DCC Systems

[Anonymous]

Go with Atlas over MRC, it will be much more expandible and is a better system. When you first get in, your tastes - electronically - can be somewhat unsophisticated, mine was. But as you grow in the hobby and the field of DCC, and maybe even an expanding layout, you might be surprised at what you want your system to do for you two, three or four years from now. Atlas is Lenz, so you have a large company products backing Atlas.

[horter1]

I am looking at a low end system, such as MRC or Atlas. Does anyone have any experience with either of these two systems or am I being too cheap? I have a moderate sized layout and anticipate running no more than 4 trains/consists at anytime. I will not being controlling switches as I enjoy hand thrown switches. However, I could see operating signals but this is just a fantasy right now as I have not begun researching the practicalities of doing so. Right now, my biggest concern is consisting. All my trains operate in consist fashion. I have been reviewing this aspect of several systems and I am not sure of this ability with the MRC or Atlas system. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Doug:

You are technically correct. In retrospect I should have worded it differently. The fact is that most products follow the rules and work as they should even if they don’t have a conformance warrant.

You may be aware of the discussions now going on with respect to some proposed changes to the RP9's. That may be why some vendors are slow getting conformance warrants for new products. Not to mention a difference of opinion between some in the working groups and the vendors that best not talked about here.

I also think Rick's comments are very valid. What most people care about is "does this stuff work". In that context both Digitrax and Lenz have extensions that are beyond the NMRA and therefore are not compatible with each other.

My apologies to all if I misled anyone, that was not my intention.

Regards;

Ken

[Anonymous]

Doug,
I appreciate the spirit of accuracy in your post, but I question the wisdom of it. Most people coming here and asking questions about systems are fairly green behind the ears. Whether Digitrax does everything according to Hoyle is less important than does everything run with Digitrax. At present the only thing I can think of is "bi-directional" running which may not be a happy camper with the Digitrax system as is transponding may not be a happy camper on a Lenz system, but then I could be wrong.

So a new guy reading your comment may think - "hey I shouldn't get Digitrax because...." just as the person above did. But the reality as you and I know it, is that North America is a Digitrax town. I think for most guys running Digitrax, it would come as a surprise that Digi doesn't have a warrant in a certain area. Two seconds after the surprise wore off, they'd go back to running their trains with Digitrax with a smile on their face.

The issue for a newbie to this forum asking about DCC is this - "will the system put a smile on my face and be reasonably priced and expandible in the future?" The answer to all those questions concerning Digitrax is yes, and probably with less software upgrades than Lenz, as is already the case.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kbrant

Geoff:

Let me try to take you questions in sequence.

First, NMRA conformance. This means that the NMRA has verified that a manufacturers product meets all the S9 and RP9 requriements for interoperatibility. Digatrax is ABSOLUTLY NMRA compliant, any comments to the contrary are marketing bull.

Sorry, Ken.

Digitrax only has a small number of conformance warrants, and most are on products they no longer produce.

Digitrax claims NMRA compatability, and I have not seen any evidence to the contrary, but they are not compliant until they earn the warrant.

An NMRA conformance warrant is not marketing bull. It is an important indicator to the model railroad consumer that the product contained within will interoperate with other warranted products. Many other DCC manufacturers have earned warrants, allong with traditional model railroad manufacturers. I wish more manufacturers and consumers would take the warrants and the products that bear them more seriously.

Oh, and by the way, I spent 5 years testing products for the NMRA, including developing the tests for, and testing DCC decoders.

Doug Menke

[tomytuna]

you want simple...user friendly...MRC....

[Anonymous]

What a reversal, I'm so used to reading that NCE is easier to use than Digitrax (I own Digitrax). I guess the "new" cabs put out by Digitrax have simplified the running and programming of engines.

[Anonymous]

Gentlemen, thanks for your time in responding to my qestions.

The main systems in the area are Lenz and Digitrax...hence the comparison.

I've decided to go with the Digitrax Super Chief. My reasons for this are the greater number of modellers using that system. In the end this was probably the main consideration, for when you want others to come around and have fun it's a lot easier if they bring a controller with them that is compatable.

Secondly, it would appear that the Digistrax is a lot more user friendly than the others. Some modellers I had spoken to had suggested that I look at NCE, however, the scarcity of that system in the neighbourhood made it unrealistic.

I had used controllers from both Digitrax (DT300) and Lenz (from the 01 set) and the functionality of each had impressed. In retrospect, to include that as part of my question, when it is a personal value judgement, was probably out of place.

However, the replies received were very much appreciated and you views taken on board as they have certainly assisted in the decision making process.

Thanks again

Geoff Bell
Perth W.A.

[BR60103]

I will echo ebriley's comment. Get a system that has some local users. Ask if you can come over and see it (try it) in operation. You will need someone to ask questions of at some point in the installation/ setup/ running. Like all computer manuals, the instruction books at some points will be quite opaque.
3 points:
Your controllers and power units will all have to be from the same system.
All decoders should work with any controllers.
After you wire the layout you can change controllers without changing the wiring. (* handheld wiring excepted, maybe.)

