All of the above have there points but here is mine I have gone with the tortoise and a DS64 and here are the following reasons 1 you can power or not power a frog 2 these machines will handle any switch/turnout you can throw at it, most straight out of the box , a few with some modification (maybe a hole in the throwbar) 3 they have been around for years I got my first one at 14 and now I'm 65 I still have the first one I bought and it still works 4 the tortoise has a DPDT switch already built in so you don't have to buy any extra stuff or dudads when you plan to expand your switching capabilities 5 combine this with a DS64 you now have the ability route trains thru a yard, have local control or dispature control, use a computer for automatic control , have signals running at the turnouts and be able to Carrie you thru just like it IS on the real rail lines. 6 The DS64 controls 4machines snap or slowmotion 7 over the years i have found that this setup is more cost effective in the long run then buying the other stuff because your going to have to rip it out and start pretty much over if your really going to get serious (plan for the future not the present) 8 Stack the DS64 against the other turnout controllers they will all serve you well till you try to take you layout to the next level then guess what you wind up taking them out and then go buy a DS64 been there done that!!! Buy the way more MONEY to make the change AGAIN.!!!!!!! Anyway that's my take on it all. Keep it simple,plan ahead, and don't be !@#$%^&* power the frog. Remember this Power the Frog ONCE or FOREVER hand push you engines across them TWICE!!!!!!!! Best of luck Take Care Alan C.
