I agree, having a controller able to access 28 functions is a waste if most decoders don't have 28 functions or have a large number of them that are just "window dressing". However, I might remember some of them, or at least keep a list handy if some of them were really usefull. As I mentioned in a previous post, if you could change some of the operating characteristics of the loco that currently require programing CVs, more functions may be usefull. Isn't that really what you do when you use Decoder Pro, a few mouse clicks to change numerous CVs ? Would be nice to change the more common ones from the controller instead of the program track. Is it possible to make a decoder that will do this?
Jim
It's easy to illustrate that 28 functions are a gimick and will be impossible to remember.
There are 26 letters in the alphabet ... quick now, without counting on your fingers and toes, which letter is the 17th one?
That's not unlike trying to remember what function 17 does if you had 28 functions. It's impossible unless you have a photographic memory.
Can you remember the number position of all 26 letters in the alphabet and recall it instantly? At least with the alphabet, we've memorized the sequence. The problem will be even worse with 28 functions ... you don't have the function sequence already commited to memory like you do the alphabet, so you'll never remember those 28 functions, much less really use them.
Ordinary people will use 6-8 functions in real life and maybe remember them. But 28 functions is nothing but pure marketing hype and hopelessly impractical.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
Maybe someone with more experience with DCC than I can answer this; I'm asking myself why most of the functions 1-28 have to deal with sound or lights? Could perhaps some of them be "programed" to program a CV? For example: F-24 = increase sound level 10%. F-25 = decrease sound level 10%. F-26 = increase momentum 10%, etc. For each button push you would get the change. I agree, you don't need 28 functions for a bunch of different sounds you can't remember, but I would find some other uses as mentioned above useful.
Re: which DCC system to get......if you have not purchased one yet, my advice to you is to investigate several systems to see what each offers. You should try them out, and see if they'll do what you would think you want them to do, and in a manner that makes sense to you.
I've read several times that if the folks in your immediate area use one certain system, it probably makes sense to get the same system because you can get help when you need it. I think I've come to the conclusion that this bit of advice may be overrated. If you have a simple railroad, basically all the systems are the same...connect two wires to the track and plug it in. A lot of the other stuff is also the same as regards power districts, decoders, etc. And if you have a problem, I believe that all the major manufacturers have a number to call to help you out.
And when you're out there trying out the different systems, if you run into a guy that tells you his system is the only great system, run the other way. Each system may have some particular thing that makes you ultimately unhappy.
As an example, there is a group around here that believes that the system they use is the greatest thing since sliced bread. They would be more than willing to regale you with its advantages. I personally think that they are whistling loudly just to convince themselves. My issue with the system they use is that it is not intuitive. I think that there are so many of them because they need to get together to figure it out. I use a competitor's system because it makes sense to me.
Remember, you probably would not buy a pair of uncomfortable shoes just because everyone else thinks that the shoes are pretty!
I have NCE and have programed the option for functions 10-28. All the func. I know are below.
0=headlight
1=bell
2=horn1
4=horn2
7=brake sound
8=mute
9=voices
It goes up to 15 on my Lokosound decoder.
It's all a question of what you need and/or what you want. It is always nice to have possiblities and not use them, than not having a choice. Please correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't MRC not display the higher functions? I thought I read this in a product review.
Do we "need" 28 functions? Well, we really don't "need" any at all to run trains...just speed and direction. It all depends on what you want to accomplish.
Sound locos are the obvious choice for more functions, with steam being even more so than diesels. I have a BLI I-5 with QSI sound that I run with my DT400R F0-F12 throttle, and these are the functions I use nornally:
F0: HeadlightF1: BellF2: WhistleF3: CouplerF6: Doppler or Start UpF7: Flange Squeal or Air BrakesF8: MuteF9: Shut DownF10: Decoder addy. & Status or Scale MPH
I can appreciate the other sound effects out there from other companies. I think it's the Tsunami's that have a water fill. I think it would also be neat to have coal & sand fill, too. Even the MRC's "Boooard!" sound is okay for passenger trains (silly on freight engines, however). Cab lights are another possibility, as well as firebox sound effects (Fireman Fred). I think it would also be neat to be able to play with the reverser (Johnson Bar) to get that "working" sound of steam.
Can anybody else think of any more to add? Even with all of the above, it's still only 15 functions or so.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
davidmbedard wrote: 28 functions is a gimik. Who can rememer 28 different functions? I personally only use the first 5.
28 functions is a gimik. Who can rememer 28 different functions? I personally only use the first 5.
I use about 6 of them and that is plenty.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
Hi, Tom. Yes, I meant the mechanical, including an onboard decoder of some kind and the right kind of couplers. I appreciate what it would mean, and how expensive it would be. I was just saying that for me, the only other function I could use would be something that I could activate from my pad that actually coupled or decoupled cars....well, just decoupled, I guess. It would be one less reach, per occasion, into the scenery, and one less potential derailment when I get too frisky with the skewer and knock the car(s) off the rails. This has never happened to me, by the way...never once knocked a car off the rails using the skewer a little too aggessively. I hear it happens to other people, though.
-Crandell
That's a great help guys thanks again. I was on the fence about which unit to get. MRC- 28 functions (which I thought I'd never use anyway). Or Digitrax which I know a bit from the club. So I think my mind is made up with Digitrax. Thanks for all the help again.
Kutter
selector wrote:Now, if we could have a function controlling coupling and decoupling, that would be something. I'd be all over that faster'n you can correct an incorrectly lined turnout.
Crandell,
I'm assuming that you are referring to actual mechanical coupling and uncoupling? There was an article in MR a few years ago about just that very thing. If I remember correctly, it wasn't as practical (or inexpensive) to incorporate. Would be pretty cool though
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The consensus over time has been that functions higher than about 8 are mostly forgotten and hardly ever used unless extremely bored. If a person is running sound decoders, there is often so much other ambient noise from nearby engines that adding the more esoteric ones from the higher "register" just adds to the din and doesn't add much to the gee-whizz factor.
Now, if we could have a function controlling coupling and decoupling, that would be something. I'd be all over that faster'n you can correct an incorrectly lined turnout.
28 functions = gimmick.
In fact I first learned of it through a MTH offering and I was thinking neat! Then I learned you need THIER control system (More bucks please) to use it all.
Later I realized I just do Bell, Whistle, Cooling/dynamics, air and that is it.
Digitrax will release 28 functions in due time and it is not a pressing problem.
Kutter,
I agree with David. When I run sound on my layout, bell (F1), horn (F2), and mute (F8) are the main ones that I use on a consistent basis. Doppler (F6) is kinda cool every once in a while. Beyond the first 8 or 9 sound functions, I doubt I'll either use them or even remember them.
If your club is using Digitrax and you like it or are used to it, it makes sense to go with Digitrax. They make a very good and reliable product that has some real pluses. NCE makes a very nice product, too. I use the Power Cab and enjoy it very much. It has 28-functions like the MRC Prodigy Advance.
Hi everyone. Here's the long aged question again. Which system to use??? MRC or Digitrax???
MRC has the 28 functions, but I don't know if I would use all those. On the other side of things. The club I'm in uses Digitrax. So if I have any problems there is always someone to ask. Besides asking here of course. So, I like the sound of the MRC product but I don't know what all the 28 functions are for??? Could anyone help to fill me in on all those functions. This might help make up my mind as to which way I would like to go.
Thanks Kutter