I'm building a new layout and have decided to do DCC. the layout iss a 9ft x 4ft 3sectioned layout with one continuos loop w/ 5 wiring points. I have a few questions about DCC and differesnt systems. -WHAT IS THE BEST FOR MY MONEY?? -WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST?? -AROUND HOW MUCH WORK DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL DECODERS?? -WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF DCC?? -CAN YOU RUN 2 TRAINS INDEPENDANTLY, AND ON THE SAM TRACK?? Thanks for the info guys. ------------------ TrainBoard.com MEMBER#204 THE WEB PAGE IS NOW UPDATED!! Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
I too am a newbie on DCC (I have not bough any yet, but have made the decision to change). Starting at your last question, yes, you can run two locomotives independently, on the same track. Advantages of DCC: You can programme locomotives to all run at the same speed, so mu lashups are much better to operate. No section switching is required, so MUCH less wiring Decoder Installation: Some decoders simply plug into the place previously taken by the printed circuit board (Plug and Play), others require some simple wiring, depending on your skills, the type and age of the model, etc. Don't know about the cheapest, but after talking to folks, I settled on the Digitrax system, as it appears to do all I will need, and is easily upgraded to the next level. Best for your money: This is personal preference, so check 'em all out Hope that helps, but as I said, I am a novice in DCC, so I expect others will have lots more to add! ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
Alan pretty much hit the nail on the head, I'll offer up this site for a good comarison of systems and their "bang for the buck." http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/offthecuff.htm ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society, NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
does Lenz and Digitrax have a homepage?? They sound pretty good. ------------------ TrainBoard.com MEMBER#204 THE WEB PAGE IS NOW UPDATED!! Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wt&c: does Lenz and Digitrax have a homepage?? They sound pretty good. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yep, both of them: http://www.digitrax.com/ http://www.lenz.com/ As an additional resource, may I direct you to our club home page (shameless plug ) that has a specific section regarding DCC as well as specific install information: http://www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/ You might want to also check out some of the other manufacturers/dealers listed in the NMRA electronics (link) page: http://www.ribbonrail.com/nmra/Manb-Elec.html Harold ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
If you haven't checked out Easy DCC by CVP do yourself a favor and look at it. www.cvpusa.com By far the most versatile and user friendly system I have ever seen. Tony's (www.ttx-dcc.com) lists a radio equipped starter set for $574. Can't beat it and lots easier to use than Digitrax. Have fun. ------------------ Union Pacific - Hawaii sounds nice until you realize there are no trains.
Sorry UP Fan but Digitrax can beat the EasyDCC price with their new Chief II with the DT300R (R=Radio) throttle. The price, also at Tony's is $499. That's $75 less than the CVP product. The new DT300 series of throttles now have a two line display with a much friendly interface than the older DT100 series. The DT400 series promises to be even better. It is scheduled to be released this spring.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ncng: ...less than the CVP product. The new DT300 series of throttles now have a two line display with a much friendly interface than the older DT100 series. The DT400 series promises to be even better. It is scheduled to be released this spring.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> All I said was you can't beat Easy DCC for versatility and user friendliness. Just my opinion. Have fun! ------------------ Union Pacific - Hawaii sounds nice until you realize there are no trains.
