After talking to many of you on here and finding it harder to come up with the right DCC system for myself. I was starting to think that MRC PA2 would be the way I would go. But after talking to many and finding out that there is no computer interface for the system I think I've changed my mind. I e-mailed MRC and they had good info on the PA2 but they want you to upgrade to the wireless and then purchase the computer interface. So I'm guessing here but it sounds like and extra $400 to $500 for all the extra's that I could get out of a Digitrax Emipre Builder. And download the JMRI interface.
Now my question is... Are Digitrax working on something new??? A new starter system??? Anybody know what they are doing to keep with the times???
Any info would help me out greatly
Thanks Kutter
Kutter
I am a satisfied Digitrax user/owner with a Super Chief (radio) which is now over ten years old. My chief came with a DCS100 command station which only had 8 functions. I recently sent the DCS100 to Digitrax to have the chip upgraded to 12 functions for a cost of $35. I didn't need the upgrade as 8 functions were just fine, however I now own a sound locomotive and thought I should be prepared for more.
My superchief came with a DT-100R throttle. I later purchased additional DT-100 throtles, UT-1 throttles. When the new DT-300 throttles came out I purchased a set of them and just plugged them in to the loconet. Later I purchased a DT-400 throttle, which I had Digitrax upgrade to radio.
If you have a Digitrax system and you decide to go to wireless (radio), all you have to do is purchase one UR-91 and connect it to your Loconet, and buy radio throttles. Your old equipment will continue to work. My Digitrax System has remained current over a ten year period.
This being the case, the big DCC System consideration should be a computer interface. In my opinion JMRI Decoder Pro is the great DCC system equalizer. I would not invest in a DCC System that does not have a JMRI compatable computer interface.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
Thanks for your thoughts jamnest. Like I said earlier, I was going to go with the MRC DCC but they can not use the JMRI interface so I will not go that way anymore. I think I will be going with the Digitrax system. Thanks again.
After being 'DCC' since 1994, any future purchase of a DCC system will have to have a 'computer' interface - Decoder Pro is just too good.
You mentioned the EB starter set. Myself, I wound not buy the unit as it is Digitrax's oldest technology. It does not have CV read back capability. Many folks with 'home' layouts have bought the 'Zephyr' unit - it has full read back capability. Also, I suspect Digitrax will replace it in the near future with a new 'mid-range' product. Digitrax should be 're-freshing' their product line this summer and the rumors are that new 'full duplex' radio throttles are going to happen. So, a new 'system' may also be in the future(or maybe an 'upgrade' of existing EB systems)
A friend has a 'Zephyr' and it is fully expandable(wireless/booster/etc..). I suspect most home layouts will be running less that 10 trains at once(the system limit of the unit). The unit will attach to the Loconet and throttles/device can be hooked up.
I have also read good reviews on the NCE 'Powercab' system. The starting 'price point' is a little lower, but by the time you get the additional booster, it adds up. The nice thing about it is that the throttle can be used on large NCE powered club layouts. This could be an important issue in some areas. If most of your modeling friends have a particular system, it is easy to 'bring' you throttle over to run with. The group in my area has Digitrax systems, so we never have a lack of throttles at either the club or home layouts.
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
David,Um, you can program wirelessly with Digitrax. I've done it many times.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
David,For programming wirelessly with Digitrax, you use Ops Mode. Say you have a DT400R, and you're running a train wirelessly. Hit the "PROG" button, and the throttle will go automatically into Ops Mode programming for that address. Select the CV with the left knob, change the value with the right knob, hit "ENTER". Congratulations, you've just programmed a decoder without being plugged in. Now, you can't read a CV wirelessly (unless you have verbal feedback on a QSI decoder), but that's not what you said.
My guess is that David was referring to consist programming.
Digitrax is behind on this:
A. Only being able to release a loco or consist while in wireless untethered (throttle has OP#3 setup for untethered release)
B. Being unable to change, add, remove, modify a consist while untethered.
But that should all change with the UR92.
I wonder what else is lurking in the DT-400R. We had playable whistle all along but it was not documented till sound decoders started having an impact. Funny that the only patent running around at this time is the UR92 and not much else.
UpNorth,I don't think David was talking about "consist programming", since he mentioned that Digitrax doesn't "consist, aquire and program wirelessly". That would be an awfully redundant statement if he meant consist programming.
A. I don't understand what you're saying on this one. You can have tetherless release with a DT400R, it's just not set up that way from the factory. You can also have tethered release as well. You said, "Only being able to release a loco or consist while in wireless untethered..." ??? I don't get it.
B. Agreed on that one. However, it's not that restrictive. How many times does one modify a consist while the train is moving? I don't think I've ever felt the need for that, and I've been DCC for almost 10 years.
As for other hidden features in the DT400...I know it's got cab signals.
That is exactly what I'm saying, maybe not clearly. While untethered you can not acquire anything. The only possible loco/consist function is " release ". Makes no difference to me. I can live with plugging the throttle in to acquire/create consists.
The semaphores. To bad no one jump on the band wagon, not even Digitrax. The SE8C does even use them. But it's there.
JMRI and Locobuffer for me broke the world of DCC wide open.
I still prefer to think in Binary but the free JMRI just totally rulz. Especially when I click mouse on throttle on the computer itself and my engine responded. I dont think I will need any more DCC control systems. Will just keep going on new computers now.
UpNorth,Thanks for explaining.WRT the semaphores: I actually managed to activate them on my DT400 at my club (while it was plugged in) by using Railroad&Co.'s software suite. First you turn on the "body", then you can turn on each aspect (stop, slow, & go). You can also cause the throttle to "beep" when it changes, IIRC.
When the Digitrax duplex radio comes out, I bet this will be part of the package as the new radio will be an upgrade for the DT400 and not an entirely new throttle.
current speculation on the Digitrax Yahoo group is they're working on a radio control throttle that's license-able in europe (the frequency they use over here isn't available over there , it's in use by the police . you probably don't want to cause interference with their system!) . whether this will lead to a new US radio throttle is unknown
ernie