Best to buy decoders from Digitrax?

[queenidog]

You guys have been most helpful answering lots of my newbie questions.  Thanks.  Here's another one:

I don't have locos or a command station yet but my choice is likely to be Digitrax Super Chief for the latter.  I thought that any loco I bought with a decoder in it would just do whatever I "expected" it to do, like sounds, lights, momentum effects, etc.  But reading the specs on Digitrax decoders, I find there are different levels from basic to premium, to Series 3 that has all the bells and whistles (no pun intended).

Q.1) So is it best to buy a loco that is DCC ready and install the best decoder I can find (eg Digitrax Series 3)?  What do you get when you buy a loco with a decoder in it?  Do they specify all the functions?

Q.2)I downloaded an application note from Digitrax discussing all the features of their decoders but NOT ONCE in the 8 page document do they talk about sound.  Yet a glossy brochure I picked up at a hobby store highlights their SoundFX decoders which include motor and functions as well.  What's going on here?  Is the app note a real old (ie "before sound") document?

[tstage]

QD,

Not every decoder fits all applications.  You have to purchase a decoder with the following things in mind:

• How many functions does your locomotive need?  You don't need to buy a 6-function decoder for a locomotive that never had ditch or Mars lighting.  2-function decoders cover the front and rear headlights.  Additional 4- and 6-function decoders allow you to operate the fancy lighting features mentioned above
• What type of performance are you looking for?  Do you want excellent low-speed response?  Decoders with BEMF are best at that.  (Handy for switching and realistic slow starts.)  Do you sound?  You'll need to find a manufacturer that makes a decoder with the correct prime mover/chuff/whistle/bell file.
• Will the decoder fit inside the available space under the shell?  Usually the smaller the locomotive; the more limited space you have under the hood.  However, even if you have an HO locomotive, an N- or Z-scale decoder can work as well as a large HO-scale decoder.
• How much can you/do you want to spend on a decoder?  6-function decoders generally cost more than 2- and 4-function decoders.  Likewise, sound decoders will cost more than non-sound decoders.  Then there's sound-only decoders that have sound but do not control the motor.

No matter what DCC system you operate with, you aren't obligated or restricted to solely using their decoders.  Besides Digitrax, NCE, TCS & Lenz (non-sound) and SoundTraxx, ESU & QSI (sound) all make very basic to top-of-the-line decoders.  Some are better at doing things than they are at others.

I generally get decoder recommendations from either folks here on the forum or from vendors who have the expertise and installation know how.  Every locomotive is different so not every decoder will best utilize its running characteristic.

Boy!  I bet that makes things clear as mud, huh?

Tom

[cacole]

For non-sound decoders, TCS and NCE should not be overlooked -- both of these companies make very good decoders.  When purchased in bulk packs, NCE D13SRJ decoders can be had for as little at $12 each from Empire Northern Models in Webster, New York.  And both of these brands are made in the USA, as are all Digitrax decoders.

[Hamltnblue]

I would start by getting the DCC system first.  Then I would suggest you get at least one DCC equipped loco to get you running and familiar.  After that I would post the loco's you want to upgrade on the forums and what features you want to install.   The best decoder for each install isn't always the same in all loco's

Some manufacturers have drop in decoders for specific loco's, some have to be a specific size and some loco's can take pretty much any brand decoder.

Good Luck and let us know your progress.

 

[selector]

All true DCC systems will have little or no trouble managing decoders from other manufacturers.  The technology is "open source" just so the HO users and providers can all enjoy some redundancy and convenience.

As the others have pointed out, all decoders should be considered for their direct application to a given model and for the performance that the user desires to have the model do that it can't with straight DC.

Not all sound decoders are the same.  Some are meant to come to you previously loaded with sound files specific to a given real-world locomotive.  Quantum Revolutions are that way.  The steam decoders from Soundtraxx in their Tsunami line come, as far as I still know, in three 'flavours', light, medium, and heavy steam.  They do sound different from each other.

Crandell

[mobilman44]

Hi!

Lots of excellent advice so far............  May I add?