The new Atlas system is by the far the most inexpensive. Made by Lenz but the reliability is yet to be proven. Most Atlas equipment has been good but the votes are still being counted on thier DCC system. ------------------ Member #743 Larry E. Gilbert NARA member #3 ASST. Superintendent Central Indiana Division MWR/NMRA www.members.iquest.net/~leghome/index.html
I try to avoid atlas be cause of the high prices, but I'll look into ATLAS for DCC ------------------ TrainBoard.com MEMBER#204 N.A.R.A. Member #8 THE WEB PAGE IS NOW UPDATED!! Appalachian & Atlantic Model Railroad "QUALITY at WORK with SAFTEY in MIND"
Snce no-one's mentioned them, I must -- Another good option is the North Coast Engineering (NCE) system or the Wangrow System One (which is basically the same, Wangrow has more personable support and a much better manual, however, you really don't need the manual all that often with this system). This is the first of the "real user-friendly" systems available (the new controls from Digitrax are attempts to "catch-up" with the user-friendliness of the NCE systems). The controller has a two-line LCD display that tells you: what train(engine) you're "talking" to, what time it is (fast clock, or...), how fast and in what direction you're going, and what functions are active. The display is in English when performing higher functions, so it's easier to follow. There is a button for most commands, so you don't have to refer to a manual or push multiple buttons to get an action (like "function" and "1" on the Digitrax). There is no path for upgrading since you already have everything (of course you can add additional boosters and controllers (and soon wireless), but you already have access to everything DCC offers). One of the major reasons I got into DCC was because of the ROCO crane car, a DCC controlled clamshell or magnetic crane. To control it requires operating the throttle while different functions are active -- something that would have driven me nuts with a Digitrax throttle (The new ones are better, but they weren't available last year). The pricing is competitive with simliar Digitrax systems at TTX and generally less than similarly featured systems from other manufacturers.
Asking for recommendations for DCC is almost like asking for recommendations for a "new car" brand: you will gets lots of opinions. So I will give you my reasoning for doing what I did. Using my reasoning process you could easily end up with a different system than I did; you will see why. First I wanted a system that had wide spread support in North America; not Europe, not Japan, nor anywhere else for that matter. Since I live on this continent, I decided that basic parameter was a "given." This decision ruled out Marklin. Secondly, I wanted a system that was so popular, it was more likely to survive the bumpy competitive entrepeuneral road. That is, the company would still be in existence 15 or 20 years from now. Thirdly, and this is very, very, very important to me. I wanted a system that was supported locally. That means when I had and have problems, whether through my own ignorance or through stupidity of design, I could cry on some one's shoulder while they helped me with my technological hurdles. I didn't want to be the first in the city (or the 10th) to own the system. Fourthly, I wanted a system that I felt could keep technological pace with the inevitable upgrades and improvements in the computer and DCC world. I didn't want to worry about obsolescence. So for me, this meant I purchased a Digitrax system. Local support is very strong, many use it here. Due to its architecture, I knew it can accept changes without obsoleting old equipment (by this I mean unuseable). I knew that Digitrax isn't the most easy to use, but I also know that it is a company that cares and will attempt to deal with human/technological interface, as it is attempting to do with the introduction of new easier to use throttles. Is it the best? Interestingly this question isn't one I am concerned about as others. Why? Well, Beta was superior technologically over VHS, but the North America went VHS. I waited until the decision was made before purchasing a VCR. I believe that the early Mac interface was far superior to Microsoft, but I went with Microsoft in the hopes they would eventually get their act together, plus in the financial world, MS is the only show in town. Try using this thought process and you might find another system well supported in your area, I would go with what is popular for your own peace of mind when a problem does arise. And like Christ on the third day, it will arise.
wt&c The best thing you can do is get to a train show, club, anywhere where guys are running DCC. TRY MORE THAN ONE BRAND OUT. What fits your hand, how easy it is to program, how the throttle works. Then look around for a used system. There're enough out there. Get a list of all DCC mfgs and look whose units are NOT on the used market, one of 2 things, not enough sold or the owners like them a lot. Just one more thing to think about. You won't find many Zimo systems out there, by the way, just ask the price and you'll find out why. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
>>Well, Beta was superior technologically over VHS, but the North America went VHS. I waited until the decision was made before purchasing a VCR.<< I am so tired of hearing this (I work in non-broadcast TV as a designer/engineer, and I evaluated both formats) Beta 1 hour mode (the original design) does have slightly better specs than standard VHS (2 hours recording) -- HOWEVER -- the comparison between Beta 2-hour and standard VHS gives VHS the edge technically -- and what the consumers wanted was to be able to record/play movies (which used to be under two hours generally). Nobody wanted a better picture at the expense of recording time (and then most VHS users used the "Super Long Play" mode to get 6 hours of marginal video, so it seems that picture quality was not the primary consideration). So, this is NOT a case of the "better" format "losing", but rather consumers exercising choice over what's of value to them. Remember too that Sony dropped Beta summarily, leaving many customers in the lurch. Hopefully that won't happen in the DCC arena, but , as always, buyer beware.
