Relays vs. Infrared Detection

A Look at Crossing Gate Control

	DPDT-1	ITAD	Notes
Control Device	Relay	Infrared	We offer 12VAC & 24VAC; there are also several infrareds available
Easy Hook Up	Yes	Yes	Our relay has screw terminals (no soldering) & easy installation instructions
Compatible w/popular track	Yes	No	MTH® Rail King® ITADs work on their track only. They now offer an O Scale version for $29.95.
Sensitive to Indoor Lighting	No Way!	Yes	Infrareds require careful placement
Sensitive to Outdoor Lighting	Not!	Yes	Close curtains
Shield from light / reflection	Null!	Yes	Lighting and reflection can be problem for infrareds
Takes up valuable layout space	No	Yes	Hide relay under table
Cost	$24.95	$19.95+
Works with bi-directional layout?	Yes!	Yes, but	Need 2 ITADs vs. 1 Relay
Multi-Tracks	Yes!	Yes, but	Need multiple ITADs, placement problems vs. 1 Relay
Multi-Tracks /Bi-Directional	Yes!	well...	Add up the ITADs. 4? 6? vs. 1 Relay. And there are issues when hooking multiple infrareds together.

Notes: Yes, we like infrared control, but there are many applications where we feel relays do a better job.

Pricing comparison: DPDT-1 $24.95

MTR-12T $16.50

MTR-24T $16.50

SPDT-24 $9.95

ITAD $19.95

O ITAD $29.95

Lionel® 1531R $29.95

DZ-1011 $22.00

All information extracted from model train bulletin boards and respective model train catalogs.

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