Hornby R8213 Select DCC Control Unit

I didn't unbox until several weeks after purchase because my layout wasn't finished. When I did open it I found the power supply to be 220 volts not 120, completely useless to me.

I wish you had said about the english plug

This unit works perfectly fine for a quick run of a occasionally used DCC train or layout. It will control a large number of digital accessories and also is able to control sounds and the like for suitably equipped locos. It is however quite basic compared to the Elite. In particular the functions (sound) controls to do not operate as toggles, rather as flags. What this means in practice is that to blow the whistle on a TTS loco twice you need to specify the function, make the sound, then specify the function again a further two times to make it do it again. Takes a bit of coordination.You can control multiple locos off the single controller at the same time however this does get interesting when they are running at different speeds. It's a feature of DCC more than the controller though.It's a little lightweight and the buttons do feel a bit cheap. The build quality though is Much better than the standard analogue controller Hornby ship in non DCC sets.In my opinion this a controller for occasional use. If you are truly looking to get into train layouts then I would advise getting the Elite or the eLink (which is the powerful yet frustrating PC-based control system. The Elite allows more flexibility and options and with the display makes it easier to keep track of things. The Select can do the same, however it's much more complicated.Note that old locos can be run by this controller (only one, on channel 0). They make a high pitched noise owing to the voltage differences however they DO work. (Interestingly DCC locos do also work on analogue controllers - but just the motor, no extras).So all in all I would recommend this controller but it does have flaws, especially if you're going to use it a lot or have (ambitions for) a complicated layout.

I thought I had already written a review about this product. I returned this controller because it was faulty, only to discover the supplier was under investigation by Amazon. This begs the question – why did Amazon sell me a product from a supplier who was under investigation?

This control box developed a fault within two months of purchase and in spite of contactiing Hornby support the problem was not identified, although suggestions were made which were ineffectual. I am not satisfied and want a replacement.

Rating this 5 star for now, because this helped me revive my digital set which was down in the dumps after Windows upgrades rendered the Hornby eLink useless.Side note: The eLink can be a super nice thing only if its software wasn't so 1990s.Works rather seamlessly with Hornby DCC controlled trains. Haven't interfaced it with the point motor controller yet. Will revise feedback once I have tried.As others have noted, programming an engine takes a little 'wrapping your head around' it. But you'll get to it eventually.It has an Express Net port, so this might open up opportunities for further experimentation

I'm surprised that Hornby have produced such an inferior product - really not worthy of them !!