Thinking about buying a Massoth control system
- Thread starter Ashey
- Start date
Re:Thinking about buying a Massoth control system
So I have heard. Only for reading/writing CVs but good for that, they say. Could any Sprog users tell us:
- how easy is the PC interface to use?
- is it USB? The old fashioned connector on the LGB 55045 imakes it a pain to operate with a serial-USB interface between because the software for the interface can interfere with the PC finding the port for the 55045 (but only sometimes, at random)
- is there a comprehensible manual?
- will it work with any decoder?
- will it programme acessories' decoders - like points?
- who stocks it? Couldn't find it on Jeremy's site (and he's not answering the phone this morning...)
Any advice gratefully received.
Philbahn said:
So I have heard. Only for reading/writing CVs but good for that, they say. Could any Sprog users tell us:
- how easy is the PC interface to use?
- is it USB? The old fashioned connector on the LGB 55045 imakes it a pain to operate with a serial-USB interface between because the software for the interface can interfere with the PC finding the port for the 55045 (but only sometimes, at random)
- is there a comprehensible manual?
- will it work with any decoder?
- will it programme acessories' decoders - like points?
- who stocks it? Couldn't find it on Jeremy's site (and he's not answering the phone this morning...)
Any advice gratefully received.
Hofabooz
Registered
Re:Thinking about buying a Massoth control system
Hi Ashey
I cannot recommend it enough have only had mine a matter of weeks and it?s great
There are also many people on the forum who can help you with any issues you might have.
Altering the CV's is easy and the navigator is very clear to read and is even illuminated for night use
Get it now wish I had bought one from the start it massively improves the enjoyment of your railway
For example I did not now that it could maintain a constant speed up inclines which I only found out during testing 2 days ago it?s great the loco approached the incline and speed remained constant Brilliant.
Also you can control the speed of 2 locos at the same time one on the dial and one on the arrow buttons great feature.
I managed to chip my first loco a Stainz in about 40 mins and the hardest bit was taking the loco apart the decoder just plugged in on it and I could instantly control it from the navigator great
Order it today you will be impressed.
Regards
Mark
Hi Ashey
I cannot recommend it enough have only had mine a matter of weeks and it?s great
There are also many people on the forum who can help you with any issues you might have.
Altering the CV's is easy and the navigator is very clear to read and is even illuminated for night use
Get it now wish I had bought one from the start it massively improves the enjoyment of your railway
For example I did not now that it could maintain a constant speed up inclines which I only found out during testing 2 days ago it?s great the loco approached the incline and speed remained constant Brilliant.
Also you can control the speed of 2 locos at the same time one on the dial and one on the arrow buttons great feature.
I managed to chip my first loco a Stainz in about 40 mins and the hardest bit was taking the loco apart the decoder just plugged in on it and I could instantly control it from the navigator great
Order it today you will be impressed.
Regards
Mark
ntpntpntp
Registered
Re:Thinking about buying a Massoth control system
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/ < Link To http://jmri.sourceforge.net/ [q... [url]http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=312 < Link To http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=3...p://www.gscalecentral.net/www.sprog-dcc.co.uk < Link To www.sprog-dcc.co.uk
The other very useful feature of the SPROG is it can drive a loco up to about 1 amp. So, after programming a loco on my rollers I can test it without having to transfer to the layout.
Thoroughly recommand the SPROG.
That's rather subjective, but personally I find the software easy to understand - certainly much more friendly than having to punch cv numbers into handsets! The software usually used with the SPROG is the free JMRI DecoderPro software.philkelly said:
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/ < Link To http://jmri.sourceforge.net/ [q... [url]http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=312 < Link To http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=3...p://www.gscalecentral.net/www.sprog-dcc.co.uk < Link To www.sprog-dcc.co.uk
The other very useful feature of the SPROG is it can drive a loco up to about 1 amp. So, after programming a loco on my rollers I can test it without having to transfer to the layout.
Thoroughly recommand the SPROG.
Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
Re:Thinking about buying a Massoth control system
Echoing the comments on SPROGs - I don't think you'll regret it. I use one with a Mac, and it works just fine. The only slight hassle I had was that I got a mate round to help me with downloading and installing the software, and although a really good bloke, he was like a lot of computer professionals - never reads the flippin' instructions and assumed he could figure it out for himself... result was that he missed out an important step in downloading the stuff, which meant he spent the next hour scratching his head as to why it wouldn't work before finally retracing his steps and locating the missing bit! The lesson here is, don't try to be too clever - the SPROG designers have put perfectly good instructions out there, just read them and follow them carefully step-by-step and it'll all be fine....
Echoing the comments on SPROGs - I don't think you'll regret it. I use one with a Mac, and it works just fine. The only slight hassle I had was that I got a mate round to help me with downloading and installing the software, and although a really good bloke, he was like a lot of computer professionals - never reads the flippin' instructions and assumed he could figure it out for himself... result was that he missed out an important step in downloading the stuff, which meant he spent the next hour scratching his head as to why it wouldn't work before finally retracing his steps and locating the missing bit! The lesson here is, don't try to be too clever - the SPROG designers have put perfectly good instructions out there, just read them and follow them carefully step-by-step and it'll all be fine....