Hand held wireless throttles

[jehu817]

Am interested in AristoCraft's Basic Train engineer (hand held wireless throttles for DC (not DCC). I want to run 2 cabs on the same layout. Have been told they're in the process of re-designing their product. Any updates?

[dragenrider]

Hi, jehu817,

I use AristoCraft's hand held wireless for cab control operation on my HO scale layout. I works like a charm, too! [:D] I have control switches mounted on my layout's panel to select cab A or B and center is off. The hand held controller has a slide switch to jump between cabs (two receivers). I've had no trouble with dead spots or range. The response is immediate, too. I even have an accessories unit tied into the keypad.

I'm very pleased with this set up and will probably fore go switching to DCC as long as it holds up. [tup]

[jehu817]

Well, the 'guru' at AristoCraft said I'd need to order two Basic Train Engineer sets...
each with a DIFFERENT frequency if I wanted to run two trains on the same layout. Is that basically what you're saying?

[dragenrider]

Uhhmm, I'm not sure. My hand held controller has a switch that allows you to toggle back and forth between recievers. You DO have to have two recievers on different frequencies. This means also that you have to have block wiring for two cab control.

So, I guess in some respect the guru is correct, you have to have two recievers, but you only need one controller capable of operating both.

Clear as mud? [:D] Feel free to ask more!

[jehu817]

Crystal clear. But let me see if I really do get this...So I do need two receivers to run two trains on my block-wired layout. And I do need two receivers of different frequencies. But if I'm the only operator of the layout, I can toggle between the two running trains using the hand held remote. And if my grandson and I are running the layout then he can have his own hand-held to run his train and I can have my own hand-held to run my train. RIGHT?? (Boy, I sure hope so).
You're the only one who has answered my questions. Thanks a lot.

[mondotrains]

Hi jehu817,
I think you've got it right now. I have used the Aristocraft walk-arounds for 10 years and love them. I'd like to give you a tip though. Lots of guys are selling these at discounts because they are switching to DCC. I bought 2 of the walk-around units at a train show for $50.00 each....less than half of the original cost new. One of them had a problem and I was able to have it fixed for $20.00 by Aristocraft....those guys are very, very helpful and they even fixed one of my units for free.

Remember, you need a power pack (I bought two used ones cheap) for each Aristocraft throttle.

Hope this helps.
Mondo