Lenz LH101 Hand Controller

◆ SCALE Any ◆ PRODUCT Lenz 21101 LH101 DCC Hand controller ◆ PRICE £165.00 ◆ AVAILABILITY A&H Models, 95 High Street, Brackley, Northamptonshire NN13 7BW Tel 01280 701410 Web www.aandhmodels.co.uk

Lenz was one of the main names in Digital Command Control (DCC), but it seems to have dropped off the radar in recent years as competitor systems have gone from strength to strength. It’s aiming to redress the balance with this, the LH101 handset.

Lenz’s pioneering LH90 handset reflected the demands of early DCC systems. It could only cope with a mere nine locomotive decoder functions and had a simple knob controller, but both the screen design and small keypad became a limiting factor as decoders became more advanced.

The subsequent LH100 handset featured an improved screen and push buttons, which made it easier to operate trains, but its looks quickly dated when compared to more modern systems.

Lenz plans to fight back with the LH101 handset, which combines the best features of both the LH90 and LH100. From a visual point of view, it gets the full keypad of the LH100, plus the rotary speed control – much improved – of the LH90.

ACTION STATIONS

Under the skin, the new handset offers 9,999 addresses and can cope with 28 locomotive functions, for lights, sound and smoke. Functions such as horns or whistles can be activated momentarily, and pushing the throttle wheel down for a few seconds activates the emergency stop function that immediately shuts down all trains.

It’s also possible to select 16 routes featuring up to 16 accessory addresses (powering points and signals) on each route. There’s also a clever club mode where you can limit an inexperienced driver to just one train, so they can’t accidentally switch points and take over another train.

The LH101 comes in a starter set with the LZV200 Command Station for £365. You will need a separate Lenz transformer (available from £66.95).

The Command Station has been given a makeover too. Its computing power has been increased, it can store more data, and it also features a USB interface, plus a separate USB port that allows the user to update the firmware using a memory stick (supplied). The internal memory battery can be changed at home too, and you can adjust the track voltage and maximum current settings.

It all sounds very impressive, but the proof will be in the eating… or, in this case, the using.

The handset is more comfortable to hold than it looks. At first glance, it doesn’t look to have been ergonomically designed but, as it measures just 14.3cm by 6.3cm, it’s light and fits nicely in the hand.

The rotary knob takes a bit of getting used to if you’re more familiar with a slider control. However, I soon got the hang of keeping an eye on the speed on the display so I didn’t turn the control knob too wildly. A clockwise turn increases the speed, while anti-clockwise applies the brakes. Pressing it in the centre when a train is stationary will change direction, whereas

I soon got the hang of keeping an eye on the speed on the display so I didn’t turn the control knob too wildly

pressing it in the centre with a train in motion will activate the emergency stop. The control knob also helps you navigate the menus on the handset.

KEY POINT

Some of the buttons control multiple options, and I kept having to refer to the manual to remind myself what they did. But I had no doubt that I’d soon get the hang of it and it would become easier with use. That said, the position of the keys means you can use your thumb to press them, just like a mobile phone, and they make a nice, firm clicking sound.

CONTROL CENTRE

You can control multiple locomotives with the LH101 Handset, as well as programme locomotive and accessory decoders. It works with the LZV100 Version 3.6 Software, along with the new LZV200 Command Station.

The screen indicates the function in use, the locomotive number and the direction of travel, and displays much more information than the old handsets. There’s room on the screen for more symbols and information as and when the DCC protocol expands in the future. Setting up the system is easy, thanks to both the First Steps and main manuals. UK distributor A&H Models also offers a helpful range of start-up videos, which I found particularly useful as I’d not used Lenz DCC before. The Lenz LH101 may not have the striking modern looks of, say, Roco’s Multimaus, but it feels robust and well made. It’s userfriendly and just the sort of system I could see myself operating without getting myself tied up in knots! (PM)