulk alkaline AAs from a discount place and use these. They last a while. Rechargables just don't have the initial voltage capacity.
Finally, the knobs are rather large and sometimes easily bumped causing your train to change speeds without your knowledge. I also miss the one-step notching that was a feature of the prior DT-4xx series. Maybe Digitrax can add this in a future firmware update.
Good Luck, Ed
I have the wired EVO system, and would not hesitate on the wireless if I had a bit bigger layout.
Ricky W.
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Wow. I learnt something. Thanks gmpullman I have the DT602DE (for Australia). It works as expected, and now I that know that the power button is a rocker I am far happier. I really had trouble turning it off just pressing it in the middle. Thought it was a faulty button.
Also I didn't know Id 18=1 actually disabled the display timeout. I tried a few settings but thought 9 was the longest delay. You've just resolved my only 2 hesitations about this throttle!
A few youtube reviews mentioned that it's a bit annoying to have the active throttle in the big font. I've not been that bothered to be honest.
As for the comment about the rechargeable battery they sell separately, it's not my favourite feature since it required their 14v power supply to recharge it (or plug it in to loconet). If I bought another, I'd be using my own batteries and keep 2 sets on charge. Overall, it's a great throttle.
Oh, and as for the other part of the system, the DCS210+ is fine. It works with jmri. Just be aware that it you get the Duplex system, you don't get a UP5 loconet universal panel for use on the layout.
One option to consider is to add WiFi capability to your system. With Digitrax you can use the LNWI. Then you can add any WiFi throttle to control trains.
I bought a DT402D Digitrax throttle to add to my older Chief system a few years ago and see Digitrax added the newer throttle recently. But I just wanted to get off the merry-go-round but still use my current Chief system. I've invested in TCS WiFi throttles which I believe will be easier for me to use as I have found the Digitrax method of doing things to be harder for me to remember, and less intuitive.
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