Which is better: the SC-2 or ASC

My SC-2 controllers work fine with Legacy, no issues at all.

I'm not sure how you control 12 blocks with the SC-2, six of the outputs are momentary and only stay on while you hold the button.

John,

Thanks for the input.  There have been a lot of posts on these two controllers, but nothing on using the SC-2 for block control;  I did not know only six outputs could be used for block control.  That makes the ASC a better deal for me, although I'm still looking at using SPST toggle switches for the roundhouse tracks.

Ron

If you have stuff that also requires a momentary contact, then the SC-2 might makes sense, but for strictly block control, I agree, the ASC gives you two more blocks.

I watched the Lionel video on the ASC vs SC-2 and am at a loss.  I think I understand the differences, but I still don't get why they recommend one over the other for different snap-style switch machines (the Tortoise obviously needs the ASC since only the ASC allows a constant "on.")

The SC-2 is a better value, and yet they still recommend the ASC for FasTrack and DZ-1000 machines.  Why?  They even acknowledge that the SC-2 will work with FasTrack.  So why not use the SC-2 for FasTrack?

Here is what Lionel says:

The ASC (6-14182) will control up to four switches (or eight accessories). It is best suited for the new switch motor type switches including:

• FasTrack
• Tortoise (and other slow motion machines)
• DZ-1000

The SC-2 (6-22980) will control up to six switches or four switches along with four accessories (or twelve accessories). It is best suited for twin-coil machines, although it will also operate FasTrack switches.

• O-31
• O-27
• FasTrack
• MTH Scaletrax and Realtrax
• Atlas O

Maybe if I understood why the FasTrack switches and DZ-1000 are "newer" versus the "twin coil" MTH and Atlas switch machines, a light would come on over my head.  Aren't the FasTrack and DZ-1000 switch machines "twin coil," just like the MTH and Atlas machines?  It's nice that Lionel tells you which device they recommend, but frustrating when they don't explain why.

Thanks in advance for any clarifications!

Randy

FYI here is the Lionel web page I referenced: http://lionelllc.wordpress.com...he-right-controller/

The SC-2 works fine with Fastrack for me.  I do cut the ground from channel 1 so that doesn't affect the operation, but all six channels works just dandy on Fastrack switches.

I don't have a clue what they were thinking, I just look at the capabilities and choose the appropriate tool for the job.

John,

Since you have to cut the ground from channel 1, maybe that is why they don't recommend the SC-2 for FastTrack?

Ron

Well, that's a pretty well-known mod, but maybe they somehow think it's blasphemy to suggest they made a design error in putting it there in the first place!

Cut trace.