rrinker Those are UT4's, the middle spot is brake. So you can theoretically switch without touching the knob. Switch from forward to brake, train will slow down and stop, switch to reverse, it will speed up gradually. That's not a mod, that's the way they come. --Randy
Those are UT4's, the middle spot is brake. So you can theoretically switch without touching the knob. Switch from forward to brake, train will slow down and stop, switch to reverse, it will speed up gradually. That's not a mod, that's the way they come.
--Randy
That's pretty cool actually!
rrinkerThose are UT4's, the middle spot is brake.
They call ita brake, now that you mention it. Seems more like neutral in how it works, so guess that's why I'm remembering it as neutral. Kinda like learning to work the pedals to make a Model T go. I can see it could be helpful, when it's not confusing folks like me.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Zephyr Xtra has it on the console, too. Gives you a brake to work against the throttle since the throttle on teh Zephyr and UT4 are potentiometers instead of encoders, so you can leave the speed set and brake or accelerate with the brake lever alone.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
OK I guess it is all right to throw out bad information just because they are YOUR experts,
I guess you will learn by your mistakes.
Have FUN!
Been in business for 20 plus years - must be doing something right - like telling the truth - but some don't want to hear that.
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Guess I'm just nicer about it - but it does irk me that comparisons are made against products that Digitrax stopped selling over 15 years ago. Yeah, programming with a DT100 isn't very intuituve or easy, but since the DT300, which came out when, 1999 or 2000?, it has been much more obvious without the workarounds to get numbers bigger than 99 into a 2 digit display. Key combos became a thing of the past with the DT400. Lots of buttons, but every function its own button. No odd things like the loco select button to select a loco and shift-loco select to select an accessory or such nonsense.
Comparison charts often mark a negative that Digitrax doesn;t upgrade the command station. Because the network design means there's no need to. In all the years they've sold the DCS100, there's been exactly 1 upgrade - once the NMRA expanded the functions past F8, the code in the original DCS100 wouldn;t send the packets correctly for functions over F8. That was fixed long before the present expansion to 28 functions - yet no upgrade was needed to access all 28.
I am new to DCC, but after all research, I opted for the Digitrax Zephyr. Good starter system and also expandable in the future. Seems to work very well. One caution that I discovered in DCC is that trains run much slower than on DC but it is also more like a prototype RR.
mlehmanThat's neat, but I guess another sign that some folks just can't let go of DC, even when they're mostly DCC. Kind of reminds me of thoese turntables you can record LPs directly to your computer in a digital file. Not knocking vinyl, either, as I have plenty of it and appreciate its virtues -- yes, DC, has a few, too -- but it's a declining market. Of course, old DC powerpacks are cheaper than new DCC controllers, but the form-factor of most of 'em doesn't seem too attractive to walkaround ops...
How is the ability to use a DC power pack as a throttle with the Zephyr a "sign that some folks just can't let go of DC."
CSX RobertHow is the ability to use a DC power pack as a throttle with the Zephyr a "sign that some folks just can't let go of DC."
Just trying to have a little fun here, Robert. Relax, The DCC Police will NOT be showing up to confiscate that old power pack you have buried in the yard "Just in case..."
Hey, if people are using 15 year old D-stuff, there must be something good about it. I wasn't knocking Big D, just giving my opinion based on my experience -- no experts needed for that, fair enough? It's not my understanding that anyone is checking credentials at the door here for admission.
Seriously, these "which DCC system is best" discussions really are pretty pointless. None are and they all are -- to someone. Your best bet if you really want to know what works for you, as has already been mentioned, is try them out yourself on someone else's layout. Not in a store or over the internet, but hands on with plenty of time to do different things with them.
The choice in DCC ultimately comes down to what suits you as an individual. And there's no accounting for taste. Mostly, it's not even a matter of specs or performance, although certain features can be more or less attractive. It's all about what works best for you and your budget. Regardless of all those who like their Digitrax stuff, it just doesn't work for me. Kind of like owning a Ford (OK, now I will get some real flak), it's something I have no need for. In contrast, using the NCE system is virtually intuitive. Whover designed it must think about these things a lot like me. Like PC vs Mac, you do end up having to choose a side. Doesn't mean that the alternative isn't perfectly suitable for use by others.