[Anonymous]

Also consider which systems other modelersin your area are using. I have EasyDCC, but some others locally have Digitrax and so on. Most all of the systems are very good, but each has it's quirks, etc. If you know several guys (or gals) who use a certain system why not get the same system and have a lot of local experienced support from your hobby friends?

[ClinchValleySD40]

Before you decide, make sure to try all systems. I don't know where you live, but there are probably layouts running DCC in the area. Figure out where you want to go with it, what you want it to do today and look for a system with the features you need. But don't buy anything until you actually try it and see if it is what you want. Comparison shop as much as you can.

[Anonymous]

Geoff:

Let me try to take you questions in sequence.

First, NMRA conformance. This means that the NMRA has verified that a manufacturers product meets all the S9 and RP9 requriements for interoperatibility. Digatrax is ABSOLUTLY NMRA compliant, any comments to the contrary are marketing bull.

Second, software upgrades ARE available for Digatrax, though you will probably not need them. The Empire Builder is not Digitrax's best set. Look at the Super Chief for a more direct comparision to Lenz.

The signaling systems you refer to are not software upgrades in the usual sense. They are LocoNet add on's jhat you just plug in and they work. See my reply to Cmdr.WedgeAntilles above for more details.

The bottom line is that almost any GOOD system will work. Most decoders and command stations willo play together OK. The command station you choise should boil down to what you want and how you will use it. Lenz and most other systems use a polled network while Digitrax uses a CMSACD network. How important this will depend on how much expansion you want.

If you are going to run 5 or less trains at once and don't care about computer control, transponding, or signalling, then any system will be OK. If you want an open ended system that can adapt to future options then Digatrax has all the advantages.

Regards;

Ken

[Anonymous]

I have read what has been written here and am very interested in this forum's views as I'm in the final stages of deciding what DCC system I would like to purchase.

I've been to one of the local clubs and they use a Digitrax Super Empire Builder system which I was very impressed with. I'd also seen another system, a Lenz 100, operating and was equally impressed.

I'm debating the purchase of either the Digitrax Super Chief or the Lenz 100 system. Apart from the very strong warranty offered by Lenz, the main difference would appear to be that the Digitrax system does not have an NMRA conformance. What is meant by that? And how does it impact (if it does)?

Secondly, the Digitrax system does not allow software upgrades. How does this impact, as I had heard there were modules (signal systems) that could be added to this system which in effect appear to be upgrades as such. Is that true?

I have also heard on the grapevine that with the Lenz system you may have to stop the running of locomotives should you wi***o introduce another loco to the system while you program it. While with Digitrax, all that's required is a dedicated length of track with out interupting the trains running. Is that true?

Finally, although I have never used the DT400 throttle I'm greatly impressed by what I've read. How does that compare with the the throttle offered by Lenz, as I have used a throttle from the Lenz 01 set and was reasonably impressed?

As you can see I'm very close to purchasing, and at this point have a leaning toward Digitrax without really knowing too much about the software of each system. I would be very appreciative of this forum's views,

Regards,

Geoff Bell
Perth. W.A.

[Anonymous]

The two big players are Digitrax and Lenz. Digitrax is number one in North America, Lenz is number one in Europe. Both are very good systems, either will bring a smile to your face. Although I own Digitrax, I'm beginning to think Zimo is the best (I'm interested in computer run trains) but it is pricey. Atlas is Lenz.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pacificnorthern

Check out Loy's Toy's or Tony exchange, they have a lot of useful info on different makers,

Ditto, definatly tony's.

it all depends on your needs, so check out tony's comparisons.

[Anonymous]

Check out Loy's Toy's or Tony exchange, they have a lot of useful info on different makers,

[Anonymous]

Cmdr.WedgeAntilles:

Sometimes this gets to be a very emotional argument that no one wins. I will tell what I use any why. I have been working with various digital control systems of my own design for the last 20 years.

The NMRA specifies track power and signaling, what command stations must do and how decoders must respond to packets. They intenionally did not specify how any of this is implemented. More importantly, they did not specify how system components talk to one another, for example how a throttle sends commands to a control station. That's a good thing because it leaves the manufacturers free to come up with very usefull products.

When the NMRA adopted the DCC S9 and RP's I switched to DCC. I did a through search of the products on the market at that time (1995). I decided that Digitrax had the best system and that's what I bought. Here are some reasons why.

There system is very well thought out. One can start with as small or large a system as they want but are not limited when they want to expand. Their prices are reasonable and the product range is good.

The real clincher for me was LocoNet, the network technology used to interconnect the system components. It's Ethernet for model railroads. Wiring is simple and things just plug togather and work. I use it with a computer to program decoders and control some layout functions.

Please note that a computer is NOT required, it's a nice option if you want it. Loy's Toys has a good ahalysis of his decision to go with Digitrax. The URL is http://www.loystoys.com/. The Digitrax web site has an area called "The Digitrax Difference" that you might want to look at. They publi***he LocoNet specifications and are free for personal use.

There are now several other vendors that produce LocoNet compatible products. It short, I think it's the most powerfull and versitle system on the market and it's not the highest priced. After 8 years of use I am still very happy with it.

Regards;
Ken

[Anonymous]

I am looking for a DCC for my layout (small but I am expanding it), what manufacturer do you recomend?