Okay, I'll concede a poor choice in "better" using VHS and Beta. I was aware of the one hour problem. But reality is strewn with other examples. Reel to reel tape records were better in terms of quality for a long time over cassettes (don't know about recent developments though) but people wanted the convenience of cassettes. I am also convinced we don't always want or need "quality." You can tell a first time computer buyer. They want a "good" system, and with printer and monitor routinely spend in the thousands. After I have spent close to $10,000 on various home computers, from desktops, to lap tops (paranoid about being stolen) and back to desktops, I now go for the cheapest computer that will do the job. My expectations are that the computer will last about a year and a half, if I am lucky two years, and it will get turfed. Now I consider spending $500 for a computer - "high end." lol! I was in the computer shop the other day and a guy came in and bought this $350 computer and announced that the only reason he wanted it was to listen to a radio station out of California with great comedy on it(internet). He said: "I spend thousands at work on computers, this is all I really need." I think eventually the DCC world will either be high end and low end with not much in between. The low end makes sense with small and medium sized layouts. High end makes sense on very large layouts (with lots of operators) and club layouts. I suspect down the pike, ten years from now, ATlas will have a budget radio controlled system for the beginner and realisticlly that is all I'll probably need, even though I own the Digitrax Chief right now.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rsn48: ...I went with Microsoft in the hopes they would eventually get their act together... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> That'll be a looong wait, my friend. Now back on topic. I'm also planning on purchasing a DCC system. Right now the Atlas Master system is at the top of the list. In fact, when they come out with the handheld walkaround throttles, I'll be picking one up. I'd go get the system right now if it weren't for the lack of handheld throttles. That and the fact that I haven't laid any track yet D6
Apparantly, you can use Lenz handhelds with the Atlas system, so you don't have to wait. For me the two digit loco addresses and having to "step" through the programmming would be inducements to go with a larger (more expensive) system. Ease of use is my main criteria, so I went with the NCE.
That and the fact that I haven't laid any track yet D6[/B][/QUOTE] Why should that be a problem, no track. I am just finishing up benchwork and am about to start laying track. This all happened in the last three months. I have owned the Digitrax Chief system for a year now. I just keep decoding, buying additional throttles, etc. so the financial blow doesn't hit all at once, and spread the cost out so I can actually afford it.
Nobody has mentioned it yet, so I will. For a small layout, don't discount MRC Command 2000. I have a small layout...52 sq ft in N-Scale. I almost exclusively operate alone. Therefore, I rarely run more than one train at a time...maybe two at the most. The MRC handheld unit serves wonderfully. I use phone extension cord to extend the reach of the unit. I know the disadvantages (or supposed ones): Limited programming Only 10 locomotives at once Not upgradable However, the advantages are: Extremely easy to use (a 5 year old can figure it out, I know this) Relatively inexpensive Handheld unit available, easily used For a small layout, operated by one or two people, consider the MRC unit. I don't regret that I have it. BTW, for a power supply, I simply purchased an 18 ac power supply from Radio Shack, cut the plug off, stripped the wires, and bingo,instant power supply. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://acrr.rrdepot.com
Nobody has mentioned it yet, so I will. For a small layout, don't discount MRC Command 2000. I have a small layout...52 sq ft in N-Scale. I almost exclusively operate alone. Therefore, I rarely run more than one train at a time...maybe two at the most. The MRC handheld unit serves wonderfully. I use phone extension cord to extend the reach of the unit. I know the disadvantages (or supposed ones): Limited programming Only 10 locomotives at once Not upgradable However, the advantages are: Extremely easy to use (a 5 year old can figure it out, I know this) Relatively inexpensive Handheld unit available, easily used For a small layout, operated by one or two people, consider the MRC unit. I don't regret that I have it. BTW, for a power supply, I simply purchased an 18 ac power supply from Radio Shack, cut the plug off, stripped the wires, and bingo,instant power supply. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://acrr.rrdepot.com
