Worth IT?

[comlink]

Is RaildDriver worth buying?.To me it looks really cool.So I ask out here is it worth buying?

[kelbym07]

I might as well give you my opinion; I would get it but I really need to pay for college first. Of course, it's all up to you what you do.
I recommend, if you have not already, going to YouTube and search for "Raildriver". It looks great, yet I notice a few things that are not prototypical to all railroads.

[ckawahara]

If you use Vista, forget it. There is no driver or support for RD and any version of Vista.

If you have XP or OS's prior, it's a great alternative to the keyboard. People have mixed opinions when using it with steam I myself use very little steam), but I use it regularly on my old XP pc with diesels. It has a very slight delay in response as it reads the hud (by the way, you cannot alter that in any way), but it is almost imperceptable. Some modifications may be necessary on some engines to make them work with RD...in some cases changing their prototypical behavior.

[bandorr2000]

Definitely worth it - just not on a Vista system. I run XP, and is one of the reasons I am into MSTS as heavily as I am. Couldn't get along without it.

[geode]

I've used Rail Driver exclusively for the two years I've been rail simming. I don't even know how to use the keyboard, except for the functions that RD won't do, such as turning on the sand to leave it on (x plus shift), frame rates ( shift plus z), Water (t plus shift). The 28 labeled pushbuttons on the front panel allow quick access to 95% of the rest of the MSTS driving functions I'll ever need. I run 100% narrow gauge steam, and I've heard steam freaks like me say, "I just can't bring myself to run steamers from what looks like a deisel control panel with those levers." Well we all gotta do what we all gotta do. But myself, with a slightly over tonnage train on a 4%+ ruling grade, which very seldom is is 4% consistant, and sometimes when the grade changes from a 3.5%with 20% regulator and 25% reverser, and suddenly changes to 4.2% at 10mph, you need 99% regulator and 85% reverser to keep moving, the keyboard only allows one instruction at a time and running with Rail Driver you can slam BOTH controls to max at the same time to keep going, just as a real engineer can do. And the camera controls are light years ahead of the keyboard. Pushbuttons for each camera. AND a two way rocker switch for zoom in/out, AND a four way rocker switch to go right/left and up/down, which is the best thing since sliced bread, when you're switching around and trying to keep the cameras focused on what you're doing, and doing what you're supposed to be doing with the trains. Brakes, throttle, johnson bar adjustments, one-at-a-time adjustments while switching around with the keyboard, I don't know how keyboard guys do it, it's not a cakewalk with Rail Driver either but it IS easier with Rail Driver's handy levers. So what if the lever panel doesn't resemble a real steam cab view, it makes operating steam locos easier.
If a theif broke into my house and demanded all my stuff, he'd loose his life if he tried to take my computer and my Rail Driver.

George

[comlink]

Yeah Thanks guys...just checked out a dozen vids...damn right I will be buying this....

[geode]

Good luck comlink. There are some drawbacks to using RD. When you run across them post your problem in this forum and you will find many who will help.

George

[RailDriver_Dan]

If you use Vista, forget it. There is no driver or support for RD and any version of Vista.

Just to clarify, RailDriver supports Rail Simulator (KRS) and Trainz (2006-Classics) on Vista right now, and we will support MSTS2 when it comes out.

[rcamp4545]

Is RaildDriver worth buying?.To me it looks really cool.So I ask out here is it worth buying?

I would have to say that it is worth buying if you play a lot of train simulators, from MSTS to TRS 2006 and TC 1 2 & 3 from Auran. Have not had much luck with Rail Simulator , but that could just be a bug.

Russ Campbell AKA (rcamp4545)

[ejen341]

Three years ago I purchased mine because of the levers/handles....now I'd be lost without the pushbutton functions...makes my rail experience far more than expected!!!

[Train-a-Mania]

The answer depends on what you want to use it for.

Diesel and electric? Yes! Steam? Er, you can, I don't.

I've used it mainly for the Pacific Surfliner and CN Blackfoot/Vegreville V2. It's great to feel the controls rumble as the locos are in Run 8.

[danny5]

YES I bought mine back when TRS2004 came out and havn't had any proublems with it. PIE is realy good about updating it before you will need it to be. For steam I use the revercer in DCC mode works good and have better controlle of train. the only thing its needs is a LED for air pressure and a indacator for the thorttle to let you know what notch you are in.Wouldn't that be good?


Danny5

[Turbo Bill]

Uh, mine shows the throttle notches. As a matter of fact, you can set it up to show speed, speed/throttle notch (when moving the throttle) and notch only. I love my RD and us it exclusively for all my diesel running. I still use the keyboard for occasional steam but that is OK.

[Fodda]

If you're running a multi-core CPU PC, which most modern PCs are, don't bother buying an RD console. If it works you'll be lucky, and if it doesn't work, then I'm afraid it's tough wotsits. You'll get no support from PI.

[djt1]

If you're running a multi-core CPU PC, which most modern PCs are, don't bother buying an RD console. If it works you'll be lucky,

It has more to do with how your system is set up (the OS) than it does with luck.

[agentatascadero]

When I first purchased MSTS, I didn't care much for it because of the keyboard controls. So I found myself running Train Dispatcher instead, with it's endless mouse clicks. Then, I "bit the bait" with RD. Now I never run the Dispatcher anymore. I've beefed up MSTS with RD, extra routes, and goodies from the file area. What I appreciate most with RD is running steam, which I do about 90% of the time. After steam, I find diesel and electric boring to run. Steam keeps the hogger BUSY, and the steam run up to speed is a special treat EVERY time. To each his/her own, I know. For me, it's a double bonus...no keyboard controls, AND that wonderful throttle/reverser interplay. I know it doesn't look right, but it WORKS just fine, and to me is a great bargain/value. And, I found PIE support to be helpful. AA

[Fodda]

And, I found PIE support to be helpful. AA

Could you please tell me where you found PI support helpful? I'd love them to help me with my RailDriver problem.

[agentatascadero]

I called them on the phone, a bit easier, I realize, from here in California than from Great Britan, as I find actual conversation far more productive and quicker than E-mailing. AA