BTW, I will mention one more plus that the PowerCab has for a starter system. It willd program sound decoders without the need for a booster (eg Soundtraxx PTB-100) that is sometimes needed. If you plan to program sound this is convenient and saves spending ~$40 or so on the booster that many DCC systems, including the NCE PowerPro systems don't have the capability to do without it. That's why I have the PowerCab on my programming track.
Big D didn't used to have a throttle that did that, but if they do now, maybe someone, expert or not, can inform us what they offer.
I have never had a problem programming Tsunamis or QSI with my Zephyr, and no program track booster (and no using Blast Mode, either). It's always "just worked". My PR-3 in standalone mode, using the normal PS-14 power supply, not a third party higher voltage one, also reads and writes Tsunamis just fine, I even managed to get JMRI to read one of those "unreadable" MRC ones - worked if I just read a few settings per sheet at a time, read full sheet = instant fail with it.
A DB-150, in the guise of a Super EMpire Builder set, has always been able to program Tsunamis as well - it is pretty much just like a Powercab in that there is no dedicated program track and it programs using full power. That's been around - hmm, 15 years or so as well. BTW that auto-switch thing NCE has for the PowerCab so you CAN make a dedicated program track workes great witht he DB-150 as well. Prevents accidently programming everything on the layout.
I've since permanently avoided any future issues by standardizing all my sound decoders on Loksound and trading off my last Tsunami, so even though the program fine on my system, I no longer have to worry about it.
I have been programming Sound Decoders from the very start when Sound first became available as I was probably one of the first in my area to try out a sound engine!
And to boot - It was a BLI - supposedly the hardest to program at the time.
I didn't really believe them as I just plopped it down on the Program track - while my layout was up and running - and programmed the engine number right in!
Put up on the layout and away we went.
Not knowing until weeks after that the Forum members couldn't do it made me wonder why mine worked.
As more Sound engines were being purchased more Operatrors were bringing them to my layout to run and they needed to be programmed - I just did them and they were happy.
As the newer Sound units became available with Talkback - we had more problems Programming them.
I soon found a way to do it using my good old Program track and I just kept on Programming everyones engines.
Now - I do have to admit the MRC decoders - no matter what type - are a problem but I never had too many to do and if I did - my one operator just took them home and programmed them on his EASYDCC system.
So - if one knows their equipment - it is AMAZING what they can do with it.
It may NOT be in the manual - but learning all of the little short cuts one gets by being on ALL of the DCC forums - Digitrax, NCE, EASYDCC, MRC, LENZ etc etc.
While it may not be reative at this moment in time - usually down the road (I have been into DCC 1999) it usually cames in handy.
As for using the other brands - It least I get to know ALL of the other DCC systems as we regularly RUN on them all as our I-80 Operations Group travel around the country to visit and attend Operations Sessions.
This is where one really learns the system. Not one person at home by themselves will ever gain the experience in having to work in a Operations environment with 20 or so other operators and SEE first hand the Problems the DCC systems have.
YET - there are those that seem to know all about said DCC system and have NEVER really used one for extended periods of time in an Operations environment - YET are the first one to begin ditzing the other Brands - no matter which ones they are.
I am selling and Installing DCC systems I get to know them fairly well and also going to other Layouts - Mega types as well as the smaller ones to attend OPs Sessions only gives me more experience to help out those that are having problems.
As was stated they ALL have their Good Points and their Bad points.
It is just that I began with Digitrax and still prefer it over the other brands - it is funny - each one of the DCC systems still is able to run trains!
caboose62 I am new to DCC, but after all research, I opted for the Digitrax Zephyr. Good starter system and also expandable in the future. . .
I am new to DCC, but after all research, I opted for the Digitrax Zephyr. Good starter system and also expandable in the future. . .
Same boat; same decision. No regrets.
Richard