I've been having a discussion with someone that most modelers will not know what a QuadLN_S is. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

A quad Loconet Servo controller is a handy device but the name is IMO fairly unique to the sub-group of model railroaders running Digitrax (or compatible) DCC systems with Loconet -and- who are interested in using remote operated turnouts using servos -and- who have seen Tam Valley Depot's servo controller product line.

I figure maybe 10-15% of Digitrax owners have heard or used the QuadLN_S. Assume all non-Digitrax Loconet users don't know about these and you'll end up with likely less than 2% of all model railroaders knowing what they are.

Yes, I am very familiar with the QuadLN-S and am in the process of installing four of them on an NCE powered layout using a stand-alone LocoNet for a fellow modeler. Robin Becker has made some great improvements in the board over its lifetime.

BTW this layout runs primarily using Rocrail on a Rasberry Pi because of Rocrail automation strengths, but JMRI is also on the RPi and used for programming the QuadLN-S decoders.  Servos can be both remote controlled or from a local control panel with push button switches.

Prior to the release of the QuadLN-S I had also installed a couple of the previous Quad servo decoders on a different layout.

It's referenced in the news for December... but yeah, I figure it's up there with the BXP88 or the BDL168 for "what is it?" in names. 

I had no idea what a QuadLN-S was until reading the commentary. Which is funny, because the club layout is using entirely Servo driven switch machines.

However our control is custom with an eye towards future use of LCC. We decided early on that Loconet and for that matter C/MRI were old standards and decided to look forward, not back. Loconet also added significant cost compared to our roll your own and then move to LCC in the future solution.

I always thought of model railroaders as artists, really. It turns out that they are, but also that there are many that have a very sophisticated understanding of micro electronics and everything thereunto associated.

I am not one of those, but I appreciate the knowledge and techniques they pass along to the rest of us.

Had you asked me what a DS78V was I would have answered Yes, having just read about the Digitrax item earlier today.

Never heard of it before, and will likely forget about it after this thread fades off the top of the recent posts page because I’m not a digitrax user.

Dear Joe,

Yes, I am aware of the QuadLN_S, but only in passing. I'm not a "Team D" user and rarely see their equipment "in the field" on my usual travels, but I like to keep a basic eye accross the various popular systems for my own general knowledge and diagnostic exercise...

Happy Modelling,
Aiming to maintain a "broad general knowledge",
Prof Klyzlr

Why should the nomenclature cause anyone heartburn either way? If this device (or any other product) is properly described on a web site or publication, then at least those who are curious will have some familiarity with and be able to connect the name with the function.

I'm a Digitrax and Tam Valley customer. Like 'em both. 

And of course this topic, like others on MRH, gets the ubiquitous "Kilroy was here" posts from a couple guys who really had nothing to say anyway.

an injury I'd want to avoid....DaveB

an injury I'd want to avoid....DaveB

I herniated my QuadLN_S once. I had to take these HUGE pills..... 

Digitrax DS78V reminded me of the Tam Valley product. So I looked in my box of, as yet unused, Tam Valley products and found three (3) QuadLN_S boards with assorted servos and Frog Juicers...

The reason why we’re asking is because an advertiser wanted to run an ad that just said QuadLN_S is back, as if everyone immediately would know what that is. We told them we thought most of our readers would go, huh? What the heck is a Quad— what did you call it?

They said they felt most modelers would know. So — here’s our poll to see.

Now that I understand the context, no, most modelers would not know what QuadLN_S is, simply because it's just not a very well-known product (or even terminology) compared to say "Tortoise" or "JMRI."

Thanks for "watchdogging" the ads in MRH! 

I was able to guess (probably like many others) that it was some kind of electronics board that was a 4-way something or other. But I had no idea whether it was a 4-way accessory decoder, a 4-way dwarf signal driver board, a 4-way block detection board, a 4-way autoreverser, 4-way circuit breaker or a 4-way turnout controller. The LNS didn't mean anything to me. 

On the other hand, not being trapped in the digitrax system, my reaction to the ad if I knew what it was would probably be 'who cares' so they're not losing anything by running an ad I don't understand.