Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
If you already chose the NCE why stir up an old argument that just raises peoples ire?
Choice of DCC decoders should have no bearing on the decision. Use what ever brand of decoder you like for each installation. It makes no difference if you have an NCE command station and then use Digitrax or any other brand of decoders, they will all work with your command station. Take a look at the decoders from TCS as well. They have some excellent decoders, a great warranty and their auto BEMF slow running features are superb. www.tcsdcc.com
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Simon1966, I've been wondering about whether a decoder from one brand works with another. Thanks!
Sawyer,
Yes, DCC systems are designed to work with multiple decoder manufacturers. What you can NOT do is mix and match DCC system components - i.e. throttles, command stations, boosters, etc.
There are a few exceptions when it come to boosters. However, you should always double-check compatibility first BEFORE hooking them up to your specific DCC system.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
You are welcome. I tend to choose the decoder based on the particular installation. Sometimes one brand is a better fit/better price. As a consequence I have NCE, Digitrax, Lenz, Soundtraxx, MRC and TCS decoders running under the control of my Digitrax command station. If you take into account locos that I have with preinstalled sound decoders I have also QSI, ESU decoders on the layout. So 8 different brands of decoder happily coexisting under the control of a single command station.
I simplified my world and run QSI exclusively under my Digitrax DCC.
However there are some strange decoders from time to time as evidenced by the recent Bachmann Trolley.
MRC's not allowed. I have a locobuffer II on budget for ordering soon to handle the growing fleet.