Block Watcher

[rrinker]

It's rather expensive on a per block basis compared to some of the alternatives. For example, Team Digital has a detector that works for 2 blocks and sells for around $18 compared to $27 for the Block Watcher. Team Digital also has signal driver boards where the logic can be programmed via CVs so you don't need a computer to generate signal logic, although I have always felt the computer approach is far more flexible. Since you use an MRC DCC system you're sort of stuck, plus there is no signal bus in the MRC system. What is quite common though is the addition of a Digitrax Loconet (no command station or any of that stuff is needed) to run just the signal system since it is a simple straightforward control bus between components and there are tons of options for detection and signal controllers. You can then build dispatcher panels and logic using either free JMRI or commercial software like RR&Co. A numbe rof people and even some clubs have done with while using NCE as the system that runs the trains, since NCE's control bus doesn;t really lend itself to lots of signaling accessories, and there's no reason a similar mix of systems wouldn;t work with MRC as the controlling system. This opens you up to some really nice products like RR-CirKits' Tower Controller which has cards for detection and signal drivers. The detectors can be used standalone - it detects 8 blocks, and ends up costing a little over $6 per block. One of the best signal controller deals is Digitrax's SE8C, it's about $100 but it can drive 32 signal heads. The examples int he manual are all built around grouping 4 of those headsinto a protection element around a turnout, but each of the 32 is actually individually addressable and can be arranged any way you like.

--Randy