I was in your shoes about 2 1/2 years ago.  I did a lot of research and Forum questions (these guys are GREAT!), and ended up getting a Digitrax Super Chief with second booster.  NCE was a very close second choice - I think I just liked the color of the Digitrax boxes better...........

I had 6 or 7 decoder equipped locos and was building a new layout, so I was in no hurry to buy decoders.  As previously suggested, I went through all my DCC locos (50 plus) and weeded out those that were considered difficult to install decoders and those that IMHO were just not worthy.  These were sold on Ebay.

My remaining locos to be converted fell into similar groupings (i.e. Stewart F units, P2K GPs, Atlas RSDs, Spectrum steamers).  So I asked the Forum to recommend decoders, and both Digitrax and NCE were recommended.  I ended up buying all NCEs (shop around - good prices out there), and am happy with my choice.  Oh, these were all non-sound decoders.

 

[rrinker]

 I run my layout with Digitrax, but I have not a single Digitrax decoder installed anywhere. I've been using only TCS recently, but I have used the mentioned NCE D13SRJs, very good decoders and you can;t beat them on price. There are some really poor quaility/feature decoders that sell for much more than those NCE ones.

 As for installing yourself, some locos are extremely easy and have either a 9 pin plug or an 8 pin socket, sometimes both (in the case of some AThearn RTR locos) AND there are already resistors in palce to handle the lights/LEDs - so the hard part of such an install is usually getting the shell off. Others you will have to cut and solder wires. If you are not sure on that, what I suggest is paying an installer to do one or two and then when you get it back look over what they did. Once you've seen one or two you should be able to figure it out for yourself.

                     --Randy

 

[Phoebe Vet]

I have decoders made by Digitrax, TCS, ESU/Loksound, and SoundTraxx/Tsunami .  I am happy with all of them.  The only problem I have had was a bad TCS, but it was replaced, no charge, and the replacement works well.

[simon1966]

Another Digitrax command station user here that does not use very many Digitrax decoders.   For a basic fleet decoder the NCE D13SR is hard to beat, especially for a decoder with 4 functions.   It has proven to be excellent in my son's more modern diesel fleet where ditch lights are important to him.  

For applications where I want real smooth slow speed operation, I really like the TCS decoders.   I am especially partial to the MC2 which is really small and fits almost anywhere.   The TCS web site is also a really good place to look at installation examples.

I am not a big fan of Digitrax decoders because I really don't like their performance when handling special light effects with LED's.   I prefer to install LED's and have just not been happy with how they look with Digitrax decoders.   Others, TCS in particular seem to handle effects much better.  Even the cheap NCE ones do a better job IMO.

For sound decoders, I have used QSI and Tsunami.  Both worked well, though QSI is not quite as flexible unless you have the QSI programmer.

 

[jbinkley60]

 

You've gotten some good responses so far.  I have quite a few Digitrax (and other manufacturers) sound and non-sound decoders.  If you are going to use Digitrax sound decoders then I'd suggest looking at the DH165 series.  They have a socket for a Sound Bug module.  I've had no problems installing them in a locomotive.  You need to pick the right decoder for the right locomotive.  Digitrax has help on their website and many here can make specific suggestions.  The main challenge installing sound decoders in locomotives not specifically designed for them is finding a spot for a speaker and enclosure.  Nowadays I buy most of my locomotives with a sound decoder installed but I have converted quite a few of my older units to sound.

[MisterBeasley]

The Digitrax sound decoders are all low-end units.  They use 8-bit sound recordings, while the better ones like SoundTraxx use 16-bit.  The sound quality is noticably better, even to a non-audiophile like me.  If you really want a nice sounding engine, spend the extra money for a better sound decoder.

If you can, buy locomotives with the sound already installed.  First of all, if you look at the price, you'll see that it's actually cheaper to do that than to buy the engine and install a decoder yourself.  Also, if you're new to this, you don't have to deal with installing the decoder, which can be anything from a piece-of-cake job to a multi-day ordeal.  Pretty much all sound-included engines use higher-end sound decoders, too, so you'll start off with a good system.