i dont know what dcc system 2 get. i am looking 4 1 that is cheep,has2-4 digits,ease consist building and can hold many programed loco. the systems im looking at are the altas commander, mrc prodgy, and the zepher. i am only going 2 have a 2-5 people operating thx 4 ur time zachary
I Currently own a Digitrax Zephyr, an Atlas commander system and a Digitrax Chief with multiple boosters. I use the zephyr for a small N scale display layout. The Atlas commander for my son’s HO 4X8 plywood sheet layout and the chief for my basement layout. Based on what you looking at, you only have one choice in N scale. The Digitrax zephyr. The reasons are as follows: Expandable with the entire Digitrax system. Ability to use additional throttles and radio control throttles. Ease of programming. Second place is the Atlas commander. But be careful, the recommended power supply is the Atlas generator. This is the Achilles heel of the system. It put out a track voltage that is too high for most N scale engines and decoders. You need to follow the directions on atlas's web site for using a diode bridge to knock down the voltage to lower values in order to not overload your decoders or lighted passenger cars. If you don't do this you will have a few cooked decoders and possibly melted shells from the lamps getting to hot over time. I learned the hard way about the voltage by frying several sound traxx decoders when this system first cam out. Fortunately, The soudt raxx folks were kind enough to replace the decoders. The Atlas commander is a repackaged Lenz compact system that is sold in the European market. It is X bus compatible and can be set up to have multiple throttles etc. Stay away from MRC. The system is very simple to use but is limited to 28 speed steps. The decoders for this system are very basic and limited. The rest of the industry (Digitrax, North Coast, Lenz and Atlas have moved on to 128 speed steps and interoperability). For how much this system costs it is not worth it. You will have to reprogram decoders from other mfg to run in 14 or 28-speed step mode. If you take any engine that has an mrc decoder and run it on any ones else’s system (that is not MRC) you will have to do a status edit the change it to a 28-speed step. (An annoyance at best). If memory serves me right you have only limited programming capability in the unit.
