Hello all,
My fleet uses several different manufacturers of decoders from Bachmann, Digitrax and TCS.
I do not run sound so I cannot comment on sound decoders.
Some of these decoders are factory installed, some are plug-and-play while others have been hard-wired in custom applications.
The decoders range from two- to four- and six-functions.
The Bachmann decoders are dirt-basic. They are two-function and support only a few CVs. These are either factory installed or plug-and-play where I don't need "higher function" CVs and only control two lights.
I have hard-wired these two-function decoders with LEDs and have been able to replicate the Rule 17 lighting function without using CVs.
The Digitrax decoders are four-function and support more CVs, such as Rule 17 and advance consisting along with speed curves.
I have installed these Digitrax decoders in plug-and-play applications and hard-wired applications.
The TCS decoders I have used are six-function and "LED ready" which means that resistors are not needed when using LEDs; they are not designed to run incandescent bulbs.
I have used these in my snowplows to control, not the prime-mover (propusion) functions, but rather power the fan blade motors of the plow along with the headlights and warning (strobe) lights.
Some installations have been a tight fit under the shell while some have been an easy fit.
I have also swapped some plug-and-play decoders from one locomotive to another for various reasons; motor noise, advance consisting or CV functions.
My DCC system has accepted all of these decoders, from different manufacturers, seamlessly.
I also use Decoder Pro JMRI from my Mac through a Digitrax PR3 to a stand alone programming track.
All of these decoders are supported through Decoder Pro and are easily programmed.
By using the Deoder Pro program it reads the decoders and lets me know which CVs are or are not supported.
I have had no problems with mixing and matching decoders, as long as I know what to expect out of each one.
Hope this helps.